Written Answers Nos. 148-168
148. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the action he is taking in relation to the proposal from an organisation (details supplied) introduce a permanent 8% Section 481 regional uplift for productions filming outside the Dublin Metropolitan Area. [70637/26]
View answerFinance Act 2018 introduced a short-term, tapered regional uplift under the Section 481 Film tax credit for productions being made in areas designated under the State aid regional guidelines (among other criteria).
As the regional uplift was an approved State aid, any restoration of the uplift would require approval from the European Commission. It is worth noting that the Section 481 Film tax credit is explicitly linked to the promotion of Irish or European culture.
While the uplift was not a Regional Aid measure, it operated by reference to the regional aid map in force at the time it was introduced. A new regional aid map, covering a significantly smaller geographic area, came into effect in April 2021; consequently, it is not expected that such an approach would be viable for a future relief to support activities outside the main Dublin production hub.
Since the expiration of the Regional Uplift, Government supports for audio-visual productions have been considerably enhanced and broadened. There are no geographic restrictions on the availability of these supports, so they are available to projects taking place in all regions of the State.
For example, the Scéal Uplift was introduced as part of Finance Act 2024 to provide for an uplift of 8 per cent to the existing Film Tax Credit rate of 32 per cent for small-to-medium sized productions with a maximum qualifying expenditure of €20 million where certain additional cultural criteria are also met. The Tax Credit for Unscripted Productions was also introduced as part of Finance Act 2024 and commenced on 23 December 2025. This was the first tax credit in Europe dedicated solely to unscripted programming. Finance Act 2025 introduced an 8 per cent uplift for VFX work under the Section 481 film tax credit, which commenced on 10 July 2026 following the completion of Regulations underpinning the measure.
The Irish film industry is also supported through a range of non-tax measures, including direct funding and development support provided by both the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and Screen Ireland.
These measures demonstrate the Government’s continuing commitment to the audio-visual sector across Ireland, and we will continue to engage constructively with stakeholders so as to best support the expression of Irish and European culture in film and television productions throughout the State.
149. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the criteria applied by the Protected Disclosures Commissioner in determining that an “other suitable person” has the competence to provide feedback and follow-up for the purposes of section 10C of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended; and whether such competence is considered in respect of each category of alleged relevant wrongdoing contained in a report. [69794/26]
View answer150. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the guidance that applies where information available to the Protected Disclosures Commissioner raises a potential issue concerning the suitability, independence or impartiality of a proposed “other suitable person”; and whether consideration of such matters and the reasons for selecting that recipient are required to be documented. [69795/26]
View answer151. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the guidance that applies to the maintenance of records recording the conclusion of procedures concerning protected disclosures; the date and basis upon which the relevant procedures were concluded and notification of the reporting person; and whether such records should be capable of establishing subsequently that the relevant procedures concerning an earlier report had been concluded. [69796/26]
View answer152. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the procedures that apply where a protected disclosure contains several distinct alleged relevant wrongdoings which potentially fall within the functions or competence of different prescribed persons or other suitable persons; and whether individual matters contained in such a report may be transmitted to different appropriate recipients. [69791/26]
View answer153. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the guidance that applies to an “other suitable person” in carrying out an initial assessment pursuant to section 10E of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended; whether such an assessment should be recorded contemporaneously in writing; and whether the record should identify the information considered and the determination as to whether there is prima facie evidence that a relevant wrongdoing may have occurred. [69788/26]
View answer154. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the evidence or records that should be established by a recipient before determining, for the purposes of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended, that the relevant procedures concerning an earlier report have been concluded. [69787/26]
View answer155. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation where a report containing multiple alleged relevant wrongdoings is being considered for closure on the basis that it concerns matters previously reported, if the recipient is expected to conduct and retain an issue-by-issue or allegation-by-allegation comparison between the earlier and subsequent reports. [69785/26]
View answer156. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the guidance or criteria that apply when determining, for the purposes of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended, whether a subsequent report contains meaningful new information compared with a previous report; and whether such a determination is required to be documented. [69784/26]
View answer157. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the procedures that apply where the Protected Disclosures Commissioner does not accept the opinion of an “other suitable person” that a matter does not fall within that person's remit; the procedures thereafter that apply to the report; and the safeguards that apply to ensure appropriate and independent follow-up. [69782/26]
View answer158. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of times since the commencement of the relevant provisions of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 that an “other suitable person” identified by the Protected Disclosures Commissioner has notified the Commissioner that the matter concerned does not fall within their remit; the number of such notifications were accepted; and the number that were rejected. [69781/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157 and 158 together.
