Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the position regarding the Natural History Museum; the date on which it is now expected to reopen; the cost expended on the project to date; and if he will clarify whether works are progressing on schedule. [40398/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe redevelopment of the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History is being progressed under the National Cultural Institution (NCI) Investment Programme as set out in the Department of Culture, Communications and Sports’ (DCCS) National Development Plan. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is working with DCCS and the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) to deliver on the refurbishment of the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History. As Contracting Authority, technical lead and custodian, the OPW play a crucial role in the maintenance and conservation of the Natural History Museum and lead on the delivery of this major redevelopment.
Constructed in 1856, the Natural History Museum requires a full refurbishment of the building to ensure that the building is protected, conserved, and made accessible for future generations. The building has not been the subject of a substantial renovation and modernisation, and there are many structural, service and occupational deficiencies. The refurbishment project will address long-standing issues with respect to the building fabric, structural integrity, mechanical and electrical services, compliance with contemporary health, safety and fire standards and accessibility. This will enhance the museum experience and engage visitors with the Museum’s unique collection and role in addressing biodiversity loss and climate change.
The redevelopment of the Museum is managed in line with the provisions of the Infrastructure Guidelines and Capital Works Framework Agreement, as well as the Governance and Operational Arrangements agreed between the Department, the NMI and the OPW for the NCI capital investment programme.
In 2022, approval was granted by DCCS for the Preliminary Business Case and for the project to proceed to the next phase. In 2023, approval was then granted to proceed to the design phase of the redevelopment project and a design team were procured by the OPW in April 2024. The Museum closed in September 2024 to enable a full decant of the collection before commencement of investigative works. This involved the Dead Zoo decanting to the former riding school at Collins Barracks. This allowed collections from the temporarily closed Natural History Museum to remain accessible to the public. The remaining collection is currently off-site in storage.
Throughout Stage 1 of the project, the design team carried out investigative works which involved surveys and opening up works to assess fabric condition and structural integrity to inform the scope of the main capital investment project. This was in tandem with a rigorous and robust design and development process. Following Steering Group approval in April 2026, the redevelopment project is now at Stage 2 of the CWMF, which will focus on design development, planning permission and subsequent detailed design and development of a procurement strategy.
At this stage of the project, it is not possible to provide a definitive project programme, as the final timeline remains dependent upon securing necessary approvals, statutory compliance processes, completing detailed design work, and the conclusion of the procurement process.
The OPW spend to date on the project is €1,301,816.04 (incl. VAT).
62. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the Government's position regarding the maintenance of pension parity between retired teachers and serving teachers in the context of future public sector pay agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40401/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, I have overarching responsibility for pension increase policy in the public service and I address the portion of your query relating to that below.
The Pension (Increase) Policy Act 1964 provided for ministerial discretion on the application of pension increase policy, without a prescribed methodology for how these increases would apply. The Single Public Service Pension Scheme does not apply this method, but applies pension increases in line with increases in the Consumer Price Index as provided for by the scheme rules.
The principle of “pay parity” emerged as the preferred method of public service pension increase over time; and involves adjusting the occupational pensions of public service pensioners in line with increases applied to the wages or salary of the pensioner's grade at retirement.
The current version of the pay parity policy was used to apply public service pension increases from 1986 to 2010. It was then used in recent years in conjunction with rules regarding "FEMPI" restoration, and to apply pension increases directly after restoration was achieved.
Notwithstanding that pay parity has been the method used for increasing pensions in payment over a substantial period of time, the ministerial discretion under the Act allows for the Minister of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to introduce an alternative method.
I have signed off on pension increases based on the principle of pay parity to the end of the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 which runs until 30 June 2026 and covers the public service. It is expected that my officials and Trade Unions and Staff Representative Associations, who represent current public service employees, will engage in negotiations in relation to successor agreement in the period ahead. It would not be appropriate to comment on matters that may form part of that process.
63. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the extent to which the Office of Public Works is reviewing the environmental and ecological impacts of ongoing maintenance under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945; if his attention has been drawn to the detrimental impact of historical drainage schemes on salmonid spawning habitat, specifically the loss of wetted area and the degradation of riverbed substrate; the timeline for when these schemes will be addressed or modernised to align with the State's obligations under the EU Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40408/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW has a statutory duty to maintain in proper repair and effective condition arterial drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, as amended. Arterial drainage maintenance is an ongoing programme of works of a cyclical nature.
