Written Answers Nos. 1-30
1. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update regarding investment in critical infrastructure in the west of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9699/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the budgetary process each year, my Department sets overall expenditure ceilings for each Ministerial Vote Group. These are laid out at Vote level in the Budget Day Expenditure Report published in October with further detail provided in the Revised Estimates for Public Services published in December.
Following the allocation of each Ministerial Expenditure Ceiling, it is a matter for each Minister to assign funding as appropriate at programme and subhead level for their Departments and the agencies under their remit, accounting for the demands for services in different areas and regions and having regard to demographics and other relevant factors. Within this process, both current and capital expenditure are allocated on a Departmental basis and not a geographic basis.
More broadly, the achievement of balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government and is at the heart of Project Ireland 2040, which includes the National Planning Framework (NPF), which sets out the overarching spatial strategy for the next twenty years, along with the National Development Plan.
Since Project Ireland 2040 was first launched in 2018, the Government has overseen the delivery of many impactful NDP projects across the country, including the West of Ireland – for example Enterprise Centres in Boyle and Tulsk in Roscommon and in Belmullet and Swinford in Mayo, the N59 Moycullen Bypass and the Salmon Weir Bridge in Galway and the Killaloe Bypass in Clare, and heritage and tourism projects in Portumna in Galway and Aghleam in Mayo.
The NDP Review 2025 was published on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, in line with the Programme for Government commitment. The Plan committed €275.4billion in public capital investment to 2035 – the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State.
Arising from this, €19.1 billion in Exchequer capital investment will be provided in 2026. On Budget day, Ministers set out the capital projects and programmes that they will prioritise within their allocation in 2026.
In recent weeks, individual Ministers have developed sectoral level plans, for priority investment programmes and projects within their additional capital allocations for delivery across the country. Considering sectoral needs and Ministerial decisions, these plans reflect Government priorities, including the National Planning Framework commitment to balanced regional development.
The plans published to date include planned investment and projects across the country, including a range of projects in the West of Ireland such as
• Uisece Eireann upgrades of water and wastewater treatment plans in Lough Mast and Claremorris in Mayo
• 35 social and 310 affordable new housing units in Crowne Square in Galway
• New transport infrastructure with Bus Connects Galway, the Galway City Ring Road and the N5 in Roscommon
• And sports and community facilities with the Renville Sports and Community Centre and the East Galway Sports Campus
These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis.
Progress in achieving balanced regional development and detailing the delivery of the NDP is monitored through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and MyProjectIreland interactive map viewer. The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, and contains smaller investments such as schools, healthcare facilities and social housing projects. Search facilities allow users to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
In addition my Department also publishes the Project Ireland 2040 Annual Report and Regional Reports highlighting achievements and giving a detailed overview of the public investments that have been made throughout the country. These will provide the Deputy with even further detail on delivery under the NPD to date. These and other Project Ireland 2040 related documents can be found at [www.gov.ie/2040]
14. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of flood relief schemes commencements since 2020; the total cost of each to date per scheme; the average length of time spent in pre-planning consultation prior to each of these works commencing, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10558/26]
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 €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk. Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW, in partnership with local authorities throughout the country, to treble the number of schemes at design, planning or construction to some 100 schemes at this time.
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. This detailed process follows five distinct stages and their indicative average timeframes are as follows:
• Stage 1 – Scheme Development and Preliminary Design (average timeframe: 48 months);
• Stage 2 – Planning Process/Public Exhibition & Confirmation (average timeframe: 24 months);
• Stage 3 – Detailed Design (average timeframe: 12 months);
• Stage 4 – Construction (average timeframe: 36 months); and,
• Stage 5 – Handover of Works (average timeframe: 12 months).
Please note that the above timelines are averages and are indicative only and may vary significantly from project to project.
Nationally, 56 schemes have been completed to date which are providing protection to some 13,580 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion. Consequently, work to protect 80% of all at-risk properties nationally is completed or underway.
There are currently ten flood relief projects at Stage IV: Implementation/Construction. These projects will protect over 2,800 properties upon completion. There are a further nine projects that were at construction in 2020, or commenced construction since 2020, and have since reached substantial completion. These projects now protect over 3,800 properties. The table provided below details these projects, along with their current status and total expenditure to end of 2025.
Table 1. Flood Relief Projects at Stage IV: Implementation/Construction 2020 – 2026.
