Written Answers Nos. 103-128
103. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth in relation to a school (details supplied), whether a new 2B form will have to be completed for the school to be included in the next tranche of National Development Plan projects. [51973/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers is currently at Stage 2b - Advanced Architectural Planning. The project is a completion project, which includes a Sports Hall that was to be completed as part of the original phased project.
The Design Team have prepared a Stage 2b submission which is under review within my Department. Any further requirements will be identified upon completion of that review.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6.9 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 school building projects along with over 4,000 small-scale improvement works to meet priority maintenance needs and advance energy efficiency and climate goal. In addition, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration. Circa 80% of new special classes in 2025/26 are being facilitated in repurposed classroom accommodation. This investment has delivered real benefits for school communities.
A total capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth has been confirmed for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
As part of the NDP Implementation Plan for the education and youth sector, a first tranche of projects to progress to tender and/or construction during 2026 and 2027 was published in January 2026. Prioritisation will continue to identify further tranches of projects to proceed to tender and construction over the NDP period, with stakeholder consultation which commenced in June 2026.
Our NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
I wish to advise the Deputy that over that period, the Department of Education has provided €1.9 billion million in capital funding for Dublin schools. Over this period, a total of 261 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. 20 school projects to go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027 were included in the NDP Implementation Plan. There are currently 54 school projects in Dublin under construction.
This summer, 53 schools?are approved to?undergo works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.
In addition, since 2020 a total of 536 special classes have been sanctioned in Dublin, of which 135 were sanctioned for September 2026.
104. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department will engage with a school (details supplied) in relation to the requirement to clear and secure a building site, triggered by correspondence from their insurers indicating that the school needed to engage a contractor to secure the building site as a matter of urgency. [51974/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Board of Management have been in contact with Department officials and provided documentation relating to clearing/securing the site.
I can confirm the matter is under review by the School Planning and Building Unit, and a decision is due shortly. The school will be notified accordingly.
105. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide the amounts by which her Department or agencies within the aegis of her Department that has been defrauded as a result of a cyberattack; and the total amount which has been recovered for each of the years 2021 to 2025, and to date in 2026. [51981/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe amount by which my Department has been defrauded as a result of a cyberattack is NIL for each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026.
The information in respect of State bodies under the aegis of my Department, within the scope of the Deputy's question, is not held by my Department. The relevant State bodies have been provided with the question and advised to respond directly to the Deputy.
My Department takes the security of its ICT systems and information very seriously and continues to implement appropriate cyber security measures.
106. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of concerns raised by persons regarding a staffing allocation issue at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52067/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary factor in determining the level of staffing resources allocated to an individual school is the applicable staffing schedule for the relevant school year, together with pupil enrolment as recorded on the preceding 30 September. The staffing schedule operates as a standardised allocation mechanism, using enrolment bands to determine the number of classroom teaching posts assigned to each school.
At primary level, the staffing schedule plays a central role in supporting the sustainability of schools by aligning staffing resources with enrolment patterns in a clear, consistent, and equitable manner, ensuring that schools of a similar type are treated uniformly, irrespective of location.
The enrolment at St. Corban’s National School decreased from 498 pupils in September 2024 to 460 pupils in September 2025. Based on an enrolment of 460 pupils, the school is allocated 19 mainstream classroom teachers for the 2026/27 school year.
Within the staffing arrangements (Circular 0025/2026), there are options available to schools to apply for additional staffing. Schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using the projected enrolment criteria. There is also a staffing appeals mechanism for schools to apply to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board, under certain published criteria.
Class sizes in schools are affected by a variety of factors including enrolment fluctuations and accommodation available.
Schools are best placed to determine the appropriate numbers in any class and so the configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level.
The Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account. School authorities should also, where possible, use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes.
107. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a primary school teacher can amend their application for parental leave, following an error made on the application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52134/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to your query regarding amending a primary school teacher's parental leave application retrospectively.
