Vol. 1065 No. 4
95. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the total number of properties sold by the OPW in each of the past ten years; and the cost of each, in tabular form. [15633/25]
The might also mention the Midleton flood defences, which have been mooted since 2017. My understanding is that the planning application has still not been processed. It is a real life and death issue for the people of Midleton.
Vacant property during a housing crisis is one of the biggest problems I have with this Government. This and the previous Governments are the biggest hoarders of vacant property in the State, believe it or not. Last month, the OPW wrote to me stating it had 67 vacant properties. What efforts are being made to get those vacant properties back into use or to sell them so they can be brought back into use?
The OPW, like other State bodies, is obliged to follow Government policies on the disposal of surplus properties and the arrangements involved are set out in Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform circulars, Circular 11/2015 on protocols for the transfer and sharing of State property assets, and Circular 17/2016 on the policy for property acquisition and disposal of surplus property. The OPW’s policy in managing surplus properties is to establish if the property is required for alternative State use, including the potential for it to be repurposed for Departments or the wider public service. A number of strategic properties are retained in anticipation of potential State use or development in line with service demands arising from Government policy changes to public service provision. If no State use is identified, the OPW considers whether open market disposal is an option, depending on prevailing market conditions. The OPW may consider community involvement, subject to a detailed submission that demonstrates that the community or voluntary group seeking to use the property has the means to insure, maintain and manage it in order to reduce costs to the Exchequer. As a matter of policy, no property is disposed of until it is absolutely certain that there is no alternative State use for that property.
The OPW has disposed of 171 properties over the past ten years, garnering an income of more than €35.5 million for the Exchequer. The breakdown for each of the years 2015 to 2024 is as follows: 28 properties disposed of in 2015 for €3,590,198; 19 properties disposed of in 2016 for €3,338,500; eight properties disposed of in 2017 for €522,500; ten properties disposed of in 2018 for €2,112,011; seven properties disposed of in 2019 for €5,250,500; 22 properties disposed of in 2020 for €2,550,000;-----
I thank the Minister of State.
-----13 properties disposed of in 2021 for €1,508,803; 24 properties disposed of in 2022 for €8.6 million;-----
The Minister of State is half a minute over time.
-----22 properties disposed of in 2023 for €3.7 million; and 18 properties disposed of in 2024 for €4.3 million. This amounts to a total of 171 properties for €35,509,162.
I welcome the sales of those properties. That is a good thing, but the Minister must admit that on a day when 15,600 people are homeless, the idea that one Department would have 45 vacant properties is absolutely wrong. The OPW is involved in a total of 450 lease agreements which concern approximately 374 properties. We have seen the OPW lease property from Larry Goodman where someone measured it incorrectly and the taxpayer is paying rent for space that does not even exist, which is quite incredible. That was before the Minister of State's time in the Department.
Having vacant properties in a housing crisis is akin to exporting food in the middle of a famine. It is absolutely wrong and what I missed in the Minister of State's response was any real sense of urgency to offload the 45 properties and make sure they were brought into use. It is not just the OPW. It involves many departments, including the HSE and the Departments of agriculture and Justice. Hundreds of properties and parcels of land owned by the State are vacant, many for decades.
There is a clear process we have to follow and the Deputy is well aware that, if I did not follow it, he would be standing opposite telling me I had done this and that and had not followed the proper procedure.
Fourteen properties went to Tipperary County Council for social housing. Eight residential units in Dublin city centre were leased to housing agencies. A building in Crumlin was leased to Dublin City Council for use as a family hub. Two former Garda stations in Cork were transferred to social housing. Three Garda stations in Limerick went to social housing. The list goes on. We have followed all the criteria that are in place.
No more than any other agency, the OPW has an enormous number of properties. For some of them, we go through the process of releasing them to local authorities. We always look at State bodies first and then we release them to the local authorities if they require them. However, it is not always the case that the properties are situated in areas where they are wanted by the different departments.
Aontú put in freedom of information, FOI, requests to each of the local authorities and found there were 4,000 empty local authority homes in the country. If those 4,000 empty local authority homes were brought back into use, they would be enough to house the total 15,600 people who are currently homeless. We found that it is taking on average eight months to get those local authority homes back into use, while it takes less than two months to get private rental accommodation back into use.
