Naoise Ó Muirí
Ceist:202. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70753/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Accommodation
Ceisteanna (202)
Freagraí scríofa
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my department’s pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. The project will provide three SET rooms, one Music room, one Science Lab & prep area, one Home economics room, two Art rooms, one Graphics room, one Engineering room, and a two classroom special educational needs base. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.
This project is currently in Stage 1 (Preliminary Design), and my Department is awaiting the school authority’s submission of the Stage 1 report for review. It is now within the remit of the school to progress this project.
The length of time a project takes to deliver depends on several factors, including scale and complexity and is subject to the time it takes to progress through the various design stages, and the statutory approval process.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (203)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:203. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the new school building project (details supplied); the reason for the delays of its completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70834/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The project to which the deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.
The brief for this project is provide a new build post primary school to accommodate a long-term projected enrolment of 1,000 pupils including a 6 class SEN base.
The project is currently at Stage 3 of the architectural design process – Tender Stage. The length of time a project takes to go through each stage varies and depends on a number of factors, including scale and complexity. The NDFA will continue to engage directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs.
In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
Government departments are currently in the process of publishing their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans. The sectoral plan for the Education and Youth sector will be published next week and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
The current status of all projects is listed on a county-by-county basis at www.gov.ie. under item number 10 and this is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (204)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:204. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current level of funding provided for a school (details supplied); the plans to increase funding in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70835/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to increasing funding to support schools and the Programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools of all types to ensure that schools can meet the elevated day-to-day running costs.
The commitment in the Programme for Government builds on the progress which has been made in recent years. The Department has secured €39 million in Budget 2026 towards increased capitation funding for primary, post-primary and special schools to provide additional financial support towards their running costs. This will see an increase in the standard capitation rates paid to schools of €50 per pupil for primary schools from €224 to €274 and of €20 per student for post-primary schools from €386 to €406. This will also allow for an increase of €20 in capitation rates for Urban Band One DEIS primary schools, increasing the mainstream pupil rate in these schools to €294. The increased capitation rates will also see special schools now receive the same rates of mainstream capitation, for young people aged 12 and over, as for their peers in mainstream post-primary schools. These increases will take effect from September 2026. This funding will benefit schools around the country in managing their day-to-day running costs.
The increases announced in Budget 2026 are in addition to the 12% increases as part of Budget 2025. The last three Budgets have resulted in an increase in the level of capitation grant rates of 49.7% (€91) paid to primary schools and 28.5% (€90) paid to post-primary schools.
The Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 0036/2022.
The current standard rate of capitation grant is €224 per pupil in primary schools and €386 per student in post-primary schools. Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the capitation and the ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. Enhanced rates are also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.
OGP frameworks are available to schools for a number of categories including facilities management, managed services, professional services, and utilities. Schools should ensure that they are availing of these available OGP procurement frameworks in order to get the best value for money for all school expenditure, in accordance with Circular 0060/2013. The benefits arising from these frameworks include cash savings, administrative savings from reduced duplication of tendering, greater purchasing expertise, improved consistency, enhanced service levels and legal certainty. Schools Procurement Unit (SPU), funded by the Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on procurement matters: www.spu.ie.
Schools in financial difficulty are encouraged to contact my Department for advice and support. The Department is committed to offering all available and appropriate supports to schools, which may include an advance in capitation grant funding or other measures.
The Department is constantly engaging with a number of schools in this respect. Schools that have contacted the Department have been referred to the FSSU. In relation to the specified school on 03rd November 2025 officials from the Department requested that the FSSU carry out an evaluation of the financial position of this school. This school received capitation grant funding of €43,063.86 and ancillary grant funding of €41,831.21 in 2025.
The FSSU, on behalf of the Department, plays a crucial role in this process. In order for the Department to assess the current financial situation, the school needs to engage with the FSSU for this purpose.
School Facilities
Ceisteanna (205)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:205. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the completion of a car park at a school (details provided); if a timeline has been laid out for its completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70836/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. In addition, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration. Circa 80% of new special classes in 2025/26 are being facilitated in repurposed classroom accommodation. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. Supplementary capital funding of €210 million approved by Government has brought the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
Government departments are currently in the process of publishing their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans. The sectoral plan for the Education and Youth sector will be published next week and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs. The matter referred to by the Deputy will be reviewed in the context of this process and the school will be advised of the outcome.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (206)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:206. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the planned extension for a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim, which is ready to proceed to tender; the expected timeframe for the commencement of construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70840/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the departments pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide 1 SEN Classroom and 3 SET rooms.
The Stage 2b Report was recently received by my department and is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
Once this review has been completed my department will contact the school authorities regarding the progression of this project.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. In addition, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration. Circa 80% of new special classes in 2025/26 are being facilitated in repurposed classroom accommodation.
Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. Supplementary capital funding of €210 million approved by Government has brought the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
Government departments are currently in the process of publishing their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans. The sectoral plan for the Education and Youth sector will be published next week and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
Sports Organisations
Ceisteanna (207, 214)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:207. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will give detailed consideration to a report published by a national organisation (details supplied). [70826/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrendan Smith
Ceist:214. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on a report published by a national organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70762/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 214 together.
The report raised by the Deputy concerns the impact of demographic issues on the range of Gaelic games and the need for the sport to adapt to those changes. It sets out a range of proposed internal changes for consideration by the governing bodies for Gaelic games to accommodate the changing demographic picture of the island of Ireland. It also makes proposals for external engagement with stakeholders, including a range of Government departments and with local authorities.
