Written Answers Nos. 167-186
167. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to outline the effectiveness of the review and implementation of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, focusing on scrambler bikes and e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34108/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 was enacted in June 2023. It is a large piece of legislation which covers multiple topics including scrambler bikes and e-scooters.
Among its many provisions, the Act aims to tackle dangerous driving and the antisocial use of scramblers and quadbikes via three key measures:
• Under Section 5(k), dangerous driving has become an offence everywhere, not only in public places;
• Under Section 5(p), An Garda Síochána were granted new powers of seizure;
• Under Section 11(b), there is a new power to provide in regulations for the prohibition or restriction of the uses of classes of vehicles in particular places.
A commencement order was signed into law (S.I. No. 392/2023) giving effect to Sections 5(k), 5(p) and 11(b), empowering An Garda Síochána to seize a vehicle (including scramblers, quadbikes and motorbikes) being driven dangerously in any location. My Department is in consultation with stakeholders in the context of preparing regulations under Section 11(b). It is important that these regulations have the desired effect, and that the correct vehicles, areas and territories are targeted.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 also legalised the use of e-scooters and a comprehensive suite of regulations has been introduced to govern the safe use of e-scooters in public places:
• The Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 199 of 2024) provides for technical standards and conditions for safe use, including a minimum age of 16 and a speed limit of 20 km/h.
• The Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 200 of 2024) provides that signs for bicycle use will also apply to e-scooters.
• The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 222 of 2024) provides for traffic rules, including forbidding use on motorways, footpaths and pedestrianised areas.
• The Road Traffic (Use of Powered Personal Transporters) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 224 of 2024) provides that other types of powered personal transporters (PPTs), and e-scooters which do not comply with the regulations, will remain illegal to use in public places.
• The Road Traffic Act 1994 (Detention of Powered Personal Transporters) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 223 of 2024) gives An Garda Síochána powers to seize and detain non-compliant e-scooters or other types of PPTs.
• The Road Traffic Act 2010 (Part 3) (Fixed Charge Offences) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 227 of 2024), provides for fixed charge penalties of €50.00 for certain e-scooter offences.
Two Commencement Orders have also been issued in relation to e-scooters concerning the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 and the Road Traffic Act 2024:
• S.I. 197 of 2024 commences Part 12 of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 which regulates PPTs and pedal cycles.
• S.I. 198 of 2024 commences Part 1 and sections 16-19 and 22 of the Road Traffic Act 2024.
E-scooters are to be used in the same way as bicycles in public places and the same rules of the road apply.
168. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to high powered electric bicycles using bike lanes and causing danger to cyclists and pedestrians; if this is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33417/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise the Deputy on the provisions of the Regulations in place for both e-bikes and e-mopeds.
An e-bike is a pedal-assisted electric bicycle with a maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts, and a maximum speed of 25 kilometres per hour. E-bikes are treated in the same way as bicycles and are therefore permitted to use cycle lanes.
E-mopeds include more powerful pedal-assisted e-bikes and those which can operate on the motor alone (throttle-assisted) and are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles.
There are two types of e-moped.
• L1e-A: pedal-assisted, with a maximum speed of 25 kph and maximum power of up to 1,000 Watts.
• L1e-B: pedal or throttle-assisted, with a maximum speed of 45 kph and maximum power of up to 4,000 Watts.
Given the greater power and speed of L1e-B e-mopeds, they are not permitted to use cycle tracks. Only L1e-A e-mopeds may do so.
Enforcement of the use of cycle lanes, along with other road safety enforcement matters, falls under the remit of An Garda Síochána and I suggest the Deputy contact them directly.
169. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure a substantial financial allocation under the road works programme to Cavan County Council for the further planning and design of a route (details supplied) in view of its strategic importance for the Border region and the need to upgrade this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34137/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department has been working with Cavan and Louth County Councils in relation to funding projects associated with the proposed upgraded East West Link Road. As the Deputy is aware the proposed scheme would run on regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and national routes from Cavan to Sligo.
Going back some time there was a proposal for a substantial upgrade of the regional road part of the route; my department provided over €2 million to Cavan County Council, acting as lead authority with Monaghan and Louth County Councils, to progress the regional road element of the project to preliminary design stage.
However, more recent appraisal work has indicated a very substantial cost if the road scheme was fully implemented. As such, my department engaged Cavan County Council to carry out a risk-based analysis for the route between Dundalk and Cavan. This analysis explored the possibility of a series of interventions which could be implemented over time, and which could improve safety, journey times, and bring consistency to the travel speed along the route. From this risk analysis individual local authorities examined if, and how, projects identified could be brought forward, while taking into account their own priorities and available resources.
