Written Answers Nos. 299-318
299. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of visitors to an OPW Heritage site (details supplied) for each of the years 2021-2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [67675/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for conserving, maintaining and operating Ireland's most important heritage sites. The mission of the OPW Heritage Services is to conserve and protect the built and natural heritage in our care whilst providing public access, interpretation and encouraging the public to visit and engage with our national heritage.
Clonmacnoise Monastic Site is a national monument in State ownership. The site is open year-round to visitors. The conservation of the site is overseen by conservation specialists and OPW craftsmen. The OPW employs a Visitor Experience team of expert guides who deliver public tours and manage the visitor operations at the site.
The number of visitors to Clonmacnoise for each of the years 2021-2025 and to date in 2026, is set out in tabular form below.
It should also be noted that the OPW audits all visitor data annually, in arrears. This audit to verify visitor numbers takes place in quarter one each year. In that context, the 2026 visitor data presented here is strictly provisional.
|
2021 * |
43,325 |
|
2022 |
94,677 |
|
2023 |
122,718 |
|
2024 |
118,337 |
|
2025 |
123,461 |
|
2026 (up to 31st of August) ** |
84,258 |
*It is noted that a reduced admissions model was in place in 2021 due to the impact of Covid 19 restrictions.
** 2026 figures are impacted by the construction project currently on site which is funded through the EU Just Transition Fund. This significant capital investment will enhance conservation, interpretation, accessibility and visitor facilities at the site.
300. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of visitors projected to visit an OPW Heritage site (details supplied) in the next calendar year, 2027. [67676/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraClonmacnoise Monastic Site is a national monument in State ownership. The Office of Public Works recognises the immense cultural, historic, and economic importance of Clonmacnoise, as one of Ireland’s most prolific heritage sites. The site is open year-round to visitors. The conservation of the site is overseen by conservation specialists and OPW craftsmen. The OPW employs a Visitor Experience team of expert guides who deliver public tours and manage the visitor operations at the site.
The visitor centre and visitor facilities at Clonmacnoise are currently being redeveloped with funding from the EU Just Transition Fund. The project is being delivered in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This capital investment will significantly enhance conservation, interpretation, accessibility and visitor facilities at Clonmacnoise.
The redeveloped visitor centre is expected to open to the public mid-2027 with anticipated visitor numbers of circa 150,000 visitors in the first full year of operations, rising to 167,000 n Year 2, 170,000 in Year 3 and 173,500 in Year 4.
301. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether consideration would be given to the closure of OPW Heritage site (details supplied). [67677/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) will temporarily close Clonmacnoise from mid-October 2026 to facilitate essential improvement works at the site. The decision to close the site has been taken to allow significant enhancement and upgrade works to progress safely and efficiently during the quieter winter period.
Following the temporary winter closure, outdoor-only visitor access will resume while the final elements of the capital project are completed.
The OPW is engaging with key stakeholders, including local tourism providers and tour operators, to ensure they are kept informed of the temporary closure and reopening arrangements.
Clonmacnoise is an important heritage site and visitor attraction, and the OPW recognises its importance to visitors, the local community and the wider regional tourism economy. The OPW is committed to completing the significant capital works project and delivering enhanced visitor facilities and amenities at the site.
302. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the amount that has been spent on the Financial Management Shared Service Project to date; the Departments or Votes that have indicated they will not use the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67671/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe net expenditure incurred on the Financial Management Shared Services (FMSS) Programme to the end of August 2026 is €99.285 million.
The FMSS programme has been operational since April 2022 and currently provides financial management and accounting services to 16 Public Service Bodies through a single standardised platform.
No Government Department or Vote has withdrawn from participation in the FMSS programme.
The programme has transitioned to the operational phase where it is intended that the focus will be on onboarding bodies and delivering the change management supports need to successfully further operationalise the programme. The operational deployment of the FMSS programme is currently under consideration by my Department.
303. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether the mandate for staff members in the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) to work two days per week in office rather than the present obligation of working for one day has come from his Department, and the rationale for this increase considering that the NSSO is not a public facing organisation and staff do their work from home diligently and effectively. [67745/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed that the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) remains committed to blended working and recognises the benefits that flexible working arrangements provide to employees and the organisation. The decision to increase the minimum in-office attendance requirement from one day to two days per week was made following a comprehensive review of blended working arrangements within the NSSO and was not the result of a specific direction from my Department.
The review involved consultation with all staff and was undertaken using the Civil Service Blended Working Evaluation Model which my Department developed. The model provides a structured framework for organisation to evaluate the effectiveness of blended working arrangements. The model supports evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement by assessing the impact of blended working on organisational performance, employee experience, service delivery and workforce sustainability.
The review identified opportunities to further strengthen organisational effectiveness through increased in-person engagement. In particular, the revised attendance requirement is intended to facilitate enhanced induction and onboarding, increased training and learning and development opportunities, stronger collaboration and knowledge-sharing, improved communication within and across teams, greater social connection among colleagues, and more visible leadership and support from managers.
304. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the statutory grounds under which he has suspended autonomy for day to day spending from several HSE regions; to detail any consultation he had with the Minister for Health on this matter; and to detail the date and manner in which this decision was communicated to each of affected HSE regions. [67758/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs provided for in the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2013, the Government decides on an upper limit of Government expenditure and on the amount of Government expenditure to be apportioned to the area of responsibility of each Minister of the Government for a financial year. On a proposal of the Government, Dáil Éireann votes funds – the Estimates- every year for Government Departments and Offices and at the end of the year gives statutory effect to the Estimates by means of the Appropriation Act. Health expenditure is Vote 38 and is one of the largest spending allocations.
Managing the delivery of public services within budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister supported by the relevant Accounting Officer and Department. The Accounting Officer has ultimate responsibility for their Voted expenditure. The Secretary General of the Department of Health is the Accounting Officer for Vote 38.
The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 sets out the functions of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation including expenditure oversight and policy, responsibility for the central accountability, governance and value for money frameworks, procurement policy, pay and pension policy, and setting the public service reform agenda.
As set out in the Public Financial Procedures (A4.9), the issue of a formal sanction by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in respect of voted expenditure is an essential element in the procedure for the management and control of public expenditure. It supports the sound management of public finances and promotion of value for money in public expenditure. As a matter of principle, the sanction of the Minister for Public Expenditure is required for all expenditure. Neither the voting of money by Dáil Éireann nor the inclusion of an allocation in an Estimate constitutes sanction.
There are two different types of sanction – delegated and specific sanctions. The delegated letter of sanction for current expenditure sets out the maximum gross current expenditure allocation, reporting requirements, general conditions, exclusions and specific guidance regarding virement, pay allocations, legislative and central requirements and pharmaceuticals.
The letter of delegated sanction for current 2026 expenditure for Vote 38 Health issued on 28 May 2026. That letter reflected the provisions of Circular 21/2026 Expenditure Control and Escalation Process outlining that breaches of delegated sanction and persistent expenditure overruns may result in the deployment of an expenditure escalation pathway and the introduction of additional expenditure oversight mechanisms.
Given that the Health budget accounts for one fifth of total Government expenditure, my officials and I engage regularly with the Minister for Health and her officials through structured oversight mechanisms such as the Health Budget Oversight Group and bilateral engagement. Through these mechanisms, significant expenditure overruns on Vote 38 in 2026 were discussed and it was determined that action was required. Additional conditions were added to the delegated sanction on 14th September 2026. I understand that the Minister for Health and her Department is working with the HSE to deploy those controls.
305. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the preparations his Department has undertaken for the implementation in Ireland of the EU REACH restrictions on the use of lead ammunition; the timeline for the introduction of any necessary regulations to give effect to the restrictions; if a transition plan is being developed to support owners of licensed firearms who may be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67720/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed restriction on lead in ammunition is being considered under the EU REACH Regulation, which provides a harmonised framework for the regulation of chemicals across the European Union. Any restriction adopted under REACH applies directly in all Member States and does not require transposition into Irish law.
Policy responsibility for firearms, hunting, sport shooting, wildlife management, and the practical implementation of any lead-ammunition restrictions lie outside the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE). DETE administratively coordinates Ireland’s participation in the REACH Committee process. Positions on lead ammunition are developed in consultation with the Departments and agencies responsible for these sectors.
The proposal remains under consideration at EU level and the policy responsibility is not within the remit of DETE. Therefore no implementation measures or transition arrangements are currently being developed by DETE. Any questions regarding the regulation of firearms, hunting activities or support measures for affected firearm owners are matters for the relevant competent authorities within their respective areas of responsibility.
306. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department was consulted or informed regarding Fáilte Ireland's decision to support the 12th International Conference on Degrowth in Cork in 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67896/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra308. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the total value of support, financial or in kind, provided or committed by Fáilte Ireland to the 12th International Conference on Degrowth for Ecological Sustainability and Social Equity in Cork in 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67883/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra309. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if Fáilte Ireland has provided support to the 12th International Conference on Degrowth for Ecological Sustainability and Social Equity, to be held in Cork in 2027; the form that support has taken, including any financial sponsorship, grant funding, promotional support, provision of speakers or use of branding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67881/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra310. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if Fáilte Ireland assessed any reputational, economic or stakeholder risks arising from its association with a conference (details supplied); the conclusions reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67894/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra311. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the person or grade within Fáilte Ireland who authorised the decision to support a conference (details supplied); and the level at which approval was given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67892/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if a written business case, briefing note, risk assessment or evaluation was prepared by Fáilte Ireland before support was approved for a conference (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67887/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra313. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the statutory power or internal policy under which Fáilte Ireland decided to support a conference (details supplied); the manner in which that decision was assessed as consistent with the statutory objective of the National Tourism Development Authority to support a competitive and sustainable tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67885/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 306, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 and 313 together.
The information requested in relation to agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. My Department will request relevant bodies reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
307. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the process concerning the transposition of Directive (EU) 2025/2450 of 26 November 2025 amending Directive 2009/38/EC as regards the establishment and operation of European Works Councils and the effective enforcement of transnational information and consultation rights; whether the transposition will require amending the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act 1996; whether a timeline is in place concerning the transposition of the directive; and if not; when a timeline will be available; and to outline the consultation process. [67736/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe revised European Works Council (EWC) Directive was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 11 December 2025, entered into force on 31 December 2025, and must be transposed by 1 January 2028.
