Written Answers Nos. 278-298
278. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Transport if the announcement in December 2025 regarding the purchasing of new DART carriages will have automatic ramps covering the gap between train carriage and station platforms. [11481/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ programme.
As part of the DART+ programme, DART+ Fleet provides a ten-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric train fleet.
One of the primary objectives of the design of the DART+ Fleet is to provide improved accessibility for train users. Low level flooring and entrance doors will reduce the stepping height for passengers and improve access for persons with reduced mobility.
The new carriages will prioritise independent access, with each of the low-height doorway thresholds being equipped with an automatic retractable step and offering the potential for unassisted level access from suitable platforms, aligned with platform enhancements.
Three fleet orders have been placed comprising both battery-electric and electric carriages, bringing the total number of DART carriages ordered to 285, made up of 57 five-carriage trains.
Trains from the first order of 95 carriages will be initially deployed on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda from 2027. It is planned to deploy at least some of the second order of 90 carriages to allow commencement of the Wicklow DART extension around 2029.
In December 2025, the Department funded a third fleet order for a further 100 electric DART carriages, which will fully replace the original DART fleet. It is planned to deploy this third order of 100 electric carriages from the end of 2028.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
279. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the assessment that has been made on the impact of the withdrawal of the midday Dublin-Donegal flight, in particular for cancer patients; and when significant investment in transport infrastructure to connect Donegal to other major cities such as Dublin and Galway will be made. [11563/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to maintaining connectivity to the North-West by continuing to provide Exchequer funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services between Dublin and Donegal.
To ensure continuity of services on this route when the current contract ends on 25 February, my Department conducted a public procurement process, in line with the requirements of EU Regulation 1008/2008. This regulation allows Governments to provide PSO air services to airports serving peripheral or less-developed regions.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the new contract meets the minimum requirements as set out in the Request for Tenders (RfT) which was published by my Department following consultation with Donegal Airport. Donegal Airport considered that the early morning departure from Donegal and the late return from Dublin, facilitating a same day return, was optimum to meet the market demand for business, healthcare and educational travel and that there was more flexibility with regard to the second rotation.
Under the new contract, the early morning flight departing from Donegal and the evening return flight from Dublin, which is relied on by many, including critical care patients, to ensure a daily round trip to Dublin, will continue to be facilitated.
I understand, however, the disappointment that has been articulated by those who rely on the current midday service. I have listened to the concerns conveyed to me by Deputy Gallagher last week and those raised at the meeting on 11 February attended by my senior officials, the Donegal Cancer Flights & Services Group and Donegal Deputies. I am considering what more might be possible to meet the needs of the users of this air service while ensuring the continuity of this vital air service between Donegal and Dublin Airports.
In respect of the broader transport infrastructure, the Department of Transport, together with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, published the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy in December 2025. This Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July 2024.
The Rail Strategy identifies major projects to be progress which includes reinstatement of lines including the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris to Athenry as well as lines between Portadown, Armagh and Derry to Letterkenny in County Donegal.
In addition, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. It is important to point out that it is for the local authority, in the first instance, to engage with TII regarding the progression of any proposed national road project.
Noting the above position, I have referred part of your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
280. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance for an update regarding the rent-a-room tax relief (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11287/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent-a-Room relief, which is provided for in section 216A Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA), was introduced in 2001 with the aim of increasing the availability of rented residential accommodation. The relief acts as an incentive to encourage individuals to let rooms in their principal private residence as residential accommodation in order to bring about an increase in the availability of rental accommodation.
Section 216A TCA provides that, where an individual rents a room or rooms in her/his home as residential accommodation, and the gross rent received (including sums for food, laundry or similar goods and services) does not exceed €14,000 in the tax year, they are treated for income tax purposes as having neither profits nor losses from the payment for that accommodation.