I would like to thank the Deputy for her questions.
The Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended, provides a comprehensive statutory framework for the protection of reporting persons who make protected disclosures. The Act includes protections against penalisation, dismissal and other forms of detriment, together with a range of support measures for reporting persons.
As the Deputy is aware, one of the key amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 was the establishment of the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner (OPDC). The role, function and powers of the OPDC are clearly set out in sections 10A to 10F of Part 2 of the amended Act. The role and functions of the OPDC are also set out in the Protected Disclosures Statutory Guidance for Public Bodies and Prescribed Persons, which was published in November 2023 (attached).
Section 8.7 of the guidance states that:
"the Commissioner can receive reports of wrongdoing:
• Directly from a worker, under section 7(1) of the Act;
• From a prescribed person, under section 7A(1)(b)(vi)(I)(B) of the Act; or
• From a Minister under section 8(3)(a) of the Act.
The Commissioner’s primary duty in all of these cases is to transmit any reports received under the Act to the most appropriate prescribed person (or other suitable person, if a prescribed person cannot be identified) to follow up on the information reported. Only as a last resort (e.g. if an appropriate prescribed person or suitable person cannot be identified) should the Commissioner directly follow up on a report."
Section 8.7 of the statutory guidance goes on to describe in detail how reports received by the OPDC are handled. The OPDC Annual Report 2025 (attached) also gives a detailed analysis and breakdown of the total number of reports handled by the OPDC in 2025. In relation to your query regarding the number of objections received from other suitable persons, p38 of this report states that:
"Of the 43 objections received in 2025, the Commissioner accepted 14 of them and transmitted the report to another recipient or accepted it himself as recipient of last resort. He did not accept the other 29 objections. As noted above the Commissioner's decision is final."
In relation to your queries regarding guidance and procedures, I cannot as Minister comment on hypothetical cases, however the statutory guidance covers in detail all the various elements and procedures that may apply when handling reports of wrongdoing, for example, making a protected disclosure, establishing reporting channels, acknowledgement, assessment and follow-up, feedback, record keeping and Protections under the Act.
I trust this answers your questions.
159. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of female apprentices, by trade currently employed by the OPW, in tabular form. [69858/26]
View answerThe number of female apprentices by trade currently employed by OPW is as follows:
|
Apprenticeship Programme |
Number of Female Apprentices |
|
Stonecutter/Stonemason |
3 |
|
Accounting Technician |
2 |
|
Civil Engineering Technician |
1 |
|
ICT |
1 |
|
Carpenter & Joiner |
1 |
|
Human Resources |
1 |
|
Total |
9 |
160. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide a progress report on the condition of Donegal Courthouse; if work is to commence on the structure bringing it up to the standard in order that the court sittings may return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69983/26]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) carried out a full Building Condition Report on Donegal Courthouse following a request from the Courts Service. The report was provided to the Courts Service on the 26th January 2026 for their consideration.
The OPW await further instruction from the Court Service, following their consideration of the options available. OPW cannot comment on when court sittings may return to Donegal Courthouse, all queries in relation to operational matters should be directed to the Court Services.
161. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the amount of remuneration and expenses paid to each individual member of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce since their appointment, showing the amount paid to each member separately and distinguishing between fees, travel expenses and other expenses. [69949/26]
View answerIn April 2025 Government approved the creation of a new Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce to replace the Project Ireland Delivery Board. The Taskforce and its membership was announced on Friday 16 May and the first meeting of the taskforce took place on the same day.
The system for payment of fixed annual fees to Members of State Boards was established by Government in June 1992. Four categories of fixed annual fees were established for both Commercial and non-Commercial boards. The applicable Category of fee for each State Board is generally determined by reference to the remuneration of the head/CEO of the State Body which the State Board oversees. The framework is also used to ensure appropriate fees to other standing bodies, including for example the Senior posts Remuneration Committee (SPRC).
The fees for the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce are fixed at Category 3 of the existing scale of annual fees payable to the Members of non-Commercial State Bodies. Specifically, this means that members of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce are eligible for annual payments of €7,695 as well as expenses incurred in attendance at meetings.