I welcome the report as an example of long-term strategic planning that all sports organisations should engage in. While issues related to how sports are governed and structured are matters for the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) concerned, which are independent, autonomous organisations, I am happy to engage with those NGBs on the report and I meet regularly with them on a wide range of issues.
In terms of funding, the Government has provided significant funding, both capital and current funding, for Gaelic games in recent years.
The Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) are the primary means of providing Government capital funding to sport and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The CSSF Fund aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to the development of sports and physical recreation facilities, and it also assists the purchase of non-personal sports equipment and the LSSIF provides support for larger sports facility projects.
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the CSFF, benefitting over forty sports, as well as multi-sport facilities, throughout the country. This represents the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. Over €111 million or over 40% of total funding was allocated to almost 1,000 projects for GAA, Camogie, Ladies Gaelic Football and Handball in the 2023 round. Since 2015, over €241 million has been allocated to 3,379 projects across the various Gaelic games codes.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026. It is anticipated that the next CSFF round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.
The cumulative investment from the LSSIF since the first round in 2020 totals €297 million, supporting 68 projects that encompass a broad demographic range. Of the €297 million total, €59.64 million was directly allocated towards Gaelic games projects nationally. This funding pertains to projects that were directly sponsored by the GAA/LGFA/Camogie.
Current funding is also provided to the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association through Sport Ireland, the national development agency for sport. If the deputy would like further information on that funding, I would refer him to 46208/25, the answer for which sets out the funding breakdown across the Gaelic Games.
Departmental Consultations
Ceisteanna (208)
Cathy Bennett
Ceist:208. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a breakdown of all consultants engaged with his Department; the costs associated with their services, by year, and name of consultant, in each of the years 2012 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70433/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It should be noted that my Department was re-configured as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the beginning of June 2025.
The details sought by the Deputy in relation to consultants engaged with my Department since the establishment of the former Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in September 2020 to date in 2025 are set out in the table below.
European Union
Ceisteanna (209)
Emer Currie
Ceist:209. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Ireland's position on the question of whether the European Commission's upcoming proposals for new Digital Networks Acts should take the forms of a regulation or a directive (details supplied); the rationale for Ireland's position on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70506/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Digital Networks Act is due to be published by the European Commission in January 2026. My Department has published a response to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence in July 2025 which outlined our position on a number of potential proposals that could be included in the Digital Networks Act. One of these was whether previous legislative instruments such as the European Electronic Communications Code Directive should be merged into a new regulation. While Ireland does not object to the principle of merging legislative instruments, both Regulations and Directives have different legal effects in Member States. Careful consideration would need to be given before moving matters currently provided for in the Code Directive into a Regulation. Absent specific details in a legislative proposal yet to be published, the precise intent and potential impact of the proposals is not apparent and cannot be commented on further. Ultimately it is a call for the European Commission which has the exclusive right of initiative in legislative matters.
My Department looks forward to publication of the Digital Networks Act and continued engagement with the European Commission and other Member States throughout the negotiation process.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (210)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:210. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70519/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since I took up office in January this year, my Department has progressed development and implementation of policy across the Arts and Culture, Media, Communications, and Sport sectors. Some of the key achievements are set out below:
Arts & Culture
A cost-benefit analysis of the Basic Income for the Arts pilot concluded that for every €1 of public money invested, society received €1.39 in return. Public consultation found that 97% of the public and the arts sector support a permanent scheme. Arising from the success of the pilot scheme, Government decided to provide funding, as set out in Budget 2026, to provide for a permanent successor scheme.
We have enhanced the tax credit for low to medium budget Irish films, and I announced a new Screen Ireland Irish language slate development fund.
Cruinniú na nÓg 2025 provided over 1,000 free events across the country, celebrating creativity of youth through music, art, circus, storytelling, and film. I launched a new Creative Youth partnership, enhancing inclusivity and access for young people of diverse backgrounds interested in the arts. Creative Ireland’s Shared Island Conference marked the achievements of 47 projects that have fostered partnerships and creativity across the island.
We supported the 2025 International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine at Gaelic Park, Chicago; launched a Commemorative Programme to mark the 250th anniversary of Daniel O’Connell’s birth; and announced a comprehensive public programme to celebrate the upcoming centenary release of the 1926 Census of Population records - the first Census of the Irish Free State.
I announced the largest single grant round in the 20-year history of Culture Ireland - €1.4 million for the promotion of Irish arts globally. I announced capital grants to eight arts and culture organisations for upgrading and development of their facilities; funding under the Regional Museum Exhibitions Scheme 2025, for Grassroots Music Venues, and for 64 events to support Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools taking place around Ireland in 2025; and funding to support cultural projects with significant cross-border elements that seek to enhance, celebrate or commemorate the artistic, cultural, musical, film or heritage of the Island of Ireland under the Co-operation with Northern Ireland Scheme. We launched the ‘Safe & Sound’ safety training Night-Time Economy initiative, which aims to make Ireland’s nightlife safer for customers and staff.
Redevelopment of the National Archives continued, to be be completed in 2026. I approved construction to begin in 2026 on the Crawford Art Gallery and on the Discover Centre, part of the National Concert Hall.
Media
Ireland’s first National Counter Disinformation Strategy was published in April, providing commitment to strengthen resilience to disinformation by developing lifelong media literacy skills, implementing and enforcing existing regulations, coordination and collaboration between relevant stakeholders, supporting high quality journalism and media plurality, and developing the evidence base for countermeasures. €1.1 million has been allocated in Budget 2026 to assist in the development of media literacy skills and fact checking expertise and research.