In accordance with section 216A TCA, an individual who lets a room or rooms in their sole or main residence as residential accommodation may be exempt from income tax, PRSI and USC in respect of income from the letting where the aggregate of the gross rents and any sums for meals or other services supplied with the letting does not exceed the threshold at present of €14,000 per year. Although the income is exempt it must be included in the individual’s tax return for the year in question.
Revenue advise that ‘sole or main residence’ is best described as an individual’s home during the year of assessment. The room or rooms can comprise a self-contained unit within the residence such as a basement flat or a converted garage attached to the residence, but relief does not apply if the room or rooms occupied by the tenant is/are adjacent to but not attached to the individual’s residence.
Revenue further advise that landlords are generally required to register details of their residential tenancies with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), including, for example, where the tenancy relates to a self-contained residential unit in the landlord’s own residence. However, the requirement to register a tenancy does not apply to owner-occupied homes.
It is assumed that the question on the ‘6-year rule’ refers to the “Tenancy of Minimum Duration”. I would note that this is beyond my direct remit as Minister for Finance as it is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the first instance. Further questions regarding RTB registration requirements would be best directed to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Further details in respect of rent-a-room relief can be found in Tax and Duty Manual Part 07-01-32 on the Revenue's website at: www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-07/07-01-32.pdf.
281. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the expenditure for 2025, and the impact it had on the surplus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11568/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the time of Budget 2026, my Department estimated a general government surplus of approximately €10.2 billion for 2025. This was consistent with gross voted spending of €109.1 billion.
The outturn for gross voted spending for 2025, as published in the Fiscal Monitor, was €109.4 billion. However, due to other factors including tax revenue above that assumed in the Budget projections, my Department estimates a general government surplus last year of around €12½ billion.
The CSO will confirm the general government balance for 2025 in the coming months.
282. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the average private motor insurance premium charged to learner drivers in each of the past five years, by age cohort; whether his Department or the Central Bank of Ireland monitors or analyses the impact of age-neutral learner driver pricing models on affordability and proportionality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11162/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra283. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the oversight mechanisms in place within the Central Bank of Ireland to assess whether motor insurance pricing models, particularly those applied to learner drivers, comply with consumer protection principles on fairness, proportionality, and transparency; whether any thematic reviews have been undertaken in this area since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11163/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of motor insurers currently authorised to write private motor insurance in the State; the number of those insurers that actively provide quotations to learner drivers; whether the Central Bank assesses effective market participation where large cohorts of consumers face limited or prohibitively expensive access to cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11164/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra285. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether learner drivers are recognised by his Department or the Central Bank of Ireland as a distinct consumer cohort for the purposes of insurance affordability and access; whether any assessment has been carried out on the societal and economic impact of high learner-driver premiums on families, older first-time drivers, or returning emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11165/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra286. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether the Central Bank of Ireland requires motor insurers to provide consumers with a clear explanation of the principal factors driving quoted premiums, particularly where exceptionally high premiums are issued to learner drivers; whether any regulatory guidance has been issued in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11166/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra287. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether he has considered introducing additional regulatory safeguards or guidance to ensure learner driver motor insurance premiums are evidence-based, proportionate, and transparent; whether any policy review is planned in conjunction with the Central Bank of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11167/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 282, 283, 284, 285, 286 and 287 together.
The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) collects and publishes aggregate data on private motor insurance premiums through the National Claims Information Database but does not gather information on individual risk factors such as age or licence type.
It is important to note that the decision to provide any specific form of insurance cover, and the price at which it is offered, is a commercial matter for insurance companies based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept. Neither I, as Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, have the power to compel insurers to provide particular types of insurance or to provide it at a particular price. This is reinforced by the European framework for insurance (Solvency II Directive).
While insurers individually determine how risk factors influence pricing and how risk factors are applied to policies, the Central Bank of Ireland continuously supervises firms’ pricing, underwriting, reserving, capital adequacy, model risk management, and operational resilience through reporting and inspections.