This is the key. While the Minister of State set out the criteria that have to be gone through to get those back into use, the State is incredibly cumbersome, slow and bureaucratic about getting them back into use. All I am saying is that we need to match urgency within the Department to the level of crisis that exists in the real world for very many people. We need the State to go through the system, make sure it is done properly and carefully and protect taxpayers' money, but I want the Minister of State to inject significant urgency into the process. For people who are currently living in hotel accommodation or emergency hubs, life is urgent. They need to get out of those hubs and into a home, have their own front door, have the protection of their own home and be able to get on with their lives.
The Government is doing everything possible to help those people in hotels.
On the question the Deputy asked, we have offered a great number of properties to different organisations, such as local authorities and local groups. If the Deputy knows where there are properties, he should make that information available to me and I will look into them. It is easy to stand up - I am not being critical here - and talk about properties in different parts of the country, but it is not always easy to find an end use for them because some are in isolated areas. There is always a use for any property that is in an urban setting, but some of the properties we have are not in areas where people require them. If the Deputy knows someone who requires a property and if he has information, I would be glad to work with him to see whether we can find an end use for it.
96. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his plans for the reform of the FOI system; the recommendations from the last review that have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15896/25]
What plans does the Minister have for reform of the FOI system, which of the recommendations from the last review have been implemented and will he make a statement on the matter?
A comprehensive review of the FOI regime has been undertaken and is nearing completion. The review was undertaken in the context of a system that appeared to be operating well on its own terms. Since the introduction of the updated legislation in 2014, there has been a large expansion in FOI usage. The number of organisations covered by the legislation has increased significantly and the number of requests received annually has almost doubled. Approximately four out of every five requests decided upon are granted. Reviews are available where requesters are dissatisfied with the outcome of their requests. However, these are availed of in approximately 3% of cases annually, while an independent review by the Information Commissioner is sought in slightly over 1% of cases. Key indicators remain consistent from year to year.
However, this does not mean that there is no room for improvement. Against this backdrop, a thorough and careful review has been undertaken, assessing the current regime and identifying challenges and opportunities to build on and update the system, aiming to deliver transparency in more effective ways. The review process has been an open and collaborative one, taking in the views of a wide range of stakeholders. It commenced with a scoping process that sought the views of stakeholders across all sectors in setting the direction of the review and included a customer satisfaction survey as well as a full public consultation.
This was supplemented by engagement with all the key stakeholders and accompanied by a review of international approaches to FOI seeking to identify best practices and innovations globally. The review draws on this evidence to inform its findings and recommendations. Broadly speaking, the key strands in the review involve considering potential reforms leading to a more coherent approach to information governance and access, supplementing formal FOI requests and improving the request process. I expect to receive the final report shortly and then intend to bring it to Government for approval in due course. If amending legislation is required on foot of the report, this will be progressed together with some of the recommendations.
One of the Minister's predecessors, who is now a European Commissioner, undertook a significant review of the FOI system. There are still issues with certain public bodies refusing requests or redacting large volumes of information. Sometimes, it comes out through appeals that this was done incorrectly. There is a view that this is done based on trying to deter people in the hope they will not appeal, in which case the decision is likely to be overturned. I was dealing with one request recently and it was kind of new to me. The request was not submitted by me, but I was asked my views on it. The public body concerned said it could not release the information under FOI because one of the requesters had a connection to the information being sought. They were told it was a conflict of interest. That was bizarre and not something I had seen before. I am not aware of any provision in the legislation that states information can only be released to disinterested parties. Is the Minister?
It was prudent that a review took place. It was very open-ended on public consultation and structured stakeholder engagement. There is also the international metric, which is important in that context. It has been established with very strong engagement in the recent period. We want to assess the feedback from the broader political system and, indeed, public interest parties that want to extract information in the interest of transparency, which does help to strengthen evidence-based public policy. It has been a force for good in overall public policy over many years. The spirit in which I will bring forward this review will be very much in that light. It will take into account the feedback we are getting from the public.
Turning to the Deputy's point concerning appeals and consistency of decision-making, as I said, there is a low rate of review decisions, at 3%, while 1% are submitted to the Information Commissioner. This has been consistent over many years. I have not seen the report yet so we will see what it recommends.