These maintenance works are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, through a range of environmental assessments, including Strategic Environmental Assessments, Appropriate Assessments and Ecological Assessments, supported by widespread stakeholder consultation. Further information on environmental activities and associated environmental assessments and studies are available on the OPW website, www.opw.ie
To inform its maintenance activities the OPW also works closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including the National Parks and Wildlife Services, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), Local Authorities Water Programme and other interested stakeholders.
The OPW engages closely with IFI on a number of service level agreements aimed at compiling data and experience with a view to improving water and habitat quality within the arterial drainage network of channels. The OPW has developed environmental management processes and specific working procedures that support terrestrial habitats.
64. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if a schedule of contracts will be provided that his Department and bodies under his aegis have had with an organisation (details supplied) and/or its subsidiaries; the value of each; the type and/or name of each project; if any project has been abandoned, paused, put on hold and completed; if any projects over ran on cost and delivery; and if so, the details of same. [40423/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that neither my Department nor any of the bodies under its aegis have had any contracts with the named organisation and / or its subsidiaries.
65. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the details of the team within the Office of Public Works currently assigned to the Turoe Stone project; the roles and responsibilities of those involved; if a dedicated project lead or project manager has been appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40432/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW is currently reviewing the detailed design for the display and protection of the Turoe Stone to ensure that it is in-keeping with the parameters set out in the original scope for the project. Once this review is complete it is planned to seek Ministerial Consent for the works. Thereafter, the project can proceed to tender.
It is not possible to give an exact timeline for this process but this project is a priority for the OPW in 2026 and a team is actively working on it.
The teams currently assigned to the Turoe Stone project are as follows:
The Design team under the instructions of the Assistant Principal Architect is made up of a Senior Architect and Architectural Assistant. They are responsible for the design of the proposed enclosure along with ensuring all permissions and consents are in place.
An Assistant Principal Officer is in charge of the Administration team which is made up of one Higher Executive Officer and one Executive Officer. The Administration team are responsible for procurement, to include tendering for a company to complete the enclosure for the Turoe Stone. The remit of the Administration team is also to liaise with all stakeholders in the project to ensure delivery of an approved structure for the Stone.
66. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the position regarding flooding prevention (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40467/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe removal of a sewerage pipe is a matter for Uisce Éireann and, hence, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage may wish to reply further on this topic. I will briefly outline some matters relevant to Kenmare and other areas in County Kerry.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) completed the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the largest study of flood risk in the country, which studied the flood risk for some two thirds of the population. The 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans were a key output of the CFRAM study, which identified some 150 additional flood relief schemes to protect at-risk communities, including Kenmare and other areas in County Kerry. The OPW is working closely with Kerry County Council to implement a number of initiatives in the county, and the OPW is currently funding three local authority staff in the Council to manage the delivery of flood relief schemes.
Kerry County Council is leading the delivery of the Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme, which will protect some 235 properties against the risk of flooding. The optioneering process is underway, and emerging design options to defend against the risk from flooding will be brought to the public and stakeholders for their views in the coming months. In advance of the Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme, riverbank works were carried out, and this work has proven to be successful in that area.
Localised flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and a Local Authority may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. Local Authorities may also apply to the OPW for funding for flood mitigation and coastal protection works under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
On Monday of this week, 25th May 2026, I was pleased to announce that details of the revised criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme are available, and greatly increase the scope of the Scheme to provide local authorities with a greater opportunity to address localised flood and coastal erosion risks within their administrative areas. The revisions include an increase in the upper threshold in funding for projects from €750,000 to €2m and an increase in the OPW contribution from 90% to 95% for approved funding above €300,000. Further revisions include the relaxing of some economic criteria which lowers the required threshold for viable solutions. The full details of the revised scheme are available on the OPW website, www.opw.ie. I also announced the details of the allocation of €3 million in funding to local authorities, including Kerry County Council, to expedite their efforts to remove river conveyance blockages.
67. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if there are any circumstances where consideration will be given to the addition of a new project in the National Development Plan 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40707/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NDP Review 2025 was published on 22 July 2025, in line with the Programme for Government commitment. The Plan committed €275.4 billion in public capital investment to 2035 – the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State.
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.
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 and future commercial opportunities.
Departmental allocations under the NDP have been committed to up to 2030. This is to support multi-annual funding. While there are no plans to change the capital allocations made, Government has committed to another NDP review in 2028.
68. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation when he will issue a final determination in respect of An Post pensioners’ IDRP submissions before his Department; the reason for the delay beyond the standard three month response period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40761/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra69. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the expected timeline for conclusion of outstanding An Post pension disputes referred through the IDRP process; when pensioners can expect a formal outcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40763/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra70. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department is adhering to Ombudsman guidance on timelines for pension dispute resolution; and if delays such as the An Post pension scheme case are being reviewed. [40767/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 69 and 70 together.
I propose to take PQs 40761/26, 40763/26 and 40767/26 together.
The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (the FSPO) generally require individuals with complaints in respect of their pension to give a reasonable opportunity to their pension provider to deal with the matter raised under the relevant IDR process before the FSPO accepts their case. A specific timeframe for this is not defined.
Circular 16/2020 ‘Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) procedure for pension appeals in relation to beneficiaries/disputed beneficiaries of pre-existing civil service pension schemes and of certain public service pre-existing pension schemes’ applies in the case of pre-existing public service pension scheme disputes in
(i) civil service; and
(ii) public service, where I as Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation have a role in making the appeal determination.
While Circular 16/2020 does not specify that it applies to pension schemes in Commercial Semi-State Bodies such as An Post, in practice my department requires that Circular 16/2020 is applied where such scheme rules provide for a right to appeal to me as Minister.
Circular 16/2020 specifies indicative timelines for both Stage 1 and 2 of the IDR/appeal process set out in that circular (in respect of decisions to be made, submission of documents and issuing of a determination). These time limits are not statutory, and it is understood that it is not possible to meet these timelines in all cases.
Further, an appeal cannot be considered until all documentation required to assess the matter being raised has been received. In such cases, my department engages with the parent department who submitted the appeal, in order to obtain the necessary documentation to progress that appeal. The indicative timeline of three months under Circular 16/2020 for a Notice of Determination to issue in respect of Stage 2 appeals as set out under Circular 16/2020 does not begin until all necessary documentation has been received.
In order to provide fair and due process to all individuals who submit an appeal under Circular 16/2020, where practicable, pension appeal cases are progressed in chronological order.
While multiple appeal cases are under consideration at the same time, the time for completion for each case varies. For example, where there is significant complexity involved, a need to collate a large volume of documentation, documentation which dates back over a number of years/decades, or a need to consult with multiple different parties a Notice of Determination in respect of one appeal may issue prior to another appeal received at any earlier date.
The above is the case in relation to a number of pension appeals received in respect of An Post, with An Post appeals submitted to my department by Department of Culture, Communications and Sport being received on various dates and with varying levels of complexity.
There are several An Post appeal cases which are under consideration and Notices of Determinations will issue in respect of these in as soon a timeframe as possible. I can assure the deputy that every effort is made to progress appeals in as quick a time as possible.
71. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 19 May 2026, to provide a breakdown of the expected spending cuts as a result of recent overspends in the Department of Education and Youth, in euros, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40795/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government agreed a Medium Term Fiscal Structural Plan (MTFP) in December last year. This set out expenditure ceilings for the period to 2030. It provides for significant uplifts in expenditure over the coming years, with gross voted spending to reach €147.3 billion in 2030. As set out in the MTFP the ceiling for 2027 will increase to €125.5 billion. This is an uplift of €7 billion over the 2026 expenditure ceiling of €118.5 billion. Delivery of the MTFP over the medium-term horizon will require enhanced expenditure control, avoidance of in-year decisions with carryover costs for subsequent years and robust oversight mechanisms.
