Vol. 1068 No. 3
84. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on reform of the ethics in public office legislation, given that the review of the statutory framework was completed in December 2022; the reason for the delay in publishing the heads of a Bill; if he expects this Bill to be introduced this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28132/25]
132. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the progress of revised ethics legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28125/25]
136. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 13 February 2025, for an update on the plans to review and strengthen the ethics in public office legislation, following the completion of the review of the statutory framework in December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27769/25]
An update on the ethics in public office legislation was promised in the programme for Government in 2020. It never happened. The Minister's Department concluded its review in December 2022. We were promised heads of a Bill but have never seen them. It is now two and a half years later. When will those heads of Bill be published?
I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 132 and 136 together.
I thank the Deputy and the other Deputies who have also raised this matter. As Deputy O'Callaghan will be aware, we are committed in the programme for Government to updating the ethics in public office legislation. This follows a wide-ranging review of the legislative framework for ethics in public life that my Department undertook during the term of the previous Government, the report and findings of which were published in February 2023.
The report's recommendations include that the legislative framework for ethics should be underpinned by a set of integrity principles, that disclosure requirements should be strengthened to improve transparency and that consideration should be given to whether the regime should encompass more officeholders. The report also recommends a strengthening of the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO. Certain more recent recommendations around ethics will also need to be considered in the context of the reform agenda.
The House will understand that this is a complex area that requires consideration before a scheme is brought forward. There are broader operational and policy considerations I want to explore and get right as the new Minister in the Department. I am conscious that this represents an opportunity to make real, meaningful and positive change to our current regime.
I want to ensure that happens in a coherent way from a policy perspective and that it is also user-friendly from an operational perspective. I am examining all the outstanding policy issues, including those I have outlined, and I am engaging with officials to determine the most appropriate way forward to meet the commitment in the programme for Government. My ultimate goal is to create a fit-for-purpose and easy to understand ethical framework that contributes to the quality, efficacy and transparency of our system and positively builds on the strength of our existing framework.
I thank the Minister for his reply but we are going backwards here. The review was concluded by his Department well over two years ago. We should have seen heads of Bill at this stage. His predecessor, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, who I know the Minister works closely with, told this House a year ago that "we are nearly done in respect of the drafting of the heads of the Bill and I hope to be in a position to bring that to Government shortly.". A year ago, the Minister's predecessor was saying this work was almost finished and was almost ready to go to Government. The Minister is now saying two years after the review done by his Department and five years after the promise in the previous programme for Government that this would be done, he has more work to do and more consideration to give.
There are issues here that have been going on since 2018. Every single year in its annual report, SIPO highlights it does have the powers that it needs to do its job effectively. Year after year passes without this getting addressed. To give one example, in 2023 it identified 42 public bodies that are outside of its remit because the regulations have not been updated since 2018. This is long overdue. Can the Minister give us a commitment that he will do this urgently?
I have to agree with the previous speaker on this. I looked back to April. This is not a priority. In its 2009 annual report, SIPO "recommends that the Department of Finance should draft new legislation to be based on best practice for dealing with conflicts of interests and ... consolidate". Fast forward to the 2021 annual report, SIPO states "For a number of years, the Commission has called for a comprehensive review of the existing ethics framework...in annual reports" and so on. It says it over and over.
It is not good enough for the Minister to come in today and say it is complex and he is still looking at it. The review was completed more than two years ago. It took years to get the review. I am quoting from an annual report from 2009. It is now 2025. It is more than two years after the departmental review and the Minister has no heads of Bill for us, no date or no anything. There is an absolute failure to recognise what SIPO is telling us in terms of governance, oversight and its lack of power to act.
I thank both of the Deputies. I am in the Department a number of months and my commitment is to bring forward a general scheme but I want to make sure that, as I am advancing that, I examine the long history to this which has been referenced. The history has been too long. Deputy Connolly referenced 2009 and Deputy O'Callaghan referenced other time points. I want to bring forward a general scheme that can be examined by Members to try to strengthen the framework that is there. I am committed to doing that but I have to make sure I construct a scheme which responds to the need for a strengthened body underpinned by integrity principles and improves the transparency, which I have referenced. My commitment is to progress that. Deputy Connolly asked me about this in April and I am committed to working through that and to bringing forward a scheme. When I am in a position to give a specific date on when I can publish it, I will bring that to House. I am currently examining the respective policy considerations and the decision points that have to be made for a scheme and then it will be drafted and published, as is the normal practice.
I thank the Minister. However, I do not understand how his predecessor, the current Minister for Finance, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, who is perfectly competent and able, was in a position to tell the Dáil a year ago that the heads of Bill was almost ready to be published and he was hoping to bring it to Government very shortly. How was it possible for Deputy Donohoe to do that a year ago only for the Minister to now come into the House to say there is a whole load of other work that needs to be done?
