Written Answers Nos. 981-998
981. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department intends to cap the welcome increase in funding of €7,807 from 2024 €5,559 for miscellaneous grants and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32594/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, the variance from 2024 to 2025 you have outlined has arisen under the 2025 Estimates process. As part of the annual Estimates process, each expenditure line within my Department is critically evaluated, in collaboration with key stakeholders and colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, to ensure appropriate and sufficient funding is allocated to meet requirements and commitments for the year ahead.
Miscellaneous Grants & Services (Subhead B15) allows my Department provide funding towards grants and services which do not fall under the remit of the other subheads within my Vote to allow flexibility within the Vote to meet demand outside the scope of the other programmes.
Given the nature of this subhead, all allocations are carefully considered on an annual basis, as part of the Estimates process. Therefore, funding to this subhead may fluctuate based upon Budget negotiations and Government priorities in a particular year.
982. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans his Department has to build on and expand the numbers of higher education students in the State, with the last figure from 2023 is at 202,450; if he will provide updated figures for 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32610/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent full-time student enrolment data from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) confirms a continued upward trend in participation in higher education. In 2023/2024, there were 202,450 full-time students enrolled (excluding National College of Ireland, newly included in HEA figures from this year), up from 198,970 in 2022/2023. When all modes of study are included, the figures for 2023/2024 and 2022/2023 are 265,905 and 256,785, respectively. This increase reflects growing student demand and the expanding capacity of the system. Figures for the 2024/2025 academic year will be published later in the year.
The Department for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) continues to prioritise the expansion and diversification of higher education opportunities in response to growing student demand, skills needs, and workforce shortages. Building on the 2023/2024 student enrolment figures, the Department is implementing a range of targeted initiatives and investments to increase participation, particularly in health and social care professions and through flexible access routes. My Department has made substantial progress in expanding higher education capacity to meet national skills needs.
The development of diverse and progressive pathways for learners in further and higher education is a key strategic goal of DFHERIS. Tertiary programmes, first launched in July 2023, are a new kind of educational provision which allows a student to begin a degree course in further education, before transitioning on to complete their degree in a higher education setting. In Budget 2025, €4m was allocated towards the development of tertiary programmes.
Entry to tertiary programmes is outside the CAO system, providing an alternate pathway to a degree for individuals who may not have received the requisite points for a course they are passionate about. The tertiary pathway also aims to increase access to higher education for those are excluded from the traditional pathway, particularly the priority access groups outlined in the National Access Plan.
In September 2023 the first intake of tertiary programmes commenced, with 152 students enrolled on 13 programmes. 2024 saw an increased intake with more than 220 students embarking on 19 degree programmes.
A total of 38 courses are now available for applications for the academic year 2025/26 including new courses in occupational therapy, nursing, social care and the creative arts. The most in-demand tertiary programmes are those offering an alternative route into key regulated professions. At present there are tertiary degrees offered in Occupational Therapy, Nursing, and Social Work. The NTO is working closely with the HSE to implement a phased approach to assist in addressing workforce shortages.
Springboard+, established in 2011 continues to play a vital role in expanding access to higher education by offering flexible, work-focused learning opportunities to adult learners across the country. Aligned with national skills priorities, Springboard+ supports individuals to upskill or reskill in high-demand areas such as ICT, cybersecurity and sustainability.
Springboard+ is free or heavily subsidised and offered in a flexible format (part-time, blended, and online) making higher education more accessible to all. Springboard+ 2025 launched in May 2025 is providing almost 8,000 places on 249 courses and includes micro-credentials.
Springboard+ is open to the unemployed, employed and those returning to the workforce, subject to meeting eligibility criteria. It has demonstrated strong outcomes in terms of learner progression and graduate employability, with the majority of participants securing employment or further study upon completion.
As demand grows for a skilled and adaptable workforce, Springboard+ will continue to be an important driver of increased participation in higher education.
In recent years nearly 1,000 additional places have been created in health and social care programmes in Irish universities.
Looking ahead, a further 461 places will be introduced by 2028, including 320 in 2025, supported by investment in staffing, infrastructure, and clinical placements. It was also announced last year that the University of Galway will launch a new Graduate Entry Medicine (Rural and Remote) stream, which will provide 48 additional places annually once fully rolled out, targeting GP shortages in rural Ireland. The University of Limerick will introduce a Direct Entry Medicine programme, building on its expertise in Graduate Entry Medicine to further expand capacity. Separately, a co-funded agreement with Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast has delivered 389 ringfenced healthcare places over 2024 and 2025, including 50 undergraduate medicine places annually for Irish students, who commit to applying for HSE internships upon graduation.
