Written Answers Nos. 111-130
111. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he will respect the High Court judgement (details supplied) regarding the CIÉ 1951 scheme; if he will take steps to ensure that the benefits of the 1951 scheme active members will be protected and maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19673/24]
View answer113. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the recent High Court judgement concerning the CIÉ superannuation scheme 1951 (amendment) scheme 2000, if he will respect the High Court judgment, and outline how he will take steps to ensure that the benefits of 1951 scheme active members will be protected and maintained, and that 1951 scheme pensioners will be awarded their long-awaited pension increase without delay; if he will insist that CIÉ immediately complies with its legal obligations to appoint CIÉ board-nominated members to the statutory CIÉ 1951 scheme pensions committee, pursuant to Rule 12 of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19748/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 113 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to their pension schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) required by the Pensions Authority. The changes also aim to sustain the pension schemes into the long-term.Regarding the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to Labour Court recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by ballot of trade union members in May 2021. The Department is still in the process of considering the draft SI in conjunction with NewERA. The Deputy may also be aware that the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days. While original indications were that a judgement would be expected in the Autumn of 2022, the matter was deferred on multiple occasions, with the judgment being delivered on 19 April 2024.
In his judgement, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey found that both CIÉ and the 1951 Scheme members were obliged to provide funding to the pension scheme to resolve any solvency issues. Justice Sanfey instructed both sides to meet to consider and agree what orders should be made on foot of the judgment ahead of a hearing date on 3 May 2024. The Department continues to engage with CIÉ, and advisors in NewERA in relation to this matter.
Concerning pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.Accordingly, I have forwarded the aspect of Deputy's question related to an increase in pension payments for members to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
112. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a study (details supplied) into the dangers of headlight glare on road safety; if he will urge the EU to carry out a similar study on the dangers of headlight glare resulting from the use of LEDs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19696/24]
View answerThe use of LED and HID headlights in vehicles across the EU?is regulated by the European type-approval system. This system establishes the technical and safety standards required to place a vehicle or a vehicle component on the market and enter it into service within any EU Member State. In order to acquire type-approval, the headlight components and technology must meet specific safety standards.
These standards are subject to continuous scrutiny at EU level and aligned with standards developed by the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, a working party of the Inland Transport Committee of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Accordingly, if a headlight has been type-approved and entered into service it is considered safe to use within the EU.
As the standards for these lights are regulated for at EU level, the Department has no current plan to review their use in the State. However, I thank the Deputy for sharing this report which will be considered by my officials.
114. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the budget allocation in 2024 by Iarnród Éireann on personnel security within its stations and on its trains; and the percentage of the 2023 security budget allocation that was actually spent, in tabular form. [19804/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to Iarnród Éireann's 2024 security spending and the 2023 security budget allocation are matters for Iarnród Éireann. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's questions to Iarnród Éireann for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
115. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport for a status update on the implementation of the legislation required for speed limit reduction, as planned for Q1 of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19890/24]
View answerAs part of the Government's response to the ongoing worrying trend of rising road fatalities and serious injuries, the Road Traffic Act 2024 was brought forward to address key driver behaviours.
The Act introduces penalty point reform, mandatory drug testing at the scene of serious collisions, and reduces default speed limits as recommended by the Speed Limit Review. This will involve reducing the default Speed Limits from 50km/h to 30km/h for ‘built-up areas’, from 100km/h to 80km/h for rural national secondary roads, and rural local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h.
The Act was approved for drafting last October and has since successfully passed both Houses in a timely manner, with the President signing it into law on 17 April. My Department are working with relevant stakeholders on the commencement of provisions. It is expected that once my Department issues guidelines in relation to the reduction of the default speed limits, local authorities will conduct speed limit reviews for their regions, with the intention of having safer speed limits, and limits which reflect the engineering of the roads, and the area.
116. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if a bus stop will be provided in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19895/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
117. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance what statistics are recorded regarding the recipients of the home renovation incentive, and the help-to-buy scheme with respect to the value of the relief; the number of reliefs availed of by the recipient (details supplied); the income of the recipient household; the value of the property; and the location of the property or any other details relating to the recipient household or property. [19675/24]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that taxpayers availing of the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI), which ended in 2018, were required to provide details of the value of the work and the category/type of work being completed. Other information was also collected, such as the Local Authority area of the property which underwent the works. These data were compiled and published on the Revenue website and can be accessed at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/index.aspx.