In April, Government agreed that additional funding of €646 million will be provided to the Department of Education and Youth in 2026. To accommodate this reprioritisation and deliver on the 2027 ceiling agreed under the MTFP, other Departments have been asked to deliver a levy focusing on efficiencies and reforms which will total €446 million from 2027. This should be considered through the lens of an overall uplift of €7 billion for expenditure in 2027. It will not impact the 2026 allocations.
The delivery of reforms and efficiencies supports adherence to the fixed expenditure ceilings set out in the MTFP. It reflects the need to moderate the rate of expenditure growth across other Departments to facilitate Government’s decision to reprioritise and provide additional investment to the Education sector within the agreed overall fiscal framework out to 2030. The scale of the efficiencies to be found ranges from 0.02 per cent to 1.4 per cent on the 2026 current expenditure funding across all other Vote Groups.
The distribution of the levy across Departments has been designed to protect certain areas including:
• Social Protection Vote Group non-pay allocation;
• Department of Health pay allocation;
• Specialist Disability Services subhead in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality;
• Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Group pay;
• Housing, Local Government and Heritage Group non-pay and
• Pension funding across Votes.
My Department wrote to Secretaries General of other Departments, following the Government decision, informing them of the need to identify efficiencies and reforms and that this would form a key element of the Estimates engagement for Budget 2027. It is a matter for each Department to determine how the levy will be applied across the Vote Group and identify the efficiencies and reforms required to ensure this. My own Department will also be undertaking this process in accordance with the requirements. The table below sets out the level of levy that will apply to each Vote Group.
|
- |
Levy Amount, €m |
|
Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
26 |
|
Children, Disability and Equality Group |
42 |
|
Climate, Energy and the Environment |
3 |
|
Culture, Communications and Sport |
11 |
|
Defence Group |
12 |
|
Enterprise, Tourism and Employment |
8 |
|
Finance Group |
10 |
|
Foreign Affairs and Trade Group |
18 |
|
Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science |
53 |
|
Health Group |
175 |
|
Housing, Local Government & Heritage Group |
5 |
|
Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Group |
39 |
|
Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Group |
10 |
|
Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht |
5 |
|
Social Protection |
6 |
|
Taoiseach's Group |
5 |
|
Transport |
18 |
72. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the extent to which his Department has considered the impact of the timing of Employment Regulation Order increases on businesses; if consideration has been given to aligning such increases with the start of the calendar or financial year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40389/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraJoint Labour Committees (JLCs) are independent in the exercise of their functions. Once a JLC adopts proposals for an Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for a sector, it will submit them to the Labour Court for consideration. The Labour Court will then make a decision on the adoption of the proposals. If the Court decides to adopt the proposals, a copy is presented to the Minister for decision.
Accordingly, the timing and phasing of any proposed increases under an Employment Regulation Order are matters for the relevant Joint Labour Committee (JLC) which comprises representatives of both employers and workers with an Independent Chairperson.
Importantly, under legislation, the Minister's role in the ERO process is clearly defined. "As soon as practicable" after receiving a copy of the proposals from the Labour Court, where the Minister is satisfied that Sections 42A and 42B of the Industrial Relations Act 1946 (as amended) have been complied with, and where the Minister considers it appropriate to do so, the Minister will make an Employment Regulation Order giving effect to the proposals; or should such an Order be refused to be made, the Minister notifies the Court as to the reasons why.
Accordingly, the timing for the coming into force of pay increases under an ERO are primarily driven by timelines operated to by the relevant Joint Labour Committee and then the Labour Court, with the Minister obliged to decide on each ERO presented to him as soon as is "practicable" thereafter.
73. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if a schedule of contracts will be provided that his Department and bodies under his aegis have had with an organisation (details supplied) and/or its subsidiaries; the value of each; the type and/or name of each project; if any project has been abandoned, paused, put on hold and completed; if any projects over ran on cost and delivery; and if so, the details of same. [40416/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither my Department nor its Offices have contracts with the named organisation or any of its subsidiaries.
Agencies under my Department's remit have been asked to reply directly to the Deputy on this matter.
74. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment e steps being taken to develop a national battery strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40710/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently developing a new green growth industrial strategy, which will build on the successful delivery of actions under Powering Prosperity - Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy and respond to a clear demand within the green technology sector for a broader industrial policy covering the wider renewable energy system. This strategy is earmarked for publication later this year.