In addition, new pharmacy programmes will be established at Atlantic Technological University, South East Technological University, and University of Galway. This will double the number of pharmacy training programmes nationally, delivering over 150 additional pharmacy graduates per year at full roll-out.
Dental education is also being enhanced, with a new Bachelor of Dental Surgery at RCSI launching in 2025 to provide at least 20 new places per year through a community-based training model. Veterinary education will be expanded through new programmes at Atlantic Technological University and South East Technological University, expected to admit up to 40 students annually from 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
These coordinated expansions reflect the Department’s strategic commitment to addressing workforce shortages, while broadening access to high-quality professional education and creating more opportunities for students throughout the country.
The Government remains committed to ensuring that every learner has a viable pathway to fulfilling their potential in higher education. Through investment, innovation, and inclusive access strategies, my Department is supporting both national development and individual opportunity, as evidenced by the range of provision across the sector.
983. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the current percentage of full-time higher education international students, with the last figure from 2023 showing they make up just 17% of students; to provide updated percentage figures for 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32611/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the 2023/2024 academic year, there were 40,400 International Students enrolled in publicly funded Irish Higher Education Institutions. The proportion of this cohort in the overall student body is set out in tabular form below:
|
As a Percentage of All Full Time Students |
17.12% |
|
As a Percentage of Full Time Undergraduate Students |
10.98% |
|
As a Percentage of Full Time Postgraduate Students |
48.74% |
(HEA Statistics)
The HEA figures for the 2024/2025 academic year are not yet available and are typically published in October each year.
984. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science His Department's plans in addressing the significant decrease in numbers for Springboard enrolments with 11,033 enrolments in 2021, 10,545 in 2022 and just 9,444 in 2023; to provide updated figures for 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32612/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpringboard+, established in 2011 continues to play a vital role in expanding access to higher education by offering flexible, work focused learning opportunities to adult learners across the country. Aligned with national skills priorities, Springboard+ supports individuals to upskill or reskill in high-demand areas such as ICT, cybersecurity and sustainability.
Springboard+ is free or heavily subsidised and offered in a flexible format (part-time, blended, and online) making higher education more accessible to all. In May 2025, I was delighted to launch Springboard+ 2025, which is providing almost 8,000 places on 249 courses and includes micro-credentials.
Springboard+ is open to the unemployed, employed and those returning to the workforce, subject to meeting eligibility criteria. It has demonstrated strong outcomes in terms of learner progression and graduate employability, with the majority of participants securing employment or further study upon completion.
As demand grows for a skilled and adaptable workforce, Springboard+ will continue to be an important driver of increased participation in higher education.
An increased budget allocation for Springboard+ was awarded as a temporary Government response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the years 2020-2022. The reduction in the budget allocation for Springboard+ after 2022 is the principal reason for the reduction in the number of places funded – and thus enrolments – from 2023 onwards.
It is important to highlight that the budget allocation for Springboard+ is on a calendar year basis, while the Springboard+ programme operates on an academic year. As such, projections on expenditure are required to be made on an ongoing basis and adjustments in the number of places that can be funded are made, if funding becomes available. Funding may free up following registrations when not all participants complete the registration process as anticipated, or when courses do not run, as not enough applications are received from suitably qualified applicants. In those circumstances, Springboard+ has been able to offer additional places to providers to run extra intakes or fund additional places on over-enrolled courses from the funding that has been freed up.
Springboard+ was funded on a multiannual basis for the 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/24 academic years. As per the Provider Contract with the HEA, courses are required to fill at least 75% of places to be re-funded in subsequent years, and any course that did not reach this threshold or any courses that did not run in 2023/24 would not have been re-funded in 2024/25, thus reducing the number of places funded between those programme years.
In relation to the reduction in the number of places funded in 2025, there was a new Call for Proposals earlier this year, however the average cost of delivering a course has increased by 11% since the last Call in 2022. Increased administrative costs, including data retention and storage space costs, have also been experienced over time. Additional costs have also been incurred owing to the inclusion of Micro-credentials under Springboard+ 2025.
Efforts are, however, underway to ensure that enrolments are maximised within the existing allocation of places. Application numbers for Springboard+ 2025 are very strong to date. As of 10th June, there are 5,827 applications (from 4,510 unique applicants) for 7,719 places. At the same date in 2024, 4,616 applications had been received. Additionally, applications were open for three weeks by this point in 2024 compared to one week in 2025.