The review by his Department was concluded more than two years ago. Some of these issues have been going on for years. We have 42 public bodies that are not covered by the ethics legislation because the regulations have not been updated in years. How can the Minister stand over that? How can he stand over 42 public bodies not covered by the ethics legislation? Deputy Chambers is the Minister with responsibility for this. Will he not deal with this urgently and how is it that he is way behind where his colleague, Deputy Donohoe, was a year ago?
I will stick with what SIPO tells us. I will go back to 2019 and to the submission to public consultation on the regulatory impact analysis. It states that SIPO's "mandate includes oversight of the electoral Act". It then goes on to outline some of the challenges for SIPO in this role and the lack of independence of SIPO in terms of budgets, staffing and reporting to the Oireachtas. It states that SIPO does not have its own Vote, unlike in other jurisdictions and that a dedicated Vote would allow it more independence, which is vital, and autonomy. It outlines the "burdensome framework for reporting" and that seven statutory reports are required under the electoral Act alone.
Four of the six members of the SIPO Commission are ex officio with other commitments, which limits the time they have to focus on SIPO. SIPO's secretarial staff also have responsibility for other operations within SIPO's remit. There is a need for a definition of "political purposes" and "third parties". On expenditure limits, there are no limits on expenditure for Seanad elections or referenda, unlike other elections. There are inconsistent disclosure requirements for political parties and so on. It has little power by way of investigation. Local elections are treated differently. That is only a small sample of the inadequacies of the existing legislation. It is the opposite to what democracy needs.
Deputy Connolly listed a broad range of policy areas which have to be considered in the context of a scheme which will be brought forward-----
They were outlined by SIPO in 2019.
-----and that is what we are doing. That is what we will do. I will publish a scheme in light of that. That is what I am committed to doing. The programme for Government is clear on the need to update the ethics in public office legislation and my commitment will be to bring forward a general scheme. When it is ready, I will publish it and it will be for all Members to feed into how we can ensure that it is a strengthened piece of legislation. Obviously, there will be a pre-legislative scrutiny process around that. That is what I am working through at the moment and I am committed to doing that.
85. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the progress of a State data centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27731/25]
The Government data centre initiative is led by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, OGCIO, a division within my Department. It is an action item in the Government’s public service ICT strategy and aims to deliver and centrally support ICT as a shared service rather than have common technical solutions in each public sector body. The Government data centre project will deliver high-quality, energy efficient data centre facilities which are fit for purpose and are capable of efficiently meeting the Government's technology and energy saving requirements, both now and into the future. It will provide access for State bodies' ICT infrastructure to drive efficiency, standardisation, consolidation and the reduction in duplication as well as cost control. It is also an important element of the Government's strategic framework for fostering technology innovation and excellence across the public services in Ireland. That is something we, as a Government, encourage and recognise continually. In fact, the Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and I will tonight do that at the 10th Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards.
Following a successful procurement exercise by the OPW in 2022, a preferred bidder was chosen and a contract signed for the construction of the Government data centre in late 2022. The data centre construction project, which is co-funded by the EU's National Resilience and Recovery Programme, started in quarter 1 of 2023 and was successfully completed in early May 2025, earlier this month. The project came in on-budget and on-time. The next phase of the Government data centre programme will be the internal fit out and that will include the procurement and installation of racks and internal networking. That will begin in June and is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. It is expected that the Government data centre will be operational from 2026 onwards and public service bodies will begin transitioning all their ICT infrastructure and services to the data centre from that point.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I have a couple of comments. I welcome the fact that the project seems to have worked well. We hear a lot about public sector projects and about the ones that do not work well but this one seems to have come in on time and on budget. It is very positive that the data will be located in Ireland. It is very important that the State has control of its own data because this is an issue for international data centres and jurisdictions.
With regard to policy, I support data centres. We all use our phones every day and they run off services based in data centres. The Government can take a good lead here with respect to renewable energy. That is number one. It should lead out on data centres transitioning to long-term sustainable sources of renewable energy. The CRU's view is that Dublin is constrained. There is a long-term opportunity to distribute data centres around the west of Ireland in particular where there are renewable energy opportunities in the form of offshore, which is not that well developed but it will get there. It distributes economic activity.
I thank my constituency colleague for bringing up data centres and the State data centre. The programme for Government talks about expediting private wire legislation. As Deputy Ó Muirí just said with regard to the decarbonisation of data centres, as we are all aware, 21% of our electricity is being used by data centres. While other Deputies will attack data centres, there are 53,000 jobs indirectly or directly linked to data centres. I am not going to shout at the Minister of State and say they are using this electricity. We could use the expedition of private wire legislation to allow data centres to create their own on-site energy, as Deputy Ó Muirí said. This would then allow the giant companies to create on-site solar panels or, as the Deputy said, run private wires from other renewable projects. It is important that we do this.