The Government published the General Scheme of the Media Regulation Bill, which provides for an updated system for dealing with media mergers, and the Revised General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, which will reform the corporate governance of RTÉ and TG4, in particular by assigning the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ, strengthening the assessment of the performance and funding of RTÉ and TG4 by the independent regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, and establishing a Media Fund to support the production of public service content by the wider media sector. Coimisiún na Meán launched the Digital Transformation Scheme, which will operate as a contestable award scheme on a platform neutral basis. In Budget 2026, the Department secured increased funding for TG4, with provision for a new digital news service. I announced an allocation of €10 million to Coimisiún na Meán to support public interest journalism.
Communications
The roll out of the National Broadband plan continued at pace and ahead of schedule. For example, this year saw premises on Achill Island connected to high-speed fibre broadband for the first time. In Budget 2026, the Department secured a record capital allocation of €433 million to support the completion of the National Broadband Plan and enhanced funding to the Post Office Network of €15 million per annum, subject to government approval.
The Department is leading ongoing work to improve emergency response and resilience standards in telecommunications networks, following Storm Éowyn. In November, the Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Communication networks was published - a key milestone in ensuring that Ireland’s telecommunication networks will be fit for our future climate challenges.
The Commission for Communications Regulation launched a Short Message Service (SMS) Sender ID Registry to help prevent SMS text scams in Ireland.
Sport
My Department published an International Sports Diplomacy Framework, which will help to develop our reputation as a sporting hub. November saw the official launch of UEFA EURO 2028: Ireland will host seven games including a quarter final - one of the biggest sporting events ever held in Ireland. The €93 million investment is expected to net €449 million in social and economic benefits for Ireland. 2025 saw the first-ever NFL regular season game in Ireland and the official handover of the Ryder Cup – hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027 should provide a substantial economic and tourism boost.
In November, the sod was turned to mark the start of construction of the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre, and planning permission was obtained for the first phase of the National Cricket Centre. The Munster Rugby Centre of Excellence received €2.7 million in funding from the Department under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. €4 million was announced under the Women in Sport Programme for 2025, supporting the Government’s vision that women achieve their full potential and have lifelong involvement in sport. I announced that more than €4 million in Dormant Accounts Funding will be invested in community sports and physical activity initiatives. A record €27 million funding through Sport Ireland in High Performance Sport is a significant step towards the investment objectives of the National Sports Strategy 2018-2027. In Budget 2026, the Department secured funding of €3 million to the FAI to support League of Ireland Academies.
Sports Organisations
Ceisteanna (211)
Aidan Farrelly
Ceist:211. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the schedule of payments made to sports journalists and online personalities in respect of paid partnership arrangements for social media content by Sport Ireland and National Governing Bodies in 2024 and to date in 2025; the breakdown, by amount; the name of online account and or platform and or medium the sports journalist or online personality promoted content on; the details of any payments withheld and or returned to the bodies; and if he will he will provide the key performance indicators and metrics related to the campaigns [70550/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to some of these matters. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
While Sport Ireland’s remit includes the allocation of funding to National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs) for the design and implementation of a range of targeted programmes and initiatives to promote increased sports participation, neither my Department, nor Sport Ireland, has responsibility for media partnerships undertaken by NGBs. All NGBs are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own governance and operational procedures, including partnership arrangements for social media content.
Arts Centres
Ceisteanna (212)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:212. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether he will intervene to purchase a Dublin arts space threatened with closure; if he will make funds available to Dublin City Council to purchase the space (details supplied). [70557/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Complex is a multidisciplinary arts and creative venue in Dublin’s North Inner City, governed by a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The Complex has been leasing its building from a private landlord on a site ringfenced for redevelopment.
Proposals for the development of local arts centres are a matter in the first instance for the relevant local authority. County and city development plans are drawn up by local authorities in accordance with their functions under the Planning and Development Acts. This would include policy objectives for development in that county, including the arts.
Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to arts and culture centres by local authorities and the Arts Council. The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport provides grants as a contribution towards maintaining and enhancing existing arts and culture facilities but does not provide funding for the purchase of buildings.
Officials from my Department met with the Chair of The Complex and other members of the team in December 2024 and advised them of this position. Further communication in June 2025 reiterated that position.
Sports Funding
Ceisteanna (213)
Eoin Hayes
Ceist:213. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the amount of the total allocation of sports capital grants in Dublin Bay south, and by local area, for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70657/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. Of this, over €37 million was allocated to 423 sporting projects in Dublin. In the 2020 round over €166 million was allocated to 2,878 community sports clubs and facilities including €25 million to 413 sporting projects in Dublin.
Details of allocations by county are available on the Department's website at the below link.
Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 207.
Planning Issues
Ceisteanna (215, 216, 219, 222)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:215. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average and median statutory decision making times recorded in An Coimisiún Pleanála for each of the past five years for planning appeals, strategic housing developments, large scale residential developments and strategic infrastructure cases, in tabular form; and to confirm the year-on-year change in each category as held by his Department. [70397/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:216. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and proportion of planning appeal cases, large scale residential development cases and strategic infrastructure cases in each of the past five years that did not meet their statutory decision timeframes; and to provide the Department’s analysis of the principal factors contributing to breaches of timelines. [70398/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:219. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the resourcing plan agreed between his Department and An Coimisiún Pleanála for 2024 and 2025, including sanctioned staffing levels, the number of posts filled, the number unfilled, the recruitment timeline for remaining sanctioned posts; and his Department’s assessment of whether current staffing is adequate to meet statutory decision timeframes. [70401/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:222. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department’s role in ensuring consistency of decision making timelines across planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála; and the cross-agency coordination mechanisms which exist to identify systemic causes of delay and to implement corrective actions. [70405/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 215, 216, 219 and 222 together.
