Written Answers Nos. 592-606
593. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of Leaving Certificate students opting to undertake third level education, apprenticeships and any other options in each of the years 2021 to 2025. In tabular form. [66801/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Higher Education Authority (HEA) is responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating student and graduate enrolment data from all HEA-funded higher education institutions.
Details of student enrolment data, including in relation to entry basis, is available on the HEA website: www.hea.ie/statistics/data-for-download-and-visualisations/key-facts-figures-report/.
Please note the HEA does not collect data from private colleges and all figures are rounded to the nearest 5 students. Data for the National College of Ireland has only been collected from 2023/24 onwards.
According to SOLAS there are 500 students on the Tertiary programmes in 2025 and 186 of them have reported to have a leaving cert as their highest level of education. Please note that the response rate for this question was 71%. A copy of this information is attached.
Information on students in Further Education and Training can be found in the This is FET: Facts and Figures report published annually on their website by SOLAS. This report is based on data sourced from the Programme and Learner Support Systems (PLSS) database, which collects and processes the personal data of the FET learners who are enrolled in SOLAS funded programmes.
The number of students with a Leaving Certificate can be seen in the responses to the question asking about the learner's highest level of formal education.
• The report for 2025 has not yet been published.
• In 2024, 65,027 (31.6%) learners had an upper secondary education.
• In 2023, 64,150 (33.3%) learners had an upper secondary education.
• In 2022, 53,432 (33.1%) learners had an upper secondary education.
• In 2021, 44,416 (36%) learners had an upper secondary education.
However, it should be noted that responding to this question is not mandatory and therefore these figure might not capture all learners.
The National Apprenticeship Office does not collect data in regard to Leaving Certificate students opting to undertake apprenticeships. To undertake an apprenticeship, a person must secure employment in the relevant sector. Employers may register apprentices at any time throughout the year. As such, the apprenticeship system does not follow the traditional academic calendar.
In Budget 2026, I secured a record investment of €79 million in apprenticeship delivery – the largest since the formation of my department. This brings the total current budget for apprenticeship delivery to over €410 million - an increase of over 120% since 2020. More than doubling investment since 2020 is a clear, concrete demonstration of the Government’s commitment to growing and developing Ireland’s apprenticeship system.
To further support apprentices, €2.5 million was also secured to reduce the cost of attending higher education generally in phases 4 and 6. This will permanently lower fees by 17% for over 14,000 apprentices in the 2025/26 academic year.
Building on this momentum, the Apprenticeship Action Plan 2026–2030, currently in development, will be launched next year. Stakeholder consultations on the new Plan are scheduled to commence shortly.
This record investment has delivered clear results. Annual apprenticeship registrations have grown strongly in recent years from 6,177 in 2019 to 9,352 in 2024.
To foster early engagement, the Initial Vocational Education and Training (iVET) module is now available to all Transition Year students. Developed by the NCCA, ETBI, and SOLAS, iVET offers hands-on exposure to vocational pathways through FET taster courses, career talks, and workshops.
My Department provides funding for WorldSkills Ireland, an event where over 30,000 students from more than 300 secondary schools across the country celebrated the talent and ambition of Ireland’s apprentices. The event highlighted the critical role of skills in building a future-ready workforce.