As can be seen from the fill rates in the Higher Education Indicators table (provided separately), places on Springboard+ funded courses have filled over 100% in the 2023 and 2024 programme years, and the HEA are seeing an increase of approximately 25% in the number of applications for Springboard+ 2025 compared to the same time last year.
A comprehensive marketing and communication strategy to promote Springboard+ 2025 courses will launch shortly. This will include promoting the new courses across various platforms including radio, outdoor advertising, and social media. This will include Irish language media. This will ensure the message reaches as wide an audience as possible.
Twinned with this approach, each of the higher education providers will run their own campaigns to promote their individual programmes.
Please find attached table of Springboard+ enrolments updated to 2024, along with some information on applications to date for Springboard+ 2025.
985. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department plans to address the demand for English-language students; and for an update on the number of English-language students for 2024 and 2025. [32613/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collate data on the number of students studying English language courses in Ireland. English Education Ireland (EEI) is the largest association of English language schools in Ireland, representing 63 member schools. According to EEI’s Annual Report on English Language Training in Ireland 2024, 128,761 international students from 125 countries chose to study in an EEI member school in 2024. This represents a growth of 2% on the international student numbers recorded by EEI in 2023. A copy of this Report is available at: https://mei.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/English-Education-in-Ireland-2024-Annual-Report.pdf. Data on the numbers studying English language courses in Ireland in 2025 will be available in 2026.
Positioning Ireland as a first-choice destination for international learners, researchers and innovators is a key pillar of the Government’s policy for international education, as set out in Global Citizens 2030: Ireland’s International Talent and Innovation Strategy to 2030.
TrustEd Ireland is a new education quality mark and is a flagship initiative under pillar two of Global Citizens 2030. Education institutions seeking the TrustEd Ireland mark will be required to demonstrate that they meet new national standards encompassing the overall quality of their programme offerings, their qualifications, and the services and supports that they offer to international learners.
TrustEd Ireland will promote Ireland as a first-choice destination for international learners by ensuring that international learners enrolled with higher education and English language education providers are protected and receive a quality, consistent learning experience, from enrolment through to the completion of their education programme. Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) has statutory responsibility for administering the TrustEd Ireland scheme.
QQI opened the first application window for providers seeking to obtain the TrustEd Ireland mark in October 2024. The assessments of these applications are currently taking place. It is expected that the first cohort of providers will be authorised to use the mark in late 2025. It is anticipated that the second TrustEd Ireland application window will also open in the latter part of this year.
986. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason his Department has significantly reduced digital and capital investment and IT expenses from his programme allocations budget by 80% from €1,750 in 2024 to €349 in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32614/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, the variance from 2024 to 2025 you have outlined has arisen under the 2025 Estimates process. As part of the annual Estimates process, each expenditure line within my Department is critically evaluated, in collaboration with key stakeholders and colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, to ensure appropriate and sufficient funding is allocated to meet requirements and commitments for the year ahead.
The 80% reduction in funding for Digital Capital Investment and IT Expenses in 2025 compared to 2024, arose following a period of significant investment by my Department, in 2022, 2023 & 2024. This investment was driven largely by the formation and growth of this Department during that period. As part of the annual Estimates process 2025, it was identified that no further capital IT expenditure was required in 2025 and current IT expenses were projected to be significantly lower than previously incurred as projects concluded. Both the capital (€1m) and current expenditure (€0.4m) reductions were reallocated within the Vote.
987. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the costs incurred by his Department and bodies under its aegis from contracts awarded to communications and PR firms in 2024; the name of the contractor and a description of the work undertaken in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32641/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not sought external public relations assistance at any time since its establishment.
The information in respect of the state bodies within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with her query.
|
Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
||
|
Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
Higher Education Authority |
Oireachtas@hea.ie |
Padraic Mellett* |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Communications@ggda.ie |
nora.rahill@ggda.ie |
|
SOLAS |
oireachtasinfo@solas.ie |
Maria Walsh maria.walshe@solas.ie |
|
Skillnets Ireland |
oireachtasmembers@skillnetireland.ie |
tracey.donnery@skillnetireland.ie |
|
Quality and Qualifications Ireland |
ceo@qqi.ie |
ceo@qqi.ie |
|
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau |
oireachtas@leargas.ie |
fbroughan@leargas.ie |
|
Research Ireland |
oireachtasqueries@researchireland.ie |
Donna McCabe donna.mccabe@researchireland.ie |
988. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to encourage greater participation by Peruvian students in third level institutions and continuing educational opportunities in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32659/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, the number of students from Peru studying in Ireland's higher education institutions is very low, around 10 in total.