I am also advised by Revenue that taxpayers availing of the Help to Buy (HTB) scheme are required to provide details on the type of claim (self-build or purchase), the value of the property, loan-to-value ratio as well as the county of the property. These data are compiled and published on the Revenue website on a monthly and annual basis and can be accessed at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/index.aspx.
In relation to the income of the households making such claims, I am advised by Revenue that tax returns are submitted on a taxpayer unit basis, rather than at a household level. A taxpayer unit refers to a single taxpayer or a couple who have elected to be jointly assessed. Therefore, any income level data available are on a taxpayer unit basis, rather than a household level basis. In the case of the HTB scheme, the amount that could be claimed was determined by reference to historic income tax payments rather than current income. However, Revenue prepared information on the income levels of claimants as part of a review of the HTB scheme carried out by Mazars on behalf of my Department. This report can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/publication/ccc22-budget-2023-taxation-measures/ (page 38 of the publication entitled ‘Help to Buy Scheme Review - final report’). Statistical data in relation to taxpayers who benefitted from the HRI scheme has not been prepared.
I am further advised by Revenue that as applications for the Solar Electricity Grant do not involve tax returns or do not feature on a tax return there is no basis from taxpayer records on which to determine the income level of applicants or to establish if those applicants have previously availed of the HRI or the HTB.
118. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance further to section 39 of the Liquor Act 2000, which states that the recipient of a certificate of transfer must present this to the Revenue Commissioners within twelve months of obtaining same in order that the application for a liquor licence can be processed by the Revenue Commissioners, the reason for having a twelve months' time limit on the presentation of the certificate of transfer to Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19749/24]
View answer119. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance further to section 39 of the Liquor Act 2000, if the certificate of transfer is presented to the Revenue Commissioners within the respective twelve months, how long the Revenue Commissioners have to process the application and issue a valid liquor licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19750/24]
View answer120. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if it is legal for a premises to continue to trade on a certificate of transfer; if so, how long is it legal to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19751/24]
View answer121. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners do not issue a liquor licence within twelve months of the expiry of the previous licence from which the certificate of transfer was derived, if it is legal for the licence applicant to continue trading indefinitely, for example for over two years on a certificate of transfer if Revenue Commissioners have not issued a liquor licence to that premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19753/24]
View answer122. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance for how long it is legal to trade on a certificate of transfer before a liquor licence is issued by the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19755/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 119, 120, 121 and 122 together.
Issuing of a licence, following submission of a certificate of transfer to Revenue, is usually a quick process but can be delayed where further information is required from the court. There is no expiry date specified in current legislation for the certificate of transfer.
An ad-interim transfer (temporary transfer) of the licence, endorsed by the courts, allows a new trader to operate on the existing licence until the annual licensing courts, which take place in September. The new trader must then make an application to the September licensing court to transfer the licence into their own name. Once the certificate of transfer/confirmation of transfer is issued by the court, the role of Revenue is limited to requesting the statutory additional proofs from the named applicant and issuing the licence. Revenue operates under court instruction and are not in a position to comment on how long it is legal for a premises to trade on a certificate of transfer in circumstances where the certificate of transfer and associated trader are still the subject of court proceedings after the certificate has been submitted to Revenue and also where this period exceeds the twelve-month period specified in legislation.
A licence is considered lapsed where it is not renewed by the licence holder during the term of the licensing period 1 October to 30 September. In cases where Revenue receives a court certificate transferring the licence to a new licensee, the licence of the previous licensee is not considered as lapsed. Once the new licensee takes out their licence, it would be deemed lapsed if it was not renewed during the following licensing period.
I am advised by Revenue that the functions relating to the licensing of publicans are divided between the courts and Revenue under the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. Where a person is applying for the transfer of an existing licence the applicant must obtain a Certificate of Transfer from the court before the Revenue Commissioners can issue a licence. Once a Certificate of Transfer is issued by the court, the role of Revenue is limited to requesting the statutory additional proofs from the named applicant and issuing the licence where these are provided by the applicant and the relevant fee is paid. Current legislation, Section 39 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2000 provides that a certificate of transfer of the Circuit Court or of the District Court entitling the named person to a licence shall not be acted on by Revenue unless the certificate is presented to them within twelve months of the date on which it was issued by the court.
123. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider postponing the introduction of carbon tax increase on agricultural diesel from 1 May 2024 to 1 October 2024 due to the additional costs imposed on contractors by the unprecedented inclement weather over the past number of months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19564/24]
View answer126. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he will postpone the planned introduction of the latest round of carbon tax increases for agricultural diesel from 1 May 2024 until 1 October 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19584/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 126 together.
The Finance Act 1999 provides for the application of excise duty, in the form of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT), to liquid fuels used for motor or heating purposes. MOT comprises a carbon component, or carbon charge, which is usually referred to as carbon tax. MOT also comprises a non-carbon component which is often referred to as “excise” or “fuel excise/tax/duty”. It is important to note that both components of MOT are excise.
Under MOT law standard rates apply to auto-fuels for use in road vehicles. Reduced rates apply to fuels used for other purposes such as in agricultural tractors and machinery. Diesel that is supplied at a reduced MOT rate must be marked with prescribed fiscal markers and is referred to as marked gas oil (MGO), or green/agri/farm diesel.
Reduced MOT rates are significantly lower than standard rates. MOT rates are published on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/excise/excise-duty-rates/energy-excise-duty-rates.pdf.
Government and I are conscious of the implications of fuel costs for all sectors of society. This is reflected in the fact that in 2022, in light of the acute impact rising prices were having on households and businesses, the Government provided for temporary cuts in MOT rates which, inclusive of VAT amounted to 21 cent, 16 cent and 5.4 cent per litre on petrol, auto-diesel and marked gas oil, respectively. These temporary cuts to MOT rates were initially due to end on 31 August 2022, but following a review and monitoring of fuel prices they were extended until February 2023, with a phased restoration beginning in June 2023, followed by a second restoration in September 2023.
A final restoration of excise rates was due to take place on 31 October 2023, but in Budget 2024, I provided for a further extension until 31 March last, with a phased restoration occurring in two stages on 1 April last and 1 August next.
The MOT increases, which will come into effect on 1 May 2024, are provided for in legislation, which was introduced in Finance Act 2020 to support Government’s commitment to emissions reductions. Under the 10-year carbon tax trajectory the amount charged per tonne of carbon dioxide emissions from fuels will increase annually to reach €100 by 2030. Delivering on the 10-year carbon tax trajectory also features as one of the nine reform measures in Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The table below details the current reduced MOT rate per 1,000 litres for farm diesel, and the rate effective from 1 May 2024, broken down into carbon and non-carbon components. For comparison the standard MOT rates applicable is auto-diesel are also included.
|
Fuel/MOT effective date |
Non-carbon component |
Carbon component |
Total MOT |
|
Farm diesel – current rate |
€32.49 |
€131.47 |
€163.96 |
|
Farm diesel – rate from 1 May 2024 |
€32.49 |
€151.81 |
€184.30 |
|
Auto-diesel – current rate |
€401.33 |
€149.89 |
€551.22 |
In addition to the reduced rate of MOT on farm diesel for agricultural purposes, section 664A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides relief for expenditure incurred in respect of an increase in the carbon tax on farm diesel. Relief is given in the form of a deduction for the additional amount of expenditure on the carbon tax incurred by persons carrying on a trade of farming on the purchase of farm diesel. This relief does not apply to agricultural contractors as they are not carrying on a trade of farming.
The way the relief operates is that, in computing profits of a farming trade, a farmer may claim an income tax or corporation tax deduction for farm diesel that is equal to the difference between the carbon tax charged and the carbon tax that would have been charged had it been calculated at the rate of €41.30 per 1,000 litres. This was the rate applicable from 1 May 2010 when carbon tax was introduced and applied until 30 April 2012. The farmer is also entitled to claim a deduction for expenditure on the farm diesel (including the carbon tax charged in respect of the diesel).
Further information on the relief is available on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-23/23-01-36.pdf.
Consequently, I am not proposing to postpone the 1 May carbon tax increase on farm diesel.
124. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance to detail the arrangements in place for where an employee of the Department, and each organisation under its aegis, becomes elected or co-opted to a local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19574/24]
View answerCivil servant political activity in my Department is administered in line with Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform Circular 09/2009 “Civil Servants and Political Activity”. Civil servants who are members of Local Authorities may be given special leave without pay, up to a maximum of 12 days per annum, to attend full meetings of the Local Authorities where the meetings are held during normal business hours. In addition, civil servants who are members of Local Authorities may be given special leave without pay, up to a maximum of 5 days per annum, to attend further Local Authority activities, other than meetings of the full public body, that take place during normal business hours. Civil servants are not permitted to engage in politics unless they are:
• Civil servants in the craft, state industrial and manual grades and grades below clerical grades,
• Clerical grades and non-industrial grades with salary maxima equal to or below the Clerical Officer maximum who have obtained permission from their Department to engage in politics,
• Special advisers and the personal appointees of Ministers, Ministers of State, Parliamentary office holders and the Attorney General holding temporary unestablished positions, and
• Persons expressly permitted to do so by the terms of their employment.
The bodies under the aegis of my Department have advised as follows:
The Central Bank has a framework in place for managing actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Its Staff Code of Ethics, which applies to all employees, includes specific provisions around political involvement and secondary employment. The Central Bank is an apolitical institution and staff are required to protect its apolitical position at all times. Staff must not engage in any activity which could call into question this apolitical status or risk the Bank being drawn into any political or public controversy. In addition, any staff member wishing to take up any form of secondary employment (regardless of the duration of the role or the level of remuneration attached) must obtain permission in advance from their manager. This permission may be declined (or subsequently withdrawn) if it is considered that the proposed secondary employment has the potential to create a conflict of interest or is otherwise inconsistent with a staff member’s role as an employee of the Bank. The Bank’s framework applies to the staff that it assigns to the Investor Compensation Company which is also a body under my Department’s aegis.
The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman is guided by the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour and Circular 09/2009 "Civil Servants and Political Activity".
In relation to the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 outlines the arrangements that apply where a member or an employee of the Council becomes elected or co-opted to a local authority. Specifically, section 7 of the Schedule to the Act states that where a Council member or employee is nominated or elected to the Oireachtas, the European Parliament or a local authority, that person will either cease to be a member of the Council or else be placed on secondment (without pay) from their employment (in the case of a staff member).
The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) is not aware of any of its employees having been elected or co-opted to a local authority. Section 10 of the NTMA Act 1990, as amended, states that a person who is a member of either House of the Oireachtas, the European Parliament or a local authority is disqualified from being employed in any capacity by the Agency. This is also reflected in the NTMA Code of Conduct for Employees. The NTMA assigns staff to Home Building Finance Ireland, the National Asset Management Agency and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland.
During their term of employment, staff of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General are subject to the rules governing civil servants and politics, the Office is guided by Circular 09/2009.
The Office of the Revenue Commissioners is guided in accordance with Circular 09/2009. Staff elected or co-opted to a local authority are subject to a strict necessity to:
• Abide by the provision of Circular 09/2009 and any other relevant Circulars/Policies, in particular, Revenue Data Security and Confidentiality policies and the Revenue Code of Ethics,
• Ensure the role does not conflict with their official duties or broader position as a Revenue officer,
• Ensure their actions, behaviour and comments do not conflict with Revenue policy,
• Ensure that their actions, behaviour, and comments are not attributable to Revenue or capable of being considered Revenue opinion,
• Not engage in debate on tax, customs or frontier management policy or make representations in respect of same, whether on policy matters or individual cases, and
• Not use Revenue stationary or ICT tools, including email, for the purposes of the council role.
Revenue advises staff members that, if at any time they are in doubt about conflict of interest or any potential breach of the conditions, they should seek the advice of Corporate Services Division and that failure to abide by the necessary conditions may give rise to disciplinary action.
Employees of the Tax Appeals Commission can only be elected or co-opted to a local authority by way of a career break, retirement or resignation. Career breaks are governed by Circular Number 4/2013 ‘Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service’ published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. An officer may also retire or resign from the Civil Service at any time during their career. Detailed arrangements of the specific requirements placed on civil servants following their retirement or resignation are contained in the ‘Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour’ published by the Standards in Public Office Commission.
125. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19583/24]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that full details of the procedures for the registration of vehicles and the calculation of VRT are available on their website: www.revenue.ie/en/vrt/index.aspx.
I am further advised that in relation to the specific case you raise the website also provides full details regarding the conversion of vehicles - www.revenue.ie/en/vrt/conversions/index.aspx.
127. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance when the help-to-buy scheme will be approved for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19697/24]
View answerThe Help to Buy (HTB) incentive is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive gives a refund on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. Section 477C Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 outlines the definitions and conditions that apply to the scheme.