|
Scheme |
County |
Status |
Total Expenditure to End of 2025 |
|
Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme |
Westmeath |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
€31.5m |
|
Morell River Flood Management Scheme |
Kildare |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
€18m |
|
Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme |
Dublin |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
€7.6m |
|
Glashaboy (Glanmire / Sallybrook) Flood Relief Scheme |
Cork |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
€32.4m |
|
Poddle River Flood Alleviation Scheme |
Dublin |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
€8.7m |
|
Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Project, Cork |
Cork |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
€12.4m |
|
King's Island Flood Relief Scheme |
Limerick |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
€30.2m |
|
Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme |
Mayo |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
€9.7m |
|
Dublin City (River Wad - Phase 1B) Flood Relief Scheme |
Dublin |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
€2.9m |
|
River Mall (Templemore) Flood Relief Scheme |
Tipperary |
Stage IV: Implementation/Construction |
€18.7m |
|
Dodder Phase 2C, 2D, 2E Flood Relief Scheme |
Dublin |
Stage V: Handover of Works |
€21.9m |
|
Bandon Flood Relief Scheme |
Cork |
Stage V: Handover of Works |
€33.5m |
|
Ashbourne Flood Alleviation Scheme |
Meath |
Stage V: Handover of Works |
€11.5m |
|
Ennis (South) Flood Relief Scheme |
Clare |
Stage V: Handover of Works |
€18.9m |
|
Douglas (incl Togher Culvert) Flood Relief Scheme |
Cork |
Stage V: Handover of Works |
€26.4m |
|
Springfield Flood Relief Scheme |
Clare |
Stage V: Handover of Works |
€4.7m |
|
Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme |
Cork |
Stage V: Handover of Works |
€33.5m |
|
Ennis (Lower) Flood Relief Scheme |
Clare |
Stage V: Handover of Works |
€19.7m |
|
Westport (Cois Abhainn & Ashwood) Flood Relief Scheme |
Mayo |
Stage V: Handover of Works |
€1.7m |
15. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department will consider extending the occupational supplementary pension to employees who entered employment post-2013 and are mandated to retire early due to operational demands before reaching the age of the State pension. [2752/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Single Public Service Pension Scheme is a statutory Public Service Career-Average Defined Benefit Pension Scheme. It was established under the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.
The provisions of the Scheme are clearly set out in law. All new-entrant public servants hired after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Scheme. The introduction of the Scheme is instrumental in ensuring the sustainability of Public Service pensions, particularly in the context of improved life expectancy and rising public service employee numbers.
As the Single Scheme uses a career averaging model, a member's retirement benefits are based on a percentage of their pensionable earnings throughout their public service career. For each pay period, members accrue amounts towards their retirement benefits. The total accrued at retirement, with adjustments for inflation, determines their final retirement benefits. This is payable in addition to any Social Welfare pension entitlements.
Uniformed members - Firefighters, Prison Officers, Gardaí and the Defence Forces - have enhanced benefits that other Single Scheme members do not have. Uniformed staff can accrue more benefits over their expected shorter public service careers in recognition of their earlier retirement age.
When uniformed staff reach normal retirement age, they can retire and receive their retirement lump-sum and occupational pension benefit payments. While Single Scheme pension benefits are integrated with the Contributory State Pension, these benefits are separate and additional to any entitlement that they may have to the State Pension, which is paid from age 66 by the Department of Social Protection.
In 2024, Government enacted legislation to allow for an increase in the mandatory retirement age for uniformed staff to 62, if they wish to avail of it. It also allows uniformed staff to build up additional referable amounts towards their Single Scheme pension for additional years worked, increasing its final value.
A Supplementary Pension was never a feature of the Single Scheme, nor was it planned to be. No commitment has been made by Government in relation to supplementary pensions for Single Scheme fast accrual members.
16. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation when he will bring forward a public investment Bill; the rationale for the Bill; the likely objectives of such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10565/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn December 3 I published the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. It sets out a comprehensive programme of reforms to speed up the pace of infrastructure delivery in Ireland. It contains thirty actions grouped into four pillars, i) legal reform, ii) regulatory simplification, iii) delivery and, iv) coordination and public acceptance.
The reforms set out in the Action Plan have been developed in an evidence-based manner, incorporating feedback from extensive public consultation, and with expert advice and input from the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce. It is among the most ambitious action plans ever adopted by Government and is necessary to unlock serviced land for new homes, expand and decarbonise the electricity grid, reduce the time we spend in traffic and provide sustainable jobs.
Action 2 of the Report commits the Government to the development of a Critical Infrastructure Bill. The purpose of this Bill is to create a legal obligation for State bodies to recognise and accelerate key projects through planning, licensing, and other consenting stages.
In addition, the Bill will explore options during drafting for further reforms to assist with the acceleration of critical infrastructure. This legislation will be accompanied by governance arrangements to maintain and communicate a critical infrastructure projects list and track delivery outcomes.
As noted in the Action Plan, I intend to draft and publish this legislation in Quarter 1 this year.
17. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will request his senior officials review the current stages where various studies and reports that are required for a flood relief scheme are carried out consecutively and to endeavour to have as many of these done simultaneously to shorten the length of time it takes to complete schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10776/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra48. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to make the necessary changes for the provision of flood relief schemes, in order they can be expedited in a shorter period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10775/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra56. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the measures he is taking to improve Ireland's response to flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10762/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 48 and 56 together.
I am acutely aware of the significant impact of flood events on communities and have seen at first hand the impact of flooding on people, their homes, and their businesses across Ireland.