The CRU's announcement three months ago was not welcome and was not in line with the programme for Government. I urge the Government to expedite the private wire legislation to allow us to reach our EU climate targets.
I thank Deputy Ó Muirí for raising this matter. I express concern about the remarks reported in the Irish Independent today by the Secretary General of the Department of energy. It is not about a choice between housing and AI. We need to build housing but we also need to prepare for our tech future. This is also, by the way, the same Department that is responsible for the development of renewable energy, particularly offshore, and has continued to fail to meet the targets in this regard. I am really concerned about how this debate is now being presented.
The future is both green and tech. They are not mutually exclusive. The Government needs to reassure the public. The story in today's Irish Independent is deeply concerning if it reflects the views of a senior civil servant. The Secretary General needs to be held to account for the failures of her Department to meet the issues around renewable energy. I agree with Deputy Heneghan that there are new, modern data centres, including Echelon in Arklow, which can generate their own energy.
I thank the Deputies for their comments. The new Government data centre will provide secure but also green operations that will future-proof the reliable delivery of essential digital services. The intention is to operate a hybrid model utilising a Government data centre that combines Government and commercial cloud technology in an optimised way. That is part of the Government's wider digital strategy.
The Government data centre will be a 4 MW facility and obviously, as Deputies have pointed out, all data centres require energy. They are, however, an important part of being able to do business in Ireland and, from a Government perspective, being able to keep all our citizens' information within Ireland and safe. The Government is keen to achieve the decarbonisation of data centres. It has been great to see certain data centres take the lead themselves and not wait for new requirements, for example, using the excess heat from data centres to power public buildings, as South Dublin County Council is doing.
I thank the Minister of State. Decarbonisation is vital. Data centres are with us for the long term. Let us distribute them; they have economic value. It is a good way to distribute economic value to other regions in the country. Those regions may have better access to renewable energy than the Dublin region or Leinster. In the long term, the Government can take a lead on this.
I know the Minister of State has personal know-how in this area. I welcome the Government's work on this. Green jobs, as Deputy Byrne said, are the future. Technology is interlocked with that, whether we like it or not. Some people do not like it but it is a fact of life. Private wire is part of that, as Deputy Heneghan said. Whether we like it or not, we have to move with this.
Yes, and that is something Government is examining in detail. We need to make sure we invest in our digital infrastructure but that we do so in a way that balances our environmental commitments and obligations. We are working very hard to strike the right balance.
86. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the up-to-date position for a flood relief scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27806/25]
The threat of flooding in Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera is well recognised and is hugely stressful for householders facing it. Interim works have advanced, which brings peace of mind to homeowners, especially along the river bank. Will the Minister of State outline the timeframe for advancing the next stages of the major works?
There is a long history of flooding in Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera. The Office of Public Works, working in partnership with Cork County Council, is proactively progressing a preferred option for the viable flood relief scheme in Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera that will protect 90 properties from significant risk of flooding.
The OPW drafted an options report for a proposed flood relief scheme for the town over an extended period. It includes hydrological analysis, hydraulic modelling and flood mapping. The OPW also developed a river option for flooding alleviation and made a recommendation on a preferred option.
The likely environmental impact of the preferred option identified the potential impact on the protected freshwater pearl mussel and the necessity to consider a broad range of options to identify the most appropriate approach to managing flood risk prior to seeking consent. Cork County Council is the lead authority and is developing the scope of works for the engineering and environmental consultant to develop the most appropriate approach. The OPW is actively engaging with the local authority to finalise the consultancy brief.
I acknowledge the interim works taking place until very recently, with diggers only moving off site in the last week or so. They definitely give peace of mind to householders, especially along the river bank. There is now a need to maintain momentum and push on with the major scheme. Work and studies were carried out on a major scheme for the area. Is the OPW starting a new major scheme or will it pick up some of the work done in the earlier studies, for example, on the freshwater pearl mussel, and build on it? If so, will the Minister of State outline the steps ahead and the likely timeframe?
I am delighted the Deputy mentioned the interim work. Cork County Council commissioned consultants to complete the design of the interim work on flood measures for Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera. The Office of Public Works approved funding of €500,000 to Cork County Council under the OPW minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme for the provision of temporary flood defence measures in the area. The works, which were completed recently, include a sandbag defence structure, increasing the ground level with ramps and the installation of two non-return valves.
This is a lot of work and it has been ongoing for some time. The Department is working closely with Cork County Council and the works are advancing. As the Deputy knows, there are options available and the consultants and the Department are working together closely. Interim measures were carried out but if there are other interim works that can be done, I ask the Deputy to raise them with the local authorities and we will fund them through the Department.