Further information regarding the Help to Buy Scheme can be found on Revenue’s website at: www.revenue.ie/en/property/help-to-buy-incentive/index.aspx.
I am advised by Revenue that the HTB application for the persons concerned was approved on 25 April 2024, with notification of the approval and instructions on how to proceed with the claim issuing to the applicants, via myAccount, on the same day.
Should further clarification be required, the persons concerned can contact Revenue, online via myAccount, or by phoning the National PAYE Helpline on (01) 738 36 36, Monday to Friday, 9:30 am-1:30 pm.
128. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will address a matter in relation to the Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19580/24]
View answerThe Deputy should be made aware that my office received this correspondence on 18 April.
A reply to this person has been issued.
More generally, as the Deputy is aware, legislation to protect workers who raise concerns about wrongdoing in the workplace has been in place in Ireland for some time and this year will mark ten years since the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014. This legislation was further enhanced by the Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2022 (the 2022 Act) which commenced in full on 1 January 2023.
The 2022 Act broadens the scope of those who can report wrongdoing beyond employees to include volunteers, shareholders, trainees, board members and job applicants. It also imposes new requirements on employers as regards the operation of formal whistleblowing channels.
It also provides for the establishment of the new dedicated Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner, which began operations in January 2023. To help ensure reports are heard by those best suited to act upon them, the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner is there to help workers to direct reports of wrongdoing to the most suited regulatory body as well as having the power to investigate reports of wrongdoing if no suitable body can be found.
In addition, free, independent, advice on making a protected disclosure and on workers’ rights and protections under the Act is available from Transparency International Ireland’s Speak Up Helpline. This is an initiative supported by grant funding from my Department.
Statutory Guidance for public bodies was revised in November 2023 to assist leaders and managers in understanding their own requirements under the 2022 Act; in improving their internal processes in handling reports of wrongdoing; and in supporting the workers that make such reports.
This guidance also includes template procedures for organisations to consider when developing their own internal procedures and policies. While this guidance is to inform public bodies, it also contains information on best practices in the area and on legal requirements that will be beneficial to private sector organisations.
In 2017 my Department established a Protected Disclosures Advisory Group which comprises protected disclosures managers from all Government Departments and a range of public bodies and prescribed persons that handle large numbers of disclosures. The group meets regularly to discuss and promote best practice and raise awareness of any challenges arising from implementation of the 2022 Act.
My Department also facilitates regular Protected Disclosures training.
129. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if a start date has been agreed for the commencement of remedial works on Cairn T at the Loughcrew heritage site near Oldcastle, County Meath; if he can confirm the plan and schedule for the re-opening of Cairn T to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19626/24]
View answerThe megalithic passage tombs of Loughcrew Megalithic Cemetery are an extraordinary part of our national heritage that are particularly vulnerable and require careful conservation and management. In recent years structural concerns have emerged at Cairn T. Visitors are not permitted on top of the cairns, due to concerns for the structure).
OPW held constructive meetings on site and conducted subsequent discussions with the National Monuments Service of the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to agree details of the actions that needed to safeguard Cairn T.
Detailed design proposals regarding safe access for OPW, consultants and contractors has recently been finalised by our conservation specialist Structural Engineer. Ministerial Consent for this proposal has been granted by DHLGH.
The temporary additional support for the interior of the Cairn will allow safe access for our architects, engineer and District Works in-house stone masons. This will then allow a review of structural concerns and definition of the agreed approach and scope required to progress remedial works, and safeguard the Cairn into the future. The issue of future public access will be reviewed once the Cairns structural stabilisation project is complete.
130. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when Ratoo Round Tower in Ballyduff, County Kerry, will be open to the public as no access is currently available to the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19893/24]
View answerRattoo Round Tower, National Monument 55, is part of an ancient monastic settlement and is important from a national perspective in that it is a fine example of a Round Tower that stands complete, except for a small piece of restoration work in 1881 to repair lightning damage.
The project currently being undertaken at Rattoo is for the conservation of the Tower itself. Pointing works have been completed on the Tower by skilled OPW staff based out of the Killarney Depot. There are currently internal works to be completed, for which Ministerial consent has been obtained. It is hoped that these works will commence before the end of June 2024. The OPW intends to undertake a risk assessment of the site to establish what access, if any, can be safely provided for visitors.