The preparations for, and the response to, major emergencies is a matter for the Principal Response Agencies – Local authorities, An Garda Síochána, and the HSE. Local authorities are the ‘lead agency’ for response to flooding events within their administrative areas. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, through its National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, is designated as the Lead Government Department with responsibility for co-ordinating the national level response to weather emergencies, including flooding.
The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group, which is chaired by the OPW, is co-ordinating Ireland’s whole of Government approach to flood risk management across three strategic policy pillars, which encompass a broad range of structural and non-structural measures:
• Prevention: e.g. avoiding construction in flood-prone areas,
• Protection: e.g. taking feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, to reduce the likelihood and impact of floods, and
• Preparedness: e.g. informing the public about dealing with flood risk and a flood.
Through this structure, the relevant Government Departments and other agencies are working together towards the delivery of the Government’s national flood policy. As the approach taken by the Group is sector led, the individual members each take responsibility for reviewing and developing further policy initiatives within their sector’s specialised area of responsibility with the sector-led policy initiatives being co-ordinated through the Group.
The OPW is leading an ambitious national programme to protect against risk from river and coastal flooding. Nationally, significant progress has been made. To date, the OPW has invested some €580m in 56 completed flood relief schemes, which protect 13,580 properties nationwide and provide an economic benefit in damages avoided estimated to be in the region of €2bn.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme provided the Government with the evidence necessary to launch a national programme of flood relief schemes in 2018. Investment through the National Development Plan, and working in partnership with the local authorities, has allowed the OPW to treble the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning, or construction to some 100 schemes. Thus, delivery of flood relief schemes is occurring at a significant scale nationally. The objective is the management of significant flood risk, with schemes being designed and built to a standard that protects areas against a 1 in 100-year flood event – and coastal areas against a 1 in 200-year flood event. Such events have a significant impact, and the term 1 in 100-year flood means there is a 1% chance of them occurring in any single year.
The OPW strives to expedite and progress capital flood relief works with the minimum delay. Nonetheless, the process is lengthy and detailed and follows a number of stages from feasibility through design, planning, detailed design, construction, and handover.
Any flood relief scheme needs to map and to understand the locations at risk of flooding and the flooding sources and constraints. This is achieved by extensive and wide-ranging surveys to understand the topography, hydrology, and environment of a community. Detailed technical analysis is required to establish the most appropriate solution, technically and environmentally, from a range of possible design options. Throughout all stages of the process, public consultation and detailed assessments of the environmental impacts are key to informing the design of a flood relief scheme for a community. The OPW and local authorities do not have powers to expedite schemes arising from the damage caused by flooding events, and the delivery of all schemes must meet both regulatory and planning requirements.
The stages and rigour adopted by the OPW to completing a scheme takes, by its nature, some 11 years to bring a scheme through design, planning, development, procurement, and construction. Overall, project delivery is a sequential process, with relevant work being progressed as efficiently as possible. For example, detailed design may commence while a scheme is going through the planning process. Where project studies and deliverables may be progressed concurrently, the OPW and its partners avail of every opportunity to do so.
The OPW and its delivery partners continually seek to enhance the delivery model for future flood relief schemes, with new approaches regularly being tested or trialled. A number of strategies and initiatives are in place or underway to facilitate this. Through Project Steering Groups and other mechanisms, the OPW and its delivery partners are constantly monitoring, knowledge-sharing, and enhancing the approach to improve the delivery of flood relief projects. The OPW is piloting a new delivery model for flood relief schemes through four Tranche 2 schemes in counties Kilkenny and Donegal. The Tranche 2 Pilot will transfer the management of data gathering, as a first step in designing a scheme, from consultant engineers for a single scheme to the local authorities for all schemes in the Pilot and, where feasible, within their areas of responsibility. The Pilot means that data gathering may be scaled up from individual communities to all schemes in a county.
18. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department plans to implement a national river management strategy to mitigate the impact of future severe weather events given recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10275/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s flood risk policy is focussed on the implementation of the Flood Risk Management Plans arising from the national Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme and bringing forward policies and measures, that can support individuals and communities to respond effectively to flood risks. The 29 Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), set out both structural and non-structural measures to manage the flood risk in the communities at potentially significant flood risk and elsewhere around the country.
The Government has committed €1.3 billion for the delivery of the FRMPs and flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the NDP to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk. Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW, in partnership with local authorities, to treble the number of schemes at design, planning and construction to some 100 schemes at this time.
Nationally, 56 schemes have been completed to date which are providing protection to over 13,500 properties and an economic benefit to the State in damage and losses avoided estimated to be in the region of €2 billion.
All new and ongoing flood relief projects require the preparation of a Scheme Adaptation Plan such that the design and implementation of the scheme takes the potential impacts of climate change into account with a view to ensuring that the scheme will provide for, or can be adapted to manage, the likely increases in future flood risk. The development of flood relief schemes under the OPW’s capital programme also involves a specific requirement to assess the potential for nature-based solutions as part of the overall solution to managing flood risk for a particular community.
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, individual property protection, the Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme, enhanced preparedness, and flood forecasting, is intended to address residual risks.