We come to this House every week and questions are put to us but I put it to Members that there is a lot we can do ourselves as regards working with the councils. The Government has provided the funding through the minor works scheme and is proactive in ensuring money is spent. In regard to the long-term solution the Deputy is seeking, we are working very closely with the local authorities to develop a plan.
The interim works are certainly a milestone. The focus and momentum need to be on the major scheme. Studies were conducted previously and it would make sense to use those earlier studies to inform the next stages. It would be madness to waste them and start again at square one. Will the work that was done previously inform or continue to inform the major works scheme? Can we establish that? What are the next steps on the major works scheme? Much of the focus has been on providing protection from flooding along the Sullane river. Will the possibility of flooding from other sources be included in the major scheme? We saw flooding come from the other side, in the pitch in Coláiste Ghobnatan, near Cluain Réidh and around the factories. Will those kinds of works be included in the major scheme or is there a way of advancing things ahead of that?
All studies to date will enhance the development of the scheme. I cannot give an up-to-date answer to the second part of the Deputy's question but I will visit his neck of the woods. I know he has raised this issue over and over again. I will meet the local authority to try to move this issue on. The interim works are good and help to alleviate some of the problem but the overall project is the delivery of the major scheme. I want to deliver that and I will work with the Deputy and Department closely on it.
87. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the immense challenges facing the childcare sector, including a lack of spaces, will be considered by the new infrastructure division of his Department and by the new accelerating infrastructure task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28049/25]
I have established the accelerating infrastructure task force to support the immediate work programme of the new infrastructure division in my Department, which is to identify and propose measures to address barriers to the delivery of strategic infrastructure across Ireland. This issue is key priority for me and the Government.
The work programme for the task force and the new division will focus on many critical infrastructure areas in terms of the electricity and energy, transport and water sectors, as these three key elements are required to underpin the development of all other economic and social infrastructure, including healthcare, housing and childcare facilities. The specific issue of childcare policy and places to which the Deputy refers is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.
The wide-ranging work of the accelerating infrastructure task force is accelerating the project life cycle which should support the underpinning of better social infrastructure, including childcare. For the Deputy's information, the role of the task force, which I chair, is primarily focused on cross-cutting policies. Specifically, it will provide strategic guidance and expert input to policy proposals to speed up infrastructure delivery. It will provide guidance and advice to officials to ensure that barriers to infrastructure delivery are identified accurately and represent the most impactful barriers impeding timely and effective delivery. It will also provide guidance and advice on the development of a small number of high-impact reform items that are robust, achievable, time-bound and rigorously focused on addressing the challenges identified. These reform actions will be brought to Government for approval. The task force will oversee the subsequent implementation of these reform actions through challenge meetings with the Departments and agencies responsible for implementation.
Furthermore, the existing Project Ireland and national development plan set out national strategic outcomes which emphasise the importance of access to quality childcare, education and health services and aim to ensure that the co-ordination and provision of childcare places, primary and post-primary schools places and health infrastructure are consistent with the objectives of the national planning framework. Therefore, the ongoing review of the national development plan will consider the programme for Government commitments on childcare. The broader references are there in terms of State involvement in the provision of childcare.
This Government will be judged by its delivery of critical infrastructure, that is, infrastructure needed for social and economic reasons. In that regard, we have not seen significant public investment in childcare infrastructure in our local communities. For reference, €45 million was ring-fenced to expand childcare capacity in the NDP over the past two years, versus €1.4 billion in the education capital budget for 2025 alone. We have planning guidelines that theoretically link new homes to the delivery of private childcare places but it is not working effectively enough. I understand that critical infrastructure, with a capital "C" and capital "I", has mainly referred to nation-building infrastructure for energy, housing, transport, water and climate resilience but the underinvestment we have seen in childcare and the over-reliance on private providers to ensure every community and family has access means childcare infrastructure is now critical. Early learning and childcare are nation building.
Looking at the past number of years and the overall support given in terms of childcare affordability, we have made significant strides which have helped many families throughout communities. We also need to work with many of the SMEs and childcare providers, many of which are in the constituency Deputy Currie and I represent, on some of the challenges they have reflected to us as part of the budget process. That is why the broad work of the infrastructure division is to ensure the national development plan's strategic outcomes are underpinned with accelerated delivery. We are advancing that through the reforms that will be stood up from the infrastructure task force and also the additionality that will be made available in the context of the review of the national development plan.
A central and pressing focus in our economy right now is that we have serious constraints in energy and, in particular, water. Without those two fundamentals, we cannot deliver the homes and social infrastructure we require or the investment opportunities that will bring broader employment growth and prosperity for the future. Of course, there are other objectives in the national development plan, which I share. The broad outworking of this work will strengthen the provision of childcare.