I worked very constructively with former Minister, Michael McGrath, on this matter and other issues. I hope the Minister and I can do the same. Regarding this issue, we also need to consider solutions. Sometimes when people are refused an FOI request, they do not think they have the grounds to appeal the decision. I also encourage people who believe they are entitled to some information to make sure they go forward and appeal the decision. One of the solutions I suggest is if an FOI appeal to the Information Commissioner concerning the refusal or redaction of information sees the initial decision overturned, then the cost of the process should be refunded to the person who submitted the appeal. If we required public bodies to disclose in their annual reports the amount paid out in such successful appeals, this would highlight those that have had an issue with transparency or whose FOI officers may need additional types of training. I proposed a Bill in this regard. Sometimes it is just about getting proposals we can work on together constructively and try to get them over the line so the system works better.
I am happy to do that. If we look at the existing scheme, the fact that the requests have doubled is a good sign that people are engaging with the broader FOI system. One thing that also needs to be strengthened across public bodies is the work we are doing with the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, on data and digitalisation. A great deal of public information can be published properly and proactively that should be in the public domain without people having to go through an FOI process. That line of work needs to be strengthened across State agencies and Departments to ensure people can access information and do their own independent data analysis of much of the work to strengthen public policy and evidenced-based decision-making. That would help. When I was a Minister of State in the Department of Transport, the fragmentation of certain information somewhat inhibited transport research in certain areas where it was necessary to go through a protracted process to extract the information.
The more information we can publish and allow academics and the public interest to interact with it, the better it will be for public policymaking. This needs to sit in parallel with the FOI system itself in respect of how we get better proactive publication across the board.
97. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the recent meeting of a group (details supplied); if there is a work plan for this group for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16112/25]
I seek an update on the recent meeting of the construction sector group, whether there is a work plan for this group for 2025 and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter. This takes in all the construction stakeholders. We could have an over-and-back discussion concerning the 40,000 houses last year, but the fact is there was a failure to deliver that number. We are where we are, so how do we get beyond this point? We have all talked about new methods of construction, but much of this has been just talk. In some instances, we are still talking about pilots.
The construction sector group was set up in 2018 by my Department. The group ensures regular and open dialogue between government and industry on how best to achieve and maintain a sustainable and innovative construction sector positioned to deliver on the national development plan and Project Ireland 2040. It is made up of representatives of key industry bodies, as well as senior representatives of relevant Departments and agencies with responsibilities for policy and for the delivery of infrastructure. It is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department.
The construction sector group currently meets quarterly, with the most recent meeting of the group having taken place on Tuesday, 28 January 2025. The group discussed the following items at the meeting: an update on the work of the construction sector group innovation and digital adoption subgroup, procurement reforms, the Planning and Development Act 2024, construction skills and apprentices and an update on Project Ireland 2040 provided by the National Investment Office. A work programme for the construction sector group in 2025 has been developed by my officials following consultation with industry representatives and it will be formally noted at the next meeting of the group. Over the course of 2025, meetings of the group will focus on the following four priority themes: improving regulation and public procurement, supporting innovation and digital adoption, securing the skills pipeline and communicating the public investment pipeline. There was broad agreement among group members on these priority topics for inclusion in the 2025 work programme.
Can more detail be provided on those discussions? We have all heard about the issues that exist in this area. The Minister mentioned the need to ensure we have an adequate workforce pipeline. We know there are constraints now. Additionally, how much conversation was there concerning new methods of construction? We have recently seen 3-D concrete printing and several such houses have been built in Muirhevnamore, Dundalk. While that is not a solution to the housing problem on its own, it is part of a solution along with modular construction and all those other methods. We have seen major development companies being able to use timber frames and so on to do things on a massive scale. Talking to developers, though, the issues are still going to centre on planning. In dealing with the State, the issue will be the multiple planning constraints. Beyond that even, it is going to be about the obstacles in the way of drawing down funding. If we could get some more detail, we might be able to see that we are going to get beyond our constraints. This is before we talk about the ESB or Irish Water.
The latest meeting of the construction sector group received an update on some of what the Deputy mentioned. This included the proposed research on a pathway to having a 30% embodied carbon reduction in the construction sector, the development of a modern methods of construction data dashboard, which is nearing completion and the collaboration between Dublin City Council, DCC, and the Build Digital Project to progress the building information modelling in DCC. There was also reference to the Department of Education modular builds programme. Construct Innovate workshops are happening across March and April this year to align with that centre's next funding call to members. A call for proposals was also launched by Skillnet Ireland as a way to address the cost of training. A training needs analysis workshop was co-hosted with the Construction Industry Federation. The Build Digital Project was restructured into a thrive-up structure from quarter 2. There has, therefore, been engagement on what the Deputy referred to regarding modern methods of construction and that is a central focus. All this needs to lead to more supply, which is key.