An Coimisiún Pleanála (An Coimisiún) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
Annual statistics can be found on their website here:
[www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/statistics/annual-statistics] .
The Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024) was enacted in October 2024 and is in the process of being commenced. The Act of 2024, includes a number of new provisions relating to An Coimisiún Pleanála, as part of a significant restructure. The Act will introduce statutory time periods for decision making for all consent processes, including, for the first time, for An Coimisiún. This will bring increased certainty to the planning consent processes, for both the public and stakeholders involved in the delivery of key infrastructure such as housing and renewable energy.
The headline time periods for An Coimisiún will range from 18 weeks for appeals of decisions of planning authorities to 48 weeks for larger-scale Strategic Infrastructure Developments. The varying timelines reflect the differing complexities of applications dealt with by An Coimisiún.
I am satisfied that the new statutory time periods for An Coimisiún, along with the JR reforms and mandatory declaration procedures set out at section 588 of the Act of 2024 will contribute significantly to the operation of the planning process.
My Department is in the processes of commencing of the Act of 2024 on a phased basis to facilitate the transition to the new legislation across the planning system, taking into account the need to liaise with local authorities, planning bodies and other stakeholders. It should be noted that the existing provisions in the Act of 2000 will remain in place until repealed and the relevant provisions in the Act of 2024 are commenced. A detailed implementation plan is available at [www.gov.ie/planning]
There are now more people working at An Coimisiún than at any time previously. Since October 2021, my Department has agreed to 117 new staffing posts in An Coimisiún. An Coimisiún has advised that as of 31 October 2025 there were almost 300 individuals working in the organisation including Board Members. An Coimisiún received approval and sanction from my Department for a total of 313 posts to date.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Coimisiún Pleanála in this regard is [Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie]
Question No. 216 answered with Question No. 215.
Departmental Bodies
Ceisteanna (217, 221, 223)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:217. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current performance monitoring framework his Department uses to assess the operational output and decision timelines of An Coimisiún Pleanála, including the specific indicators tracked, the reporting schedule, and any interventions or support actions taken by his Department in response to identified underperformance. [70399/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:221. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm whether his Department holds internal performance reviews, audits or risk assessments regarding the operational capacity of An Coimisiún Pleanála; and the findings from the most recent reviews relating to governance, output, and decision making delays. [70403/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:223. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department’s current governance oversight arrangements for An Coimisiún Pleanála, including reporting obligations, performance metrics, compliance assessments and the measures used by his Department to ensure that statutory timeframes, once commenced, are met in practice. [70406/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 217, 221 and 223 together.
An Coimisiún Pleanála (An Coimisiún) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2024, as amended, and certain other Acts.
A substantially revised organisational structure sees An Coimisiún Pleanála supported by three central pillars –
• A Governing Body - responsible for the governance and performance of the organisation, led by the Governing Board and Chairperson.
• Planning Commissioners – who are responsible for all decision making regarding appeals and applications made to ACP under the new Act.
• A separate Corporate Structure – led by an overall CEO, a strengthened management team and organisational structure will undertake all organisational and technical functions to support the core decision-making role.
The Planning Commissioners, previously the Board members, retain responsibility for all decision making regarding appeals and applications made, while the governance of the organisation is the function of the new Governing Board. The Governing Board is supported by the corporate side of the organisation which provides support to all of the organisations and functions are overseen by a Chief Executive Officer.
The Act when fully commenced will introduce statutory time periods for decision making for all consent processes, including, for the first time, for An Coimisiún. This will bring increased certainty to the planning consent processes, for both the public and stakeholders involved in the delivery of key infrastructure such as housing and renewable energy.
Annual statistics can be found on the website of An Coimisiún here: [www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/statistics/annual-statistics]
My Department carries out an oversight and governance role under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies in relation to An Coimisiún. An Coimisiún reports on a monthly basis to my Department across a number of metrics as per the Performance Delivery Agreement and Oversight Agreement which are in place under the Code. These metrics will include the statutory timeframes once commenced.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (218)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:218. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the commencement schedule for each section of the Planning and Development Act 2024 relating to An Coimisiún Pleanála, including the expected dates for the introduction of statutory time periods, the new appeals processes, and the implementation of the section 588 declaration requirements. [70400/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is in the process of commencing the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024) on a phased basis, to facilitate the transition to the new legislation across the planning system and taking into account the need to liaise with local authorities, planning bodies and other stakeholders. A detailed implementation plan is available at [www.gov.ie/planning]. It should be noted that the existing provisions in the Planning and Development Act 2000 will remain in place until repealed and the relevant provisions in the Act of 2024 are commenced.
An overview of the provision of the Act of 2024 that have been commenced to date is available at [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/planning-and-development-act-2024/] . It is anticipated that the following provisions will be commenced before the end of this year:
• Chapter 5 (Development Plans) and 6 (Urban Area Plans, Priority Area Plans and Coordinated Area Plans) of Part 3;
• Chapter 1 of Part 7 (Housing Strategies)
• Part 18 (Office of the Planning Regulator);
An Coimisiún Pleanála (the Commission) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and certain direct applications, such as for strategic infrastructure development. The Act of 2024 introduces a range of measures to streamline the planning process including a number of new provisions relating to An Coimisiún Pleanála, as part of a significant restructure. In this context, Part 17 of the Act of 2024 was commenced 18 June 2025 and provides for the establishment of An Coimisiún Pleanála (to replace An Bord Pleanála). This includes a revised organisational structure overseen by a new Governing Board and a Chief Executive Officer role. It should be noted that Part 17 concerns organisational restructuring only. All decision-making functions of the Commission and associated responsibilities, including appeals, permissions, consents and approvals, continue under the Planning and Development Act 2000 until such time as Part 4 (Development Consents) of the Act of 2024 is commenced.
