Written Answers Nos. 369-379
369. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 3 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; the additional funding allocated under this NSO following the review of the NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70475/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.
In the 2021 NDP review, the Government originally committed €165 billion in capital investment for the period 2021-30, and subsequently agreed to additional funding of €2.25 billion in March 2024 for 2024-2026.
The revised National Development Plan, published in July, set out €275.4 billion in public capital investment to 2035 – the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State. Following the agreement of the revised NDP in July 2025, gross capital expenditure ceilings for all sectors have now been set out to 2030.
While Government has prioritised investment towards the critical growth-enabling sectors of housing, energy, water and transport all Departments are now tasked with developing sectoral plans for the upcoming 5 years out to 2030, which will detail priority projects to be progressed. Departments must ensure that the plans are affordable within the gross capital expenditure ceilings as agreed by Government. These plans will be published in the coming weeks.
National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 3 relates to strengthening rural economies and communities. Under the 2025 NDP review, the Government allocated €1.329 billion to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
A range of programmes and projects have already been delivered under NSO 3 since the 2021 NDP review, including for example:
• Delivery of the National Broadband Plan which includes over 564,000 premises and over 1.1 million people. The NBP is set to be on track for completion by the end of 2026.
• Approval of over 800 projects under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
• Providing for the maintenance of over 9,500 kilometres and the strengthening of over 5,500 kilometres of local roads.
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht is due to publish their Sectoral Investment Plan in the coming weeks and will detail priority projects.
A full list of projects and programmes for each of the ten National Strategic Outcomes can be found in the regular publications by my Department on the gov.ie site:
• The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million;
• The myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county and contains smaller investments such as schools and health facilities; and
• The Project Ireland 2040 Annual and Regional Reports highlight achievements and give a detailed overview of the public investments that have been made throughout the country, including detail from across Government on the national strategic objectives. The forthcoming Project Ireland 2024 Annual and Regional Reports will provide full and up to date detail on delivery of the National Strategic Outcomes.
370. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 4 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; the additional funding allocated under this NSO following the review of the NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70476/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.
In the 2021 NDP review, the Government originally committed €165 billion in capital investment for the period 2021-30, and subsequently agreed to additional funding of €2.25 billion in March 2024 for 2024-2026.
The revised National Development Plan, published in July, set out €275.4 billion in public capital investment to 2035 – the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State. Following the agreement of the revised NDP in July 2025, gross capital expenditure ceilings for all sectors have now been set out to 2030.
National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 4 relates to Sustainable Mobility and a commitment to a more environmentally sustainable public transport system. Given the nature of this strategic outcome, many projects take a number of years to fully deliver, and transport has been highlighted as a critical growth-enabling sector in the NDP Review.
A total of €22.3 billion was allocated to the Department of Transport for the 2026-2030 period. A further €2 billion was allocated from the ICNF to support low carbon transportation including projects such as Metrolink under the NDP Review.
Considerable progress has been made on a range of projects across the country under NSO 4 since the 2021 NDP review, including for example:
• Planning permissions for nine Bus Corridors under BusConnects Dublin, final network details published for BusConnects Cork, planning permissions for BusConnects Galway, planning implementation for BusConnects Limerick and starting public consultations for BusConnects Waterford; and
• Over €320 million invested in walking and cycling projects through the Active Travel Infrastructure Programme.
The Department of Transport Sectoral Investment plan was published on 26 November and is available to download from gov.ie. The plan sets out in detail the commitments to delivery for the sector and reflects the Government’s determination to build a transport system which is efficient, low-carbon, and responsive to the evolving needs of our people, our economy, and our environment.
A full list of projects and programmes for each of the ten National Strategic Outcomes can be found in the regular publications by my Department on the gov.ie site:
• The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million;
• The myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county and contains smaller investments such as schools and health facilities; and
• The Project Ireland 2040 Annual and Regional Reports highlight achievements and give a detailed overview of the public investments that have been made throughout the country, including detail from across Government on the national strategic objectives. The forthcoming Project Ireland 2024 Annual and Regional Reports will provide full and up to date detail on delivery of the National Strategic Outcomes.
371. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department, and agencies under the Department’s remit, purchase data on the habits and activities of social media users and other platforms; if so, the reasons for purchasing such data; the amount spent in 2024 and 2025 year to date on such expenditure, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70870/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that neither my Department nor any of the bodies under its aegis have purchased such data.
372. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the plans and the present stage of the planned Ballinasloe flood relief scheme. [70960/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra373. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if funding will be maintained and ring-fenced for a standalone flood mitigation project in Derrymullen, Ballinasloe; and the planned works and timelines in light of the area’s persistent flood risk and the inability of all residents to house insurance [70961/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 373 together.
The Flood Risk Management Plan for the Shannon River Basin which launched in 2018, included a recommendation to progress a flood relief scheme for Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. A Project Steering Group, comprising representatives from the Office of Public Works (OPW), as Contracting Authority, and Galway County Council as project partners, is in place to progress the Scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995 (as amended).
In 2019, the OPW appointed Engineering and Environmental Consultants to complete the design of the Scheme, which will provide protection to 309 residential and commercial properties when complete. The Government has committed funding to support the delivery of flood relief schemes under the National Development Plan to 2030.
The Scheme is currently at Stage I, which covers the scheme development and design. This stage experienced delays due to additional modelling requirements, delays in completing key surveys and engaging with other key stakeholders.
Surveys and assessments are ongoing by the consultants in advance of preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report which is due to commence shortly.
As part of the consultation process for the Scheme, and in order to raise awareness of the proposed flood mitigation works, a Public Consultation Day was held on 5th March 2020. A further Public Consultation to discuss the emerging options for the Scheme took place in Q1 2024. It is anticipated that the Statutory Public Exhibition for the Scheme will commence in Q2 2026 and for the scheme to be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for statutory confirmation in Q2 2027. Subject to planning consent, construction of the scheme is scheduled to commence in Q2 2028.
Flood works in Derrymullen, Ballinasloe, were initiated in 2010 following major flooding in the 2009 flood event, and constructed from 2010 to 2011. The works comprised of the construction of a flood relief wall around Derrymullen, installation of penstock and flood gates and were constructed to provide protection against a 1% AEP (100 year) fluvial event from the Deerpark River for 135 properties. As part of the overall development of the Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme the OPW needed to ensure that the existing flood defences constructed in Derrymullen were to the same standard of design and construction as the proposed Ballinasloe scheme. The hydraulic modelling completed for the Ballinasloe scheme identified that alterations were required to the existing Derrymullen flood defences and this required additional assessments and designs. Upgrades to the existing works are planned as part of the overall Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme.
The Department of Finance has overall responsibility for policy matters in relation to insurance, including flood insurance. The Department of Finance engages with the insurance industry on all aspects of insurance reform, including flood cover issues. These matters are a priority for the Government and efforts continue to be made to encourage a responsive approach to the provision of flood insurance from the insurance industry. The Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance has met with the CEOs of the major insurers where he strongly emphasised to industry the need to take a reasonable approach to the provision of cover where properties are proven to be in low risk areas, including after investment in flood defences.
The OPW has a role to assist insurance companies to take into account the protection provided by completed flood defence schemes. In this regard, the OPW has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the insurance industry. The MoU sets out principles of how the two organisations work together to ensure that appropriate and relevant information on these completed schemes is provided to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding.
While the MoU does not guarantee the availability of insurance, Insurance Ireland members have committed to take into account all information provided by the OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these protected areas. The decision on whether to offer insurance, the level of premiums charged and the policy terms applied are matters for individual insurers. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they would be accepting on a case-by-case basis. Neither the Minister for Finance or the Central Bank of Ireland can direct the provision or pricing of insurance products, in accordance with the EU framework for insurance (Solvency II Directive).
Insurance Ireland operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance, which can be contacted at 01 676 1914 or [feedback@insuranceireland.eu]. Similarly, Brokers Ireland, the representative body for insurance brokers in Ireland, has access to a wide range of providers and products, and can offer advice for customers when sourcing cover. Brokers Ireland can be reached at 01 661 3067. Furthermore, where an individual considers that they have been treated unfairly, they have the option of making a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). The FSPO can be contacted either by email at [info@fspo.ie] or by telephone at 01 567 7000.
374. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department, and agencies under the Department’s remit, purchase data on the habits and activities of social media users and other platforms; if so, the reasons for purchasing such data; the amount spent in 2024 and 2025 year to date on such expenditure, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70863/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not purchase data on the habits or activities of social media users and/or other platforms.
Information regarding the purchase of data on the habits or activities of social media users and/or other platforms for the agencies under my Department’s remit is not included, as that is an operational matter for those agencies, and I do not have any direct function in these matters.
375. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his plans to apply the enhanced SME test to the English language education sector in relation to the stamp 2 visa changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70910/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn May 2024, Government introduced a package of supports for SMEs which included a commitment to ensure an enhanced SME Test will be applied to all new major policy initiatives or regulatory measures.
While the initial focus of the SME Test was on primary legislation, the enhanced SME Test must be applied to both primary and secondary legislation, new policies, and changes to regulatory compliance requirements that could potentially impact SMEs.
My department does not have responsibility for immigration permissions in the English language education sector, but works with other government departments to ensure application of the SME Test to legislation where there are potential impacts on SMEs.
376. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if a work permit application can be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71023/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section of my Department continues to operate with a strong focus on efficiency and improving overall processing timelines.
I am informed by the Employment Permits Unit that the application referenced in the details supplied has not yet been received.
If an employer wishes to request that an employment permit application be expedited, they may do so by submitting a detailed business case and completing an Employment Permit Expedite Request Form.
The following points should be noted:
• The submission of a business case does not guarantee that an application will be expedited.
• A separate business case is required for each individual application.
To further support applicants and reduce the need for individual status queries, the Department has this year introduced a Self-Service Portal. This system allows both employers and applicants to check the real-time status of their applications directly.
These tools are designed to provide timely updates and reduce the need for individual queries, helping the unit to focus resources on processing applications efficiently.
In addition, a dedicated TD mailbox is available for Oireachtas members to raise queries where appropriate – [tdepqueries@enterprise.gov.ie]
The Department remains committed to allocating resources where they are most needed — namely, in the processing of applications to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and that overall timelines are kept to a minimum.
377. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in light of the recent announcement that the quota for general employment permits for dairy farm assistants has been exhausted, with no new applications being accepted, the representations his Department has received from farming representative bodies regarding the urgent need to increase the quota for the upcoming spring season. [71063/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra378. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment given the critical labour shortages being reported in the dairy-farming sector, particularly during the busy spring calving season, if he will commit to immediately reopening or extending the quota for dairy farm assistants, or otherwise fast-tracking additional permits to ensure farms have sufficient staff for the spring workload. [71064/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra379. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the timeframe for when the current review of the occupations lists for employment permits will conclude; and if the Department will publish interim arrangements or special allowances for agricultural employers facing urgent labour shortages while that review is ongoing. [71065/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 378, 377 and 379 together.
Ireland's employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term. This objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably qualified Irish or EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is genuine.
The role of dairy farm assistant has been provided with a quota of 1,100 General Employment Permits since eligibility was first introduced in 2018. This quota was exhausted in November 2025.
Where a sector wishes to have a quota extended, or a role fully removed from the ineligible occupations list (i.e. not subject to a quota), evidence should demonstrate a continuing need for access to employment permits for the role, supported by the department with lead responsibility for the sector.
My department has received a submission from the agri-food sector with regard to the role of dairy farm assistant to the current review which closed to receipt of submissions on Friday, 19th of September. Consideration of submissions and evidence supporting changes is in progress including where occupations that currently have assigned quotas are undergoing review.
My Department is currently engaging with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the eligibility for employment permits and quotas affecting the sector as part of this review. Final recommendations are expected to be published at the beginning of 2026.
There is no mechanism to place applications on hold once a quota has been exhausted. Once a new quota threshold has been introduced through amending secondary legislation, new applications may be submitted for consideration to be processed by date of receipt.
