Written Answers Nos. 459-475
459. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide a list of all capital works upgrades carried out at Tramore Garda station by the OPW since 2023, in tabular form. [9844/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) can confirm that the following works were carried out at Tramore Garda Station since 2023.
|
Year |
Nature of Works |
Final Account Cost |
|
2023 |
Provision of an External Locker Room. |
€ 485,077.51 |
|
2024 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2025 |
Window Replacement |
Final accounts have yet to be completed. |
|
2026 |
Nil |
Nil |
460. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide a list of all capital works upgrades carried out at Waterford Garda station by the OPW since 2023, in tabular form. [9845/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) can confirm that the following works were carried out at Waterford Garda Station since 2023.
|
Year |
Nature of Works |
Final Account |
|
2023 |
Installation of CCTV & Property and Exhibits Management System (PEMS). |
€ 676,176.54 |
|
2024 |
Temporary Gym & Male Locker Room. |
€ 486,153.75 |
|
2025 |
Garda ICT Infrastructure Upgrade Works.
(ICT Room Upgrade works to facilitate Body Worn Camera roll out. Scheduled for completion in Q1 2026.) |
Final accounts have yet to be completed. |
|
2026 |
|
Nil |
461. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to outline the full set of stages of a flood relief scheme from inception to construction; the total number of projects at a point between stage 1 and the final stage, including all schemes managed by the OPW or local authorities; the estimated cost of the entirety of these projects; and the average timeline from stage 1 to construction. [9849/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo establish those communities that are at risk from significant flood events, the OPW completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State in 2018. The OPW Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW, working in partnership with the local authorities. The CFRAM Programme studied 80% of Ireland’s primary flood risk and identified solutions that can protect over 95% of that risk.
A series of 29 Flood Risk Management Plans were launched in May 2018 by the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and An Taoiseach, providing the evidence base for some 150 new and additional flood relief schemes. These plans are available on www.floodinfo.ie.
The Government has committed €715 million to the delivery of these flood relief schemes under the National Development Plan, 2026 to 2030. Total expenditure on Flood Risk Management for the years 2018 to 2025 inclusive is approximately €535m. Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW to treble the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning, or construction to some 100 schemes. Today, work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally is completed or underway.
The first tranche of new schemes identified in the Flood Risk Management Plans includes some 60 schemes that were prioritised, along with schemes already underway. The prioritisation of the first tranche of schemes was based on three criteria: scale of projects, capacity to deliver a national programme, and maximising return for investment by reference to property numbers.
Flood relief schemes are complex multiannual civil engineering projects. The stages and rigour adopted by the OPW to completing a scheme takes, by its nature, some 11 years to date to bring a scheme through development, planning, design, procurement and construction.
OPW-funded flood relief schemes are implemented in five stages, as follows:
• Stage 1: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design
• Stage 2: Planning Process or Public Exhibition / Confirmation
• Stage 3: Detailed Design
• Stage 4: Implementation/Construction
• Stage 5: Handover of Works.
The average timeline for flood relief schemes from Stage 1: Scheme Development and Preliminary Design to the beginning of Stage 4: Implementation/Construction is 84 months. Note that this timeline is an average and is indicative only and will vary significantly from project to project.
The current position with regard to flood relief schemes is as follows:
• The OPW has invested some €580m in 56 completed schemes that are providing protection to some 13,580 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damages and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion;
• There are currently 10 schemes at construction/implementation (Stage 4). These 10 flood relief schemes will protect over 2,800 properties upon completion;
• There are 5 schemes at Detailed Design/Works Procurement Stage (Stage 3);
• There are 10 schemes at, or progressing towards, Planning/Development Consent Stage (Stage 2);
• There are 69 schemes at Scheme Development and Preliminary Design (Stage 1) or Preliminary Business Case; and
• There are 54 Tranche 2 schemes that were identified in the Flood Risk Management Plans but were not in the first tranche of schemes to progress to design. These are scheduled to be progressed under the National Development Plan to 2030 and a national pilot is informing the most efficient delivery model for these schemes.
462. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide a full update on the Ballinhassig flood relief scheme; the estimated timeline for the commencement of the planning process; and the estimated cost of the project. [9881/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme (CFRAM), the largest study of flood risk was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea.The Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans, an output of CFRAM, provided the evidence for a proactive approach to designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities.
Investment of €1.3 billion through the National Development Plan has allowed the OPW, since 2018, to treble the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning, and construction to some 100 schemes, including the scheme for Ballinhassig.
Under the national delivery model, Cork County Council is leading the delivery of Ballinhassig Flood Relief Scheme. The OPW is funding nine staff in Cork County Council to support the delivery of its programme of schemes across the county.
Cork County Council appointed engineering consultants to the scheme in January 2024.
Ballinhassig Flood Relief Scheme, is currently at Stage 1 (Scheme Development and Preliminary Design). The current estimated Project Budget for the scheme is approximately €3.2m.
The scheme consultants have identified the preferred design option for the scheme and the environmental assessments conducted by the Council are informing the planning route through the Part 8 process. Preparation of the documentation to support this planning application has been advanced by Cork County Council and is currently under review by the OPW. Subject to a successful planning application it is anticipated that the scheme could reach substantial completion in 2027 providing protection to eight residential properties which experience flooding from the Owenabue River
463. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide details of all active interdepartmental, interagency, and department-agency working groups organised under his remit. [10160/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to him in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 52(1)(b).
464. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if, as part of the next public sector pay agreement, he will resolve outstanding pension issues for retired medical scientists and ensure that those who retired from 2020 onwards are placed on the same scale as those who retired from 2024 onwards, bearing in mind the findings of the Devine Report (2023); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10197/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic service pay has been governed by a system of collective agreements since the Croke Park Agreement was negotiated in 2010. These collective agreements have helped to ensure that public pay is managed in a sustainable, affordable and orderly manner. These agreements have also enabled significant reform of public services and changes to work practices.
The value of public pay deals to the Government and the taxpayer is ensuring that pay costs are managed in a sustainable and orderly way and in a climate of industrial peace.
The current Public Service Agreement runs until the 30 June this year. Accordingly, Government and public service staff representatives will be due to enter into discussions on the potential for a successor agreement later this year. It would not be appropriate to comment of the potential scope or content of those discissions at this time.
465. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he is aware of serious coastal erosion at Pilmore Beach, Youghal, County Cork; the action the OPW will take as a result; the funding that is available for the local authority to slow down coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10323/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal coastal erosion and flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. Funding may be made available to Local Authorities for coastal erosion through the Minor Works Scheme.
Minor Works Scheme.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide 90% funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The funding available for each scheme has recently been increased from €750,000 to €2 million. Further details on this are due to be announced soon.
Since 2009, OPW has approved some 57 projects and some €7.4 million to county Cork under the Minor Works Schemes. The table below denotes funding relating to coastal erosion works or studies approved under the Minor Works Scheme for Cork.
|
Scheme |
Approved |
Project Details |
Funding € |
|
Cape Clear Island South Harbour |
20/12/2024 |
Carry out remedial works required to existing Sea Wall. |
189,000 |
|
Pilmore Cottages, Youghal |
02/06/2023 |
Coastal Erosion Risk Management Study. |
135,000 |
|
Bayview B&B, Glandore |
29/04/2022 |
Stabilize the cliff face. |
225,353 |
|
Finure-Guileen Cliff |
10/07/2024 |
Detailed design and construction stage for cliff stabilisation works. |
495,000 |
|
Roches Point Sea Wall |
23/09/2022 |
Detailed Design & Construction of a Toe Wall to stabilize existing sea wall. |
78,099 |
|
Youghal Front Beach |
06/09/2010 |
Refurbish Sea Wall. |
18,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
1,140,353 |
Coastal Erosion Works and Studies at Youghal
The OPW has approved funding of €153,000 for works and studies in relation to coastal erosion in Youghal through the Minor Works Scheme.