It would be very useful to have a greater level of detail regarding the issues they put out there with the planning system and infrastructural obstacles and the workforce piece, and then if there is a timeline and even projections. While I accept that some of this will involve public works and we will also have works that happen in the private sector, it is what we are looking at even percentage-wise as regards using some of these new methods of construction. Many of us come into this Chamber and end up talking about the absolute crazy rents, people who find themselves in brutal situations as regards evictions and the issues we have with the new constraints around the tenant in situ scheme. While we see that there have to be some temporary solutions in the sense of a ban on any increases with regard to rents, we need to be able to increase supply. If we have all the stakeholders in the room, it is vital that we know what the actual constraints are, some of which we have heard ourselves, and then those solutions and whether there are timelines and projections.
The construction sector group is doing an element of that in the context of construction skills. The Planning and Development Act was obviously discussed, and modern methods of construction as well as other priority areas, which I have referenced, around digital adoption and productivity in the construction sector. However, a separate very serious piece of work is ongoing in the Department on establishing a new infrastructure division. That is all about removing the constraints, barriers, blockages and paralysis that exists in too many elements of the State when it comes to infrastructure delivery and housing supply in our economy. Its central focus will all be on that and how we match the increased level of ambition on capital investment in our economy with a very systematic view taken on all of the delays, which are just unacceptable. Across the House, all of us want to see investment leading to the project delivery happening in a much quicker and accelerated way. The whole focus of the infrastructure division is to do that centrally so that we try to unblock some of the delays that have been going on for too long.
98. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 13 February 2025, for an update on the Corrib go Cósta project; if the design options have now been developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16249/25]
My question relates to the urgent need for flood defences in Galway and specifically an update on the Corrib na gCósta project. Have the design options been developed? I understand from a previous question that they are now out, but the Minister of State might just clarify that, and the status of the project given the appalling delays that have taken place up to now.
The catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme was the largest study of flood risk in the country, studying the flood risk for some two thirds of the population. Following and based on the CFRAM study outputs, Galway City Council appointed consultant engineers in November 2020 to design an option to protect the city from a significant flood event in the future. The work completed by the consultants has identified that the scale of flood risk in Galway city is much greater than that identified in the strategic CFRAM study.
A revised scope reflecting the additional works for the scheme was presented by the scheme’s consultants to Galway City Council, the leading authority for the scheme. The scheme was originally intended to protect 312 properties. The revised scheme is designed to protect 940 properties. The revised scope includes quay walls that extend from the Galway dock area, including along Long Walk and the Spanish Arch. The properties in the Claddagh area, along Grattan Road and Father Griffin Road will be protected by the construction of a quay wall along the Claddagh basin and Nimmo's Pier. Flood defences along the property line, localised land and road raising in Salthill will manage wave overtopping risks.
Galway City Council submitted a request for additional funding to the OPW for an increase in the fees to facilitate the revised scope, and this was subsequently approved in June 2024. The revised programme was published on the scheme website in January 2025, with the scheme currently progressing with development of the design options.
There will be an opportunity for the public to view and comment on the design options, currently scheduled to take place in June 2025. Thereafter, the emerging preferred option will be significantly developed by the scheme consultants in conjunction with Galway City Council, and it is anticipated that this will be finalised in early 2026.
I wish the Minister of State the best in his job. Forgive my frustration. Maybe I should not use the phrase " appalling delays", but rather the absolutely unacceptable delay. I sat on the council. Like many people here, I was very familiar with the CFRAM programme and the necessity then following that to have flood defences. I think I am on my fourth Minister; it could be the fifth. Everyone took a hands-on approach. Planning originally was to be September 2023. Then it changed to July 2025. Then it became July 2027. The construction was to commence in October 2025, then June 2026, then December 2027. The completion date was to be September 2027. The next completion date was 2029, and March 2031 is now the completion date. We have had one public consultation. I know there will be another walk-in consultation in June this year. With regard to the figure of 312 properties, the city council knows that as well the engineers from back in 2021. The project has gone from €9 million to €50 million.