Sections 102 to 113 and Chapter 2 of Part 12 of the Act of 2024 sets out the procedures governing an appeal to the Commission of a decision of the planning authority on a standard planning application, and consolidates various provisions of the Act of 2000.
Sections 113 and 126 of the Act of 2024 will introduce statutory time periods for decision making for both planning appeals and applications made direct to the Commission, respectively, for the first time. The headline time periods for the Commission will range from 18 weeks for appeals of decisions of planning authorities to 48 weeks for larger-scale strategic infrastructure developments.
The Act of 2024 will introduce new procedures to address 'spurious' planning submissions, appeals and judicial reviews. Section 588 of the Act of 2024 provides that submissions made in relation to planning applications, the making of a planning appeal and the taking of a judicial reviews must be accompanied by a declaration stating that the submission, planning appeal or judicial review is not being made or taken for the purposes of delaying a development or for receiving a payment or other benefit. A declaration must also be made when withdrawing a submission, appeal or a judicial review. A person who fails to comply with these declaration requirements or knowingly makes a false or misleading declaration will be liable, on summary conviction, to a class A fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
It should be noted that the operation of sections 113, 126 and 588 of the Act of 2024 are dependent upon the commencement of Part 4 of that Act, and it is for this reason that I intend to bring these provisions into operation simultaneously. During 2026, the commencement of Part 4 (Development Consent) and remaining provisions will be actioned as a priority.
Question No. 219 answered with Question No. 215.
Planning Issues
Ceisteanna (220)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:220. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail his Department’s assessment of the impact of judicial review volumes on planning decision timelines in An Coimisiún Pleanála over the past five years, including data on the number of judicial review (JR) cases initiated each year; the proportion relating to housing or infrastructure; and his Department’s analysis of the expected effect of the JR reforms in the Planning and Development Act 2024. [70402/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An Coimisiún Pleanála (An Coimisiún) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
Annual statistics can be found on the website of An Coimisiún here: [www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/statistics/annual-statistics]
The Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024) was enacted in October 2024 and is in the process of being commenced. The Act of 2024 introduces a range of measures to streamline the planning process.
The Act of 2024 introduces statutory time periods for decision making for An Coimisiún Pleanála (An Coimisiún) for the first time. The headline time periods for An Coimisiún will range from 18 weeks for appeals of decisions of planning authorities to 48 weeks for larger-scale Strategic Infrastructure Developments. The varying timelines reflect the differing complexities of applications dealt with by An Coimisiún.
The Act of 2024 also makes important reforms in relation to Judicial Review (JR). It:
• removes the requirement to apply for leave to apply for JR proceedings which reduces time and removes unnecessary additional legal costs to all parties.
• requires that an application for JR may only be made on the grounds of challenge raised by the applicant in the statement of grounds filed with their application and sets out limited criteria by which the Court may allow subsequent amendments to that statement of grounds.
• provides that an applicant for JR will not be permitted to plead a ground in JR proceedings unless they have a sufficient interest in the matter to which the ground relates.
The Act of 2024 introduces a new procedure to deal with “spurious” planning submissions and appeals, set out at Section 588. Submissions on planning applications, appeals of applications and judicial reviews must be accompanied by a statutory declaration stating that the submission or appeal is not being done for the purposes of delaying a development or for receiving a payment. A declaration must also be made when withdrawing a submission, appeal or a judicial review. Penalties are also introduced in respect of anyone making a false declaration.
I am satisfied that the new statutory time periods for An Coimisiún, along with the JR reforms and mandatory declaration procedures set out at section 588 of the Act of 2024 will contribute significantly to the operation of the planning process
My Department is in the processes of commencing of the Act of 2024 on a phased basis to facilitate the transition to the new legislation across the planning system, taking into account the need to liaise with local authorities, planning bodies and other stakeholders. It should be noted that the existing provisions in the Act of 2000 will remain in place until repealed and the relevant provisions in the Act of 2024 are commenced. A detailed implementation plan is available at www.gov.ie/planning
Just under 19,000 units across 52 sites have been subject to JR and subsequently permitted, or remain in JR, over the last 5 years. Of these, 17,786 units have been permitted notwithstanding the JR process and a further 2,869 units remain subject to ongoing proceedings.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Coimisiún Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie
Question No. 221 answered with Question No. 217.
Question No. 222 answered with Question No. 215.
Question No. 223 answered with Question No. 217.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (224, 225)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:224. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures in Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025–2030 that deal with delayed hospital discharges for older people and disabled persons who are medically fit for discharge but unable to leave due to housing shortages; and the delivery timelines attached to these measures. [70418/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraKen O'Flynn
Ceist:225. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has set annual output targets in Delivering Homes, Building Communities for the provision of housing suitable for older people and disabled persons transitioning from hospitals or nursing homes; and if so, the targets for 2025, 2026, and 2027. [70424/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities, published 13 November 2025, is Ireland’s new national housing plan. It is a wide-ranging action plan focused on housing supply and targeting homelessness, encompassing two pillars activating supply and supporting people. Within Pillar 2, which details how Government will support people, is a commitment to implement the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027. The Plan also includes measures which will increase delivery of housing for older people through increased delivery of social housing, increased delivery of more suitable homes in private housing and increased choice to support voluntary rightsizing.
