Written Answers Nos. 148-172
148. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of applications for the climate action summer works scheme, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68412/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2025, my colleague the former Minister, Helen McEntee TD, announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS). 297 projects were approved to proceed and involve primary, post primary and special schools, along with projects in all counties and across all categories of works. The investment in the first tranche of applications is in the region of €90m.
Under this scheme, approved applications from schools that were not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.
Full details of the Climate Action Works Scheme including details of the first tranche of approvals can be found at gov.ie - Summer Works Scheme www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/summer-works-scheme/.
The full list of applications received for the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme and a breakdown of categories that schools applied for on a county-by-county basis can be found below:
|
County |
Climate Action |
Roof Works |
Electrical |
Mechanical |
Science Labs |
Toilets |
Windows |
Curricular Requirements |
Fabric Defects |
External Environment |
Totals |
|
Carlow |
2 |
3 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
22 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
1 |
14 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
41 |
|
Clare |
1 |
10 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
42 |
|
Cork |
5 |
38 |
30 |
13 |
10 |
10 |
37 |
1 |
10 |
9 |
163 |
|
Donegal |
3 |
13 |
16 |
10 |
1 |
7 |
20 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
84 |
|
Dublin |
6 |
40 |
47 |
18 |
17 |
28 |
51 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
220 |
|
Galway |
12 |
15 |
19 |
8 |
2 |
6 |
23 |
2 |
3 |
11 |
101 |
|
Kerry |
5 |
11 |
12 |
5 |
4 |
8 |
15 |
2 |
4 |
9 |
75 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
10 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
38 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
4 |
8 |
9 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
36 |
|
Laois |
2 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
27 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
|
Limerick |
1 |
10 |
11 |
6 |
3 |
7 |
12 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
56 |
|
Longford |
1 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
23 |
|
Louth |
1 |
7 |
4 |
11 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
30 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
12 |
11 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
17 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
65 |
|
Meath |
4 |
7 |
14 |
8 |
0 |
2 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
46 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
28 |
|
Offaly |
3 |
3 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
23 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
8 |
6 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
35 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
22 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
11 |
13 |
9 |
3 |
6 |
8 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
62 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
1 |
8 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
49 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
26 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
18 |
12 |
14 |
0 |
9 |
10 |
0 |
2 |
11 |
77 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
8 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
29 |
|
Totals |
61 |
257 |
285 |
169 |
60 |
134 |
294 |
13 |
44 |
113 |
1430 |
149. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason that no DEIS Band 1 school in Galway was included in CASWS funding for 2026; if there are any other funding opportunities this year for DEIS schools to make upgrades to improve energy efficiency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68422/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis across a number of categories of works.
It is envisaged that approvals in any given year will involve a spread of categories rather than the traditional single category at a time. This is aimed at managing market capacity and maximising value for money opportunities for school authorities.
The CASWS will operate on a multi-annual basis. In November 2025, my colleague the former Minister of Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. 297 projects were approved to proceed and involve primary, post primary and special schools, along with projects in all counties and across all categories of works.
20 schools across the county of Galway have received funding in the first tranche of approvals announced and a total of 122 projects in Deis schools across the country were included in the announcement.
Given that funding is limited in any particular year it is necessary to prioritise applications. Under the new climate action summer works scheme which operates on a multi annual basis, like previous summer works schemes, applications from schools that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.
It is anticipated that the next tranche of approvals will be in the latter half of 2026.
Full details of the of the announcement and the list of schools approved in the first tranche, the Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link; www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/summer-works-scheme/.
150. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 2148 of 4 November 2025 to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in which he confirmed that, although not required by statute, her Department voluntarily publishes its annual consultancy spending online in the interest of transparency and accessibility, if her Department operates a similar practice; if not, whether consideration will be given to adopting this approach as a transparency measure consistent with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and wider open-government principles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68455/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation in relation to consultancy expenditure in my Department is compiled annually in respect of the previous year and published online at www.gov.ie/en/collection/department-of-education-and-skills-expenditure-on-consultancy/ The data in respect of 2025 is being compiled at present and will be published online as soon as it is available.
151. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the plans there are to reduce the number of quangos and strip out the amassed red tape and bureaucracy that exists, in order to allow the delivery of projects under his Department’s remit in a more timely, efficient and customer-friendly manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68378/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of bodies under my Department’s aegis have specific functions in relation to the areas under my remit - culture and the arts, media and broadcasting, communications, and sport.
Projects under the remit of my Department are in some cases delivered directly by the Department. Others are delivered through the bodies under the Department's aegis. Capital projects will be delivered on a planned successive basis, as set out in the Department's Sectoral Plan under the National Development Plan.
My officials and I are committed to the efficient and effective use of public funds in the delivery of outputs and outcomes, in the pursuit of better public services. My Department and its agencies must adhere to public sector regulations for delivery of projects, such as the Public Spending Code, Infrastructure Guidelines, and the Capital Works Management Framework, which ensure value for money in delivery. As has been acknowledged by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, there are currently a number of barriers to timely delivery of infrastructure (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/press-releases/minister-chambers-publishes-report-on-stakeholder-engagement-and-emerging-themes-on-infrastructure/). I engage regularly with the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, which addresses such barriers. Delivery of projects under my remit are progressing in a timely manner. A case in point is the rollout of broadband. Connections to the network are significantly exceeding initial projections with more than 153,000 connections made and more than 4,500 new connections monthly.
In relation to 'customer-friendly' delivery, communities, individuals, and those that benefit from our projects are at the heart of the work of my Department. The National Broadband Plan is expected to provide access to high-speed fibre broadband for approximately 65,000 farms across Ireland, representing 69% of all farms, with more than 40,000 farms having access to the service, and approximately 17,000 already connected. In addition, 955 broadband connection points, including 672 in schools, are now operational, ensuring communities and young people in every corner of the country can participate fully in the digital economy. Other examples are that we have provided record funding of nearly €27 million for high-performance Irish athletes; we have enhanced the tax credit for low to medium budget Irish films; and this year we announced the largest single grant round in the 20-year history of Culture Ireland.
152. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 2148 of 4 November 2025 to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in which he confirmed that, although not required by statute, his Department voluntarily publishes its annual consultancy spending online in the interest of transparency and accessibility, if his Department operates a similar practice; if not, whether consideration will be given to adopting this approach as a transparency measure consistent with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and wider open-government principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68453/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe spend on administrative consultancy is cited in my Department's Appropriation Accounts. These accounts are available online www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/
While my Department does not publish its annual spending specific to consultancy online, I have furnished the House with consultancy details through replies to Parliamentary Questions, most recently in June and July of this year, and will continue to do so as requested. These replies are available online.
153. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in view of the ongoing uncertainty faced by homeowners affected by the defective block scheme; if Fingal County Council is to be included in the scheme; to provide details on the expected timeline, administrative arrangements, and any forthcoming guidance for local authorities and applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68231/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 which underpins the enhanced Defective Concrete Block Scheme was commenced in June 2023.
The Scheme is currently open to applications in five counties, namely Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Mayo and Sligo.
When a local authority that is not currently designated under the Scheme determines that homes within their area may have been damaged by defective concrete blocks, they can seek to have the Scheme extended to include any such county or part of that county.
Section 5 of the Act contains details on this process. The statutory designation process can commence upon a request by a local authority or by myself, as Minister, to the Housing Agency. The Agency thereafter carries out technical testing of dwellings.
After the completion of any testing, the Housing Agency makes a recommendation to the Minister as to whether an order to designate the whole or part of a local authority's area should or should not be made by the Government.
I understand that Fingal County Council, in accordance with the Act, submitted a request to the Housing Agency for inclusion in the Scheme and this request related to a small number of properties in their area.
The Housing Agency appointed a Chartered Engineer from their panel to assist in their investigations. The investigations included concrete block testing, as required under the Act.
Subsequently, the Housing Agency received the test results from the properties sampled in Fingal and I have received the final report from the Housing Agency. On the basis of the recommendations made by the Agency I intend to shortly bring the matter to Government seeking approval for the making of an Order designating the relevant parts of Fingal County Council as being part of the DCB Scheme.
154. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No 263 of 6 November 2025, his views on the concerns raised by Dublin Fire Brigade regarding the creation of two different CAD systems, one for fire and rescue calls, the other for ambulance calls, which poses a serious threat to the resilience currently present and threatens public safety and the health and safety of firefighter/paramedics. [68301/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981 & 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding support for equipment and priority infrastructural projects. Fire service issues are managed in my Department by the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM).
The National Mobilisation and Communications System (NMACS) is operated by Limerick City & County Council on a shared service basis. My Department provides capital funding to Limerick City & County Council supporting the NMACS programme.
Fire Service staff in all regions are fully engaged, on an ongoing basis, in the project, throughout its development, procurement and implementation in the Munster and Western Regions as well as the planned migration in the Eastern region. Staff representing each of the three regional communication centres have participated in all phases of testing and development, working closely with the NMACS team.
Engagement with staff side associations and internal communications are a matter for Dublin City Council as the employer of DFB personnel. There is engagement currently taking place through the WRC between DFB management and the staff side. I would encourage both sides to actively engage with the WRC with a view to coming to a positive conclusion.
155. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to monitor and enforce compliance within the housing assistance payment scheme. [68337/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. In order for a household to qualify for HAP, they must first be assessed as eligible for social housing support by their local authority. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP and those households must source their own accommodation in the private rental sector. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
Limerick City and County Council provides a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. The HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages the collection of all HAP tenants’ differential rents, on behalf of the relevant local authority, and the payment of all HAP rents to landlords on behalf of tenants supported by the HAP scheme.
Once a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is entered on the system by the local authority and then submitted for processing and payment by the HAP Shared Services Centre (HAPSSC).
Local authorities are responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of an internal control system to prevent and detect errors and suspected fraud. They are also subject to their own audit processes. In addition, the HAPSSC is subject to both internal and external audits, the latter being an annual audit undertaken by the Local Government Audit Service.
Since March 2022, my Department has implemented a programme of control reviews to identify and address any incidence of error or suspected fraud within the HAP scheme. This includes formalised procedures for liaising with both the HAP SSC and local authorities to provide supporting documentation for randomly selected HAP tenancies each month. These desk-based checks are carried out in addition to the HAP SSC’s internal controls, and form part of my Department’s broader assurance framework.
In Q1 2023, a dedicated Compliance and Oversight Team was set up within the HAP and Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) Unit to strengthen governance and ensure robust financial controls. The team carries out both desk-based and local authority on-site compliance visits across all 31 local authorities. Each visit examines compliance with HAP scheme requirements and involves preparatory checks, staff engagement and structured file reviews. Findings are reported directly to the relevant local authority and also collated to inform learning and promote best practice across all local authorities.
In addition, the HAP Governance Oversight Group provides strategic oversight of governance and compliance arrangements. This group monitors control frameworks and promotes consistency in compliance standards throughout the scheme.
Finally, a specific HAP anti-fraud policy is currently being developed for the scheme. This policy will consolidate all control measures under a single framework, enhancing the prevention, detection and management of fraud and aligning the work of the HAP SSC, local authorities and the Oversight and Compliance Team’s work.
156. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a requirement or quota for wheelchair-accessible one/two-bedroom units in new housing developments. [68338/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Regulations apply to the construction of all new buildings (including houses), extensions to existing buildings as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings. The related Technical Guidance Documents (Parts A - M respectively) provide technical guidance on how to comply with the regulations in practical terms.
Where works are carried out in accordance with the relevant technical guidance, such works are considered to be, prima facie, in compliance with the relevant regulation(s).
Part M (Access and Use) aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. The requirements of Part M underpin the principle of Universal Design. Technical Guidance Document M (TGD M), sets out guidance on the minimum level of provision to meet requirements of Part M, for example that new dwellings are visitable.
However, those involved in the design and construction of buildings should also have regard to the design philosophy of Universal Design and consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate. For this purpose, a list of useful references, advocating greater accessibility, is given at the end of TGD M.
