Written Answers Nos. 311-323
311. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update regarding investment in critical infrastructure in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15931/26]
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.
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.
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 and with relevance to Carlow, there are plans to deliver critical network projects such as the Carlow town Energy Masterplan and grid upgrades -part of the €3.5 billion national investment (2026-2030) and two waste water treatment upgrades at Carlow town and Graiguecullen and the replacement of water mains at Tullow. Further investment in education with new school buildings at Presentation De la Salle Carlow and in the Further Education sector at South East Technical University Carlow and the Carlow Institute of Further Education.
312. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation provide an update regarding investment in critical infrastructure in Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15932/26]
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.
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.
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 and with relevance to Kilkenny, there are plans to deliver critical network projects such as improvements to the local transport plan and active travel projects in Kilkenny and continued investment in the walking and cycling infrastructure. In the energy sector investment continues at the Castlebanny Wind Farm which is expected to contribute over €7.5 million to the local community over its lifetime. Planned investment in the education sector at St. Patricks School Kilkenny, Bennettsbridge N.S and S.N Chiaran Naofa Ballyhale in the Further Education sector through the FET College Major Capital Programme at the Kilkenny- Carlow ETB Kilkenny Campus and under the Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade programme at the Thomastown Campus.
313. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on flood relief schemes in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15933/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra314. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on flood relief schemes in Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15934/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra315. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of flood relief scheme commencements in Carlow and Kilkenny 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. [15935/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 313, 314 and 315 together.
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.
The OPW and Carlow County Council are currently in discussion to progress the development of a further flood relief scheme for Carlow Town to augment the existing scheme to protect a further 35 properties. The current scheme protects 185 properties from the risk of flooding. In addition to this, the OPW has engaged consultants to produce a Scheme Climate Change Adaptation Plan (SCCAP) for the existing Carlow Flood Relief Scheme. This work is expected to be completed before the end of 2027. 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.
Under the national programme for flood relief schemes, due to constraints on available professional engineering skills, work has yet to commence on the design of some 50 Tranche 2 flood relief schemes. These include the schemes for Leiglinbridge in county Carlow and Inistioge and Thomastown in county Kilkenny.
County Kilkenny
Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch FRS
The Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme commenced in March 2020. The Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch flood relief scheme was submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála on the 12th December, 2025 for planning consent. Expenditure to date on this scheme is some €3.17m
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. Expenditure to date on this scheme is some €1.18m
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.
Piltown and Freshford
The OPW is piloting a new delivery model for flood relief schemes through four Tranche 2 schemes in counties Kilkenny and Donegal, which is referred to as the Tranche 2 Pilot. There are two Tranche 2 Pilot schemes in County Kilkenny (Freshford and Piltown) and two schemes in County Donegal (Donegal Town and Letterkenny). The Tranche 2 Pilot is transferring 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. The Pilot means that data gathering, where feasible, may be scaled up from individual communities to all schemes in a county. The Pilot will better inform the prioritisation of future schemes nationally and the scope of services required from consultants to design and facilitate construction of flood relief schemes. The design of these schemes, being delivered through this pilot, 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.
316. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation when the Ordinary Summer Level (OSL) for Tarmonbarry Upper Lough was set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15991/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra318. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation where the minutes of meetings held daily/weekly to determine the amount of water to be released through Ardnacrusha and the Old River Shannon are available; the persons involved in these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15993/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 318 together.
Water levels on the River Shannon are managed by the ESB and Waterways Ireland. Information on the management of water levels is available at rivershannongroup.ie/management-of-water-levels/.
Water levels on the River Shannon are managed, to the greatest extent possible by those bodies, through the operation of gates and sluices at the outlets of the three major lakes and the operation of sluices and weirs at Jamestown, Roosky, Tarmonbarry and Meelick.
On a day to day basis, water levels on the Shannon are managed in accordance with agreed protocols between Waterways Ireland and the ESB. There is daily communication and a co-ordinated approach between those two bodies in this regard. Water levels on the Shannon are monitored on a daily basis, along with weather forecasts. This informs decisions around sluice opening and closing procedures and the operation of weirs, within the agreed protocols.
Tarmonbarry Upper Lough
Waterways Ireland has advised that the navigation depth upstream of Tarmonbarry Lough was calculated at the time of construction (circa 1840’s) based on the level on the upstream cill of the lock and allowing sufficient water depth upstream for vessels in the navigation channel.
Ardnacrusha
The ESB has advised that during normal operations all the water arriving at Parteen weir is passed through either Ardnacrusha station or down the old Shannon channel.
There is a minimum flow of 10m3/s through the old Shannon channel. All remaining water, arriving at Parteen Weir, up to a maximum of 400m3/s passes through the Ardnacrusha station.
When the amount of water arriving at Parteen Weir exceeds the maximum throughput of the Ardnacrusha station, excess water is passed through the old Shannon channel. The ESB has advised that this is only done when it is unavoidable and decisions are made daily by the ESB. .