For the first time, the programme for Government commits to a public model of childcare. The Taoiseach has confirmed that work is needed to map out how we will do that in a public building programme and how that will harmonise with existing provision. He also confirmed that the new supply and management unit has been established to do forward planning and delivery and to assess demand, plan and expand public supply using CSO figurers childcare committees and GIS systems. It is great we will be working on establishing demand but we will also have to back that up with supply. Affordability is great but you have to be able to access it in the first place. A lack of consistent and coherent childcare is still a barrier to women in employment. According to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, nearly nine out of ten Dublin businesses say childcare is a challenge to their staff recruitment and retention, with one fifth of them saying it is their biggest obstacle. Therefore, childcare should be included in the revised NDP at a significant game-changing level that reflects the now critical need for childcare infrastructure. It would be very significant to hear the Minister say today that childcare will be included in the new infrastructure division of his Department and by the new accelerating infrastructure task force. Other countries consider childcare an economic necessity and we should too.
First, the cross-cutting work of the infrastructure division and the task force is to cut through some of the processes in place in every Department which affect delivery of infrastructure - economic or social. Second, there is a review of the national development plan. That is a bilateral engagement involving all Ministers on what their priorities will be for the next number of years. Obviously, there will be an additional envelope available and work has commenced on that. I have been meeting Ministers bilaterally to discuss what their priorities are and what is deliverable over the next number of years around capital allocations. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality have put forward a variety of prospective priorities when it comes to children, disability and equality and we are working through those on a whole-of-government level. We will be able to set out the allocations for those in July.
88. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the flood relief schemes in progress or in planning for Kilkenny and Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27771/25]
I have seen first-hand the devastating impact that flooding can have on homes, businesses, people, families and communities. I understand the flooding problem cannot be eliminated but it can be managed and mitigated to reduce its likelihood, severity or impact. It is in that context that I ask for an update from the Minister of State on flooding projects that are in planning or in progress in Carlow and Kilkenny.
The Government is investing a sum of €113 million in flood relief measures completed or under way across counties Kilkenny and Carlow.
In 2018, the OPW launched the flood risk management plans. Due to constraints in specialised engineering consultancy services and skills, it is not feasible to concurrently deliver all 150 flood relief schemes identified by the plans. Kilkenny County Council is leading the delivery of flood relief schemes for Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch, Ballyhale, Piltown and Freshford in the first tranche of the schemes and piloting a new national delivery model. The OPW is funding two staff in Kilkenny County Council to project manage the delivery of these schemes. Carlow County Council is leading the delivery of the Carlow town scheme to protect 35 properties.
The preferred option for the €26 million Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch flood relief scheme to protect 84 properties has been identified. Kilkenny County Council expect to submit this planning permission in quarter 3 of 2025.
The €2 million Ballyhale flood relief scheme to protect 28 properties received planning consent in August 2024. Detailed design for the scheme to progress to construction is nearing completion. It is programmed that construction will commence in quarter 1 of 2026 with substantial completion of the scheme in quarter 4 of 2027.
The Office of Public Works has carried out a map review of Carlow town and is discussing with the council commencing topographical survey, re-estimation of flood flows and computer modelling to produce flood mapping, to inform the design options for the scheme.
The OPW is also piloting a new national delivery model for all tranche 2 flood relief schemes, through four tranche 2 schemes across counties Kilkenny and Donegal, including Freshford and Piltown. The pilot is changing how the data for the scheme design is collected by the local authority. Kilkenny County Council is due to appoint a contractor in the coming weeks and go to tender for topography surveys and CCTV surveys before the end of July. In addition to this, the OPW hydrometric section will be installing gauges in Freshford and Piltown to provide data on the river levels.
I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I get that flood relief schemes are complex projects and there is a lot of detailed engineering analysis, public engagement, etc. I will focus on the Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch flood relief scheme specifically. In 2018, funding was announced for this project following significant funding in 2016. The Minister of State was in this role in a previous Government.
In 2020 I was chairman of Kilkenny County Council. In March 2020 a €9 million contract for a flood relief scheme was signed that was going to sort out Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch. It was a joint initiative between Kilkenny and Carlow County Councils. As the Minister of State said, planning permission has not even been applied for yet. We are looking at quarter 3 of this year. Is there anything at all we can do to speed this up? Will the Minister of State come down to Graiguenamanagh and meet the people there? I mention the devastation that it caused nine years ago and we still do not have a long-term solution, notwithstanding all the works. I know €9 million has been approved but that was in 2018. Will additional funding be made available should the project go above that particular amount?