My Department jointly published the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027 and Implementation Plan with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality. The Strategy and Implementation Plan may be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d76-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027/. The Strategy and Implementation Plan sets out the actions to achieve the vision of the joint Strategy for delivering housing and related supports for disabled people to 2027 operating under the new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
Local authorities play a key role in the planning and provision of social housing in their areas, and decide on the number and types of dwellings to provide, based on identified need.
The National Disability Authority is undertaking an economic and social evaluation of the Universal Design housing model. My Department will consider this analysis when published.
157. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans there are to reduce the number of quangos and strip out the amassed red tape and bureaucracy that exists, in order to allow the delivery of projects under his Department’s remit in a more timely, efficient and customer-friendly manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68372/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne pillar of the Government’s new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities focuses on activating the supply of 300,000 homes. This will be achieved through activating more land, providing more housing-related infrastructure, securing more development finance for home building, addressing viability challenges, particularly those seen in apartment delivery, increasing both the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction and skills in the residential construction sector, and working towards ending dereliction and vacancy.
A range of actions are being introduced under the new plan to ensure the delivery of social and affordable projects. Those actions include introducing a new single stage approval for social housing projects to streamline processes; mandating the use of standard house layouts and specifications as part of the new approval process and facilitating the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) through a standardised design approach; expanding and streamlining the operation of the Land Acquisition Fund and financially incentivising local authorities to exceed annual ‘own build’ social housing targets.
The Starter Homes Programme will bring together the existing variety of affordable supports under one umbrella to strengthen the focus and visibility of these initiatives. The State will support the more widespread and viable delivery of new-build, high-quality Starter Homes by driving a standardisation programme across its home ownership and cost rental measures that enables cost efficient and higher volume delivery, including in mixed tenure communities.
The commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024 is important in activating available land for housing delivery. For the first time, statutory timelines will apply to all consenting processes, providing certainty for applicants, communities, and the development sector. A stronger alignment between national and local policy, clearer and more consistent guidance, and longer-term ten-year local authority plans will ensure a more coordinated and strategic approach. The first phase of commencements of the 2024 Act provided for the establishment of An Coimisiún Pleanála and introduced provisions for reformed planning judicial review. New tools such as Urban Development Zones and Urban and Priority Areas will support faster, more responsive delivery of housing and infrastructure, where it is needed most.
I am also committed to implementing fully the Ministerial Action Plan on Planning Resources, including the provision of staffing resources and expertise to enable planning authorities to perform their functions efficiently and effectively. The provision of additional resources to An Coimisiun Pleanála has been instrumental in ensuring that the organisation is making significant improvements to performance, with the majority of decisions now being made within expected timelines and backlogs in decision-making addressed.
I recently published the Sectoral Plan for Water Services and Water Quality, which outlines how the record investment of €12.2 billion for the water sector will be spent over the next five years. This will support Uisce Éireann in the delivery of key strategic projects in our cities and regions. The new Developer Led Infrastructure scheme will enable developers to directly fund and deliver wastewater treatment infrastructure in areas where limited capacity has been delaying or preventing housing development. This new approach will unlock housing delivery in locations currently constrained by wastewater capacity. Funding for water and wastewater infrastructure to facilitate housing development in our towns and villages will also be prioritised, through an enhanced Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme.
I have also established the Housing Activation Office within my Department, which includes experts seconded from Uisce Éireann, ESB Networks, the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the local government sector. The Housing Activation Office is developing a coordinated programme of public infrastructure investment to address infrastructure barriers affecting housing delivery on zoned lands with the potential to delivery housing in the short to medium term. I am also bringing forward a €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund shortly, under Delivering Homes Building Communities, to support direct investment in housing infrastructure which will help accelerate housing delivery by unblocking infrastructure constraints and ensuring that investment is targeted to where it can have the greatest impact.
The above actions will be complemented by broader actions under the new Accelerating Infrastructure - Report and Action Plan which was published on 3 December 2025 which help to drive the efficient delivery of infrastructure across Ireland.
158. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that one of the last remaining ‘ghost estates’ (details supplied) is taken in charge for affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68380/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important at the outset that I point out that under Section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, in my role as Minister with responsibility for planning, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Coimisiúin Pleanála is or may be concerned with.
The legislative process for the taking in charge of housing estates by local authorities is set out in section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The prescribed process in this regard applies to residential developments consisting of two or more dwellings that have been granted planning permission under section 34 of the Act.
There is no automatic requirement for local authorities to take charge of unfinished housing estates after a certain period of time. Under section 180 (1) of the Act of 2000, the planning authority is obliged to initiate the taking in charge process where requested by either the developer of, or by the majority of owners of the dwellings in, the estate in question. However, this is subject to the development being completed to the satisfaction of the authority and in accordance with the permission and any conditions attached thereto.
Where developments have not been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority, and where enforcement proceedings in this connection have not been commenced by the planning authority within 4 years of the expiry of the planning permission relating to a development, section 180 (2)(a) of the Act provides that the planning authority shall, where requested by the majority of owners of the houses involved, initiate the taking in charge procedures under section 11 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended (the Roads Act).
Where this particular approach is being progressed, the authority may apply the security or development bond provided as part of the planning application for the purposes of ensuring the satisfactory completion of the development.
Where the calling in of the development bond is not possible or sufficient, section 180(2A) of the Act provides that the initiation of the taking in charge procedures under section 11 of the Roads Act shall not preclude the planning authority concerned from pursuing a developer for any costs incurred by the authority in respect of necessary works undertaken on a development to enable it to be taken in charge by that authority.
In order to conclude the taking in charge process where the development has been deemed to have been satisfactorily completed, a local authority is required to make a declaration under section 11 of the Roads Act following a proposal by the executive. The making of such a declaration, which effectively confirms that the authority is prepared to take over responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the public works elements of the estate, is a reserved function of the elected members of a local authority.
Therefore, the decision to take any particular estate or estates in charge is ultimately one for the elected members of the local authority who, by way of declaration made under the Roads Act, will make such a decision.
It should be noted that financial decision making and the accountability of local authorities is a matter for the elected members of a local authority who have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which includes the adoption of the annual budget of the local authority.
In this regard, section 103 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, provides for the local authority budgetary process. It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process, having regard to both locally identified needs and the funding resources available to the local authority. This includes the taking in charge of housing estates.
Due to the previous economic and banking crisis, numerous residential developments were left in an unfinished state throughout the country. In 2010, a multi-annual action programme on unfinished developments was established and was focused on finding solutions through collaboration between government, local authorities, NAMA, developers, receivers, Irish Water (now Uisce Éireann), residents, funders and other stakeholders.
Since 2010, there has been a 98% reduction in the number of unfinished housing developments, from approximately 3,000 to 75. A survey in 2022 undertaken by each local authority indicated that the Annagh Banks development in Castlemaine, County Kerry contained 14 near complete houses. Local authorities are working with the appropriate stakeholders to resolve issues within estates still categorised as ‘unfinished’ with a view to minimising any vacancy levels.
In line with Part 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, the administration of affordable purchase housing schemes, including the identification, development and marketing of schemes, is a matter for the local authority concerned, in this case Kerry County Council. It is understood that the housing units referred to in the details supplied have previously been sold. They are therefore unlikely to qualify as new homes for the purposes of the local authority affordable purchase scheme. The most up-to-date information on this particular development will be available from Kerry County Council.
159. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 2148 of 4 November 2025 to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in which he confirmed that, although not required by statute, his Department voluntarily publishes its annual consultancy spending online in the interest of transparency and accessibility, if his Department operates a similar practice; if not, whether consideration will be given to adopting this approach as a transparency measure consistent with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and wider open-government principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68461/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department maintains high standards in the management of the public funds entrusted to it and is fully committed to transparency, fairness and accountability in all its purchasing activities.
While my Department does not routinely publish details of its annual consultancy spend online, the information is periodically released under Parliamentary Questions and published on Oireachtas.ie. I refer to Question No. 218 of 9 October 2025 which includes details of any external consultants, engaged by my Department in each of the last five years.