I really understand. I spoke to a great number of people in Galway. I was there when it flooded in the days when I was Minister of State previously. I understand the Deputy's frustration, but compared to the initial CFRAM study, we have gone from 312 to 940 properties. That takes in a huge area of Galway and many stakeholders. A lot of consultation has taken place. We have one chance to get it right. We cannot afford to get it wrong. There is a lot of work going on. From the day a scheme is announced to the day we get it on the ground takes between nine and ten years. It is very frustrating. We have a job in hand, however, working with the lead authority, which in this case is Galway City Council. I work closely with the officials, no more than the Deputy, and I give them every opportunity. If they need to do works such as minor works, the money is there for them. I have always helped to facilitate them in any way we can, as does the whole of government.
I hope the Minister takes a hands-on approach like his previous colleagues. I live in the Claddagh. I know the area; I have a vested interest. Besides that, however, it is a very important project. From day one there was a misunderstanding with regard to a once in 100 years event. That is what they were planning for when it was quite clear, and we witnessed the recent storm, that this was going to be a frequent event. Of course it is complex and I understand all that. We need to bring the public with us. If there is structure going up, the public need to be with us. There has been one public consultation, which was years ago. There will be a walk-in consultation to look at the plans and then down the road there will be a further consultation for the options. That will be really important. The project cost has gone from €9 million to €50 million. Finally it has dawned on the establishment that this is a very serious and complicated project and it will take time but we need somebody to drive it. I am asking the Minister of State to drive that given just some of the dates that have slipped. The project was going in one direction and then there was an argument with the consultants over the price, and I understand that. However, all of this should have been foreseen. At this point, I just want a commitment to a hands-on approach with regard to this and that there will be no further slippage in dates.
I am nearly afraid to say "a hands-on approach" because, as the Deputy said, four Ministers told her they were taking hands-on approach. My-----
They helped to---
My interest in flooding is no different from the Deputy's or the whole country. I give her a firm commitment. I have to follow the rules that are set out in front of me. I am working with the local authority and the Deputy and other Deputies from the region, and I will continue to work with them as I have in the past. My job as Minister of State is to deliver a scheme and when it goes from 312 properties to nearly 1,000, it means the scheme is broader and bigger and takes a lot more time. I understand that, and I hope the Deputy does. However, I will give her a commitment-----
That figure was from 2021.
I could talk to the Deputy about my town of Athlone-----
No, no, just the-----
It started off with four or five cells and ended up with 11 or 13. These all take time. The CFRAM programme set out to do a job. It has done the job and when they appointed the consultants, they realised the scheme was way bigger than it was. I will give the assurance that I will be hands-on and I will do what is necessary to bring it to a conclusion.
101. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the engagement there have been between his Department and other Departments in 2025 on the delivery of necessary flood protection schemes in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16111/25]
I wish to ask the Minister about the Department's engagements on the delivery of necessary flood protection schemes in the State. This is a follow-up to the two parliamentary questions I asked him previously to which I received written answers. It is that whole idea of everything from the minor flood mitigations, the works that are being done regarding coastal protections and the interdepartmental group. The national coastal change management strategy report referred to the need to build up a body of work.
Combined with delivering on CFRAM which in my constituency had to be reviewed on the basis of the flooding during the huge rains in Cooley in 2023, there is a huge body of work to be done, particularly in the part of the world I live in and I am very interested in the Minister of State's answer.
The Office of Public Works, OPW, as the lead agency for flood risk management, is co-ordinating the delivery of measures towards meeting the Government’s national flood risk policy. A broad range of structural and non-structural measures have already been implemented to address flood risk under an approach structured around three pillars: prevention, protection, and preparedness. In the course of its work, the OPW engages with other Departments and State agencies through a variety of key groups and I will briefly outline the work of some of these groups.
In 2016, the Government established the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group to improve co-ordination between all State agencies involved with the River Shannon and to introduce co-ordinated flood risk solutions. The group, which is chaired by the OPW, co-ordinates the work of all members to maximise flood risk mitigation. The group meets biannually and is due to meet this month.