My department allocated funding to both Cavan and Louth County Councils to carry out initial assessments of two possible schemes along the R178 Cavan to Dundalk Strategic Regional Route. Subsequently, both Louth and Cavan County Councils submitted Strategic Assessment Reports for these two schemes. These submissions have been reviewed and approval has been provided to advance both schemes.
The department has provided further funding in 2025 to both Cavan County Council and Louth County Council to advance these schemes through to the end of Phase 2 “Route Selection”. This process is underway by the local authorities and following completion, a further review of both schemes will be examined by my department before approval to the next phase.
170. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of ongoing issues with bus reliability and punctuality in Cork city and when these will be resolved and the resulting delays on the rollout of BusConnects. [34104/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of their contractual arrangements. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
I can assure you that my Department is committed to providing investment in our public transport network and that I am supportive of the Governments goals in delivering an accessible, affordable and reliable public transport network throughout the country, including in Cork city.
In terms of frequency, we are supporting the rollout of increased service levels on existing services and ensuring enhanced frequency on new services as they are rolled out.
On reliability we have major infrastructure plans under BusConnects for each of the five cities as well as introducing improvements to vehicle location system and the real-time passenger information, all of which will improve the reliability of the system.
BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the state and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
171. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the plans to introduce a metro in Waterford, Limerick and Galway, respectively; the timeline for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34068/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, land transport investment in the five cities is guided by the metropolitan area transport strategies which have been developed for each city.
The strategies set out programmes of proposed transport investment in active travel, bus and rail for each metropolitan area over a 20-year period and they have been developed in line with the National Planning Framework and the regional spatial and economic strategies.
These multi-modal strategies provide the necessary evidence-based and plan-led framework to guide transport investment in each city over the short, medium and longer term. This approach provides the necessary long-term planning that is needed to ensure good transport infrastructure delivery and related integration with land-use planning in our cites.
Under the current transport strategies in relation to each city, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford a number of public transport projects have been identified which take into consideration the current conditions, budgeting, and projected population growth. At present Metro is not envisaged, however, the transport strategies are reviewed periodically. There are, however, a number of public transport projects which have been identified in the current metropolitan area transport strategies, which are both planned and being delivered.
Noting the NTA's collaborative role in the development and preparation of the relevant transport strategies, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for further details. Please contact my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
172. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the rollout of the enhanced 243 Bus Éireann service in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34029/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport I recognise the importance of boosting connectivity in County Cork, which I am reinforcing through my introductory interactions with Local Link offices nationwide, including in Co. Cork. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to increasing Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities.
Under Budget 2025, the Department has secured a funding package of €658.442 million for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services (an increase from €613.813 million in 2024). This package includes funding for the continuation of the various fare initiatives, such as the Young Adult Card, and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2025. Funding has also been provided to extend free child fares on PSO Services to include those aged 5 to 8-years old, and to support the roll-out of new and enhanced bus services under programmes such as BusConnects, Connecting Ireland and new town services.
As with all plans, any additional funding for Connecting Ireland services would be subject to the annual Budgetary and Estimates process.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of new and enhanced services, including in County Cork, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
173. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the introduction of a maximum Leap card fare in regional cities, similar to the 90-minute fare in Dublin for €2; the way in which this will fit into the new National Fare Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34028/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In April 2023, the NTA published a new National Fares Strategy, aiming to deliver a more consistent, equitable, and transparent fare structure for all passengers. Following this, the NTA commenced a phased rollout of revised fare zones and structures. Phase 1 of this Fares Determination was implemented in June 2024, focusing on fare changes for towns and shorter journeys within Dublin.As the Deputy may be aware, the second part of this Determination is being implemented in two phases: Phase 2A (commenced from Monday, 28 April 2025) introduced new multi-modal fare caps in Dublin and revised commuter rail fares; and Phase 2B (commenced from Monday, 16 June 2025) for revised commuter bus fares. It is the NTA’s intention to roll out further changes in future determinations during 2025, designed to deliver a fares approach that is easier for customers to understand.Alongside this, Budget 2025 includes funding for the continuation of popular public transport fare initiatives including the 90-minute fare, the Young Adult/Student Leap Card, and the discounted fares on PSO services, with further provision to extend child fares to include those ages 5-8 years of age in Q3 of this year.
My Department supports these measures in line with the recent commitment in the Programme for Government to keeping fares low and affordable.In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
174. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he has any role in relation to the pricing of food and drink in airports; if he has corresponded with Aer Rianta in relation to hugely inflated prices charged by retail units in public airports and that allowing such runaway prices could have a detrimental impact on the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33619/25]
Amharc ar fhreagradaa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin and Cork Airports. As such, daa contract food and beverage operations to a number of vendors, and the vendors, as commercial companies, are responsible for setting the pricing of food and drink in the airports. These vendors are required to provide downtown pricing benchmarks for the prices charged in outlets at the airport.
176. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Transport to consider the inclusion of the Thurles bypass in the revised National Development Plan, which is currently under review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34034/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TII ultimately delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework and the NDP.
The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation are leading the review of the NDP, and work is ongoing within my Department to contribute to this review, with input from TII and other agencies. The review of the NDP will be aligned with the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040 and is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Funding commitments for National Roads for 2026 and beyond are currently under consideration as part of this review.
177. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will update on the efforts to electrify other commuter train services in the greater Dublin region, including the Maynooth line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33947/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ programme.
The DART+ programme will double the capacity and triple the electrification of the existing DART network. The DART+ programme comprises five different projects in and around the Greater Dublin Area.
Two fleet orders have been placed under the DART+ Fleet project. These comprise 185 carriages, largely battery-electric, with some electric units. Battery-electric carriages from the first order of 95 carriages have started arriving into Ireland, are now undergoing testing, and are expected to be deployed on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda from next year.
The DART+ West project plans to extend DART services from the City Centre to the M3 Parkway and Maynooth. A Railway Order (planning application) was granted approval by An Bord Pleanála in July 2024 for DART+ West, subject to certain conditions, notably that the proposed depot west of Maynooth not be constructed due to concerns about flood risk. Iarnród Éireann and the NTA are currently engaging on the submission of a new Railway Order for a depot.
A Railway Order was granted for the DART+ South West project by An Bord Pleanála in November 2024. This project will extend DART services from the City Centre to Hazelhatch, including four-tracking from Park West to Heuston.
Procurement for DART+ South West and West is progressing with pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) notices for Design and Build works recently advertised in May 2025.
A Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North, which will extend DART overhead electrified wires to Drogheda, was lodged in July 2024 which commenced the formal planning process. The Statutory Consultation period closed in October 2024. The project is currently awaiting a decision from An Bord Pleanála.
The DART+ Coastal South project will improve DART services on the existing DART line south of Dublin city, with the current focus on enhancing services between Bray and Greystones.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issue raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed response. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
178. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the costing and procurement analysis carried out in relation to the contract the Government has signed with a company (details supplied) to build the M28 motorway, and its compliance with Government procurement frameworks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28255/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
It is important to point out that the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) set out a number of Approval Gates for large capital projects such as the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Project. With regard to the procurement process involved, TII and Cork County Council prepared a detailed procurement strategy for the main construction contract which was approved by the then Minister for Transport in January 2024, as is required at Approval Gate 2 of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
On the conclusion of the tendering process by Cork County Council and TII, a Final Business Case for the project was submitted to the Department of Transport in December 2024. This was appraised by Department officials from a policy and economic perspective, and a Memo for Government was submitted recommending approval to go to construction. This was approved at the cabinet meeting of April 8th this year, as is required at Approval Gate 3 of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply detailing the procurement process. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
179. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Transport for an update on his efforts to progress the Thurles Relief Road (details supplied); when funding will be provided to commence construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34033/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
Any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
€100,000 has been allocated to the Thurles Inner Relief Road scheme in 2025 to progress the detailed design of the scheme. Planning and implementation of the Thurles Inner Relief Road scheme is the responsibility of Tipperary County Council.
180. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the N24 and N25; and if there is funding available for completion of the works. [34140/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
The N24 Waterford to Cahir project has been allocated €80,000 for 2025 and while the N25 Waterford to Glenmore project did not receive an allocation for 2025, it is anticipated that it could be funded in 2026, subject to the outcome of the ongoing review of the NDP. It is also important to note that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to increase funding for new roads and the maintenance of existing roads as part of the NDP review.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the latest status of the N24 Waterford to Cahir and the N25 Waterford to Glenmore projects.
181. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Taoiseach his plans to address the fact that data in relation to many marginalised groups such as Travellers and Roma, migrants, disabled people, and homeless people is not included in the annual CSO Survey on Income and Living Conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34533/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) is the official source of household income, poverty and deprivation statistics for Ireland. conducted annually by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) as part of a European-wide data collection governed by Regulation (EU) No. 2019/1700, also known as the Integrated European Social Statistics (IESS) framework. This regulation standardises social statistics across EU member states to ensure comparability of data on income, poverty, social exclusion, and living conditions.
Under this regulation, SILC is restricted to private households, meaning individuals must reside in conventional dwellings to be included in the survey sample. This definition excludes people living in collective or institutional settings, such as:
·Emergency or long-term homeless accommodation
·Direct provision centres
·Nursing homes, hospitals, or prisons
·Traveller halting sites not classed as private households
This methodological limitation means that small groups of the population, including Travellers and Roma, migrants in communal accommodation, people with disabilities in institutional care, and homeless individuals, are often underrepresented in the SILC achieved sample or entirely excluded from the SILC sample frame. As a result, national statistics on income poverty, material deprivation, and social exclusion may not fully capture the circumstances of these population groups.