This video ( youtu.be/AFhyeiraylkInformation ) illustrates how water flows through Ardnacrusha Station and Parteen Weir, while further information on levels and flows is published here esb.ie/what-we-do/generation-and-trading/hydrometric-information.
317. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the reason meeting minutes for the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group have not been updated on the website since 31 October 2024; the number of meetings which have taken place since then, and if the minutes can be updated on the website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15992/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group, which is chaired by the OPW, holds two meetings per year.
Minutes are published on the groups website: rivershannongroup.ie/meeting-minutes/.
The group met on 30 April and 15 October in 2025. The minutes for 30 April 2025 meeting are available to view. The minutes were offline for a short time as part of a web accessibility audit.
Minutes of the most recent October meeting will be published online when approved at the next group meeting which is scheduled for 22nd April 2026.
319. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will reform the work permit regulations concerning the visa process for non-EEA dental nurses allowing them to practise in the jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15759/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s economic migration policy is designed to address verified and ongoing skills shortages across the economy. The system is vacancy-led and is managed through the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL) and the Ineligible Occupations List, both of which are reviewed on a regular basis by my Department.
A new review of the occupation lists is currently under way. This review commenced with an open public consultation, which closed on 19 September and attracted a wide range of submissions, including from stakeholders from the dental health sector. The role of Dental Nurse is not currently eligible for an employment permit and its eligibility is being considered through engagement with the Department of Health - which has policy responsibility for the dental sector - and the Interdepartmental Group on Economic Migration Policy.
My Department has worked in close cooperation with the Department of Health to ensure that the employment permits system is aligned with the national objective of meeting the health and dental service demands. This engagement is focused on evaluating current service level and availability and identifying alternative pathways aimed at contributing domestically to addressing any shortages of skilled candidates in all health services in addition to access through the employment permits system where justified.
In considering changes to the occupation lists, my Department assesses not only labour-market evidence but also wider whole-of-Government factors. These include the potential impact of inward migration on housing demand, transport capacity, healthcare, and other public services.
My Department is currently finalising the outcome of the review, and the updated occupation lists will be published in the coming weeks.
I remain committed to ensuring that the employment permits system continues to be responsive, evidence-based, and aligned with key national priorities including, importantly, the delivery of essential health and dental services.
320. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if the decision to delay the introduction of a living wage will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14632/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to the progression to a living wage, set at 60% of median hourly wages, during its lifetime.
At the outset, it is important to highlight the Government’s continuing commitment to fair wages for the lowest paid workers in our economy, and the very real progress we have made in raising the National Minimum Wage in recent years by way of substantial increases.
Since 2020, the National Minimum Wage has increased by 40%, from €10.10 to today’s rate of €14.15 an hour.
In 2024, there was a significant uplift of 12%, or €1.40 in the minimum wage, and in 2025 the minimum wage increased by €0.80, an increase of over 6%.
At the start of the year, the National Minimum Wage increased again by €0.65, which represents a further 4.8% increase.
These increases were and are well ahead of inflation and have brought about substantial real wage growth for the lowest paid workers in our economy.
Last year, as part of measures designed to bolster business resilience and support competitiveness, the Government agreed to adjust the timeline for the progression to a living wage until 2029.
This decision should be considered in the context of the recent significant increases in the minimum wage as outlined above, and the progress achieved in reaching a living wage set at 60% of median wages. In their 2025 Annual Report, the Low Pay Commission estimated that the 2025 National Minimum Wage of €13.50 represented 59.97% of median wages using Central Statistics Office Structure of Earnings Survey data, or 56.33% of median wages, using Central Statistics Office Labour Force Survey data.
The Low Pay Commission, when making its recommendation for a National Minimum Wage, has a statutory obligation to have regard to and report on several factors such as changes in earnings, income distribution and the likely economic effects of any recommendation.
The Government carefully considers the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission when determining the appropriate National Minimum Wage and the progression to a living wage.
321. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether there is an Oireachtas liaison email address for the National Standards Authority of Ireland which sits under his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15773/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and its agencies are committed to providing an efficient, timely, professional, and courteous customer service. The table below sets out the relevant email addresses for Oireachtas members to contact the NSAI, an agency under the aegis of my Department.
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Agency |
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National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) |
oireachtasmembers@nsai.ie or info@nsai.ie |
322. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which the new tourism policy A New Era for Irish Tourism will support tourism development in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15954/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2025, my Department published the National Tourism Policy Statement, A New Era for Irish Tourism. This five-year strategy provides a clear framework to guide the development of tourism over this period. A central aim is to deliver greater regional balance so that counties like Carlow can benefit from a strong and competitive tourism offering.
A Tourism Policy Oversight Group will be established to oversee implementation and report on progress. This group will comprise representatives from Government, tourism agencies, industry bodies, local authorities and other strategic partners.
Current initiatives in Carlow includes work on the Carlow DEDP, a five-year sustainable tourism development plan, which commenced in September 2025. Fáilte Ireland anticipates that the plan will be completed in late 2026, subject to the timely completion of the required environmental assessments.