It is open to the local authority to apply to the OPW for 90% funding for localised flood mitigation works up to €750,000 through the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme. This money is available through the minor works scheme for which the local authority can apply. I, like Deputy Cleere, am sometimes frustrated by the delay in delivering the scheme, but from when you announce the scheme to delivering it, you are looking at 11 years. While I would love to be able to speed up that process, I am constrained by the planning rules and regulations. We have to work closely with all the agencies to deliver on the scheme as well as work closely with the local authorities. In fairness, in terms of the report I outlined, a lot of work is being done in Kilkenny and Carlow. There is a huge amount of delivery of schemes. While it is slow, it is progressing. I will visit the area because I gave a commitment that I would. I will do that in due course.
I thank the Minister of State and genuinely acknowledge and appreciate his support for new schemes. I know he is doing everything he can. We spoke privately about these on a number of occasions. Regarding tranche 2 flood relief schemes, and we spoke about Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch, there are other schemes in Kilkenny, such as Freshford, Piltown, Inistioge and Thomastown in particular. They are in the tranche 2 flood relief schemes. I think there are 50 schemes nationally. Given the fact it takes ten or 11 years to get these projects over the line and long-term solutions in place, will the Minister of State commit to progressing those particular schemes so the people of Thomastown, Inistioge, Piltown and Freshford will have the peace of mind and security of knowing their homes or businesses are not going to be flooded or destroyed as happened a number of years ago?
As I outlined, the Deputy is lucky in the sense that Kilkenny and Donegal have been picked for tranche 2 for the pilot scheme. How we can deliver on tranche 2 is something I am looking closely at within my Department, because we have so many schemes out there. We must not get away from the fact of how many schemes are progressing and are at planning stage, delivery stage, and construction stage. Tranche 2 seems to be somewhat trapped. I am working closely with the local authorities and my Department to see if there is a way to deliver, or even push local authorities to come in for, funding through the minor works schemes. That is something I am looking at. I am trying to change that at present and I hope to have good news on it very shortly. It will help local authorities throughout the country but particularly the one the Deputy spoke about.
89. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the review of the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27337/25]
112. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the National Development Plan review. [27720/25]
147. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the National Development Plan review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28161/25]
153. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline the progress that has been made on the National Development Plan review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27885/25]
156. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the status of the review of the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27741/25]
The Minister can see this is a very hot topic. I want to ask for an update on the review of the national development plan and for a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 112, 147, 153 and 156 together.
The programme for Government sets out the clear ambition to prioritise the delivery of transformative, critical and growth-enhancing infrastructure over the next five years. To support these goals, Government has prioritised an early review of the national development plan, which is being led by my Department.
From February, officials in my Department set about identifying the parameters, priorities and critical milestones for the review. This was done to support the ambition of the review to improve our infrastructure, especially housing, water, energy, transport and health digitalisation.
In early April, I secured Government approval to commence the review process following which Departments were written to, to advise on the Government's approved approach to the review. The core focus of the review will be to ensure that supporting economic infrastructure can be prioritised to deliver the tens of thousands of additional homes that are required and to support our broader competitiveness.
Throughout April and early May, Departments have prepared their funding submissions and this has been followed by bilateral engagement between my Department and individual spending Departments to assess investment plans and programmes. This series of bilateral engagements commenced at official level and is currently continuing and has commenced fully at ministerial level.
Alongside the review process, Departments have also been asked to consider whether their planned programmes meet the criteria for designated environmental projects to receive funding from the infrastructure, climate and nature fund. An amount of €3.15 billion is available from the fund out to 2030 and is part of the overall funding envelope. In addition, a wider assessment is being carried out around the climate impact of the funding as part of the NDP and that will be published alongside the review document in July.
I am also launching a public consultation on the review which will be open for submissions until 26 June. The consultation is an opportunity for individuals, Members or, indeed, organisations to share their views on national priorities for public capital investment. I will also be chairing a session on infrastructure prioritisation and delivery at the national economic dialogue, where interested stakeholders will have the opportunity to share their views across many sectors.
Intensive engagement at both official and ministerial level has commenced and the intention is to publish a review document in July that will feature five year capital allocations to Departments over the period 2026 to 2030 and overall capital ceilings to 2035.
While particular allocations obviously have yet to be agreed, the objective is to support what is set out in the programme for Government and, in particular, the delivery of thousands of additional homes and to boost our overall competitiveness.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I am sure others who come after me will speak in the same vein. There is very significant interest in this review because every area is ambitious for investment and development. I could speak about a number of projects in my area, including the Kilmoon Cross to Rath roundabout road project, but I specifically want to raise the issue of Navan rail. This is an excellent project on the basis of all the measurements that matter. It will transform County Meath economically, socially and environmentally because it will take thousands of cars off the roads. I welcome this project, which has been invested in and funded up to the planning phase but not to construction. I firmly believe it needs increased investment before 2030 to ensure it can be delivered in the quickest possible timeframe, uninterrupted and with no delays after planning. Hopefully, we will secure planning in the quickest possible timeframe too.