My Department is currently finalising the information requested on the specific payments made to members of the Taskforce to date, with input from the National Shared Services Office. As it was not possible to complete the necessary verification in the time available, a substantive reply will issue directly to the Deputy once this process is complete.
162. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the process and criteria used for the selection and appointment of each member of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce, including whether the positions were advertised or otherwise subject to an open selection process; the body or person responsible for selecting each member; and the basis on which each member was considered suitable for appointment. [69948/26]
View answerThe Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce was established in May 2025. This followed Government agreement on 15 April 2025 to the creation of a Taskforce, along with the identification by Government of the skills necessary for the group.
The Taskforce is a non-statutory group established to support my Department in its increased infrastructure functions, including supporting the Department’s programme of reform to unblock barriers and accelerate infrastructure delivery. The Taskforce replaced the Project Ireland Delivery Board.
There are twelve members of the Taskforce, six independent experts, experienced in infrastructure delivery, combined with six ex-officio members. I chair meetings of the Taskforce.
Of the ex-officio members, four are the heads of the commercial semi-states at the frontline of critical infrastructure development, specifically ESB Networks, the Land Development Agency, Uisce Éireann and the National Transport Authority. The two remaining ex-officio members were selected to represent the local Government sector, given the key role played by that sector in planning and development approvals for essential projects and the chair of the Major Projects Advisory Group, which assesses all major Exchequer infrastructure projects.
The six independent experts were selected by identifying senior level executives, current and retired, with experience of operations in Ireland that required significant infrastructure delivery, along with executives of planning / construction / contracting / project management companies, with similar experience related to infrastructure. Two of the independent experts were members of the Project Ireland Delivery Board that the Taskforce replaced.
I made the final decision on membership of the Taskforce based on the skills identified by Government as being necessary for the Taskforce and recommendations from officials, which detailed the experience of all of the candidates with regard to the above mentioned criteria.
163. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the governance framework under which the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce operates, including whether the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies applies to the taskforce and whether a register of members’ interests and potential conflicts of interest is maintained. [69947/26]
View answerThe Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce was established in May 2025 following Government agreement on 15 April 2025. It is a non-statutory Taskforce established to support my Department in its increased infrastructure functions, including supporting the Department’s programme of reform to unblock barriers and accelerate infrastructure delivery.
The Taskforce is a non-statutory advisory group. It is not a commercial or a non-commercial State body and, as such, the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies does not apply to it.
The Taskforce operates under published Terms of Reference that define its role and functions. Membership of the Taskforce and records of meetings are published on my Department’s website. Functions of the Taskforce include: providing strategic guidance and expert input on measures to accelerate infrastructure delivery, advising on the identification of significant barriers to infrastructure delivery, providing advice on the development of focused, high-impact reform actions and overseeing the implementation of those actions.
Members have been advised in writing by my Department that they are responsible for declaring any actual or potential conflict of interest arising in relation to matters on the Taskforce’s agenda.
164. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the investment or policy support planned for Irish and European cloud, cybersecurity, open-source and digital public infrastructure providers, to ensure Ireland is not only a consumer of digital infrastructure but also contributes to European capability. [70044/26]
View answerThe recently published European Technological Sovereignty Package provides a framework for strengthening European capacity, reducing strategic dependencies and accelerating the digital and AI transformation of the Single Market.
This package was published by the European Commission on 3 June 2026. It comprises four interrelated initiatives:
• the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act, or CADA;
• the proposed Chips Act 2.0;
• the EU Open Source Strategy; and
• the Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in the Energy Sector.
Together, these measures are intended to strengthen Europe’s capabilities across the digital technology stack, from semiconductors and computing infrastructure to software, cloud services and artificial intelligence. They also complement existing European initiatives, including AI Factories and AI Gigafactories.
Specifically, the Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA) is intended to ensure that the European Union has sufficient cloud, artificial intelligence and data-processing capacity to support future economic growth, innovation and the delivery of public services. These technologies increasingly underpin critical sectors, including healthcare, energy, communications, financial services and public administration.
Ireland continues to engage with European Union initiatives relating to cloud computing, digital sovereignty, and data governance. As previously outlined to the Dáil, Ireland has contributed to the development of European cloud policy and continues to monitor developments in this area including engagement on the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act.