Under the Consumer Protection Code 2012, insurers must act honestly, fairly, professionally, and disclose all relevant information clearly. The revised Consumer Protection Code 2025 (effective 24 March 2026) strengthens these requirements, obliging firms to act with integrity, skill, care, and always in the best interests of customers.
There are a large number of motor insurers and intermediaries offering motor insurance in the State and officials in my Department engage frequently with Insurance Ireland – the trade body association for the insurance industry – on a range of insurance related issues. It has advised that the calculation of a premium is based on several rating factors. These factors can include where the vehicle is stored, driver age, and driving experience.
The Government’s Action Plan for Insurance Reform 2025-2029 sets out a range of targeted measures to improve affordability, availability, and transparency for consumers. Work is underway on the development of a Transparency Code for the insurance industry which is aimed at improving transparency, fairness, and consumer understanding. The Code’s primary objective is to improve fairness, clarity, and accountability across the motor insurance market. It establishes clear standards for how insurers and intermediaries present information to customers, ensuring the use of plain English, standardised definitions, and accessible explanations of how premiums are calculated. Once operational, the Code will ensure that the insurance market operates with integrity, build trust, and ensure that learner drivers and indeed all drivers are empowered to make informed decisions.
The Government will continue to oversee the implementation of insurance reforms and will work to secure a sustainable, competitive, fair and transparent market in Ireland that enhances transparency, affordability and availability of insurance for all consumers.
288. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if there is a canteen in his Department headquarters; and if the Minister can provide assurances that all meat sold or provided in that canteen is of Irish origin. [11181/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that there is no serviced canteen in my Department's Headquarters.
289. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount expended by his Department and by each agency for which he is responsible on advertising, promotion, advertising companies and external communications companies or consultants in 2025 and the expected costs for 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11351/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department had no expenditure in 2025 and has no expected expenditure in 2026, for advertising companies, external communication companies or consultants. For completeness, in 2025 my Department contributed €35,000.00 to the Residential Zoned Land Tax campaign run by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The following information has been provided by the Bodies under the Aegis of the Department.
Central Bank
|
Spend 2025 (including VAT) |
Expected Spend 2026 |
|
€247,866 |
€271,500 |
Note: The 2025 figure is still being finalised ahead of the publication of their annual report/accounts
Credit Review Office
|
Spend 2025 (including VAT) |
Expected Spend 2026 |
|
€89,887 |
€115,000 |
Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman
|
Spend 2025 (including VAT) |
Expected Spend 2026 |
|
€105,574.16 |
€115,958.05 |
Investor Compensation Company
|
Spend 2025 (including VAT) |
Expected Spend 2026 |
|
Nil |
€6,150 |
National Asset Management Agency
|
Spend 2025 (including VAT) |
Expected Spend 2026 |
|
€88,560 |
€12,300 |
Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General
|
Spend 2025 (including VAT) |
Expected Spend 2026 |
|
€3,875 |
€3,500 |
Office of the Revenue Commissioners
|
Spend 2025 (including VAT) |
Expected Spend 2026 |
|
€664,923.60 |
€450,000.00 |
Note: The figures relate to costs for tax information and recruitment campaigns only, they do not include costs relating to statutory advertising/notices. Revenue do not engage with external consultants or advertising companies to assist in creative or marketing strategy work.
National Treasury Management Agency
The below figures include costs reimbursed to the NTMA as part of a shared services agreement with HBFI and the SBCI.
|
Spend 2025 (including VAT) |
Expected Spend 2026 |
|
€224,096.78 |
€225,244.23 |
The above figures represent invoiced expenditure on advertising and external communications companies for 2025, and projected expenditure on same for 2026. All figures are inclusive of VAT.
Home Building Finance Ireland
|
Spend 2025 (including VAT) |
Expected Spend 2026 |
|
€58,000 |
€120,000 |
The above figures relate to direct advertising spend by HBFI and do not include costs reimbursed to the NTMA as part of a shared services agreement.
Strategic Banking Corporation Ireland
|
Spend 2025 (including VAT) |
Expected Spend 2026 |
|
€347,698 |
€508,636 |
The figures for 2026 are an estimate and may change if there are delays to the launch of new SBCI Schemes.
290. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether the pension increases payable in respect of former Department of Posts and Telegraphs service under the Eircom superannuation defined benefit pension scheme are classified by his Department as current expenditure or capital expenditure; and the reason such expenditure would be subject to external scrutiny beyond the Department. [11434/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Exchequer data is published annually as part of the Finance Accounts and available online at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-finance/collections/finance-accounts/
Expenditure from the Central Fund to cover the pension costs of former Civil Servants in commercial state companies (i.e. Eircom, An Post and Coillte) is also published as part of the Fiscal Monitor publications, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-finance/collections/latest-fiscal-monitors/
These payments, when paid out of the Central Fund, are recorded as part of Statement 1.6 of the Finance Accounts, and are therefore classified as ‘Non Voted Current Exchequer Expenditure’.
There is a statutory requirement for the Finance Accounts to be prepared (according to Section 4 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993). Under this section, there must be a detailed analysis and classification of the payments into and out of the Central Fund conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Finance Accounts therefore represent the audited outturn in respect of the Central Fund.
291. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to introduce a scheme in association with insurance companies, whereby homeowners can obtain insurance to protect their homes and properties against flooding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11476/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, I wish to acknowledge the serious damage caused by recent flooding events, and the impact they have had on families, communities, and businesses across Ireland.
We know that flood insurance alone cannot address the totality of the flood protection gap, that is why the Government remains focused on the development of a sustainable, planned, and risk-based approach to managing flooding. We are investing in climate adaptation measures to manage the impacts of extreme weather, to protect Ireland’s present and future generations.
The Government remains committed to protecting Ireland’s present and future generations by investing in climate adaptation measures to manage the impacts of extreme weather. Accordingly, €1.3 billion has been committed to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan (NDP) to 2030. This will protect approximately 23,000 properties across various communities from river and coastal flood risk.
My Department is currently engaging with multiple stakeholders on the development of a long-term strategic approach to the provision of flood insurance, to consider potential solutions, specific to Ireland, to increase the availability and affordability of flood insurance. This work will build on the extensive research undertaken by the Central Bank of Ireland into the nature and scale of the Flood Protection Gap in Ireland, which identified that approximately 5% of buildings in Ireland that have limited access to flood insurance. An update on this work and the other specific actions in the Plan will be provided at the upcoming Cabinet Sub-Group on Insurance Reform, which I chair.
Where Government has invested in flood defences, industry should improve the level of cover in areas where flood defences exist. Work is being progressed through the working group between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Insurance Ireland. Furthermore, officials in my Department, the Department of Housing Local Government; along with other stakeholders engage constructively with this process on how the levels of insurance cover might be improved in areas where flood defence works have been completed.
We will also continue to monitor developments at EU and international level to understand what other countries are doing in relation to flood insurance. These matters remain a priority for the Government and efforts continue to be made to encourage a responsive approach from the insurance industry.
292. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated full year costs, if the stamp duty on credit and debit cards was capped at €2 per year per card. [11483/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the estimated cost from abolishing Stamp Duty on credit card accounts is available in the Ready Reckoner which is published on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/ready-reckoner/index.aspx.
Further, it is tentatively estimated that the cost of capping the stamp duty at €2 per year per credit card account (the Stamp Duty on credit cards is charged per account, not per card, so where two or more credit cards cards are issued for one account, only one Stamp Duty is applied per annum) is €47 million. This is estimated by taking the estimated cost of full abolition from the Ready Reckoner and assuming the current, uniform €30 Stamp Duty paid per credit card account is reduced to €2.
I am further advised by Revenue that it is not possible to cost a capping of Stamp Duty at €2 per year per card on debit cards, as the Stamp Duty collected reflects the various rates and limits which apply to debit cards and the underlying data in respect of the number of debit cards is not available on Revenue’s statistical reporting systems.
293. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is aware of an error in 2025 and 2026 tax clearance certificates (details supplied); the action he is taking to ensure this does not happen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11499/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to Deputy O'Callaghan's question, I would like to restate that the State Pension (Contributory) is subject to income tax under Section 126 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. While paid gross to recipients, it is liable to income tax but exempt from USC and PRSI. Additional payments such as bonuses follow the same tax treatment.
Revenue has informed me, in advance of each tax year, a Tax Credit Certificate issues to all individuals in receipt of PAYE income (employment or occupational pension) outlining the allocations of their tax credit and rate band entitlements. If an individual is also in receipt of the State Pension (Contributory) from the Department of Social Protection (DSP), this income is also included on their Tax Credit Certificate.
For individuals with both a State Pension (Contributory) and other sources of income such as an occupational pension, Revenue confirms that the mechanism used to collect the tax due on the gross DSP payments is by reducing the individual’s annual tax credits and rate band by the annual amount of their DSP income. Tax due on both the DSP income and any additional income will therefore be deducted from the additional income.
Revenue has advised me that they initially annualised the State Pension (Contributory) over 54 weeks in 2025 anticipating 54 payments similar to 2024 - which included an extra bonus payment.
Following the Budget announcement in October 2025, it was confirmed that only 53 payments would be made in 2025, Revenue immediately amended the Tax Credit Certificates of recipients of the State Pension (Contributory). These within-year amendments issued on a cumulative basis - allowing any overpaid income tax to be automatically refunded through recipients' occupational pension or employment payroll.
Regarding tax year 2026, Revenue has informed me that there are 53 payments due to recipients of the State Pension (Contributory) this year and Revenue have factored-in an additional Christmas Bonus payment. Consequently, the State Pension (Contributory) is annualised by 54 weeks on their records, as reflected on their Tax Credit Certificates.
Finally, Revenue has confirmed there is no legislative basis within the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 for the payment of interest in this matter.
294. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if the design for a flood relief scheme for Athy, County Kildare is progressing on schedule; if funding for the project will be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11126/26]
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. Since 2018, and working with local authorities, the OPW has trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning and construction. The Government has committed funding to support the delivery of flood relief schemes under the National Development Plan to 2030.
Kildare County Council is the lead authority for the delivery of Athy Flood Relief Scheme to protect 99 properties. The OPW is funding 2 staff members in Kildare County Council to lead the delivery of flood projects across the county.
Engineering and Environmental Consultants were appointed to the Scheme in July, 2023. The development of Athy Flood Relief Scheme is overseen by a project Steering Group with representatives meeting monthly from the OPW and Kildare County Council. There are five distinct and related stages in the scheme development. Aligned to the decision gateways of the Infrastructure Guidelines these stages are assessing the flood risk and identifying options; seeking planning consent, detailed design, construction and maintenance. Public consultation forms part of the design and planning stages and the project website available on floodinfo.ie provides updates on the schemes progress.
The first public participation day event took place on the 27th February, 2024 and a second public participation day was held on the 24th July 2025 to present the emerging options for the scheme. The scheme is progressing on schedule with the next public participation day to present the Emerging Preferred Option to the public scheduled to take place in Q2 2026. Submission of the scheme to planning is scheduled for Q1 2027.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the 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 within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The OPW expect to advise Local Authorities of the revised criteria and details for the scheme shortly, including an increase in the funding limits for each project from €750,000 to €2m.
Since 2009, OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €1.78 million to County Kildare for some 7 projects.
295. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation given the Committee recommended that currently known and expected overruns should be incorporated into and reflected in all budgetary documentation, and that supplementary estimates should not be used regularly, his plans and associated timelines for this to be the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11619/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for his question.
Budget 2026 set out a gross total voted expenditure ceiling of €117.8 billion. This reflects an increase of €8.4 billion or 7.7% over the end-2025 expenditure figures. This level of investment will provide for transformative critical infrastructure to support the delivery of housing, strengthen Ireland’s competitiveness and economic resilience, sustain our economic growth, and enhance our public services to deliver improved outcomes for the people of Ireland. For context, this compares to growth in gross voted total spending of €5.7 billion or 5.5% between 2024 and 2025.