The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group co-ordinates national flood policy development and implementation. The Government Departments and State Agencies involved are each taking the lead to provide effective supports and policy measures within their areas of responsibility, and also with promoting and addressing community and individual responses.
The OPW is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and Flood Relief Schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended. The maintenance of all drainage schemes carried out under earlier Acts, known as Drainage Districts, is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority.
In general, responsibility for watercourses outside of the remit of local authorities and the OPW is a matter for the landowner(s) concerned who have an important role in ensuring that watercourses are managed and free flowing so that in extreme weather events the risk of flooding can be minimised.
19. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the critical infrastructure projects he is focusing on accelerating in Meath west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11091/26]
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.
The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Furthermore, while the achievement of balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government and is at the heart of the National Planning Framework (NPF) which sets out the overarching spatial strategy for the next twenty years, along with the National Development Plan, expenditure is allocated by sector. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery.
Departments have published sectoral investment plans setting out the capital projects to be prioritised from 2026 to 2030. These plans provide visibility of the delivery pipeline, giving construction firms the certainty they need to invest in hiring, training, and scaling their operations. This multi-year approach is designed to support industry planning and ensure that regional capacity can grow in line with demand. These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental webpage on the gov.ie website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis and with relevance to Meath, there are plans to deliver critical network projects such as two upgrades to the Navan mains water system under the Navan - Mid-Meath Water Programme, the Trim Water Treatment Plant Upgrade, and the N2 Slane by-pass (with catchment in the Meath West region). Further social infrastructure is referenced by sectors in their plans such as the redevelopment of Páirc Tailteann and a number of school and higher education projects.
In developing these sectoral plans, departments were required to demonstrate how their proposed investments align with the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF). This ensures that increased capital spending supports balanced regional development.
The Programme for Government set out the clear prioritisation for the NDP Review to ensure that investment can be maximised in the coming five years for strategic infrastructure. This includes the key energy, water and transport networks on which all future development relies. This is critical to allow Government to meet the additional 300,000 homes target and to support competitiveness.
These sectors, electricity, water and transport, were further defined as critical infrastructure in the Accelerating Infrastructure Actions Report published last December. The Plan sets out 30 targeted actions grouped under four pillars, each addressing a key area of reform, with legal reform noted as a core element for accelerating critical infrastructure projects across the country. This work will, among other measures, include increasing exemption thresholds for critical infrastructure, reform processes with agencies and regulators, advocating for a new approach to legislation at EU level and creating a duty for state bodies to co-operate in making land available and accessible for critical infrastructure.
20. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the flood relief schemes in progress or in planning for Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10690/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge and saw first-hand the impact of flooding in Carlow during Storm Chandra when I visited some of the affected areas in the town in recent days.
The Government is investing over €14m in new and existing flood relief schemes in Carlow.
The Carlow Flood Relief Scheme was initiated in 1996, following severe flooding in 1995, and was constructed from 2010 to 2013. The Scheme, which comprises flood defence walls and embankments along the River Barrow and Burren Stream, with a pumping station at their confluence, provides protection against a 1 in 100-year flood event (1% Annual Exceedance Probability). The Scheme was completed in two phases, in 2013 and 2014, and protects 185 properties. The OPW and Carlow County Council are currently in discussion to progress the development of a further flood relief scheme for Carlow to augment the existing scheme to protect a further 35 properties.
The OPW has awarded a contract to produce a Scheme Climate Change Adaptation Plan (SCCAP) for the existing Carlow Flood Relief Scheme. The SCCAP will be developed pursuant to National Climate Policy and the OPW’s commitments under the Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management (2019) to ensure that the scheme is readily adaptable to future requirements. This work is expected to be completed before the end of 2027.
Since 2018, and with funding from the National Development Plan, the OPW has trebled, to some 100, the number of flood relief schemes at design, planning or construction nationally. These are the first tranche of flood relief schemes to be progressed, as part of the overall national programme of some 150 flood relief schemes. The first tranche includes the project to augment the existing Scheme at Carlow that I have referenced.
A second tranche of schemes cannot yet be progressed at this time due to limited capacity in the OPW, the local authorities, and in the specialised consultancy market. A Tranche 2 project is planned for Leighlinbridge, in County Carlow, with an estimated budget of approximately €3.3m.
It is open to local authorities to apply to the OPW for funding for other localised flood mitigation works through the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to provide 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. Since 2009, the OPW has approved approximately €1.46m for 13 projects in County Carlow under this Scheme.
This includes the approval of a total of €790,181 for Minor Works projects in Tullow, which included the construction of walls, berms and flood gates along the River Slaney, the upgrade of a drainage system along Thom Traynor Road, and the installation of pumps and sumps. These works were completed in 2015.
21. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation cad iad na bearta atá déanta ag a Roinn ó 2021 i leith chun a chinntiú go mbeidh na forálacha d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 a bhaineann le 20% d'earcaigh sa Státchóras a bheith inniúlach sa Ghaeilge ó 2030 ar aghaidh fíoraithe [10914/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá mo Roinn ag tabhairt tacaíochta do chur i bhfeidhm Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, dhá mhíle fiche a haon (2021), lena n-áirítear an ceanglas go mbeidh fiche faoin gcéad (20%) d’fhostaithe na seirbhíse poiblí inniúil i nGaeilge faoin mbliain dhá mhíle tríocha (2030). Bímid i dteagmháil go gníomhach leis an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí (PAS) ar an gCoiste Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge, a bunaíodh i mí Meithimh dhá mhíle fiche a dó (2022), trí chruinnithe rialta agus trí theagmháil leanúnach.
Spreagaimid státseirbhísigh atá ann cheana go gníomhach chun oiliúint i nGaeilge a ghlacadh trí OneLearning. Seoladh sraith nua cúrsaí in dhá mhíle fiche a trí (2023), atá deimhnithe i bpáirt le Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge, agus tá breis is dhá mhíle (2,000) duine cláraithe leo cheana féin. Cuirfear cúrsaí nua ar bun in earrach na bliana dhá mhíle fiche a sé (2026), agus súil le thart ar cúig chéad (500) foghlaimeoir breise.
Táimid ag obair freisin le Ranna ábhartha chun feasacht maidir leis an nGaeilge a leathnú i gcláir OneLearning roghnaithe agus chun sruth Gaeilge a fhorbairt laistigh den phrintíseacht nua Gnó agus Oibríochtaí, agus an chéad fheachtas earcaíochta beartaithe do thráth níos déanaí i mbliana.
I gcomhpháirtíocht le PAS, táimid ag tabhairt tacaíochta do chomórtais thiomnaithe earcaíochta agus ardaithe céime d’iarratasóirí a labhraíonn Gaeilge. Ó dhá mhíle fiche a dó (2022), shann PAS os cionn céad seasca (160) cainteoir líofa Gaeilge thar raon leathan grád sa Státseirbhís, agus tuilleadh iarrthóirí ar an bpainéal nó á n-imréiteach faoi láthair. Tá coinne leis go leanfaidh an líon sannachán Gaeilge ag méadú, de réir mar atá iarrthóirí breise ar phainéil faoi láthair agus daoine eile ag dul ar aghaidh tríd an bpróiseas imréitigh.
I gcomhthreo leis sin, tá sé de chumas ag Ranna agus ag Oifigí Rialtais cainteoirí Gaeilge a earcú go díreach faoina gceadúnais earcaíochta áitiúla féin, rud a thacóidh a thuilleadh leis an bhfáil a bheidh ar an tallann Gaeilgeoirí d’ardchaighdeán ar fud na Státseirbhíse.
ENGLISH VERSION
My Department is supporting implementation of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, including the requirement that 20% of public service recruits be competent in Irish by 2030. We participate actively with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on the Irish Language Services Advisory Committee, established in June 2022, through regular meetings and ongoing engagement.
We actively encourage existing civil servants to take Irish language training through OneLearning. A new suite of courses, partly certified by Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge, was launched in 2023 and has already attracted more than 2,000 enrolments. Further courses will open in Spring 2026, with around 500 more learners expected.
We are also working with relevant Departments to expand Irish language awareness in selected OneLearning programmes and to develop an Irish-language stream within the new Business and Operations apprenticeship, with the first recruitment campaign planned for later this year.
In partnership with PAS, we are supporting dedicated recruitment and promotion competitions for Irish-speaking candidates. Since 2022, PAS has assigned over 160 fluent Irish speakers across a wide range of Civil Service grades, with more candidates currently panelled or in clearance. The number of Irish-speaking assignments is expected to continue increasing, as additional candidates are currently on panels and several others are progressing through the clearance process.
In parallel, Departments and Government Offices also have the capacity to recruit fluent Irish speakers directly under their own local recruitment licences, further supporting the availability of high-quality Irish-speaking talent across the Civil Service.
22. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the output measures being undertaken on infrastructure investments to ensure improved outcomes and outputs and not to focus purely on the investment in euros; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11101/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Development Plan Review 2025 set out €275.4 billion in public capital investment to 2035, which represents the largest capital investment programme in the history of the State. My Department has taken several steps, working across Government, to identify and mitigate risks to improve outcomes and outputs in all areas of NDP delivery.
Firstly, the allocation of capital investment through the NDP review prioritised investment in the critical growth-enabling sectors of water, energy, transport and housing. Investment in these sectors is critical to enabling the delivery of 300,000 additional homes and boosting our competitiveness. Clear prioritisation has provided for a structured and coordinated pipeline of the projects to be delivered, which manages labour constraints and allows for the building of expertise within sectors.
This has been supported by each department publishing a sectoral investment plan outlining their priority capital projects and programmes to be delivered over 2026 to 2030. Together with the publication of five-year annual sectoral capital allocations, this provides clarity to the construction sector and prospective workers as to the level of funding and investment over the coming years. This in turn provides greater certainty to the sector to invest in hiring and scaling to prepare commercial bids and deliver on the planned investment.