The new strategy will take a holistic view of the renewable energy system and will have a core focus on supporting companies developing certain green technologies linked to the renewable energy system, including innovation and in-company research and development, and building the required supply chain for their deployment.
A public consultation to inform the development of the new strategy concluded in March 2026 and officials in my Department are analysing the submissions and conducting further targeted consultation, with insights from this process informing the ongoing development of the green growth industrial strategy. The consultation invited views on a broad suite of green and emerging technologies that could potentially benefit from strategic-level intervention, including storage technologies such as batteries. Key stakeholders in the development of the new strategy will include the enterprise development agencies – Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland supports a number of companies operating across the battery and energy storage value chain, including:
• Li-Gen designs and manufactures customised lithium-ion battery systems for industrial and commercial applications.
• Battery Associates provides specialist advisory services, market intelligence, and supports collaboration across the battery sector.
• Lumcloon Energy develops large-scale battery storage and flexible energy projects.
• Activ8 Solar Energies and Enerpower deliver solar and integrated battery storage solutions for residential and commercial customers.
Ireland benefits from strong research capabilities in battery technologies, including the AMPEiRE research facility at the University of Limerick. Enterprise Ireland supports collaboration between industry and academia through commercialisation funding, collaborative research programmes, and support for spin-out development.
IDA Ireland’s 2025-29 strategy, Adapt Intelligently, includes a focus on new growth opportunities. The strategy targets 1,000 investments to drive new R&D spend of €7 billion, new job creation of 75,000, the upskilling of 40,000 people, and a 35% reduction in IDA client carbon emissions. IDA Ireland’s existing grant supports aim to attract investment to Ireland and to drive productivity and competitiveness. Among these are Green Capital grants to promote competitiveness enhancing investments in decarbonisation and energy efficiency, as well as RD&I grants, training grants, and employment and capital grants for clients in eligible regional locations to support investment in new job creation and expansion of activities.
Ireland’s approach to batteries is set within a broader energy storage policy framework designed to support renewable electricity integration, grid stability, and the transition to a net zero economy. The National Electricity Storage Policy Framework (July 2024) establishes the State’s approach to energy storage. It supports the development of a renewable-led electricity system, contributes to emissions reduction targets, and enhances grid resilience. Key measures include market reforms to enable storage participation, the planned procurement of approximately 500 MW of long-duration storage, and a technology-neutral approach that supports batteries alongside other storage solutions. This is reinforced by the Electricity Framework 2024, which sets out a pathway to a secure, flexible, and decarbonised electricity system. The framework supports the development of the battery sector by facilitating increased renewable generation, strengthening grid infrastructure, and enabling the integration of energy storage technologies.
Ireland’s strategic focus is on developing strengths in battery systems integration, energy optimisation software, and specialised high-value applications. Battery systems play a critical role in storing surplus renewable energy, providing grid stability services, and supporting electrification.
At EU level the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) include measures to support the development of a variety of technologies/industries. The NZIA establishes a framework of measures to strengthen Europe's net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem. There are 19 technologies in scope, including energy storage technologies, and the Act aims to facilitate investments in manufacturing these green technologies. My Department continues to progress implementation of the Act.
The IAA, while still under negotiation at EU level, aims to de-risk private investment by reducing regulatory uncertainty through faster, more predictable permitting while creating lead markets that provide early, reliable demand for EU-made green technologies through tools such as public procurement.
Together, the NZIA and the IAA aim to strengthen Europe’s green industrial base by aligning supply-side manufacturing support with demand-side market creation.
75. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of available places in special schools for 13-15 year-olds within the Lucan school planning area; the schools in which these places are available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40350/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra76. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of available places in special schools for 13-15 year-olds across west Dublin and Kildare; the schools in which these places are available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40351/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of available places in special schools for 16-18 year-olds within the Lucan school planning area; the schools in which these places are available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40352/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra78. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of available places in special schools for 16-18 year-olds across west Dublin and Kildare; the schools in which these places are available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40353/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 76, 77 and 78 together.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
A list of all mainstream and special schools is available on my department's website on gov.ie. In addition, a list of schools with special classes; broken by location and class designation is available on the NCSE [website].