My Department routinely publishes a range of procurement related information as required by statute or regulation. For example, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2014, an annual report of public contracts awarded over €25,000 (exclusive of VAT), and quarterly reports of procurement related payments valued over €20,000 (inclusive of VAT), are regularly published at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/organisation-information/procurement/.
My Department maintains an environment of good corporate governance, ensuring an effective system of internal financial control as set out in its Corporate Governance Framework which can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/organisation-information/corporate-governance-framework/.
Financial responsibilities are managed through a system of delegation and accountability. Reporting arrangements have been established at all levels where responsibility for financial management has been assigned. In addition, my Department has an internal audit function with the role of independently examining the controls and systems established by the Department; and reporting to Management, the Secretary General and the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is independent and objective in the performance of its functions, providing advice and guidance on a broad range of areas including financial management processes and reporting.
160. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount the Government has spent on the school meals programme, by year from 2019 to date in 2025; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68199/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
In Budget 2025, it was announced that the Hot School Meals Programme would be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025 meaning that approximately 3,200 schools are now eligible to apply supporting approximately 550,000 children for hot school meals for the 2025/2026 academic school year. In 2025 a total of 3,700 schools and 682,000 children will be eligible for the School Meals Programme.
The expenditure on School Meals Programme as requested is shown in the table below. As my Department are currently receiving and processing applications for the 2025/26 academic year which only started a few months ago the estimated expenditure to year end is €248 million.
|
Year |
Actual Expenditure |
|
2019 |
€54.3 million |
|
2020 |
€53.5 million |
|
2021 |
€58.4 million |
|
2022 |
€77.5 million |
|
2023 |
€108.7 million |
|
2024 |
€181.4 million |
161. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection the main providers of the school meals programme; the way in which providers are contracted; the way in which they apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68200/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra162. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has given consideration to local providers in the school meals programme; if the Government advertises in local media for food suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68201/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra164. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection the way schools can withdraw from a contract for the school meals programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68203/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 161, 162 and 164 together.
The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
My department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school. All schools are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. These rules clearly define the successful tenderers responsibilities and obligations, including adherence to the nutritional standards. My Department does not select the suppliers.
In order to withdraw from a contract the schools have to follow the procedure regarding the termination clause in their contracts.
There are some 300 suppliers in the School Meals Programme with the majority of these supplying one to three local schools. There are eleven meals on wheels organisations supplying forty schools and there are nine large school meal providers. My officials in this Department have been working with officials in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and they have compiled a list of supports available to local community organisations who may wish to expand their operation into the school meals area. This information has been supplied to schools and a range of other community organisations.
I will continue to expand and improve the Hot School Meals Scheme and ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, reduce food waste and utilise recyclable packaging.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
163. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Government has done a review with parents in relation to the quality of the meals in the school meals programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68202/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2023, my Department published an independent evidence-based Evaluation of the School Meals Programme which sets out the positive impact the Programme is having in terms of children’s education and wellbeing. The key finding was an overwhelming consensus among all participants in the evaluation that the Programme is effective.
Of the respondent parents surveyed 83.44% agreed that the programme was positive. Similarly, 83.12% wanted the School Meals Programme extended to all schools, with a further 81.9% supporting the universal provision of hot meals.
The Nutritional Standards for School Meals have been in place since its inception and were developed by a technical Nutrition Subgroups comprised of:
• Dieticians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland,
• The HSE,
• Safefood, and
• The Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
• These standards are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available on gov.ie.
• Nutritional standards are a priority for me and I have directed that a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards be undertaken. This is being conducted by a dietician in coordination with the Interdepartmental Group on School Meals. I have asked for a report on the nutritional standards to be submitted to me by the end of this year.
• In the meantime, food that is high in saturated fat, sugar and salt, was removed from the school menu from September 2025. Up to now this food had been permitted, as an option, once a week at most and only when selected by the child's parents.
• I trust this clarifies the matter.
165. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the assistance available for a person (details supplied) who was refused carer's benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68206/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer’s Benefit is a payment made to insured people who may be required to leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a person(s) in need of full-time care. The scheme is payable for a period of 2 years (104 weeks) for each care recipient and may be claimed over separate periods up to a total of 2 years (104 weeks).
To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions; employment conditions; show that they are providing full-time care and attention and also must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
The person concerned applied for Carer’s Benefit on 15 August 2025. From the information available, they did not meet the conditions of the scheme in relation to PRSI contributions. The person was notified of this in a decision letter dated 30/09/2025. They were also notified of their right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
This correspondence further informed the person of the availability of the means tested Carer’s Allowance scheme. The weekly means disregard on this scheme increased in July 2025 to €625 for a single claimant and to €1,250 for a couple, and will further increase in July 2026 to €1,000 for a single person and to €2,000 for a couple.
A Review and Appeal request was received by the SWAO on 09 October 2025. As the Review decision remained unchanged, the claim information remains with the SWAO awaiting the outcome of their determination. They will contact the person directly regarding the outcome of the Appeal.
166. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to develop a non-means-tested support for audiology equipment such as hearing aids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68260/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, medical or health related benefits fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE). However, my Department administers the treatment benefit scheme which provides certain dental, optical, and medical appliances benefits to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. This scheme is not subject to a means test. These treatments are also available to an insured person's dependent spouse or partner, if applicable.
Under the medical appliance strand of the scheme, my Department pays the full cost of a hearing aid up to a maximum of €500 (€1,000 for a pair) once every 4 years for eligible persons. It will also pay the full cost of repairs to aids, up to a maximum of €100, once every 4 years.
Under the HSE audiology service, an audiologist may recommend hearing aids to a person. These hearing aids are free of charge for those under 18 years and adults who have a medical card. Further information on that service can be found on the HSE website.
There are currently no plans to change the eligibility requirements for the treatment benefit scheme. However, my Department keeps all schemes under constant review in order to ensure they meet their objectives. Any changes would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
167. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if secondary schools that entered the DEIS programme from 2022 onwards are excluded from the school meals scheme; the reason a school (details supplied) has not yet been able to access funding for hot school lunch provision; when this school will be able to access funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68310/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, known as the DEIS programme, is a Department of Education and Youth policy which aims to reduce educational disadvantage. Our lady Mercy School, Beaumont, Dublin 9 is a DEIS Secondary school and all DEIS secondary schools have access to the School Meals Programme.
The Hot School Meals Programme is for Primary Schools. My immediate priority is to complete the roll-out of Hot School Meals to all Primary Schools in 2025/26 academic year. However, we will commence the rollout of Hot School Meals to all secondary schools over the lifetime of this government.
Our lady Mercy School, Beaumont has made an application for the School Meals Programme on the 3rd October 2025. We have requested further information from the school and my officials have followed up with a phone call. The school has confirmed that it will send in the information required and as soon as this is received, a decision will be made.
168. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 22 October 2025, if he will review again the case of a person (details supplied); the reason the publicly available guidance on Gov.ie and Citizens Information states that the homemaker’s scheme “can help you qualify for the State Pension (Contributory)”, when his official reply to the Parliamentary Question states that homemaker’s disregard and home caring periods cannot be used to meet the minimum full-rate contribution requirement; if he will clarify the way in which citizens were expected to understand this distinction; if, in light of this ambiguity, he will instruct his Department to conduct a senior-level review of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68354/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to ensuring that the information it provides is accurate, easy to understand and helpful to those trying to access their entitlements. I have arranged for a review of the explanations and phrasings used on the Department’s website and the Citizens Information website.
The Pension Caring Supports offered by my Department incorporates three distinct schemes each with their own qualifying conditions and each having different impacts on an individual's state pension contributory entitlement.
When calculating the yearly average contributions over an individual's working life for the assessment of pension entitlement, the homemakers scheme allows for the disregard of years spent caring. The home caring Periods scheme awards credited contributions to fill gaps in the contribution records of those who remained out of insurable employment during periods of providing care. These credited contributions or disregards can help improve the rate of pension entitlement. For these credits or disregards to be reckonable for state pension contributory purposes, an individual must first satisfy the other qualifying conditions of the scheme, including having the minimum number of 520 full rate paid contributions for the standard state pension and 260 for the mixed insurance pension.