Furthermore, the Barrow Tourism Masterplan will be delivered under a strategic partnership between Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland. Waterways Ireland will lead on the project and also Chair the project Steering Group. The Masterplan will set out a long-term, sustainable tourism vision for the River Barrow corridor, and substantial progress is expected during 2026.
Fáilte Ireland continues to support tourism businesses in Carlow to identify and capitalise on growth opportunities. The “Digital that Delivers” programme, which supports digital transformation within the sector, has awarded a total of €311,855 to Carlow businesses, comprising investment grants and direct supports such as diagnostics, mentoring and training.
Festivals and events remain central to enhancing the visitor experience. The Pan Celtic International Festival and other events in Carlow have received regional festival funding in recent years. Carlow County Council also secured €500,000 under the Destination Towns scheme, funded through Project Ireland 2040, to develop Carlow’s visitor appeal. The upgraded project was officially launched in April 2024.
For 2026, Fáilte Ireland will continue to prioritise the following areas to support Carlow tourism:
• Sustainability and the Carlow Garden Trail:
Building on the sustainability programme, Fáilte Ireland will work with members of the Carlow Garden Trail to strengthen the sustainability narrative in their marketing and help position Carlow as a leading sustainable tourism destination.
• Industry Capability and Business Growth:
Ongoing engagement by Fáilte Ireland with local industry will focus on building capacity, enhancing capability, and supporting actions that directly contribute to business and destination growth.
• Business Clusters and Collaboration:
Clusters identified in the Carlow DEDP will be supported to foster collaboration, share best practice, and access tools and information to develop high quality visitor experiences.
• Key Account Management:
Fáilte Ireland will continue to work closely with selected key tourism businesses in Carlow, identifying business critical challenges, generating insights, and converting opportunities into revenue growth and enhanced visitor offerings.
The National Tourism Policy Statement, A New Era for Irish Tourism, demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring counties like Carlow can continue to grow sustainably, attract year-round visitors, and deliver wider economic and community benefits across the region.”
323. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which the new tourism policy A New Era for Irish Tourism will support tourism development in Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15955/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2025, my Department published the National Tourism Policy Statement, A New Era for Irish Tourism. This five-year strategy provides a clear framework to guide the development of tourism over this period. A central aim is to deliver greater regional balance so that counties like Kilkenny can benefit from a strong and competitive tourism offering.
A Tourism Policy Oversight Group will be established to oversee implementation and report on progress. This group will comprise representatives from Government, tourism agencies, industry bodies, local authorities and other strategic partners.
In April 2024, Fáilte Ireland launched a Destination & Experience Development Plan (DEDP) for Kilkenny which represents a five-year sustainable tourism development plan so that all stakeholders are aligned under a shared vision. Fáilte Ireland are working closely with Kilkenny County Council, Kilkenny Tourism and key tourism stakeholders and businesses to implement this important plan for Kilkenny.
Current initiatives taking place in Kilkenny includes project funding which has been provided under Fáilte Ireland’s Large Capital Grants Scheme. Fáilte Ireland has allocated €4.5 million for the Medieval Kilkenny Experience, opening the historic Tholsel to visitors for the first time. This interpretive experience will include the Tholsel, Medieval Mile Museum, and St. Mary’s churchyard. This is expected to open in Q1 2027 with the aim of drawing visitors from Kilkenny Castle into the city centre, boosting spend, jobs, and the overall visitor experience.
The "Ireland, Home of Halloween Strategy" developed by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, and Tourism Northern Ireland, positions Ireland as the authentic global home of Halloween. Through the Home of Halloween Destination Development Scheme, €2.1 million will be invested in seven locations from 2025–2028, with Kilkenny among the recipients. This scheme seeks to deliver immersive experiences, extend the season into October–November, and stimulate regional economic growth.
Platforms for Growth 2 is a Fáilte Ireland National Capital Investment Scheme which aims to deliver best in class permanent water sports facilities in up to 19 sites across Ireland, opening between 2025-2028. Kilkenny County Council has grant approval of €1.2 million for the development of one of these new water sports facilities on the River Nore in Kilkenny City. The facility will have hot and cold showers, a changing area, secure storage, induction space and accessibility enhancements. Kilkenny County Council is currently finalising a planning application for this facility to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The "Digital that Delivers" initiative operated by Fáilte Ireland drives digital transformation in tourism businesses. Total funding awarded to Kilkenny under this initiative is €1,029,718.56. This figure includes investment grant funding & direct supports (inc. diagnostics, training & mentoring) since 2021. Festivals and events also remain vital to the visitor experience. Through the Regional Festivals Programme and Strategic Festivals Fund, 15 Kilkenny festivals benefited last year, receiving €128,000, which is managed by Kilkenny County Council.
These investments and strategies collectively aim to enhance Kilkenny’s tourism offering, to extend the season, create jobs, and deliver memorable visitor experiences while supporting sustainable regional development.
The National Tourism Policy Statement, A New Era for Irish Tourism, also demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring counties like Kilkenny can continue to grow sustainably, attract year-round visitors, and deliver wider economic and community benefits across the region.