Funding of €18,000 was approved in September 2010 for the refurbishment of the sea wall in Youghal.
Further funding of €135,000 was approved in June 2023 to carry out a Coastal Erosion Risk Management Study. The study area includes the shoreline adjacent to PiImore Cottages, and extends from Youghal to Ring on the county Cork coastline.
This Study is being carried out prior to any subsequent funding application for structural measures to manage coastal erosion risk.
As the area is designated a Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area Conservation (SAC), an Appropriate Assessment screening will be required.
The Minor Works Scheme is a demand led scheme. Funding allocated is based on the cost submitted by the local authorities for consideration.
Coastal Change Management.
The Government recognises the risks associated with climate change and that increases in sea levels and storm surges will result in increased frequency of coastal erosion. In response to these challenges, the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy are being implemented. Amongst the key recommendations of the Report is the assignment of the lead coordination role to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is responsible for chairing an Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
The OPW has been designated by Government as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints. These assessments will build upon indicative assessment work previously undertaken by the OPW under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study, and comprise a substantial, multi-annual programme of work to assess coastal risk nationally, and then in detail at higher risk locations as a basis for then determining potential viable works to manage this risk. This work will contribute to the work of the Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
The OPW is currently carrying out a Pilot Coastal Monitoring Survey Programme to undertake regular surveys in selected coastal locations to increase understanding of coastal change in these areas. The coastline at Youghal, including Pilmore beach, is one of the areas included in this pilot programme and surveying activities at Youghal commenced in 2022.
466. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to review correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10485/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility, on behalf of the State, for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate of approximately 2,500 properties.
This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda Síochána and numerous properties for many State Agencies. The portfolio also encompasses specialised spaces such as public offices, laboratories and cultural institutions, in addition to warehouses, heritage properties, visitor centres and sites.
In any major portfolio, there will always be a certain level of vacant or non-operational properties, at any given time, as the portfolio could not function without the flexibility that it provides. Not all vacant properties will be deemed surplus to the State’s requirements or suitable for disposal.
The Office of Public Works (OPW), like other State bodies, is obliged to follow central government policies on the disposal of surplus properties and the arrangements involved are set out in the following Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (DPER) Circulars:
Circular 11/2015: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets.
Circular 17/2016: Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property.
The OPW’s policy in managing surplus properties in accordance with the aforementioned circulars is:
• Firstly, to establish if the property is required for alternative State use, including the potential for it to be re-purposed for either Government Departments or the wider public service. A number of strategic properties are retained in anticipation of potential State use/development in line with service demands arising from Government policy changes to public service provision.
• Secondly, if no State use is identified, the OPW considers if open market disposal is an option, depending on prevailing market conditions.
• Thirdly, the OPW may consider community involvement, subject to a detailed submission that demonstrates that the community or voluntary group seeking to use the property has the means to insure, maintain and manage it in order to reduce costs to the Exchequer.
In line with the above policy and in accordance with DPER Circular 11/15: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets the OPW has sought alternative State use by offering the property to all relevant State Bodies.
Alternative State use for the former Garda station and residence at Bawnboy is currently under consideration by Cavan County Council and the OPW is therefore not in a position to consider Templeport Development Association’s submission at this time.
467. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the estimated cost of the most recent bank holiday to the Irish economy. [9652/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn assessment of the yearly cost of a new public holiday was conducted by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection as part of a broader report on the ‘Cumulative Impact of Changes to Working Conditions’ published in 2024 (no further analysis has been carried out on this topic). As there is limited historical information on the impact of an extra public holiday within an Irish context, data from other jurisdictions was also studied to guide any additional estimates within an Irish context.