The Parental Leave Scheme for teachers is outlined in Circular 0054/2019 and Information Note TC/IN 0010/2023, and is regulated by the Parental Leave Act 1998, as amended.
The purpose of Parental Leave is to allow a teacher a period of unpaid leave to care for their child. A teacher is entitled to a maximum of 26 weeks Parental Leave in respect of each child up to the age of 16 years.
A teacher may avail of Parental Leave in blocks of at least one week up to the maximum of 26 weeks. Each period of Parental Leave must be a minimum duration of 7 consecutive days including weekends, school closures and days on which a teacher is not timetabled for attendance occurring within that period.
In certain circumstances a teacher may avail of Parental Leave in the form of individual days where a child has particular medical problems that require the attendance of a parent with the child at a hospital, clinic or therapeutic appointment on a regular basis. Please note that under the terms of the Parental Leave Scheme, these are the only circumstances that allow an employer to grant a special pattern of Parental Leave.
The terms and conditions of teachers employed in State funded teaching posts are formulated at the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC). The Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) forms part of the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers, the purpose of which is to provide a forum for claims and proposals relating to the salary, and other terms & conditions of service for teachers.
The Council is comprised of representatives from the Teacher Unions, the School Management Bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and the Department of Education and Youth. The TCC is independently chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The Parental Leave Scheme for teachers, as detailed in my Department's Circular Letter 0054/2019, exists by virtue of a collective agreement at TCC, as provided for under the Parental Leave Act (as amended).
In relation to the case you have highlighted, Circular 54/2019, chapter 5, paragraph 6.2 states: “The employer in granting Parental Leave should, 4 weeks prior to the planned commencement date, prepare with the teacher the confirmation document at Appendix B. This document constitutes a legal agreement between the parties. A teacher may revoke the application at any point prior to the signing of the confirmation document by both parties.”
Once the confirmation document has been signed by both parties, it is not permissible to retrospectively amend or cancel an application for parental leave. In cases where the BOM has approved a parental leave application, the employer must record the leave to correspond with the dates on the original application".
108. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 383 of 30 June 2026, if she will consider granting an additional SNA to a school (details supplied) provisionally from 1 September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52139/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn August 2022 due to the rapidly increasing arrival of Ukrainian and IPAS pupils a scheme of additional temporary special education supports was put in place to support schools with large Ukrainian/IPAS enrolments.
From the outset, the allocation of supports is based on graduated thresholds of Ukrainian/IPAS enrolments, and this remains the case today.
Schools where 15 or more Ukrainian/IPAS pupils are enrolled are allocated for SNA resources) based on a sliding scale maximum of 3 SNAs on a temporary basis.
The graduated allocation is based on the following table
|
No. of Ukrainian students enrolled |
Additional No. SNAs allocated |
|
15-29 |
0.5 |
|
30-35 |
1 |
|
36-45 |
1.5 |
|
46-54 |
2 |
|
55-64 |
2.5 |
|
65 |
3 |
This temporary allocation is reviewed ahead of each school term based on the enrolment thresholds and schools are advised where their enrolments meet the threshold.
The allocation approval letter issued each term clearly outlines to all schools who are entitled to additional temporary SNA resources based on enrolments numbers that the allocation ceased on a specific date at the end of the term.
In addition, the letter sent to the school for the first term of the 2025/26 school year outlined the following
It is important to note that these hours are allocated on a temporary basis only and the school should not create any permanent role on the basis of these temporary hours.
The hours are effective from 1st of September 2025 to 19th December 2025.
THIS TEMPORARY RESOURCE CEASES ON THE 19/12/25. ONLY SCHOOLS THAT QUALIFY FOR TEMPORARY RESOURCES FOR THE NEXT TERM WILL RECIEVE A LETTER OF CONFIRMATION CIRCA 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO END OF THE PRESENT TERM.
Where a school enrolment reduces below 15 the allocation ceases on the date outlined in the letter 19/12/2025.