To guide the development of individual projects under the NDP, my Department also publishes the Infrastructure Guidelines. These guidelines set out the rules by which all state bodies can make their case for spending taxpayers money on capital projects. It is important to note that the focus of the areas required under these guidelines are not just limited to project costs but extend to project benefits and the skills in place to successfully deliver the project. The two key purposes are:
• To show value for money to the taxpayer, with a focus on project benefits, ensuring that projects do make economic and social sense.
• To set up projects for success, ensuring accuracy of costings and timelines for delivery.
The fundamental questions these guidelines ask relate to the demand and need for the project; the best way to deliver the project and a consideration of a reasonable amount of different options to deliver; what benefits will this project bring and do they outweigh the costs; the accuracy of the cost estimates; the governance and skillsets in place to deliver; and other risks that might there be associated with the project and how these can be mitigated.
Projects of different scales and complexity are treated differently within the guidelines; lower risk and cost projects do not need to provide the same level of detail as more complex projects.
Departments and agencies are responsible for bringing forward the cases for projects and setting out the benefits and services that these projects will bring. In the post-project delivery stage, they are also required to compile a post-project review to identify learnings for future projects and to carry out a benefits realisation exercise to ensure that the project is delivering on the outputs and outcomes that were set out in the original business case.
As part of the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan, my Department will work with the Department of the Taoiseach and key sectors to better capture and report on the benefits realised from projects delivered under the NDP, as set out in Action 30 of the plan.
23. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the status of his plans to fully digitalise key public services by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11084/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetter Public Services 2030 is the transformation strategy for the civil and public services and provides the overarching framework for my Department’s public service reform and digitalisation focus in the years ahead. This includes setting digitalisation and data policy for modernised service delivery and providing key features of the digital public service infrastructure that are relevant to the integrated and digital delivery of public services, driving the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, and ensuring digital inclusion.
In November 2025, I launched the Digital Public Services Plan 2030, which sets out Ireland’s roadmap to fully digitalise key public services by 2030, ensuring that 100% of these services are available online and 90% of applicable services are accessed digitally. Aligned with this Plan, my Department is delivering critical features of the digital public service infrastructure to improve the quality, consistency and interoperability of digital systems underpinning key public services.
The Plan identifies 189 key services across 17 life events, with phased redesign and integration scheduled in three waves: by Q4 2026, Q4 2027, and Q4 2028. To support delivery, we are rolling out enabling infrastructure including the Government Digital Wallet, Life Events Portal, and reusable digital building blocks.
Regarding implementation of the Plan, key service providers will retain responsibility for delivery against national and EU targets within their own service offering. Departments and PSBs will have responsibility for the digitalisation and integration of their services with associated life events in order to achieve EU and national targets, and for reporting of information to support monitoring and evaluation.
Life Event Lead organisations will coordinate efforts in relation to each Life Event and convene and chair the Life Event group meetings to support collaboration, knowledge sharing, and co-design of integrated services, and agree the harmonised programme of work to be undertaken by those within that Life Event to accelerate delivery.
We are also providing targeted supports through the Public Service Digital Transformation Fund, service design capability, and supports for AI adoption. Governance is overseen by the Public Service Leadership Board and Strategic Working Group for Pillar 1 of the Better Public Services Strategy, with nominated departments leading Life Event Working Groups. Monitoring and evaluation will be conducted biannually to track and report progress against these targets.
24. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether he has considered the approach set out in the UK’s recent Guidance on Contract Payment Information, which requires contracting authorities to publish contract payment information that links individual payments to the specific public contracts under which those costs were incurred (details supplied); whether a similar policy approach is under consideration in Ireland to align procurement and financial data so that the full cycle from tender, to contract award, to payment is visible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10993/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UK’s recent Guidance on Contract Payment Information is underpinned by Section 70 of the Procurement Act 2023. As the Deputy is aware, the Department is carrying out several reforms to ensure that all public officials have comprehensive guides based on expenditure management and accountability legislation to assist them in delivering public services efficiently and effectively.
Our main objective is to have transparency and tighter controls over Public Spending, and for procurement to be viewed and aligned, in the context of a tool for expenditure management and the Public Financial Procedures review.
A review of the public procurement process to make it more transparent is a priority for Minister Chambers and I, which is why we tasked our officials with drafting the national public procurement strategy which Minister Chambers will bring to Cabinet shortly.
Safeguarding Public Trust is a key pillar of this strategy, with a focus on using digital tools to enhance data capture and verification.
This work will be guided by the legislative reforms being prioritised at EU level in response to the Draghi report and the Letta report, which includes the revision of the Public Procurement Directives. Any policy considerations regarding legislation need to await the outcome of this regulatory review.
Notwithstanding the work at the EU level, all policy considerations must also support thewww.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/publications/accelerating-infrastructure-report-and-action-plan/ and the desired outcomes to remove obstacles, foster a culture of delivery, and regulatory changes to simplify and streamline Government procurement for the range of goods and services – from small but impactful procurement, as well as major infrastructure.