|
Highest Level of Formal Education |
Year of Learner Start Year |
Month of Learner Start |
Coursetitle |
Starters (Unique learners) |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BA (Honours) in Politics, Society and Media |
18 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BA (Hons) Immersive Media Production |
9 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BA (Hons) Immersive Media Production - Year 2 |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BA (Hons) Immersive Media Production Year 2 |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BA (Hons) in Digital and Business Skills (DABS) |
10 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Care Practice |
8 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Business |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Business (Honours) Business - BBS (Hons) Stage 1 |
9 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Business + Psychology |
21 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality Services |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Business Studies (Honours) - Stage 1 |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology Management |
6 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in IT Management - Stage 1 |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Public Health & Health Promotion |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development - Stage 1 |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in General Nursing |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in General Nursing - Ballinode Campus |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Care |
7 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Science in Mobile and Web Computing - BSc (Hons) Stage 1 |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Bachelor of Social Work BSW (HONS) Degree |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BSc (Hons) in General Nursing |
6 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BSc (Hons) in General Nursing-Cork |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BSc (Hons) in General Nursing⯠|
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing |
5 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing - Cork |
* |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy |
11 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BSc Hons Applied Sports Science (Common Entry) |
5 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BSc Hons Digital Arts (Common Entry) |
8 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
BSc in Process Manufacturing Practice & Technology |
12 |
|
Leaving Certificate/ A Levels/Applied Leaving Certificate |
2025 |
September |
Honours Degree in Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design |
8 |
|
|
|
October |
BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing |
* |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
186 |
|
Data Source: PLSS EoM October |
|
|
|
|
|
* Anything <5 is replaced with an * . |
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|
|
* This only includes those starters that reported their highest level of formal education. The response rate among tertiary learners that started in 2025 was 71%. |
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594. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to list all funding schemes, grant programmes and any other financial supports that are currently administered by his Department and its agencies; the expected launch and closing dates for applications for each scheme in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66930/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department is responsible for two grant payment systems which relate to schemes whereby individuals may apply for the grant payments, which support them in participating in further and/or higher education.
The Student Grant Scheme and Third level Bursaries are administered through SUSI which is a business unit within the City of Dublin ETB.
The 1916 Bursary Scheme was administered by the third level institutions up until the 2023/24 awards, but SUSI are now managing the application, assessment and payments on behalf of the third level institutions.
The opening and closing dates for applications to the schemes for 2026, are presented in the table below.
|
DFHERIS Grant Support Schemes |
|
|
|
Scheme |
Opening Date for Applications (2026) |
Closing Date for Applications (2026) |
|
Student Grant Scheme Third Level Bursaries |
Dates to be confirmed but in general the scheme opens for renewal applications early March and for new applications early April. Renewals of legacy bursaries May 2026 |
Dates to be confirmed but expected to be similar as 2025 dates, priority closing date early July and closing early November. End of July 2026 |
|
1916 Bursary Scheme |
Dates are to be confirmed but they are expected to be in line with previous years, opening early September and closing early October. |
Dates are to be confirmed but they are expected to be in line with previous years, opening early September and closing early October. |
595. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will publish a report (details supplied) on the design and implementation of the new learner protection fund; and the way in which the views of English language education providers and representative bodies were incorporated into the final recommendations. [66945/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll outstanding provisions of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 were commenced on 1 September 2024. This Act provides the legislative underpinning for a range of new statutory functions under the remit of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) including a new Protection of Enrolled Learners (PEL) scheme underpinned by the establishment of a Learner Protection Fund (LPF). This commencement was accompanied by two Ministerial Regulations detailing the operational arrangements for the new LPF alongside the charges payable by obligated providers to the Fund.
At the launch event for these new functions, held in September 2024, noting concerns raised by providers in respect of the new PEL scheme, it was announced that the Department would be undertaking further consultation with sectoral providers and stakeholders in relation to its implementation. This process is being supported by Grant Thornton who have been appointed by the Department to assist with this engagement.
Grant Thornton has completed its consultation with providers and stakeholders to both collect relevant sectoral and learner data as well as to obtain wider perspectives on the new scheme. Grant Thornton has also engaged with regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions to gain further insights on international comparators to Ireland’s PEL arrangements.
Based on this work, Grant Thornton has prepared a report and recommendations for the implementation of the new PEL scheme which has been submitted for the Minister's consideration, with the final outturn subject to the consent of Minister D/PENDR. No decision has been made in respect of the report’s publication until this process is completed. However, providers and stakeholder bodies can anticipate further engagement with the Department and QQI following the completion of this process, where they will be fully informed of the outturn.
596. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will establish a formal mechanism for regular engagement with the English language education sector, recognising its significant contribution to Ireland’s economy. [66946/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGlobal Citizens 2030, Ireland's international talent and innovation strategy, established an Implementation Forum which meets to discuss how to make Ireland a first choice destination for international learners, researchers and innovators.