Consequently, Education in Ireland, which promotes higher education internationally on behalf of my Department, does not currently include Peru among the priority countries where it is focussing its attention. Nevertheless, potential students have access to the virtual education fairs which Education in Ireland conducts as part of its digital marketing campaigns in the LATAM region.
I welcome reports of increased interest from international students considering Ireland as a destination in which to advance their education. Making Ireland a first-choice destination for international learners, researchers and innovators is a key pillar of Global Citizens 2030, Ireland’s international Talent & Innovation strategy.
989. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if an applicant (details supplied) will be considered for SUSI assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32706/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe student referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the Independent Student Grant Appeals Board (the Board) on the 8th June 2025.
The appeal is due to be considered by the Board on or before the 7th August 2025. The determination of the Board will be communicated directly to the student.
990. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he is pursuing the ‘CERN for AI’ proposal (details supplied); if he sees opportunity in State-led AI collaboration, research and investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32739/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the Deputy's question refers to one of the independent policy recommendation from the European Commission's Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) published in April 2024 on how to facilitate the uptake of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research and innovation across the EU. As set out below, it relates to the work of the European Commission at European level rather than to my area of responsibilities at national level.
The opinion addresses both the opportunities and challenges of using Artificial Intelligence in science. It highlights that AI has the potential to revolutionise scientific discovery, accelerate research progress, boost innovation and improve researchers’ productivity. It can also strengthen the EU’s position in science and ultimately contribute to solving global societal challenges. On the other hand as discussed in the opinion, AI also presents obstacles and risks, for example with obtaining transparent, reproducible results that are essential to robust science in an open society.
In addition to the recommendation for the establishment of a European institute for AI in science the recommendations relate to the following issues:
- High quality standards for AI systems (i.e., data, computing, codes);
- Transparency of public models;
- AI tools and technologies specialised for scientific work;
- AI-powered research with major benefits for EU citizens;
- A Human and Community-Centric Approach.
The opinion was requested by the Commission in July 2023 and is non-binding. It complements a range of material that the Commission has developed on the use of AI in research and innovation. I look forward to seeing how all the recommendations help guide and inform the development and implementation of EU policy for AI across all its many dimensions.
991. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of judicial review cases his Department has defended in each of the past ten years; the number in relation to which proceedings are pending or continuing; the number of cases which were lost and won, respectively, in the same period; the number of cases that settled in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32843/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are collating the information requested and will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
992. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the Programme for Government’s commitment to expand the remit of connected hubs to create new opportunities in rural communities; if he will consider extending this remit to include suburban villages in the Dublin metropolitan area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31895/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key focus of Our Rural Future - the Government's Rural Development Policy 2021 to 2025 - is to optimise digital connectivity to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities, ensuring equality of access to digital services. Our Rural Future committed to the establishment of a network of 400 remote working hubs across the country over the lifetime of the policy. Connectedhubs.ie was launched in mid 2021, and there are now 383 hubs live on the network.
The Connected Hubs initiative, which was originally developed to identify and connect a network of existing rural remote working hubs along the Atlantic Seaboard between Kerry and Donegal has been extended to a national project and now encompasses remote working hubs in both urban and rural areas. The connectedhubs.ie platform includes 55 hubs within the Dublin Metropolitan Area.
This commitment to remote working hubs is reinforced in the Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland's Future to increase the number of Connected Hubs and users, broadening the services provided for entrepreneurs, start-ups, FDI and social enterprises.
A number of initiatives have already been developed through Connected Hubs that benefit the wider community such as 'Learning in the Hubs' in collaboration with the Technological University of the Shannon bringing third-level education programmes to communities across Ireland, enabling adult learners to undertake part-time courses in local Connected Hubs with state-of-the-art facilities.
A new National Hubs Strategy, is currently being finalised and will be published later this year. It will present a coherent approach to the future development of remote working and enterprise hubs including the development of new opportunities for communities across the hub network. The strategy is being developed in consultation with hub managers, local authorities, communities and other stakeholders.
993. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the community centres based in County Kildare that received capital funding under the community centres investment fund in 2024, in tabular form. [31966/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) has provided in excess of €109 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.
Over €45.8 million was approved for some 861 community centres nationwide under CCIF 2022. In early 2024, funding of over €30 million was approved for the construction of 12 new community centres covering nine counties. Under the 2024 iteration of the fund over €33 million has been approved to support refurbishment works on over 770 projects nationwide.
The attached table outlines the 19 projects that were approved under the 2024 iteration in County Kildare with associated funding of €804,406.
994. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he has received an application for the rural regeneration and development fund-phase 2, for Carraig na bFhearr; and if so, when this application will be assessed. [32478/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital investment programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.