As the Deputy also knows, procurement is devolved across the 7,000 public authorities in Ireland, and each has their own approach to following the rules. This is why the guidance my officials develop is critical to assist public buyers. Transparency and value for money are key priorities in the Strategy, and over the lifetime of the Strategy, 2026 to 2030, officials will work to consider and implement guardrails for public expenditure, through revised Guidelines for Goods and Services.
To complement the Strategy my department is working to implement the vision in https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/1faeacaa/Public_Procurement_in_Ireland_-_A_roadmap_for_digital_development.pdf to support a number of priority outcomes in public procurement including increased efficiency and improved data generation and collection throughout all the stages of the procurement process.
Through initiatives like the Capital Works Management Framework and digital tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), we are setting higher standards and ensuring transparency in how major projects are delivered.
25. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on reforms aimed at improving efficiency across public spending programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10962/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for his question.
Improving efficiency across public spending programmes and securing value for money is crucial to the work of my Department.
Last year, my Department published the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, which is based on the three pillars of fiscal sustainability, spending adequacy, and spending efficiency. The third pillar of spending efficiency is focused on promoting value for money and ensuring that the government’s investment delivers tangible results.
Budget 2026 placed an increased emphasis on achieving value for money and improving spending efficiency. The budgetary strategy placed a strong focus on the totality on expenditure and clearly linking the increased investment in government schemes and services with the outputs that are to be delivered. As part of Budget 2026, Chapter 3 of the Expenditure Report book outlines a series of key reform proposals across Vote Groups. Sector specific reforms are outlined in each of the Vote Chapters.
Improving the efficiency of public expenditure is the responsibility of all civil and public servants. Last year, I published Circular 18/2025 which emphasised that value for money must be sought by civil and public servants at all levels and all stages of policy development. 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. Individual Accounting Officers in each Government Department are responsible for ensuring that their Department manages their allocation in an efficient and sustainable manner, and that the delivery of their public spending programmes represent value for money. My Department will shortly write to each Department to underscore the importance of adhering to their budget allocations, and of progressing their reform agenda.
My Department will continue to monitor and scrutinise expenditure trends across government to promote the efficient management of public expenditure and value for money. My Department engages regularly with Departments to assess expenditure trends and to assess the sustainability of spending plans to the end of the year.
My Department is currently carrying out a review of the Public Financial Procedures (PFP) with a view to further enhancing accountability requirements in terms of providing value for money and the efficient delivery of Government supports and services. The PFP sets out the principles of government accounting and is a practical guide to assist all officials in their day-to-day decision making on financial management issues. The review process is focused at developing the PFPs to better support officials in executing their responsibilities including but not limited to, budgetary discipline within the limits voted by Dáil Éireann, and evidence-based expenditure decisions. The review group will produce recommendations for a redesign and modernisation of PFP for implementation in 2026.
26. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on restructuring within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10964/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that senior management roles within my Department are revised in line with priorities as and when required. The most recent changes in my Department have focused on its Infrastructure Division. These changes reflect the priority associated with the Division’s work in the context of commitments to enhance the delivery of infrastructure in the Programme for Government, the Review of the National Development Plan last summer and the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan, which was published in December.
To support the delivery of these commitments and the implementation of the Action Plan report in particular, the recent changes to the Infrastructure Division involved the appointment of a Deputy Secretary to lead the Division. The Units within the Division are Infrastructure Delivery and Monitoring; Infrastructure Legislative Reform and Utilities; Infrastructure Regulatory Simplification; Construction Sector Capacity and Procurement; Transport Vote and Climate, Energy and the Environment Vote (including climate coordination); and Housing, Local Government and Heritage Vote Group. The Votes and climate coordination are overseen by an Assistant Secretary within the Division.
More generally, the Who Does What website (www.whodoeswhat.gov.ie) seeks to improve accountability and transparency in the Civil Service by providing details of who its senior managers are and what they do. In this context, the names and job titles of all staff at Principal Officer and above in my Department, including the Infrastructure Division, are available on that website.
27. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the flood relief schemes in progress or in planning for Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10689/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge and saw first-hand the devastation that flooding caused across county KIlkenny last week, when I visited some of the affected areas.
The Government is investing some €97m in flood relief schemes completed and underway across County Kilkenny. Kilkenny County Council is leading the delivery of four flood relief schemes for Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch, Ballyhale, Piltown, and Freshford in the first tranche of schemes and piloting a new national delivery model. The OPW is funding two staff in Kilkenny County Council to project manage the delivery of these schemes.
Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch FRS
The Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme commenced in March 2020. The Graiguenamagh-Tinnahinch flood relief scheme was submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála on the 12th December, 2025 for planning consent.
The flood relief scheme will include raised defences on the River Barrow along with raised defences and an upstream storage area on the River Duiske to prevent flooding. Where possible, new flood defence walls will replace existing walls throughout the scheme. These defences will protect properties from the 1% AEP (100 year) fluvial flood event. A total of 84 properties will be protected 31 Residential and 53 Commercial properties.
It is currently programmed to commence construction at the end of 2027 and it is expected to take two years to complete.