In recognition of the contribution of English language education providers, members of their representative body, English Education Ireland, participate at the Implementation Forum, with the next such meeting due to take place in early December.
597. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress in emission reduction targets in areas that are the responsibility of his Department; which measures are particularly successful and which measures are underperforming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67050/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the latest available Tertiary sector emissions have reduced by 13% from the 2016-2018 baseline.
The Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme (EEDPP) in Higher Education, first introduced in 2020 and co-funded with the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment (DCEE) and administered through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Higher Education Authority (HEA), has seen funding of €100m being ring-fenced.
• A primary aim is to develop a 'lessons learned' body of knowledge, in relation to renewables, energy efficiency improvements and carbon reduction measures.
• Initial results demonstrate that targeted retrofitting and decarbonisation measures across the sector are delivering meaningful reductions, with operational carbon reductions of 33–59% observed after one or two years of operation.
A dedicated Green Devolved Grant is available to the Further Education and Training Sector (introduced in 2024 with annual funding of €8m for three years) to directly invest in works to support energy efficiency and emissions reductions initiatives for buildings. Lessons learned here will inform future funding decisions.
DFHERIS will continue to engage with stakeholders, with a view to finalising a decarbonisation strategy for the tertiary sector.
598. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the development of the new Galway college of further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67101/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGalway and Roscommon ETB's proposal for a new FET College in Galway city has been successful in moving forward to the next stage of development - the Pre-tender, Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy stage, following an evaluation process. At this next stage of project development, the proposal will be further developed, the design will be advanced, and a procurement strategy and project execution plan developed.
GRETB’s proposal involves providing a state of the art, purpose-built college building, which will increase GRETB’s capacity in the city and its environs and enable a wider integration of FET services. This college will become the beacon for FET programmes and services in Galway, providing high-quality facilities for learners and staff.
SOLAS continues to engage with Galway Roscommon ETB around further developing their project scope and associated schedules of accommodation. Work has also begun on the development of standardised tender documents to facilitate the appointment of design teams.
SOLAS and officials from my department will continue to support Galway Roscommon ETB through this next stage of proposal development.
Supporting FET learners and educators across all regions including those in Galway and Roscommon remains a top priority for my department and I remain committed to ensuring there is appropriate infrastructure in place to meet their needs.
599. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if an avenue is available for them to seek a review or appeal of the decision in question; if the specific questions set out in correspondence will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67218/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department are engaging with SUSI to collect and collate the information requested by the Deputy. I will be back to the Deputy as soon as possible.
600. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding streams available for a festival (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66762/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department implements a wide range of schemes and supports which are available to community organisations and other groups across the country. While there is not a scheme specifically for community festivals, there may be an avenue of support available under the LEADER programme.
Funding under the 2023-2027 LEADER programme is not targeted at any particular group or sector or activity in rural communities. Rather, it is focused on a thematic approach to rural development under the headings of firstly, Economic Development and Job Creation, secondly, Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion, and thirdly, Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.
Funding for activities such as a community organised music festival may be available under one of these themes. However, it should be noted that the LEADER programme does not fund operational costs of a project, such as salaries or insurance, and it does not provide multi-annual funding to a project.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, the proposed activity must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved LEADER Local Development Strategy in the area concerned and it must comply with the EU Regulations and Operating Rules in place for the programme.
The programme is administered by Local Action Groups (LAGs) across the country. Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The Implementing Partner in County Wicklow is County Wicklow Partnership and they may be contacted by phone at 0402-20955 or by emailing info@wicklowpartnership.ie.
601. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total funding available through the Rural Development Programme for the years 2023 to 2025, by year; the funding planned for in Budget 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66874/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department manages its funding across three programme areas, Rural Development, Community Development, and the Gaeltacht programmes. The funding provisions for the Rural Development Programme, as detailed in the original Revised Estimate for each year for 2023 to 2025, are provided in the table below. Funding for the Rural Development Programme has increased significantly over recent years, with the funding levels comparing to an allocation of €80.4 million for the programme area when the Department was established in 2017. This additional funding is providing investment in rural areas right across the country.
|
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
2023 |
34,894 |
166,716 |
201,610 |
|
2024 |
38,533 |
166,887 |
205,420 |
|
2025 |
42,330 |
170,384 |
212,714 |
With regard to funding in 2026, the provisions will be set out in the Revised Estimate 2026, which will be published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in the coming weeks. Both historical and current documents in this regard can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/collections/the-revised-estimates-volumes-for-the-public-service/
My Department’s budget allocation for 2026 totals €611 million, with €273 million in capital funding and €338 million in current funding. This represents a 6% increase on the 2025 allocation, and builds on strong investment in recent years. The Rural Development Programme allocation in 2026 will likely be in the range of €192 million. This change reflects the fact that the Islands sub-head will be re-integrated with the Gaeltacht area from 2026. The Island sub-head has funding of €16 million in 2025, and this will increase significantly in 2026 to facilitate development of the Inis Oírr pier. The LEADER programme will also see its provision reduced for 2026, likely to €32 million from the €42 million originally provided in the Revised Estimate 2025. This reflects the stage of the programme and the resulting level of claims that Local Action Groups are projecting for 2026. The full €250 million allocation for the LEADER 2021 to 2027 Programme will be provided over the programme period, with the funding to be ramped up as demand increases.
Finally, additional funding in other programme areas will also benefit rural areas, for example, CCIF funding will be increased by €3 million in 2026, bringing investment to €20 million, benefiting both rural and urban communities - as will additional funding for both the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and the Community Services Programme (CSP).
602. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total funding available through the Community Development Programme for the years 2023 to 2025, by year; the funding planned in Budget 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66875/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aim of the Community Development Pilot Programme (CDP) is to trial community development initiatives that address poverty, social exclusion and inequality, and promote human rights by providing supports to the most severely marginalised.
The Community Development Pilot Programme was launched on 4th March 2021 and seven projects were successful. Additional funding was made available in 2023 for the expansion of the programme. Following a closed call for applications in 2023, three additional projects were approved under the programme for 3 years.
The Programme has been extended for all 10 projects up to the 31st December 2026.
Funding of €1.8 million per annum has been available through the CDP for each of the years 2023 to 2025. The Revised Estimate 2026, which will be published in December 2026, will provide the voted allocations for each funding area of my Department.
Community Development Pilot Programme 2023 - 2026
|
YEAR |
FUNDING AVAILABLE |
|
2023 |
€1.8 million |
|
2024 |
€1.8 million |
|
2025 |
€1.8 million |
603. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to list all funding schemes, grant programmes and any other financial supports that are currently administered by his Department and its agencies; the expected launch and closing dates for applications for each scheme in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66935/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a large number of schemes and programmes that support communities, community groups, and organisations around the country. The full list of schemes and programmes operated by my Department, along with detailed information on each, can be found on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/services/available-funding-and-supports/.
The opening and closing dates for each scheme are decided upon on a rolling basis, based on a range of issues including previous call windows and managing overall budget allocations. As such, these details are released throughout the year, and I would encourage anyone interested in my Department’s funding schemes to visit our website at gov.ie where details of future calls will be posted.
There are eight agencies under my Department’s remit: Pobal, the Charities Regulator, Water Safety Ireland, the Western Development Commission, Foras na Gaeilge, the Ulster-Scots Agency, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga. Where these agencies operate funding schemes, the information on these schemes is available on each agencies website.
I would note that Pobal carry out work on behalf of a number of Government departments, and comprehensive information on all of these schemes and programmes is available on their website at: www.pobal.ie/programmes/.