The group produces an annual work programme which demonstrates the extensive work and co-ordination by all State bodies to jointly help address flood risk on the Shannon under the following themes of activity: physical works, maintenance, water management, regulatory, policy and planning. The group has structured progress in several collaborative initiatives, including a planned programme of maintenance works.
The interdepartmental flood policy co-ordination group chaired by the OPW is a whole-of-government cross-sectoral group which co-ordinates national flood policy development and implementation. The purpose of the group is to give regard to the extent of non-structural solutions informing the implementation strategy of the 2018 flood risk management plans and to ensure policies that can benefit communities and individuals directly are carefully considered.
The group is preparing a wide range of significant policy initiatives, including avoiding construction in flood-prone areas, protecting at-risk communities against their significant flood risk and planning responses to reduce the impacts of flood events on communities and individuals. Many actions identified are now being implemented by the relevant Departments and offices. The group meets twice per annum and last met on 23 October 2024, with a further meeting due to be held imminently. I will give the Deputy more on that later.
I would appreciate that. The interdepartmental group has responsibility for delivering on policy and we saying we cannot have enough protections and mitigations. We know we are dealing with rising sea levels. When we talk about the likes of Dundalk, we are talking about a significant amount of redeemed land. Therefore, we were under pressure from the beginning. There are many houses under sea level and I have already heard much conversation regarding those who cannot get flood insurance or house insurance. Many of my neighbours would fall into that particular bracket. Some of that should be solved by delivering on CFRAM. I ask the Minister of State for a written update on that, although I do not expect it now. I got some detail regarding some of the CFRAM works that have been done but I ask for a timeline for the delivery on the sizable pieces that need to be done, particularly in and around the Dundalk area. Again, when will that body of work by the interdepartmental group be available, following the review looking at natural flood protections and at what you would call unnatural protections that we have seen in the likes of Holland. I had an engagement with the Dutch ambassador in the last while.
I wish to briefly raise the issue of the Graiguenamanagh flood relief scheme. It is my own town. In 2016, there was a devastating flood event which wreaked havoc and mayhem on many families and businesses in Graiguenamanagh. Funding was approved by the Minister of State in his previous term as Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW which was much welcomed and received. In March 2020, a design team was appointed to come up with a scheme but five years later and we have not even gone for planning permission. Getting these schemes over the line is far too slow. I ask the Minister of State to try to prioritise the Graiguenamanagh flood relief scheme and get it over the line, because, as I said, the flood event happened almost ten years ago and ten years later, we still do not have any works to make the town, the businesses and the families feel safer for the next event that may come.
I want to answer the question put to me. Other stuff has been brought up in relation to the Deputy's area and I fully understand that. I will get to him on that.
On the question, I can only say what I say to every Member of the House. When a politician turns the sod at a Garda station, it could be 11 years before we see that Garda station. The very same occurs with planning permission for flood defences. There are many hurdles. As a Department, we have to adhere to all these environmental things in order to deliver these schemes. Even though I announced a scheme back in the day, things change and can delay a scheme. I will get back to the Deputy with a detailed answer in due course.
It is a very important scheme for Graiguenamanagh in County Kilkenny.
It is necessary to make these interventions. All these schemes are very important because we have seen the huge issue with flooding in the last while. We are talking about better preparations for extreme weather conditions. It is absolutely vital we see delivery of these particular projects. I did not expect the Minister of State to come back with specifics. The Dundalk-Blackrock south relief scheme is really needed. Planning applications need to be submitted by the Q2 of 2027. In fairness, I got a written response on that but we must ensure there is delivery within those timelines and then beyond that, a wider piece of work needs to be done. That is the bit I asked about, that is, the interdepartmental group. When will we have the interdepartmental group's body of work and a more detailed plan on all those mitigations, including everything from the natural to the unnatural flood protection schemes that can be put in place? We have seen some of this work expertly done in places where farmers agree to allow certain parts of land to be flooded. They flood, the water recedes quickly and everyone gets back to normal but it also saves many homes.
I will give the Deputy an answer to the question he put to me but some of the issues he is putting to me now are very detailed. I apologise for the simple reason that last time we were here, he put questions to me and I did not have the answers. However, this time I have the answer and it is back to him. I will gladly work with him. There is a huge body of work being done. It is hard to predict when we will have everything because it changes from time to time. The different groups we have now set up for flooding are working well and are well maintained and managed. Good proposals have come from them but I would gladly sit down with the Deputy and have a chat about this.
104. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 13 February 2025, for an update on plans to review and strengthen the ethics in public office legislation following the completion of the review of the statutory framework in December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16248/25]
Could the Minister give me an update on the plans to review and strengthen the ethics in public office legislation? The review of the need to change it was done and we are into our third year now since December 2022. Could the Minister give us an update on the specific plans of the Government?
As the Deputy is aware, we committed to updating the ethics in public office legislation in the recent programme for Government. This is on foot of a wide-ranging review the Deputy referred to on the legislative framework for ethics in public office my Department undertook during the last Government, the findings of which were published in February 2023.
The report's recommendations include: the legislative framework for ethics should be underpinned by a set of overarching integrity principles; disclosure requirements should be strengthened to improve transparency; and consideration should be given to whether the regime should encompass more officeholders. The report also recommends a strengthening of SIPO. I am also conscious of recent further recommendations relating to ethics which will need to be considered in the context of this reform.
This is a complex area which requires careful consideration. I intend to look in detail at the outstanding policy issues, including those I have outlined, and to have wider engagement with my officials on the most appropriate way to ensure the programme for Government commitment is fulfilled. My ultimate goal in this is to create a fit-for-purpose, easy to understand and user-friendly legislative ethical framework that contributes to the quality, efficacy and transparency of our system and builds on the strengths of our existing framework.
I am glad it is in the programme for Government. However, the Minister did not provide any dates whatsoever. There are very serious issues here. These are being raised not just by me but also by SIPO, year after year, in its annual report. SIPO has highlighted the gaps that exist and its lack of power.
Will the Minister display some sense of urgency in relation to the issues that have arisen regarding insider information? Examples in this regard relate to the disclosure requirements, on which nothing has happened, and to the commission itself. There are members who are working full time in other areas. That needs to be looked at. The resources need to be looked at. There is also a need to look at what we do when we leave the Dáil, for example, where we go and the conflicts of interest that may arise. We also need to look at an independent Vote for SIPO. On every level, we need to strengthen SIPO and recognise the gaps that exist and that it has raised year after year. When is that going to happen?
The first thing is to take into account the review that has happened and some of the more recent recommendations which have been made, and to have a policy consideration around those. Following that, what is set out in the context of the programme for Government is to give legislative underpinning to that. Once the policy matters have been bottomed out within my Department, which I am engaging on, I will be in position to develop a draft scheme. This will be done in collaboration with the Attorney General. It will then be considered by the Oireachtas process in the context of pre-legislative scrutiny. I will be working on this as a legislative priority.
I do not want to give the Deputy a particular date. What I will say is that it is an important priority for me as Minister. I want to fulfil the programme for Government commitments and ensure that we update the ethics in public office legislation and utilise the various external and internal reports that are there to underpin that work in the context of the reforms that have to be advanced.
I thank the Minister. I appreciate that he is making this a priority. I also appreciate he cannot give me a date, but there has to be recognition that the existing legislation is totally inadequate, that SIPO has repeatedly pointed out a range of difficulties in terms of its lack of power in the context of ensuring that the highest standards in public office obtain. We know that. I am not going to go into individual issues, but there has to be a sense of urgency. The review of the framework was completed in December 2022. It is now 2025 and there is going to be still more consultation and more policy. I cannot understand how the Minister cannot introduce legislation and then amendments could be made along the way. There has to be an urgent recognition that we have failed to update SIPO in order to give it adequate powers to ensure the highest standards in public life. We all have made mistakes in our lives; none of us is perfect. We need an organisation that holds all of us to account to the highest standards. We need to empower and resource SIPO, but most of all we need recognition from the Government in relation to it.
That is why it has been set out as a priority in the programme for Government and why, in the first instance, we need to make sure that the policy framework that is developed can be reflected in a general scheme. At that point, we will have pre-legislative scrutiny and cross-party input in the Oireachtas. This is an important matter across the political system in terms of broader engagement. We know that other legislative measures were published previously. These were not advanced. As a result, I want to make sure that we fulfil the intention of the programme for Government and that legislation can be enacted.
I am prioritising the particular policy inputs that we have. There are many of these in multiple reports and they need to be acted on in the context of the policy framework which will feed into a general scheme. We will be working with the Attorney General's Office to produce that. We would welcome and value input from the Deputy and all Members of the Oireachtas in ensuring we can update the legislation in the best way possible. That is what my intention is in the role I have been given.
107. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the refurbishment works scheduled to be carried out at Kilkenny Castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15973/25]
I congratulate the Ministers of State on their new roles. I have not had the opportunity to formally congratulate them previously.
I am seeking an update on the refurbishment works that are scheduled to be carried out at Kilkenny Castle.
I thank the Deputy for his words of encouragement. The OPW is responsible for the conservation, care and preservation of Kilkenny Castle and parkland. In 2024, there were approximately 417,000 ticket visitors to Kilkenny Castle and 780,000 to the parkland. The OPW delivers an annual programme of maintenance and conservation at the castle. Planned maintenance works, including mechanical and electric works and window maintenance, continue to be undertaken. Painting and decorating, cabling, lighting and infrastructure upgrades and improvements in the castle wing were undertaken during 2024. Further maintenance works on lighting in the picture gallery will be taking place this year. Improvement works to the river steps and further painting work are also planned for 2025.
Preliminary investigations of the cause of water ingress in some areas were conducted in January. This work identified a need for some flashing and slate repair to or replacement of certain roofs. Following further assessment, it is expected that some of this work can be addressed in 2025. Some of the necessary roof works may be incorporated in the future development works in the picture gallery wing. Archaeological investigation works were conducted last November to investigate subsurface conditions. The findings of this investigation will inform the engineering approach for conducting the forthcoming development works, including courtyard resurfacing that will take place as part as of the major development of the project.
The OPW has secured planning permission for major conservation work to improve accessibility to the castle. These proposed works will facilitate universal access. The project will incorporate lift access to the picture gallery, as well as a changing places bathroom facility.
As part of these works, the OPW plans to carry out fabric repair works to the picture gallery. Section 57 consent has been obtained from the local planning authority for these works. The visitor reception and ticket office will be relocated. The location of the current ticket office is unsatisfactory and too small to accommodate the two guides needed during busy periods.
The project team is engaged in producing a detailed design. Subject to the availability of technical resources and funding, this project will be put out to tender next year.
I welcome the significant investment in Kilkenny Castle in recent years. I look forward to continued investment being made in the years ahead. Kilkenny Castle is a jewel in the crown of the south east. Visitor numbers are absolutely through the roof every year. The castle is a fantastic asset on our doorstep and is worth a huge amount to the local economy. The Minister and Ministers of State are always welcome to Kilkenny, especially if they bring the cheque book. We will welcome them any time.
Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to visit Kilkenny city and the castle itself. The crowd of people there was absolutely unbelievable. To have a state-of-the-art facility like Kilkenny Castle in the middle of the city centre is quite unique, not only in the context of the south east but across Ireland in general. I encourage everybody to get into their cars this summer and go down to Kilkenny and enjoy everything that is great about it.
You could not get better advertising than that. When he mentioned getting the cheque book, I looked at the man on my right and he smiled. We all know, particularly those of us in government, how important Kilkenny Castle is to the economy and to Kilkenny. The OPW has invested hugely in it and will continue to do so. As I stated, there are some good projects coming down the line that will enhance the experience for visitors. We will continue to do that.
I will gladly work with the Deputy and other Members in relation to this matter. The Deputy referred to the castle as a jewel in the crown. That is the case with all our national monuments. When we think of what the castle does and provides, we can see that it is of enormous value. The weather has been very good over the past week. People have been talking about flooding, but the weather has been good for the visitors.
I agree with the Deputy's suggestion. Everyone should get into their cars and travel. I encourage that them to do so.
If people want to cycle, they can do so. That is not a problem. In Kilkenny, we are proud of our heritage, history and culture. The continued investment in Kilkenny Castle is most welcome. As stated, over the course of the summer, I would love to welcome the Minister and the Ministers of State to Kilkenny city. We will take a tour of the castle. They will be able to explore everything that is brilliant about our wonderful city.
I am invited to attend many events. I appreciate the offer. I have to go up and down the country to look at flood schemes. I assure the Deputy that I have been in Kilkenny Castle. I met with my team yesterday to discuss a number of different projects. Kilkenny Castle was at the top of the list. We are investing heavily in the project. I will always support Deputies coming to my Department and, in particular, to me to discuss projects like this.