We are all waiting to see how the national development plan will proceed. Obviously, all of our areas require a lot of investment in infrastructure. The infrastructural deficit we have, especially across the west, is something I have raised with the Minister quite a number of times. We also need to look at procurement and how it can be used to benefit areas, particularly those more rural and isolated areas where different types of jobs are not as easy to come be. If we are spending a certain amount above a certain threshold, we need to look at introducing social clauses into the contracts as well to ensure that a certain number of apprentices on board and a certain number of people who live locally hired for these projects. We could thereby ensure that the money benefits local economies and that people can stay within their local areas.
I thank the Deputies for raising those issues. I am not going to get into the distribution of different projects or priorities today. I will say, however, that one of the areas of emphasis in the review of the national development plan is transport infrastructure. I am engaging with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, on that. The focus is to identify what projects can be delivered. I know there is a great deal of interest in Meath in the particular project Deputy O'Rourke referenced. There are many projects in other parts of the country that are critically important in terms of both the delivery of public transport and helping to fulfil broader climate objectives.
Deputy Farrell is absolutely right that there is a particular deficit regarding infrastructure objectives in parts of the west. The continued uplift we are giving in the context of the renewed national development plan will help support infrastructure objectives for the west of Ireland. We are reviewing the national procurement policy presently. The Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, is leading out on that work, which we will be progressing over the coming months. That will dictate the overall framework about how procurement decisions are made across Government contracts.
I thank the Minister for that answer. I will continue to fight the case for Navan rail. The Minister will appreciate many of the arguments we will make.
On housing delivery, I met recently with officials in Meath County Council. They have, including in their most recent county development plan, consistently argued the case that there is a real cap on development in County Meath in residential terms. They believe that the process, allowing for the lag with the CSO figures from the census, means that, in effect, Meath County Council, consistent with the parameters with the national planning framework and the national development plan, can deliver for a population of 20,000 more than it is being allowed to. The county council is engaging extensively with the Department of housing on that matter, but it obviously has a clear impact on how infrastructure investment might be prioritised. I bring this matter to the Minister's attention to make him aware of it, but also to ask him to engage with the Minister for housing on it as well.
Will the Minister provide an update on how his Department is coming at this review? Is it that the Department was ready for such a review or did pressure come about as a result of the announcement that there would be a review? Does he think that all the information required will be available when it is needed? It is also welcome that the Minister is saying there will be public consultation. That is always very welcome. As he will know, when we talk about infrastructure in the west, the problem is that we have not had investment in the basic infrastructure and that this can have an impact on everything. We consistently still have health centres in Conamara that do not have access to phone lines. We need to get that sorted because we need investment in this basic infrastructure.
I thank the Deputies for their respective contributions. On Deputy O'Rourke point on the need for much more additional headroom for Meath County Council, the new national planning framework provides additional headroom to local authorities to zone more land to drive increased housing supply. The current baseline position is not at all near what we require to deliver the quantum of housing we in this House all want to see delivered. The need to accelerate the outworking of that will be really important in the period ahead. I take the Deputy's other point on the opportunities around transport-oriented development.
In response to Deputy Farrell, the Department has been very clear around the programme for Government commitment on an earlier view of the national development plan. There is a very strong team in the investment office within the Department that has been ready to conduct this work. We have received submissions from all other Departments around the priorities and the extensive uplift they all want. We have to manage and co-ordinate that. There is always more ambition than there is possibility around what can be allocated, but we are working through that. The Deputy is right that we need to make sure there is a focus on basic infrastructure, particularly water, energy, and, in certain instances in rural Ireland, transport, in order that we can meet the broader industrial opportunities that are there if we invest and accelerate the delivery of that. I appreciate the contributions of the Deputies in respect of this matter.
90. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will detail the way in which the new accelerating infrastructure task force will address persistent delays and cost overruns in major public projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27773/25]
The new accelerating infrastructure task force is a welcome move to tackle delivery delays and cost overruns in major public projects such as the national children's hospital, MetroLink and thousands of social and affordable homes that are delayed or over budget. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has noted that our infrastructure delivery is 25% below European norms. How will the task force overcome these systemic challenges and deliver projects on time and within budget?
I thank Deputy Ó Cearúil. In line with the commitments made in the programme for Government, I recently announced a series of actions to accelerate the delivery of strategic infrastructure in Ireland, including the creation of a new infrastructure division in my Department. Initially, the infrastructure division will focus on the preparation of a systematic, evidence-based assessment of the barriers impeding timely infrastructure development. To undertake this work, experts from key State agencies have already been redeployed to my Department and are working with civil servants on this task.