The report estimates that the cost of an additional public holiday will be 0.09% of national income. It should be noted that an additional public holiday would not have a uniform impact across all sectors of the economy. Manufacturing would likely suffer a decline in output due to tasks being delayed, while agriculture would be less affected due to the sectors reliance on natural processes. Some sectors such as retail and hospitality would likely see an increase in economic activity (although these firms may incur higher payroll costs due to double time or time in lieu owed to employees).
Utilising sectoral elasticities applied to Gross Value Added the report estimates total cost of €355m to the Irish economy. This corresponds to a decline of 0.09% in GDP (or 0.13% on a GNI* basis). This is indicative of the fact that the Irish economy is highly dependent on service and high value manufacturing activities. However, it should also be noted that this could be partially mitigated by an increase in consumption within the retail and hospitality sectors. The analysis also points to the wider benefits that arise from a public holiday, which are more difficult to estimate. These benefits include improved societal well-being, and improvements to worker productivity on their return from time off, which can be expected to have an offsetting effect on costs.
468. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether a cross-agency review involving the Workplace Relations Commission, the Corporate Enforcement Authority, and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is underway in relation to an employment model, corporate governance, and franchise practices (details supplied). [10235/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra498. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has received complaints that a company (details supplied) has altered franchise terms or operational conditions without consultation or agreement from franchisees, and whether stronger franchise-law protections are required. [10229/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra499. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether franchise associations linked to a company (details supplied) are subject to any regulatory oversight; and whether concerns have been raised regarding their effectiveness in representing franchisee interests. [10230/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra502. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether concerns arising from a franchise model (details supplied) will be considered as part of any planned reform of franchise regulation, including statutory protections for franchisees and transparency obligations for franchisers. [10234/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 468, 498, 499 and 502 together.
Negotiations of franchise agreements are generally a private commercial matter between the franchisor and the franchisee. Competition law does not specify the conditions that franchisors must offer franchisees, nor does it set out how any changes to those agreements should be negotiated. Similarly, competition law does not govern what happens if a franchisor ceases trading or the implications of this for franchisees. The CCPC has confirmed it has not received any complaints with regard to the company's agreements with franchisees.
The European Commission has confirmed that it does not intend to propose specific legislation on franchising. A recent comprehensive consultation process conducted by the Commission, in which a broad community of stakeholders participated, identified no specific issues in respect of franchising. Accordingly, I have not requested any cross-agency review of franchise practices.
Ireland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation, which offers extensive protections to workers. The employment rights legislation under my Department’s remit is applied horizontally across all sectors and is not targeted at any particular sector. It is important to note that all employers, regardless of sector, are responsible for ensuring that their employees receive the protections afforded to them under employment legislation.
469. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration will be given by his Department working in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on matters relating to the cross-Border enforcement of consumer protection and road safety laws to assist those who purchase and import second hand cars from Northern Ireland and the UK and ensure that car dealers in these jurisdictions are held accountable should any issues arise after the purchase of a vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10272/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra470. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration will be given to the provision of a cross-Border mechanism with Northern Ireland and the UK to ensure cross-Border enforcement of consumer and road safety laws during the purchase and import of second hand vehicles, and ensure that car dealers in these jurisdictions are held accountable should any issues arise following the purchase and import of a vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10273/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 470 together.
In Ireland, consumer protection and enforcement is under the remit of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), the independent statutory body which has powers to enforce consumer law, investigate complaints, and take enforcement actions. These powers operate only within the State; the CCPC cannot take direct enforcement action against traders based in Northern Ireland or Great Britain.
Historically, effective cross border consumer protection relied on EU level cooperation mechanisms, mutual recognition of remedies, and coordinated action between consumer enforcement authorities across Member States. These mechanisms no longer automatically apply in the case of the UK following Brexit, which limits the tools available for Irish authorities to pursue issues arising from transactions with NI/UK based car traders. However, the CCPC does engage with other stakeholders around the sale of cars including with the motor industry, State Agencies and Trading Standards in Northern Ireland. The CCPC provides a consumer helpline and in 2025 it received 57 calls from consumers regarding a range of issues with cars that had been bought in the UK.