These agencies are independent legal entities, responsible for managing their own operations, including the administration of funding supports. The details of the Oireachtas contact point for each of the agencies are set out in the table below, should further specific information be required.
|
Organisation |
Email address |
Phone Number |
|
Pobal |
oireachtasqueries@pobal.ie |
01 5117000 |
|
Western Development Commission (WDC) |
oireachtas@wdc.ie |
094 9861441 |
|
Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA) |
oireachtas@charitiesregulator.ie |
01 6331500 |
|
Water Safety Ireland (WSI) |
oireachtas@watersafety.ie |
091 564400 |
|
Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga |
oireachtas@coimisineir.ie |
091 504006 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
oireachtas@udaras.ie |
091 503170 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
oireachtasceisteanna@forasnagaeilge.ie |
01 6398400 |
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
oireachtasqueries@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk |
07 4917 3876 |
604. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the progress in emission reduction targets in areas that are the responsibility of his Department; which measures are particularly successful and which measures are underperforming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67055/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht is not responsible for any specific sectors requiring emissions reductions, and is therefore not responsible for any sectoral emission reduction targets. However, the Governments Climate Action Plan envisages the public sector leading by example on climate action to reach the target of reducing Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and becoming climate neutral no later than 2050.
In line with our obligations under the Climate Action Plan's Public Sector Mandate, my Department publishes an annual Climate Action Roadmap. The most recent Roadmap was published in October 2025 and is available on my Department's website at [DRCDG Climate Action Roadmap] assets.gov.ie/static/documents/b1e89fd1/DRCDG_Climate_Action_Roadmap_2025.pdf. This includes information on both measures taken with regard to reduce energy use within Departmental buildings, and how the Departments programmes are, for example, helping to engage communities with regard to climate action.
605. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Connolly den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sé uasdátú maidir leis an ngá an chéibh ar Inis Mór a fheabhsú do dhaoine a bhfuil deacrachtaí lúith acu; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [67090/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar is eol don Teachta, is í Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe atá freagrach as forbairt, bainistiú agus cothabháil céanna ar na hoileáin Árann, Inis Mór san áireamh. Dá réir, baineann cúrsaí rochtana ar an gcé leis an gComhairle Contae go príomha.
Is féidir liom a dheimhniú leat go bhfuil an t-ábhar seo pléite ag feidhmeannaigh na Roinne le hinnealtóirí na Comhairle Contae cúpla uair i mbliana. Tuigtear dom gur thug innealtóirí na Comhairle Contae cuairt ar Inis Mór ag deireadh mhí Lúnasa chun an cás a fhiosrú.
Tá sé curtha in iúl ag mo Roinn don Chomhairle Contae go bhfáilteofaí roimh chás gnó a chur faoi bhráid na Roinne le go bhféadfaí togra a thabhairt chun cinn.
Idir an dá linn, is fiú nótáil go bhfuil trealamh speisialta nua (dreapaire staighre) curtha ar fáil don farantóir le cuidiú le paisinéirí atá i gcathaoir rotha teacht ar bord agus imeacht den bhád. Tuigtear dom go raibh cúrsa traenála le déanamh ag criú na mbáid sula bhféadfaí an trealamh nua seo a chur ar fáil don bpobal.
606. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Connolly den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá ag an Roinn chun a chinntiú go mbeidh seirbhís aeir go dtí Oileáin Árann ann go fadtéarmach; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [67091/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs féidir liom a dheimhniú don Teachta go bhfuil sé i gceist ag mo Roinn athnuachan a dhéanamh ar an gconradh Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Poiblí (PSO) aeir ar mhaithe lena chinntiú go leanfar don tseirbhís aeir go hoileáin Árann go fad téarmach.
Maidir leis an bpróséas soláthair, cloífear le Rialacháin 1008/2008, de chuid Parlaimint na hEorpa agus an Chomhairle Eorpach, ina leagtar síos na rialacha comhchoiteanna a cheadaíonn seirbhísí aeir a reáchtáil san Aontas Eorpach.
Beidh tús le cur le próiseas comhairliúchán sna seactainní amach romhainn le deis a thabhairt do phobal Oileáin Árann a dtuaraimí a nochtú i dtaobh na seirbhíse agus leasofar an doicméad tairiscinte, más cóir agus cuí é sin a dhéanamh, le feabhas a chur ar an tseirbhís.
Táthar ag súil go dtiocfaidh conradh nua 4 bliana i bhfeidhm faoi lár na bliana 2026.