The allocations to all schools will be reviewed in September 2026 and in case where a schools Ukrainian/IPAS enrolments increase to a relevant threshold they will be allocated the applicable resource before the end of September from then to the end of the term (Christmas 2026).
There has been ongoing engagement between the department and the school on the matter.
As the scheme is predicated on the actual enrolment data in a school at each review date it is therefore not possible to allocated on a temporary basis ahead of confirmed enrolments.
109. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will engage with a school (details supplied) to ensure that DEIS Plus students will not be negatively impacted by the loss of one mainstream class teacher this September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52180/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally. The staffing arrangements for the 2026/27 school year are set out in Circular 0025/2026. That circular contains information and application forms on the staffing appeals process, where schools may appeal their staffing allocation to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The appeal submitted by the school was unsuccessful. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
110. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the costs incurred by her Department for the delivery of training to staff on the Relate Framework in the 2025/2026 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52190/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the costs incurred by her Department for the delivery of the Relate Lead School Pilot in the 2025/2026 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52191/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together.
NCSE Relate is an evidence-informed framework designed by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). Any queries in relation to Relate should be addressed directly to the NCSE.
112. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the next steps for schools where a majority of respondents to her Department's primary school survey favoured a move to multi-denominational patronage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52263/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra113. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has provided guidance to schools on how to engage with parents and communities prior to the 31 October deadline to discuss the publication of her Department's primary school survey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52264/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra114. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if concerns were raised within her Department around the 31 October deadline and the practicality of the consultation period from September to October; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52265/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra115. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps being taken to ensure more non-denominational schools are being built across the country following the publication of the Department's primary school survey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52266/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 113, 114 and 115 together.
On 4 November 2025, my department published a 'Framework and action plan for delivery of increased choice for parents on education provision at primary level'. The main focus of this framework and action plan was an online, school-specific survey. The survey ran from 4 November to 16 December 2025.
Through the survey, my department has obtained clear information on the preferences of parents and guardians about the primary schools which their children currently attend, or will attend in coming years, on a number of important areas of primary school provision, including co-education or single-sex school provision, patronage/ethos and language (education through Irish or through English).
In early June, my department issued primary schools with their school-specific results and explanatory information setting out next steps and guidance, marking the next stage in the process of engaging school communities on the future direction of their schools.
All school-level reports have now been published on the gov.ie webpages by my department, alongside a national summary report including a county breakdown of the results.
Where the survey results show demand for change, Boards of Management have the opportunity to consider being included in the first group of schools to action the survey results, following a period of engagement and consultation with their school community (including their parents and Parent’s Association, Student Council, school staff and local community, including parents with children not yet in school). Schools have been asked to inform my department and their patron by 31 October 2026 if the school requests to be included in the first group of schools to action the survey results. The timeframe of 31 October is aimed at striking the balance between giving all schools time to reflect on their results and engage with their community, while leaving enough time for the schools who would like to change as part of the first group of schools, to be supported in doing so for September 2027.
The survey results are intended to support meaningful local engagement and informed decision-making at school level. My department will continue to support and engage with schools as they consider their individual results and next steps.
The first changes arising from this process are expected to be seen in schools from September 2027.
Regarding the establishment of new schools, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources, including CSO census data, child benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools.
New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.
Regarding actioning the Primary School Survey results, my department will support schools which request to be included in the first group of schools to change arising from the survey process, which is a very cost-effective method to add greater diversity to the school system compared to building new schools.
116. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the situation at a school (details supplied) regarding an extra junior infants class that was sanctioned for the school year 2026/27; if another schoolteacher will be provided for the sanctioned junior infants class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52317/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary factor in determining the level of staffing resources allocated to an individual school is the applicable staffing schedule for the relevant school year, together with pupil enrolment as recorded on the preceding 30 September. The staffing schedule operates as a standardised allocation mechanism, using enrolment bands to determine the number of classroom teaching posts assigned to each school.