My Department jointly published the NHSDP 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 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. It supports the primary objective of the Strategy which is ‘to facilitate disabled people to live independently with the appropriate choices and control over where, how and with whom they live, promoting their inclusion in the community’.
Provision of housing for older people and disabled people is funded under the capital schemes for local authority housing through the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) and the AHBs through the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) for the provision of independent living accommodation to meet the needs of people requiring specific categories of needs. Additionally, the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) is funding support provided to AHBs by local authorities to facilitate the funding of new social housing units, which may also accommodate older people and disabled people. The planning, design and delivery of social housing is a matter for individual local authorities.
Decisions on the qualification of households for social housing support and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned, in accordance with their allocation schemes made under section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations. This legislation requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.
My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, to assist those in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the local authority.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People and the Mobility Aids Grant is available for the carrying out of works of adaptation that, in the opinion of the local authority, are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for a member of the household who has an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability. In general, these grant schemes can be used for works such as level access showers, accessible bathrooms, access ramps, stair lifts, fixed track hoists or extensions. Grant aid may be considered for the provision of infrastructural and safety related adaptations to create appropriate space for applicants with specific sensory needs not including the provision of sensory equipment.
The Housing Aid for Older People Grant is available to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Qualifying works include structural repairs or improvements, upgrading unsafe electrical wiring, drylining, repair or replacement of windows and doors and the repair or provision of central heating (where no central heating exists or the existing system is broken or beyond repair).
Guidelines issued by my Department recommends all local authorities establish contact with the hospitals/convalescent homes in their area in relation to the administration of the grants and to prioritise applications from eligible applicants, whose discharge from hospital is dependent on the timely adaptation of their homes. The detailed administration of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation and apportionment of grant applications under the various measures, is the responsibility of each local authority.
My Department does not hold information on medical priority applicants for social housing or the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People. This information may be available directly from the local authorities.
Transitional Care Funding is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health and the Health Service Executive.
Question No. 225 answered with Question No. 224.
Departmental Consultations
Ceisteanna (226)
Cathy Bennett
Ceist:226. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of all consultants engaged with his Department; the costs associated with their services, by year, and name of consultant, in each of the years 2012 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70441/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested in respect of my Department is set out in the attached table.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (227)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:227. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70527/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.
The Programme for Government - Securing Ireland’s Future, is the foundation for my Department's main policy initiatives. My Department's Statement of Strategy 2024-2025 was published in November 2024 and set out our strategic goals, objectives and actions. It is available on my Department's website at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/statement-of-strategy-2024-2025/. A new Statement of Strategy for the period 2025-2027 is currently being prepared by the department and will be published imminently.
My Department's website, www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage, is a good source of information about activities and initiatives undertaken, but by way of illustration, some of the key policy achievements delivered since 22 January 2025 are outlined below.
Housing:
publication of Ireland’s new national housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness;
agreement of additional commitment to extend the First Home Scheme to June 2027;
approval of further proposals under the Croí Cónaithe Cities Scheme, increasing the number of units supported under the scheme to 1,616 units;
approval of 43 Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) projects, across 15 Local Authority areas, for the delivery of 3,358 cost rental homes between 2025 and 2029;
expansion of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) to cover the entire country by the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025;
publication of the S.I. No. 306/2025 Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Allocation Plan) Regulations 2025;
provision for all RPZ’s to remain in operation until 28 February 2026 under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025;
Government approval of stronger tenancy protections and greater certainty for the rental sector on 10 June 2025. This includes the introduction of a national rent control, as part of a suite of measures to boost the supply of new homes and secure and grow the availability of rental accommodation. The stronger protections will apply to new tenancies created (i.e. first time tenancies between parties) on/after 1 March 2026;
the exemption of designated cost rental activity from corporation tax;
extension of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme to 2030;
introduction of a Vacant Above the Shop Grant to support bringing vacant ‘above shop’ space into residential use;
additional support for the conversion of vacant former commercial buildings into residential units;
enactment of the Housing Finance Agency (Amendment) Act 2025;
publication of the National Development Plan (NDP) Sectoral Plan for Housing
Planning:
publication of the 1st Revision of the National Planning Framework;
commencement of the enacted Planning and Development Act 2024 on a phased basis in accordance with the published Implementation Plan;
publication of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the management, preparation and finalisation of secondary legislation in line with the commencement schedule;
issuing of the Design Standards for Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities;
issuing of the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements, Guidelines for Planning Authorities
commitment of a further €2.5 bn in equity investment in the Land Development Agency
Local Government:
the establishment of the Limerick Mayoral and Government Consultative Forum to facilitate engagement between the Mayor and national government;
establishment of the Local Democracy Taskforce to finalise a programme for the reform and strengthening of local government in Ireland;
publication of S.I. No. 297/2025 - Local Government Act 2001 (Section 142) (Security Allowance for Local Authority Members) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 revision of the allocation policy for Local Property (Tax LPT) for 2026 to allow: 1. each local authority’s LPT baseline to be increased in line with the increased yield from the 2025 revaluation, expected in that area, with the overall baseline increasing from €428.4m to €470.4m. 2. those authorities with an LPT income above their funding baselines to retain a greater portion of the surplus for their own use; increasing from 22.5% to 31% of the overall yield. Both changes together will lead to an increase in local authorities’ own use LPT funding of the overall sum of €85.4m.