There continues to be an increasing need to provide additional special school places to support students with complex needs. To meet this need, sixteen new special schools have been established in recent years, and capacity has been expanded in a number of others. Five of these were established for the 2025/26 school year in counties, Cork, Dublin (2), Monaghan and Tipperary.
I recently announced the establishment of four new special schools for the upcoming school year 2026/2027; a vital step in ensuring that children and young people with special educational needs have access to the specialist supports and environment they need to thrive and reach their full potential.
The four new special schools will be located in Balbriggan and Citywest in Co. Dublin, Bray in Co. Wicklow, and Monasterevin in Co. Kildare.
When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible. Where this is not possible in a region, the department and NCSE will consider the need to establish a new special school.
Under the Education Act, 1998 each school must publish an Admissions Policy and an Annual Admissions Notice. The published admission policy sets out the selection criteria for admission to school. The annual admission notice sets out the number of places that are available and the timeline for accepting and processing applications for admission.
This information should be published on the school’s website and be available on request by contacting the school directly.
Enrolments to individual schools are managed by a school’s board of management.
Parents may apply to enrol their child in a school of their choosing. Enrolments to schools are a matter for each board of management and parents apply directly to schools, therefore, the information requested by the Deputy is held at a local level.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to achieve their full potential.
79. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has assessed the number of teachers who remain in fixed-term employment contracts for five years or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40359/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to information held by the Department, 264 teachers have been employed on fixed-term employment contracts for a period of five years or more. This data does not include teachers who are employed by ETBs.
As set out in an explanatory booklet published by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, under the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003, where an employee is employed by his or her employer or associated employer on two or more continuous fixed-term contracts, the aggregate duration of those contracts may not exceed 4 years.
Where a term of an employment contract purports to limit the term of the employment
contract of employees as set out in the legislation or the guidance document mentioned above, in contravention of the above rules set out in the legislation,
that term shall be void and of no effect and the contract concerned shall be deemed to be one
of indefinite duration – a permanent contract.
However, the above-mentioned rules do not apply where there are objective grounds justifying the renewal of a contract of employment for a fixed term only. An objective ground may, for example, be covering for a staff member absent on approved leave (with the exception of Career Breaks/Secondments).
It is a matter for each school/ETB as the employer to ensure that they are in compliance with the relevant legislation. In particular, schools/ETBs should ensure that any objective ground set out where a school/ETB has not offered a Contract of Indefinite Duration, is applied appropriately and in-line with the legislation.
As set out in Department Circulars 20/2026 and 21/2026, a teacher may qualify for the award of a CID on completion of one year of continuous service where the has satisfied the relevant criteria set out in the circular and the school has a viable post available.
80. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has assessed whether current CID and panel rules are limiting access to permanency for long-serving teachers; if there has been a review of how continuity rules across multiple schools operate in practice; if reforms are being considered to ensure more transparent and accessible pathways to permanency for experienced teachers; if her Department has assessed that the current framework fully reflects the objectives of fixed-term worker protection legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40360/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Haddington Road Agreement (The Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 – 2016)
provided at Appendix 5 for Collective Agreements in the Education Sector. Specific provision
was made for a consideration of fixed-term and part-time employment in teaching as follows:
“Fixed-term/part-time employment in teaching:
An Expert Group will be established to consider and report on the level of fixed-term and part-time employment in teaching, having regard to the importance for teachers of employment stability and security and taking account of system and school needs and Teaching Council registration requirements.
Arising from this, my Department published Circulars 23/2015 and 24/2015 which reduced the qualification period for the award of a CID from a period of three years of continuous service to a period of two years of continuous service, subject to satisfying the required criteria and where the school will have a viable post available
In April 2025, my predecessor, Minister McEntee announced that the criteria for eligibility for a CID would be further reduced from the period of two years to a period of one year of continuous service, subject to satisfying the required criteria and where the school will have a viable post available. Circulars 20/2026 and 21/2026 gave effect to the revised criteria.
The reduction in the qualifying period was introduced with the aim of helping teachers to place their careers on a more stable footing much sooner than before and to provide additional employment certainty to them.