At primary level, the staffing schedule plays a central role in supporting the sustainability of schools by aligning staffing resources with enrolment patterns in a clear, consistent, and equitable manner, ensuring that schools of a similar type are treated uniformly, irrespective of location.
The enrolment at St. Corban’s National School decreased from 498 pupils in September 2024 to 460 pupils in September 2025. Based on an enrolment of 460 pupils, the school is allocated 19 mainstream classroom teachers for the 2026/27 school year.
Within the staffing arrangements (Circular 0025/2026), there are options available to schools to apply for additional staffing. Schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using the projected enrolment criteria. There is also a staffing appeals mechanism for schools to apply to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board, under certain published criteria.
Class sizes in schools are affected by a variety of factors including enrolment fluctuations and accommodation available.
Schools are best placed to determine the appropriate numbers in any class and so the configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level.
The Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account. School authorities should also, where possible, use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes.
117. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the loss of revenue to the State if the TV licence was abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51968/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Revised Estimates 2026 (REV2026) are based on €121.8m in revenue arising from direct TV licence sales in 2026.
While the number of TV licences actually sold in 2026 won't be known until early January 2027, this amount (€121.8m) provides an estimate of the current full year loss of revenue to the State should the TV licence be abolished.
118. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide the amounts by which his Department or agencies within the aegis of his Department that has been defrauded as a result of a cyberattack; and the total amount which has been recovered for each of the years 2021 to 2025, and to date in 2026. [51979/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough the effective use of advanced technology and continual staff training my Department utilises a layered approach to cybersecurity. In addition to this the Department is in close contact with the National Cyber Security Centre who offer guidance and instruction regarding emerging threats and the ever changing cybersecurity landscape. Cybersecurity in respect of the bodies under the aegis of the Department is a matter for those bodies.
For the information of the Deputy, the Department is aware of a fraud which occurred in a service provider in receipt of grand funding during 2025. This case is still under investigation by the appropriate authorities and the Department awaits the outcome.
119. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the current status of the proposed An Post pension increase within his Department, including the stage it has reached in the approval process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52315/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
In accordance with the Act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both Ministers to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. Section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies Superannuation and Remuneration annex sets out that NewERA advice should be sought in respect of pension amendment proposals, as is appropriate in their role as commercial and financial advisors to the Ministers.
On 11 May 2026, An Post wrote to my Department requesting consent for an increase to pensions in payment and deferred pensions of 2%, arising from its agreements with employee representative groups. It is not possible, at this point, to set out the specific timeframe within which the decision-making process will be concluded by both shareholding Ministers in respect of increases submitted for consent. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place, however my Department is working closely with An Post and other relevant stakeholders to complete the process as quickly as possible.
120. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether local authorities are required to include youth hubs or youth spaces in new housing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51916/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe local authority development plan is the principal planning policy tool for planning authorities to set out their objectives in relation to the planning and sustainable development of their functional area.
Part 3, Chapter 5 ‘Development Plans’ of the Planning and Development Act 2024 commenced on 31 December 2025. When preparing a new development plan under the Act of 2024, planning authorities are required to prepare a strategy relating to creation, improvement and preservation of sustainable places and communities. This includes objectives for ‘the provision, or the facilitation of the provision, improvement, extension and preservation of amenities, facilities and services to meet the social, community, recreational and cultural requirements of the functional area’. The plan-making process is subject to independent oversight by the Office of the Planning Regulator in the performance of its statutory plans evaluation and assessment function.
In 2022, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage issued the Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). These guidelines require that when making zoning decisions, consideration must be given to the future availability of community and amenity services including social, recreational and cultural spaces. Section 7.3 of these Guidelines states that every Development Plan should include an objective for a ‘Community, Social and Cultural Infrastructure Audit’ for areas that are likely to experience significant new development and should have a clear evidence-based rationale for future requirements “in order to maximise the social return and community benefit generated by public investment by state agencies and others.”
The Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines (2024), also issued as Ministerial Guidelines in January 2024, state that planning authorities should plan for an integrated network of open spaces that meet the needs of the planned population. Policy Objective 5.1 of these Guidelines states that statutory development plans include an objective(s) relating to the provision of public open space in new residential developments (and in mixed-use developments that include a residential element). The requirement in the development plan shall be for public open space provision of not less than a minimum of 10% of net site area and not more than a minimum of 15% of net site area save in exceptional circumstances. These Guidelines state that public open spaces should be designed to cater for a range of active and passive recreational needs (including play, physical activity, active travel, cultural uses and community gardens and allotments, as appropriate to the context).
Under the provisions of Section 28 of Act of 2000 Planning Authorities are required to have regard to Ministerial Guidelines in performing their functions and to apply any Specific Planning Policy Requirements contained within the Guidelines. Whilst Section 28 of the Act of 2000 has been repealed, all current Ministerial Guidelines continue to have effect under Section 27 of the Act of 2024 until such time as they are replaced by a National Planning Statement.
Facilities may also be funded by development contributions schemes made by elected members under section 48 of the Act of 2000, and conditions attached to permissions requiring contributions to be made towards such schemes, may also include open spaces, and recreational and community facilities. In accordance with section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001, local authorities are independent in the performance of their functions.
121. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the amounts by which his Department or agencies within the aegis of his Department that has been defrauded as a result of a cyberattack; and the total amount which has been recovered for each of the years 2021 to 2025, and to date in 2026. [51987/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department acknowledges that IT security is fundamental in ensuring the safety and integrity of its systems, files and data. In recognition of this, cyber security is applied in line with best practise standards and frameworks in conjunction with advisories and guidance issued by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO).
While my Department acknowledges that there have been attempted cyberattacks, there have been no resulting financial losses to the Department.
My Department does not hold information in relation to this matter on state bodies under the aegis of this Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all such bodies to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. These bodies may be contacted directly at the email addresses set out in the Table below.
122. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the progress of the apartment and duplex defects remediation scheme legislation; the current timeline for publication and enactment of the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52058/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment approval was received on 18 September 2024 for the priority drafting of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill. The purpose of this legislation is to place the defects remediation Scheme on a statutory footing, further to commitments contained in the Programme for Government.
The Scheme will provide supports for the remediation of relevant fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. It is envisaged that 100% of eligible remediation costs will be funded under the Scheme.
Only defects that are attributable to defective design, defective or faulty workmanship, defective materials (or any combination of these) and were in contravention of the Building Regulations applicable at the time of construction will be eligible for inclusion in the Scheme.
The Scheme will not cover defects arising from the building not being adequately maintained, sinking funds not being adequately funded to replace building and safety systems when they expired nor later building work not being managed correctly, leading to defects.
The General Scheme of the Bill completed pre-legislative scrutiny in December 2025 and I received the Report from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage in January this year. I expect the legislation to be placed before the Oireachtas this year.
123. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of all funding applications made by Galway City Council for the development of affordable housing; the location of each site for which funding is sought; the number of affordable units at each location; the steps involved in the process of approving the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52086/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy, as embodied within the new housing action plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
The new action plan builds upon the significant progress made under our previous plan Housing for All, with over 22,000 starter home supports having been delivered from 2022 to 2025.
The Affordable Housing Fund is available to assist local authorities in the delivery of starter home solutions, where they identify significant affordability need. In terms of local authority delivery, Galway City Council has received funding approval to enable the delivery of 167 starter homes, with the support of the Affordable Housing Fund, across five schemes. A further scheme is currently under assessment (as is standard protocol), with the potential to deliver an additional 25 starter homes.
The Cost Rental Equity Loan Scheme (CREL) has also contributed to the delivery of starter homes in Galway, with 36 homes have been provided in Galway since its inception in 2021 to the end of 2025 (split between Claí Mór at Old Monivea Road (28) and Letteragh Road in Rahoon (8)). A further 108 CREL homes are due for delivery by the end of 2028, with further details on the location for these to be released closer to the time of delivery, for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
It is also worth noting that the First Home Scheme, which supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market, through the use of an equity share model, is also available to support eligible new home purchasers and has been availed of in the Galway City area.