Ballyhale FRS
The Ballyhale FRS commenced in April 2020. The Ballyhale Flood Relief Scheme was submitted for Planning in May, 2023. Planning permission was granted with conditions on the 22nd August, 2024.
This scheme will include embankments, new channel, flood defences, removal of existing weir and some minor works on the existing Main Street Bridge. These flood relief measures will protect 28 properties, (20 residential and 8 commercial) from the 1% AEP (100 year) fluvial flood event.
This scheme has progressed to Stage 3 Detailed Design and Tender for Construction. It is programmed that construction will commence in 2026 with substantial completion of the scheme in early 2028.
Thomastown and Inistioge FRSs
While the proposed schemes in Thomastown and Inistioge are not in the first tranche of some 100 flood relief schemes being progressed, the OPW continues to liaise closely with Kilkenny County Council to ensure that the programme of flood relief projects identified for Co. Kilkenny is kept under review, and that all projects will be commenced as soon as possible.
Piltown and Freshford FRSs
The OPW is currently trialling a new national delivery model for flood relief schemes towards a more efficient means of delivering all 50 schemes in the second tranche of schemes. The pilot includes Kilkenny County Council trialling a new delivery model for Piltown and Freshford. The design of these schemes is at an early stage of data collection to inform the appointment of engineering and environmental consultants.
The OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, since 2009, has approved over €70m for some 900 projects that are mitigating flood risk to over 8,000 properties. This scheme that provides 90% funding, remains available and I will shortly be announcing the details on increasing the scope of this scheme, including increasing the funding available from €750,000 to €2m for each project.
This scheme is available to fund localised measures to all communities to manage flood risk from rivers and the sea. It is also available to introduce those interim measures that can mitigate the flood risk to those communities pending completion of a major flood relief scheme. At this time the OPW is delivering major flood relief schemes to some 150 communities.
Flooding during and since Storm Chandra came from multiple sources, including the river and the sea. For those communities impacted by this flooding event and where a major flood relief scheme is planned but not yet completed, I have asked those local authorities to set out a plan of all interim measures that can help mitigate flood risk from all sources. I expect to receive these plans over the coming weeks and I will update my Government colleagues of these proposals.
29. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will report on the first meeting of the Joint Utilities and Transport Clearing House to Accelerate Infrastructure Delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10567/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAction 21 of the https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/a1ef9433/Accelerating_Infrastructure_Report_and_Action_Plan.pdfaims to improve utility coordination at both a local and national level. The Joint Utilities and Transport Clearing House has been established to support the achievement of this goal.
The Clearing House brings together the lead Government Departments responsible for infrastructure with utilities, transport authorities, and representatives of local Government, to establish a structured forum where issues affecting the coordination and timely delivery of infrastructure can be discussed and resolved. The group has a clear mandate that will allow it to identify and address any structures and processes across Government that may impede the delivery of critical infrastructure. The initial work of the Clearing House will focus on identifying and addressing the most pressing administrative barriers to infrastructure development.
I addressed the first meeting of the JUTCH on 18th December, where we discussed the objectives and Terms of Reference of the group along with the draft work programme.
The following priority actions were identified:
Compile a list of key issues and bottlenecks based on input from clearing house representatives.
Identify existing working groups across the utility sectors that can be leveraged in solving identified bottlenecks, before creating new structures.
Following the mapping and identification of key issues, the work of the group will be focused on developing and implementing solutions to the strategic issues as identified.
The next meeting is scheduled for February 26th.
30. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the changes he is making to give certainty regarding long-term funding to State bodies involved in procuring long-term infrastructure projects for example Irish Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11100/26]
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.
The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery.
The NDP Review 2025 was published on 22 July 2025, in line with the Programme for Government commitment and is the State's medium-term plan for public capital investment. The NDP Review 2025 provided for public capital investment of €275.4 billion over the period 2026-2035. The review set out five-year Departmental capital allocations to 2030 and overall capital expenditure ceilings for the 10-year period to 2035.
The Programme for Government set out the clear prioritisation for the NDP Review to ensure that investment can be maximised in the coming five years for strategic infrastructure. This includes the key energy, water and transport networks on which all future development relies. This is critical to allow Government to meet the additional 300,000 homes target and to support competitiveness.
Following the allocation of the NDP Ministerial Expenditure Ceilings, it is a matter for each Minister to assign funding as appropriate at programme and subhead level for their Departments and the agencies under their remit, accounting for the demands for services in different areas and regions and having regard to demographics and other relevant factors.
Departments have published sectoral investment plans setting out the capital projects to be prioritised from 2026 to 2030. These plans provide visibility of the delivery pipeline, giving construction firms the certainty they need to invest in hiring, training, and scaling their operations. This multi-year approach is designed to support industry planning and ensure that regional capacity can grow in line with demand.
In developing these sectoral plans, departments were required to demonstrate how their proposed investments align with the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF). This ensures that increased capital spending supports balanced regional development.
These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental webpage on the gov.ie website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis, including associated rail projects.