Officials from my Department participated in the European Commission Expert Group on the implementation and transposition of Directive 2025/2450 and it is anticipated that the Commission will soon publish the group’s Expert Report on transposition, which will comprise a valuable source of guidance for Member States throughout the transposition process.
Regarding potential amendments to the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act (TICEA) 1996, officials in my Department are currently conducting a gap analysis, and examining the precise requirements to ensure the full and faithful transposition of the 2025 amending Directive.
My Department is committed to the timely implementation of the Directive, and as such is taking the necessary steps to ensure that all key milestones of the transposition process are completed in good time, with the deadline of 1 January 2028 taken into account. Details of, for example, the consultation arrangements and legislative measures will be communicated as the work progresses.
Consultation will be an important element of informing the Department’s approach to the transposition of the Directive. Department officials are currently assessing the possibility of a public consultation to seek the views of all stakeholders. Should such a consultation be undertaken, details will be published in due course. My Department will engage with relevant stakeholders throughout the transposition process.
My Department is committed to the timely and effective transposition and implementation of the revised European Works Council (EWC) Directive and fully intends to meet the EU transposition deadline of 1 January 2028.
314. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the situation of a first year student (details supplied) who is currently without a school place without the learning supports they require, despite their family applying to several schools; and if she will intervene to secure a suitable special school placement for this child. [67699/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The NCSE has advised that the local special educational needs organiser (SENO) is working closely with the student’s family regarding options for school placements and other special education supports for the school year.
My department and the NCSE have sanctioned 587 new special classes for the school year 2026/27, including 70 inclusive special classes. This is one of many ways my department is actively engaging to meet the increased demand.
This brings the total number of special classes sanctioned to date to over 4,300. Forward planning has already commenced ahead of the 2027/28 school year.
Local SENOs are available to offer advice, support and guidance as required to ensure students with special educational needs are supported to achieve their full potential.
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.
315. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on an Emergency Works Grant application for a school (details supplied). [67687/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for roof works.
The application and revised itemised cost breakdown is currently being reviewed by the technical area within the EWS. Once a technical recommendation has been received back from the technical team, the EWS team will engage further with the school as appropriate. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
316. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide and update and a timetable for when construction works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [67718/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra317. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update and timeframe for construction works at a school (details supplied) to be completed. [67716/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 317 together.
The construction works referred to by the Deputy relate to the provision of SEN classrooms at St. John Bosco Senior Boys National School.
In early July 2026, while the school were on summer holidays, works commenced on the installation of the new modular units.
Works remain to be carried out on the external soft play area and it is anticipated these works will be carried out during the October mid-term break, weather permitting.
The joint major project for St. John Bosco Junior BNS, St. John Bosco Senior BNS and Mary Help of Christians Girls NS has a significant decant attached therefore, going forward these two new modular units will be used as part of the decant element of the major project also. The major project at this school is currently at Stage 2A - Developed Sketch Scheme which includes the development of the design and accurately cost planning the option agreed with the client.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €7 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,600 school building projects along with over 4,300 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. In the region of 85% of new special classes in 2026/27 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 ongoing.
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 inform the Deputy that my Department has provided over €2 billion in capital funding for Dublin schools since 2020.
Over this period, a total of 300 schools have been upgraded through provision of either a new school building, extension, modular accommodation or climate pathfinder projects.
20 school projects to go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027 were included in the NDP Implementation Plan.
There are currently 47 large-scale, extension, modular or climate pathfinder projects in Dublin under construction.
There are also 53 projects underway through the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.
In addition, since 2020 a total of 541 special classes have been sanctioned in Dublin, of which 140 were sanctioned for September 2026.
318. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide for immersive Irish medium provision in Brussels according to the demand for same and in line with her powers under the policy governing language of instruction in European schools. [67710/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department remains committed to supporting the promotion and teaching of the national languages of each Member State, including Irish, in the European School system. In support of this, my Department has seconded teachers to the European Schools to ensure the continued provision of Irish-language lessons to pupils of Irish origin wishing to learn Irish.
With regard to the provision of an immersive Irish-medium provision in the European Schools, the Language Policy of the European Schools (2019) requires that a ‘critical mass’ of pupils of that language be enrolled in a European School to validate the establishment of a new language section in a school. The regulations state that it is desirable for each language section to have a minimum of 90 nursery and primary pupils from the 6th year after its opening and a minimum of 84 secondary pupils from the 7th year after its opening. It has not been possible to establish an Irish-language section in any of the European Schools due to the number of Irish pupils enrolled never reaching the critical mass threshold required by the Board of Governors of the European Schools for the approval of a new language section.
Irish is designated as an “Other National Language” within the European Schools system. Under this designation, provision is made for the teaching of Irish across the European Schools. Pupils of Irish origin attending any of the European Schools, may study Irish as an elective subject in both the primary and secondary cycles. Irish is offered as a subject for examination and certification as part of the European Baccalaureate.
My Department will continue to keep this matter under review.