Additionally, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports the purchase and refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties.
Both of these schemes have been, and will continue to be, availed of within Galway as an affordable pathway to housing, and in the case of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, as a valuable support in the tackling of the serious problem of vacancy and dereliction.
My Department, along with the Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office of the Local Government Management Association, continues to be available to advise and support all local authorities in providing starter home solutions that will respond effectively to identified affordability needs in their areas.
124. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status and plans for the recently purchased lands at Dowth Hall, Dowth, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52105/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Masterplan is currently being finalised, which will outline how Dowth National Park will be operated and managed in the coming years. It is intended that the draft Masterplan will be issued for public consultation during the second half of this year.
Once the Masterplan is adopted and options are assessed, a phased approach to providing access to the National Park will be put in place.
125. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 17 June 2026, the homeless prevention supports referred to; the percentage of the €513.5 million in current funding of local authorities that is allocated to each "homeless prevention support", detailing the amount to Meath County Council; whether particular prevention supports are referenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52109/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities on homeless services including on prevention measures are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place. Each region submits an annual expenditure programme to my Department and my Department approves a funding allocation. County Meath is in the Mid East region, along with Kildare and Wicklow, for the purposes of homeless administration, with Kildare County Council as the lead authority for the region. In 2025, some €17m in Exchequer funding was provided to the Mid East region towards expenditure incurred on the Mid East regional homeless services programme.
Financial reports from each of the homeless regions including the Mid East region, setting out expenditure on homeless services including prevention are published on my Department's website at the following link;
https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
126. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the delay in approving the application for the improvement work in lieu of local authority housing scheme (IWILS) on behalf of a person (details supplied). [52123/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides grant funding through the Disabled Persons Grant (DPG) and Improvement Works in Lieu (IWIL) of Social Housing schemes for adaptations, extensions, and improvement works to existing housing stock.
The DPG scheme supports works necessary to address the needs of older people or people with a disability and overcrowded situations. The IWIL scheme provides funding for adaptations or extensions to private dwellings intended for social housing qualified households in lieu of social housing.
Under delegated sanction currently in place, the maximum cost of works in each individual case should not exceed €75,000, with my Department funding 90% of the cost of eligible works. Where the total cost of works to a property is projected to exceed €75,000, and additional funding is sought by the local authority, prior Department approval is required.
In the case referenced, the projected cost of the proposed works exceeded the delegated sanction limit of €75,000. Accordingly, Westmeath County Council submitted a proposal for Department consideration and approval. Following assessment, approval for the scheme issued to Westmeath County Council on 25 June 2026.
More generally, my Department allocates funding annually under this Programme to support local authorities in delivering these important housing adaptations and improvements. It is a matter for each local authority to prioritise projects within its allocation, ensuring the available funding is directed towards those cases with the greatest level of need and impact.
127. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 98 of 30 June 2026, where in the Taoiseach indicated part of the requested information fell within the remit of his Department, to provide the part of the requested information related to his Department. [52143/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department seconded one member of staff at Assistant Principal Higher level to the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss for the period from 3 May 2022 to 4 April 2023. My Department does not provide salary details of individual officers but the pay-scale for an Assistant Principal Higher during this period was between €75,610 and €97,402.
128. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide the amounts by which his Department or agencies within the aegis of his Department that has been defrauded as a result of a cyberattack; and the total amount which has been recovered for each of the years 2021 to 2025, and to date in 2026. [51991/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security. For operational and security reasons, the Department has been advised by the National Cyber Security Centre not to disclose details of its cyber security arrangements. Therefore, it is not considered appropriate to disclose any arrangements in relation to cyber security measures and services, or to comment on operational security matters.