Car traders in Ireland are held accountable for selling cars under the Consumer Protection Act and should not provide false or misleading information to consumers. The CCPC takes enforcement action against car traders in Ireland who have been subject of complaints.
The CCPC is host to the European Consumer Centre Ireland (ECCI), which provides free information and advice to consumers about their consumer rights under EU law. The ECCI also assist consumers in resolving cross-border consumer complaints. They work with the UK International Consumer Centre (UKICC) to resolve cross border complaints between Ireland and the UK. It relies on the voluntary cooperation of the consumer and business.
471. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if Ireland will be represented at the Global AI Summit in India in February 2026; if so, the nature of that representation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9273/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, I look forward to representing Ireland at India's forthcoming AI Summit in New Delhi.
Government is dedicated to working with international partners and are fully committed to supporting global digital transformation to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed responsibly, inclusively, and for the benefit of all. I acknowledge the leadership that India is showing in convening international partners to address opportunities and challenges in this rapidly evolving field.
472. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has received any briefings, reports, or risk assessments from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission regarding cartel behaviour or bid-rigging in public procurement for State-funded projects; the dates of any such briefings since 2022; the sectors concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9320/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra473. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has undertaken or commissioned any assessment of the estimated cost to the Exchequer arising from cartel activity or bid-rigging in public procurement; whether any modelling exists estimating price inflation attributable to such practices; and if he will outline any findings available to his Department.. [9321/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra474. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the legislative or policy measures are currently under consideration to strengthen the detection and deterrence of cartel behaviour in public procurement, including any proposals to enhance the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s access to procurement data held by public bodies; and the expected timeline for any such measures. [9322/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra475. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether there is a formal interdepartmental framework in place between his Department, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to address cartel behaviour in public procurement; when such arrangements were established; and the way accountability and reporting are structured. [9327/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 472, 473, 474 and 475 together.
Bid-rigging happens when businesses secretly agree to fix the outcome of a tender or bidding process instead of competing fairly. This can lead to higher prices, less choice, and wasted public money. It is a serious form of anti-competitive behaviour, it undermines trust in public procurement and it harms consumers.
The Review of Structures and Strategies to Prevent, Investigate and Penalise Economic Crime and Corruption, often referred to as ‘the Hamilton Report’ was published in December 2020. It contained a number of recommendations focusing primarily on legislative, structural, and resourcing measures to enhance the capacity of agency and multi-agency enforcement and the prevention of corruption and white-collar crime offences.
The Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, published by my Department in September 2025, includes an action to provide the CCPC with the power to carry out screening for bid rigging. In December 2025, my Department launched a public consultation proposing substantial new measures under the Consumer Protection, Competition and Enforcement Bill 2026, including providing bid-rigging detection powers, intended to protect the integrity of public procurement by enabling the CCPC to screen procurement data for patterns of collusion, as recommended by the Hamilton Report. This leverages public sector data to safeguard competition and prevent waste of public funds. The closing date for receipt of submissions is 5pm on Friday, 27 February 2026.
In relation to the question of whether there is a formal interdepartmental framework in place, the Advisory Council against Economic Crime and Corruption is a cross-sectoral advisory group with membership consisting, inter alia, of the CCPC, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the Department of Justice and the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. It was established in 2021 pursuant to recommendations of the Hamilton Review Group and assigned work in relation to screening for bid-rigging to the Economic Crime and Corruption Forum (“the Forum”). The Forum agreed a number of recommendations regarding the legislative amendments necessary to implement the Hamilton Report’s recommendations on bid-rigging, which were adopted by the Advisory Council and submitted to Department of Justice in February 2023.