review of classes of exempted development in consultation with other Government Departments and state bodies, which includes a public consultation on the proposed changes to inform the preparation of new exempted development regulations to accompany the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024;
Publication of the European Union (Political Advertising) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 474/2025) which will facilitate the implementation in the State of Regulation (EU) 2024/900 on the transparency and targeting of political advertising
Water:
Ministerial meeting of the OSPAR Convention in Vigo, Spain in June 2025;
implementation of the additional measures for the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme though an amendment to the Good Agricultural Practice Regulations (S.I 42 of 2025);
development of a Water Quality and Water Services Infrastructural Sectoral Adaptation Plan
publication of the Sixth Nitrates Action Programme 2026 – 2028 and implementing Regulations ‘European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2025
designation of Heavily Modified Water Bodies under the Water Framework Directive
Heritage:
launch of the World Heritage Strategy;
development and approval of Ireland’s National Adaptation Framework in accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015;
publication of the Biodiversity Sectoral Climate Adaptation Plan 2025;
establishment of an Independent Advisory Committee to provide recommendations relating to the development and content of the National Restoration Plan for the Nature Restoration Regulation
My Department’s high level activity, with respect to the Statement of Strategy, is documented in its Annual Reports, which can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/f9a38-annual-reports/. Regular updates, in the form of press releases, are also issued by my Department, particularly when outcomes are achieved, and these can be found at
www.gov.ie/en/search/ type=press_releases&organisation=department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage.
Fire Stations
Ceisteanna (228)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:228. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding will be made available for an updated fire station in Glencolmcille, County Donegal; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70537/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 Acts, 1981 and 2003.
My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In correspondence with my Department, Donegal County Council has indicated two new priority fire station projects. Those projects identified in order of the Council's priority are, an amalgamation of Ballyshannon/Bundoran fire stations at Finner and a new station at Glencolmcille. I understand a site has been identified within the Council's ownership at Finner for the proposed amalgamation project, while no new site has yet been identified for the proposed Glencolmcille project.
It would be premature to comment on the proposed Fire Service Capital Programme 2026 - 2030 prior to finalisation of a new programme, following consultation with all local authorities.
My Department will work closely with Donegal County Council to progress their identified priority infrastructural projects, within the context of the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide for capital funding.
Traveller Accommodation
Ceisteanna (229)
Jen Cummins
Ceist:229. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all monies for Traveller accommodation has been drawn down by local authorities; the reason the planned work at a allocation (details supplied) has not started; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70538/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.
My Department ceased the practice of allocating specific budgets to individual local authorities following a review of arrangements for the disbursement of funding provision and related supports for Traveller-specific accommodation. Since 2020, it is open to all local authorities to apply for and drawdown funds at any time throughout the year and this is actively encouraged by my Department.
Full spend of the Traveller accommodation capital budget has been achieved for the past 5 years from 2020 to 2024, amounting to €14.6m in 2020, €15.5m in 2021, €21.1m in 2022, €29.8m in 2023 and €21m in 2024. In 2025, the budget allocation for capital funding is €23 million and current funding is €7 million.
My Department is committed to supporting Dublin City Council in the redevelopment of Labre Park. In April 2016, a Stage 1 application for the redevelopment of this site was submitted to my Department, and in September 2016, my Department granted approval for a budget provision of €8.7 million. In July 2019, a Stage 2 application was received by my Department and approval was granted subsequently for funding of €13.2 million.
In December 2022, a revised Stage 2 application was received by my Department. In February 2023, further information requested by my Department was submitted by the local authority and subsequently in July 2023 my Department granted approval for an increased overall budget provision of €16.7m for the redevelopment of Labre Park.
My Department provided this funding approval for the redevelopment of accommodation at Labre Park to support the long-term strategy for this site to provide quality accommodation to the residents which will address the current conditions on the site.
My Department met with Dublin City Council most recently in September 2025 to discuss the planned redesign and regeneration of Labre Park. Subsequently, in November 2025, Dublin City Council submitted a further revised Stage 2 application for funding to my Department and this is currently under consideration.
Community Development Projects
Ceisteanna (230)
Shane Moynihan
Ceist:230. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the establishment of the new town and infrastructure investment fund; and if community facilities, such as family centres, will be funded. [70544/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A flagship element of Project Ireland 2040, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is supporting a programme of significant transformational capital projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan.
To date, there have been three rounds of funding provided under the URDF which has resulted in the allocation of €1.9 billion of funding, with URDF supported projects now active in every local authority area in the country.
While Calls 1 and 2 were for specific regeneration projects, the third round of funding (Call 3) is specifically focussed towards addressing long term vacancy and dereliction, while supporting the key objectives of Housing for All and Town Centre First.
The agreed Programme for Government included a commitment to establish a new Towns and Cities Infrastructure Investment Fund to:
• invest in infrastructure, acquire land, assemble sites, de-risk sites;
• support the development of new transport orientated development towns as necessary; and
• continue and expand URDF (Urban Regeneration and Development Fund) investments in project to regenerate the public realm.
In that respect, and as set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities, the initial €2 billion allocation to the URDF has been extended by a further €500 million to 2030 under the updated NDP. Working alongside other funding streams, this additional funding will expand URDF-type investments to provide broader public investment to support urban regeneration projects and the development of sustainable communities.
The detailed arrangements for the implementation of this additional funding stream are currently under development following the completion of the National Development Plan Review process. Further details should issue to the local authorities in the coming weeks.