The third scheme, the long-term carers contributions scheme, awards the equivalent of paid contributions when a person is awarded long term carers contributions for a minimum of 1,040 weeks (20 years). These contributions can be used to qualify for a pension or to fill gaps in an individual’s contribution record to improve the rate of their pension.
In relation to the state pension contributory entitlement of the person concerned, the relevant legislation was applied correctly when assessing their entitlement. The records of my Department show that the person concerned has 63 full-rate paid contributions and did not meet the minimum number of full rate contributions required to qualify for state pension contributory.
169. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans there are to reduce the number of quangos and strip out the amassed red tape and bureaucracy that exists, in order to allow the delivery of projects under his Department’s remit in a more timely, efficient and customer-friendly manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68375/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council, the Social Welfare Tribunal and the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority. Each of these bodies fulfil essential functions and support the smooth functioning of the work of the Department. There are no plans to reduce their number.
The Department serves a wide and diverse group of customers including families, people in employment, unemployed people, people with illnesses and disabilities, carers, older people and employers. The Department administers over 140 separate schemes and services, making over 90 million individual payments every year.
Under the Department’s Statement of Strategy 2025-2028, it will continue to put the people it serves at the centre of all it does: designing, building, and providing efficient and effective services and towards this end, to continue developing its staff, structures, and processes. This statement of strategy supports the implementation of the priorities set out in the Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future and provides a framework for the ambitious programme of work to be undertaken by the Department over the next three years.
170. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review and expand the level of support provided under the treatment benefit scheme for individuals requiring audiological supports, including hearing aids, or those living with congenital deafness given that lifetime costs for such supports can exceed €50,000 compared to the current €1,000 provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68428/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, medical or health related benefits fall within the remit of the Department of Health and the HSE. However, my Department administers the treatment benefit scheme which provides certain dental, optical, and medical appliances benefits to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. These treatments are also available to an insured person's dependent spouse or partner, if applicable.
Under the medical appliance strand of the scheme, my Department pays the full cost of a hearing aid up to a maximum of €500 (€1,000 for a pair) once every 4 years for eligible persons. It will also pay the full cost of repairs to aids, up to a maximum of €100, once every 4 years.
There are currently no plans to change the eligibility requirements for the treatment benefit scheme. However, my Department keeps its range of supports under constant review in order to ensure they meet their objectives. Any changes to the current level of support would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
171. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 2148 of 4 November 2025 to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in which he confirmed that, although not required by statute, his Department voluntarily publishes its annual consultancy spending online in the interest of transparency and accessibility, if his Department operates a similar practice; if not, whether consideration will be given to adopting this approach as a transparency measure consistent with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and wider open-government principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68465/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsultancy is defined by the Department of Finance as where a person or organisation provides intellectual or knowledge-based services (e.g. expert analysis and advice) through delivering reports, studies, assessments, recommendations, proposals, etc. that contribute to decision making or policy development.
The procurement of consultancy services is essential to support my Department in providing high quality service to the public in a cost effective and efficient manner. All expenditure is closely monitored, and companies are only engaged for essential work, following a rigorous assessment of need and where the required competencies do not exist in house.
I can confirm to the Deputy that all expenditure since 2011 incurred by my Department in relation to Consultancy and IT External Services Provision is published annually on the Gov.ie website at: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/48366f-department-of-employment-affairs-and-social-protection-policy-on-pro/#what-we-purchase.
172. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the implementation of objectives (details supplied) under the Protection Pillar 2 of the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV)); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68229/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to ending domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in all its forms, to strengthening protections for victims and survivors, and ensuring real accountability for perpetrators. The Third National Strategy on DSGBV is our guiding framework and represents the most ambitious, whole-of-Government plan ever undertaken in this area, grounded in prevention, protection, prosecution, and policy coordination.
As the information requested by the Deputy falls under the remit of Cuan, I have referred it to the Agency for direct response.