Calls for applications under are sought under two categories, Category 1 and Category 2.
Category 1 relates to larger scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed.
Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
The 4th Call for Category 2 applications was launched in October 2024 and typically provides funding of up to €1m per project. The closing date for applications under this Call was the 14 March.
I can confirm that an application in respect of the project referenced by the Deputy has been submitted. The assessment process for the RRDF applications received under the 4th Call, which is undertaken on a competitive basis, is ongoing. Following the assessment of applications, I anticipate an announcement of successful projects will be made in Quarter 3 of this year.
I am committed to ensuring that the RRDF can continue to support high quality and transformational projects across rural Ireland in line with the objectives of Our Rural Future.
995. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department’s website employs analytics tools (details supplied) that track website traffic using UTM parameters (for example, utm_source); if so, whether any visits have been recorded with a specific parameter or similar identifiers indicating traffic from ChatGPT; and to provide the monthly number of such visits, if recorded, for each of the past 12 months, in tabular form. [32506/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht's website is hosted by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) as part of the gov.ie central website for government services and information, and analytics are provided to the Department as part of that service.
I have set out in the following table details in relation to the 1,222 visits, generated by the specified source, to the Department's website over the past 12 months, as sought by the Deputy.
996. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the costs incurred by his Department and bodies under its aegis from contracts awarded to communications and PR firms in 2024; the name of the contractor and a description of the work undertaken in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32646/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general my Department’s communications work is delivered in-house and with external communications and/or PR inputs only utilised where external specialist expertise is required.
With that in mind, there were only two contracts awarded by my Department for communications/PR work with costs in 2024. Both of these related to capacity and awareness raising for the community and voluntary sector area. The table below provides information on those contracts.
|
Year Contract Awarded |
Contractor |
Description of Services |
Amount expended in 2024 inclusive of VAT where applicable |
|
2024 |
DHR Communications |
Drafting of Philanthropy Communications and Awareness Raising Strategy |
€ 19,803 |
|
2024 |
Match Marketing |
Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) awareness building |
€43,957 |
In relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department, relevant contracts for which costs were incurred in 2024 are set out in the table below. I would note that they are independent legal entities, responsible for their own operational matters.
|
Unit/Agency |
Year Contract Awarded |
Contractor |
Description of Services |
Amount expended in 2024 inclusive of VAT where applicable |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
2022 |
Lorg Media |
Social media marketing advice and production work for promotional materials |
€226,296 |
|
Charities Regulator |
2024 |
DHR Communications |
Provision of public relations and communications services |
€30,750 |
|
Charities Regulator |
2024 |
One Core |
Development of social media strategy and design of social media assets. |
€12,595 |
|
Pobal |
2022 |
MKC Communications |
Public relations and affairs services, assisting in preparatory work. |
€18,463 |
|
Western Development Commission |
2023 |
Core Full Solutions |
Social Media and PR support for the Connected Hubs initiative |
€60,025 |
|
Western Development Commission |
2024 |
Big O Creative Ltd |
Provision of Marketing Services for the Connected Hubs initiative |
€144,950 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
2024 |
Communications Clinic |
PR Services (Media Relations Specialist) |
€9,225 |
997. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if there are plans for a fund for community centres for energy efficiency and insulation in 2025 or 2026. [32714/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) has provided in excess of €109 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.
Over €45.8 million was approved for some 861 community centres nationwide under CCIF 2022. In early 2024, funding of over €30 million was approved for the construction of 12 new community centres covering nine counties. Under the 2024 iteration of the fund over €33 million has been approved to support refurbishment works on over 770 projects nationwide. Under the refurbishment measures, many centres were approved for projects that included energy efficiency and insulation works.
I am committed to delivering further iterations of the scheme in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund, and a decision in relation to the timing of further iterations and the measures to be included will be made in the context of the management of ongoing commitments under the scheme and the annual budgetary process.
My Department also supports community facilities with energy efficiency and insulation upgrades through a range of other funding streams including through the CLÁR programme and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. I would encourage organisations to check my Department’s website for information on funding opportunities and announcements.
998. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of judicial review cases his Department has defended in each of the past ten years; the number in relation to which proceedings are pending or continuing; the number of cases which were lost and won, respectively, in the same period; the number of cases that settled in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32848/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established in July 2017 and has defended two judicial review cases for matters currently under its remit. The requested details are provided in the table below, and I can confirm that there are no open or pending cases at this time.
|
Year Initiated |
Cases Defended |
Cases Lost |
Cases Withdrawn |
Cases Settled |
|
2022 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
2019 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