Our objective is to ensure that public service organisations can realise the benefits of cloud technologies while maintaining appropriate levels of security, resilience, regulatory compliance and strategic autonomy. My Department will continue to keep relevant policy and guidance under review considering technological developments, the evolving European regulatory environment and the needs of the Public Service and critical national infrastructure.
165. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which the Government is classifying sensitive workloads and datasets that may require EU-based hosting, customer-controlled encryption, private cloud, on-premise capability or enhanced exit provisions. [70041/26]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to him in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 52(1)(b).
166. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if future ICT procurement frameworks will include explicit evaluation criteria covering European providers, open-source solutions, interoperability, vendor lock-in and cloud sovereignty where appropriate. [70040/26]
View answerThe Office of Government Procurement, a Division within my Department, operates as a Central Purchasing Body (CPB) establishing Framework Agreements and Dynamic Purchasing Systems for commonly required goods and services across a range of categories of expenditure including ICT. There are presently 11 different central procurement arrangements available to public sector bodies for commonly required ICT equipment, solutions and services.
The establishment of a national level framework is a significant undertaking. OGP Framework Agreements are established based on public sector bodies needs and market capabilities and are a key instrument in delivering value for money, promoting SME access to Government contracts as well as incorporating horizontal policy considerations.
The development of new ICT frameworks by the Office of Government Procurement entails extensive consultation with key stakeholders to determine the required scope of the arrangement, relevant policy considerations, statutory obligations and appropriate selection and evaluation criteria for awarding contracts, which would fulfil the common ICT requirements of public sector bodies, subject always to abiding by the key principles of transparency, equal treatment and proportionality.
When establishing its central procurement arrangements, the Office of Government Procurement adheres to the prevailing public procurement regulations and all applicable legislation. It should also be noted that the Office of Government Procurement does not set IT policy or strategy which are the responsibilities of individual IT units, including whether open-source solutions may or may not be suitable. Interoperability requirements are incorporated into Office of Government Procurement tenders where appropriate.
The Office of Government Procurement understands that vendor lock-in and data sovereignty are key issues in the procurement of Cloud Services and has provided guidance on these matters in its Cloud Services Procurement Guidance Note: www.gov.ie/en/office-of-government-procurement/publications/cloud-services-procurement-guidance-note-2025-update/.
167. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department plans to publish a national sovereign cloud strategy for the public sector and critical national infrastructure; and the way in which it will address strategic dependence on non-EU cloud providers. [70038/26]
View answerMy Department, through the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) divisions, has published a range of guidance to support the safe and appropriate adoption of cloud services across the Public Service. This includes the Cloud Computing Advice Notes, together with Cloud Services Procurement Guidance. These documents provide guidance on governance, security, procurement, risk management, data protection, and data sovereignty considerations when public bodies are determining how and where their information and workloads should be processed.
My Departments approach is to support public service organisations in making informed, risk-based decisions regarding cloud adoption, while ensuring compliance with applicable Irish and European legislation, including data protection, cybersecurity and resilience requirements. The OGCIO guidance recognises the growing importance of issues such as data sovereignty and strategic control of digital assets and requires these matters to be considered as part of cloud adoption and procurement decisions.
We are mindful of the need to address potential strategic dependencies within digital infrastructure. Public service bodies are therefore encouraged to consider matters such as vendor lock-in, portability of data and services, contractual safeguards, business continuity, resilience, multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud approaches, and compliance with evolving European regulatory frameworks when procuring cloud services. The updated procurement guidance includes contractual and commercial provisions designed to support these objectives.
Ireland continues to engage with European Union initiatives relating to cloud computing, digital sovereignty, and data governance. As previously outlined to the Dáil, Ireland has contributed to the development of European cloud policy and continues to monitor developments in this area including engagement on the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA).
Our objective is to ensure that public service organisations can realise the benefits of cloud technologies while maintaining appropriate levels of security, resilience, regulatory compliance and strategic autonomy. My Department will continue to keep relevant policy and guidance under review considering technological developments, the evolving European regulatory environment and the needs of the Public Service and critical national infrastructure.
168. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to list the cultural institutions, if any, including museums, galleries, libraries, archives, theatres, concert halls, bands, ensembles, and performing companies, operated or hosted by his Department and public bodies or semi-State companies under his Department's remit, identifying the State funding provided for these institutions each year for the past ten years; where they are based; and the number of personnel dedicated to them. [70085/26]
View answer