The CSO are aware of this limitation in SILC and pursue a range of approaches to address data gaps relating to small populations groups.
·The Census of Population is undertaken every five years and is integral for providing detailed statistics on small population groups in Ireland.
·Enhanced sampling methodologies and collection techniques are utilised to improve the representation of small population groups in achieved samples and outputs of surveys (e.g. Growing Up in Ireland survey).
· CSO are expanding their use of administrative data to provide greater insights on small population groups in Ireland. For example, the Geographical Profiles of Income in Ireland, links Census data with administrative income records which supports a more detailed understanding of income distribution across small geographic areas.
182. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the response to Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2024 and if he intends to host another competitiveness summit. [33574/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's response to the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council's Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge report 2024 was published on 5 November last.
The Government's response was co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach, drawing together material from relevant Departments. This was the fifth year in which a formal response was issued by the Government to the council's annual competitiveness challenge report. The response addressed the 20 recommendations made by the council to the Government.
The Government held its inaugural Competitiveness Summit on 2 September 2024. The second annual Competitiveness Summit is scheduled to take place on 7 July 2025.
183. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Taoiseach the number of people working full-time and part-time in his Department and bodies under the aegis of the Department in roles that are fully on-site, hybrid, or fully remote from 2022 to date, in tabular form [33511/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in tabular form below and in the notes accompanying the tables.
Department of the Taoiseach
|
- |
As at 31/12/2022 |
As at 31/12/2023 |
As at 31/12/2024 |
As at 31/05/2025 |
|
No. of full-time employees who applied for blended working arrangements (% of total employees*) |
98 (46.9%) |
98 (44.1%) |
96 (41%) |
100 (41.8%) |
|
No. of part-time employees who applied for blended working arrangements (% of total employees*) |
14 (6.7%) |
14 (6.3%) |
17 (7.3%) |
16 (6.7%) |
*Excludes political staff
To note:
·The Department of the Taoiseach’s Blended Working Policy provides for a minimum attendance of three days per week in the office, and additional attendance if business needs require it.
·There are no roles in the Department of the Taoiseach that are fully remote.
·Given the dynamic nature of the work of the Department and the requirement for a responsive and flexible approach, employees are regularly required to attend in the office more than three days a week and not all roles in the Department are eligible for blended working.
National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO)
|
- |
As at 31/12/2022 |
As at 31/12/2023 |
As at 31/12/2024 |
As at 31/05/2025 |
|
No. of full-time employees who applied for blended working arrangements (% of total employees) |
12 (100%) |
12 (100%) |
13 (100%) |
13 (100%) |
|
No. of part-time employees who applied for blended working arrangements (% of total employees) |
4 (100%) |
4 (100%) |
5 (100%) |
6 (100%) |
To note:
·NESDO is the only body under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.
·There are no roles in NESDO that are fully remote.
184. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach if his Department has a designated head of procurement; if each agency or public body under his Department’s remit also has a designated head of procurement; and if so, to list those entities, along with the name or grade of the person holding that role. [33649/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach the number of staff within his Department and its agencies who hold a formal procurement qualification or certification (for example, CIPS, NFQ Level 6 or higher in procurement, EU public procurement training), broken down by organisation, in tabular form. [33667/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra186. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach if his Department and each agency or public body under its remit uses a formal contract management system or procurement tracking platform; to list the systems in use; and if they are centrally monitored or independently operated. [33685/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 184 to 186, inclusive, together.
All procurement within the Department of the Taoiseach and in the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only body under the aegis of the Department - is conducted in accordance with applicable EU and national regulations and Office of Government Procurement (OGP) guidance.
The Department of the Taoiseach has a designated procurement officer at Higher Executive Officer level in its Finance Unit. In NESDO, the Head of Corporate Affairs (Assistant Principal level) acts as the designated head of procurement.
A Procurement Advisory Group (PAG) also meets at regular intervals throughout the year in the Department of the Taoiseach. The PAG is chaired by the Head of Corporate Affairs (Principal Officer level) and comprises officials from Finance Unit, Internal Audit Unit and from business units in the Department that generate the bulk of our purchasing and procurement activity. The PAG provides advice and guidance as necessary to business units across the Department and addresses any issues raised in respect of procurement.
Officers involved in the procurement function in the Department and in NESDO have received regular, focussed training from fully qualified service providers. The Department's Corporate Procurement Plan requires in-house procurement training for employees of the Department. This training is routinely provided by the Department's Finance Unit.
The Department of the Taoiseach operates a Contracts Database - managed centrally by the Finance Unit - to track and monitor all contracts entered into by the Department. Given the small scale of procurement in NESDO, contracts are monitored and tracked by the Head of Corporate Affairs in their role as designated head of procurement.