Budget 2026 was informed by the findings of Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, published in August 2025. The budget strategy was developed using a whole of budget approach, which places a strong emphasis on the totality of expenditure, linking investment to improved outcomes, and prioritising value for money.
The extent to which expenditure overruns facilitated through supplementary estimates should be incorporated into future years budgets risks embedding inefficiencies into the base and undermines the need for meaningful reforms to be developed and implemented. Budget 2026 placed a strong emphasis on reforms and efficiencies, and these are set out in detail for each Vote Group in Part II of the Expenditure Report 2026.
In addition, last year my Department published Circular 18/2025, which set out the value for money obligation on all civil and public servants. It highlighted the roles and responsibilities in the delivery of value for money, as well as the robust guidance, codes of practice, and circulars underpinned by legislation and informed by best practice in the pursuit of value for money. It is the responsibility of the Accounting Officer for each Department to ensure that they manage expenditure sustainably and in accordance with this allocation.
In December of last year, the Government published the Medium-Term Fiscal and Structural Plan. Grounded in the Programme for Government, the plan sets fixed expenditure ceilings out to 2030, with total spending increasing from €117.8?billion in 2026 to €147.3?billion in 2030. For this level of funding to deliver on the commitments set out and prioritised by Government in the Programme for Government Departments must adhere to these ceilings. This will require firm expenditure discipline, robust internal oversight and risk-management arrangements, and the avoidance of in-year policy decisions that create additional cost pressures and the need for supplementary estimates. This performance will be monitored by my Department and reported monthly through the Fiscal Monitor. The Fiscal Monitor is published on the third working day of each month and sets out both gross and net year-to-date current and capital expenditure figures for each vote group. The report also details expenditure against profile as well as year-on-year performance.
As we begin the year and the implementation of Budget 2026, we remain focused on delivering value for money, strengthening our public services while moderating current spending and focusing investment on the critical infrastructure needed to improve living standards for our people and enhancing our competitiveness. As set out in the January Fiscal Monitor which was published on Thursday 5th February, spending is 5.1% higher than it was this time last year – within the overall budget parameters of 7.7% growth for this year. Careful expenditure management across all departments is critical to ensuring we can deliver on our Programme for Government commitments this year and over the medium term.
296. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the new netting on parts of the roof of the National Gallery; the initial cost approved; the expected cost; when it will be completed; when the final account will be agreed and completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11128/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to the details outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 412 of 27 January 2026, I wish to advise the Deputy that the work is ongoing with the final element scheduled for completion in Q1 2026. The estimated cost to install the netting is €20,000 (excl. VAT). A final cost cannot be provided until the work is complete and final account is agreed and completed.
297. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department will repair damage to a private road in County Kerry (details supplied) following their flood defence works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11154/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has a statutory duty to maintain Arterial Drainage Schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995 as amended, and maintains these schemes in proper repair and effective condition under section 37 of the Act. The extent of these Arterial Drainage Schemes and the channels for which the OPW has maintenance responsibility can be viewed at the following link: www.floodinfo.ie/map/drainage_map/#
OPW South-Western Drainage Maintenance section have confirmed that in the course of maintaining embankment E2 on the River Maine Arterial Drainage Scheme, which is located in the Rathpooke East area, local roads were used to access and transfer embankment material. Records indicate that the section of road referenced in your question was used up to July 2023, and that localised repairs were made to the road whenever required. OPW South-Western Drainage Maintenance section have confirmed that the road was left in an acceptable condition. The OPW, therefore, are no longer responsible for the condition or repair of this road.
298. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if there is a canteen in his Department headquarters; and if the Minister can provide assurances that all meat sold or provided in that canteen is of Irish origin. [11187/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that there is no serviced canteen in my Department's headquarters.