My Department will work closely with local authorities in respect of project development under the URDF. However, responsibility for the composition of any applications for funding and their advancement through the various stages of planning, development and completion will remain, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant local authority.
Land Issues
Ceisteanna (231)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Ceist:231. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average wait time for each land registration involving Tailte Éireann; the number of staff working under the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70559/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tailte Éireann is an independent Government agency under the aegis of my Department. Tailte Éireann provides a property registration system, property valuation service, and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State. Under Section 8(6) of the Tailte Éireann Act 2022. Tailte Éireann is independent in the performance of its functions.
In 2023, a request for a planned increase in the pay-bill subhead of Tailte Éireann’s Vote was supported by my Department and subsequently granted in the Estimates for 2024. As part of Tailte Éireann’s resourcing strategy, the Accelerated Recruitment Programme was launched in early 2024 to address the high volume of vacancies and strengthen operational capacity in response to increasing service demands.
The programme introduced standardised recruitment processes, across internal, external, and mobility routes, to ensure consistent and efficient staffing. Since its launch in February 2024, the Tailte Éireann resourcing team have focused on filling 147 priority roles and a further 321 vacancies (including 182 within the Registration function) have been filled across Tailte Éireann through a combination of new hires, promotions, and mobility placements. The remaining active Tailte Éireann vacancies are currently progressing through various stages of the recruitment cycle, with a target to reduce overall vacancy levels across Tailte Éireann to approximately 3% by end Q4 2025. Tailte Éireann has advised that there are currently 1,014 officers within the organisation as of 5 December 2025.
Outside of recruitment, every effort is being made by Tailte Éireann to further reduce application processing times including implementation of the following efficiency driving measures:
• Revised procedures for more efficient handling of the large volume of applications which are lodged that are not in order to proceed to registration.
• Targeted approach to reduce the age profile of applications pending registration.
• Revised internal processes aimed at reducing the volume of applications on hand which are not in order to proceed.
• An organisation-wide focus on reducing processing times with business process improvements now implemented across the organisation.
The continued increase in applications received for registration by Tailte Éireann year over year, and challenges in recruitment for some time now, have resulted in longer processing times for certain application types. It is understood from Tailte Éireann that where an application is lodged fully in order for registration, the application will be registered without any long delay.
Applications for registration which involve a transfer, charge or release of registered lands, where no change to the registry map is required, are in the main processed within 15 working days where the application is lodged in order.
eRegistration applications account for approximately 18% of all applications. eDischarges are typically processed within 2 working days, while other eRegistration applications, such as eCharging Orders (under the Nursing Home Support Scheme), eTransfers, and eCharges are generally processed within 10 working days, provided the application is in order.
Processing times for applications which do require a change to the map, and those requiring first registration of property, are improving due to implemented process improvements and targeted recruitment campaigns outlined above.
It is not possible to provide an average wait time for each registration type as each application is different, and processing times vary as a result. It is also not possible to determine whether any delay in a particular case is, or is not, reasonable without knowing the history of progression of the case. In cases where any delay in registration could have a potential impact, Tailte Éireann makes every effort to expedite applications which are in order, where valid grounds exist, and where doing so does not impose a conflict in regard to priority given to any prior lodged dealing.
As Minister, I am confident that as the required complement of staff is successfully trained, Tailte Éireann will be in a position to achieve its goal of reducing waiting times across all registration services.
Local Authorities
Ceisteanna (232)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Ceist:232. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities are empowered to design and implement local rates waiver schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70560/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by Tailte Éireann under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2020. Tailte Éireann has responsibility for valuation matters, including the revaluation of properties. Tailte Éireann is independent in the performance of its functions under the Valuation Acts.
The amount of rates liable on a property is determined by multiplying the valuation of the property set by Tailte Éireann by the Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV) set by the local authority. The ARV is decided by the elected members of each local authority in their annual budget and its determination is a reserved function of a local authority.
Commercial rates income makes a significant and stable contribution to the funding of local government, providing between 13% and 43% of total funding for local services at individual local authority level, averaging 24% nationally. Rates income is a very important contribution to the cost of services provided by local authorities such as roads, footpaths, the public realm, litter management, public lighting, development control, parks and open spaces; all essential elements to create the environment in which businesses can prosper.
As with all local charges, the invoicing and collection of rates is a matter for the local authority concerned to manage in the light of prevailing local circumstances and in accordance with normal credit control procedures. My Department encourages local authorities to engage with ratepayers. In practice, it is understood that most local authorities promote the use of direct debit payment facilities and work with businesses to put in place flexible payment options that reflect capacity to pay.
The Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 which was commenced in late 2023, adds to the suite of options already available to local authorities to support local businesses and ratepayers. Local authorities are levying and collecting rates under this new legal framework since 1 January 2024.
Section 15 of the Act provides for local authorities to make schemes to support local and national policy objectives, by waiving rates in certain circumstances. The elected members have discretion to introduce waiver schemes that support objectives outlined in either county development plans, local area plans, local economic and community plans or indeed the National Planning Framework. Regulations to support the making of rates waiver schemes require a local authority to consult with the public in its administrative area in relation to its consideration of the making of (or change to an existing) rates waiver scheme.
It is open for each local authority to design waiver schemes as they see fit as long as they support any of the above policies. The budgetary impact of any waiver decision will also have to be managed by the elected members when making budget decisions for the following year; any reduction in income coming from rates will need to be factored into the overall budget planning.
This provision increases the capacity of local authorities and elected members to address important issues and challenges particular to their local areas in a flexible manner and to enable them to support specific objectives to promote community, social and economic development, urban planning or rural regeneration.