Over the coming weeks, the infrastructure division will engage with key stakeholders to gather the evidence necessary to identify the most critical barriers to development that might potentially cause delays. This will be combined with a consultation and public engagement in June to gather the broader views of stakeholders across our economy. The team will also examine what reforms have been successfully introduced in other jurisdictions that may be applicable in Ireland. I expect to provide a report to Government by the end of July on what have been identified as the most significant barriers that are slowing infrastructure development. The results of this analysis will inform a focused plan on high-impact reform measures that Government will consider for implementation.
On cost overruns, delivering value for money is central to my Department’s approach to infrastructure delivery and is achieved though clear frameworks and guidance. The infrastructure guidelines, the code of practice for the governance of State bodies and the public financial procedures clearly set out accountability and decision-making responsibilities. This guidance provided by my Department outlines clear established roles and responsibilities to mitigate against waste and improve value for money. The guidelines will also ensure value for money is embedded at every policy stage, which will ensure a transparent approach and the use of corrective mechanism where required.
My Department intends to fully review the public financial procedures. This review will help us to further strengthen and clarify our robust expenditure management framework and provide efficiencies in the delivery of infrastructure. Furthermore, it will set out clearly the roles and responsibilities of the various actors across the system in the delivery of value for money. Through strengthened governance, Departments are being reminded that spending decisions must consider quality, expertise, and long-term impact to avoid superficial or low-impact investments.
The appointment of 12 experts to the taskforce, including from the ESRI, the NTA and IDA Ireland, is encouraging. Its focus on high-impact reforms and boosting productivity is crucial. With construction productivity around 30% lower than our European peers and an estimated shortfall of 80,000 workers, delivery risks falling short, according to the CFI. Will the Minister outline which specific reforms the taskforce will prioritise? Will it be, for example, digital planning, modular construction, or streamlined approvals? Will the Minister consider private sector input into the taskforce to ensure we harness all available expertise? How will the Minister guarantee swift implementation and oversight of these reforms?
My next question will not be reached but it is related to this one as it concerns the efficient use of public moneys. I welcome the launch by the Department of guidelines on the responsible use in public services of artificial intelligence, AI. The Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, and the Minister both launched that document and I commend the Department on it. The use of AI can lead to greater efficiencies in decision-making and the use of predictive analytics is central to data-driven policy making. I am sure, in the context of what Deputy Ó Cearúil has talked about, rolling it out will benefit the delivery of better public services. In so doing, will the Minister also extend to Members of the Oireachtas the right to use large language models and other AI-enabled platforms on our devices so that we can more efficiently deliver our services to our constituents?
I thank both Deputies. In response to Deputy Ó Cearúil, there will be significant private sector input into the work programme and the development of the reforms. We have six external experts on the accelerated infrastructure taskforce. That is to drive accountability and also an economy-wide engagement on how we can cut through unnecessary process delays and red tape which is impeding infrastructure delivery. As I said, I will have a report on that work by July. The outworking of that will be ensuring that we drive delivery and accountability around that over the period ahead.
In response to Deputy Byrne, I welcomed his involvement and presence at the launch of the use of AI in the public service guidelines. It is really important that we complement the use of AI in terms of the future of public services and delivering better services for citizens. As the Deputy knows, in the guidelines that we have issued, it is a matter for each competent authority to work with each individual on the responsible use of AI while also trying to encourage the use of AI across the public service. I am sure the Deputy can engage with the Houses of the Oireachtas on how it can develop mechanisms for the appropriate use of AI by Members of the Oireachtas if that is something he wants to advance.
It is encouraging to hear about engagement with the private sector on the taskforce. With €165 billion committed under the national development plan, delivery must keep pace with ambition. How will the taskforce work with industry to close workforce gaps and improve productivity, to which Deputy Byrne also alluded? Would the Minister consider establishing dedicated delivery units within agencies to ensure a focused, agile approach? Finally, KPMG has highlighted the need for balanced regional investment. How will the Minister ensure that areas like Kildare North are not left behind while much of the focus remains on Dublin? We need delivery timelines that work for every region.
When one looks at the national planning framework and the strategic objectives that are set out there, balanced regional development is central. As part of the overall review of the national development plan, we are looking at critical, growth-enabling infrastructure priorities around the country and how we disburse the capital allocations. That will be really important in the separate work of the review of the national development plan but clearly, the outworking of the reforms we are advancing is to ensure delivery but also to empower agents to accelerate their respective projects where the pipeline has been too elongated and complex over the last number of years. What we are trying to do is have a cross-cutting reform to support the delivery of many of the projects that the Deputy referenced.
