Written Answers Nos. 72-91
74. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department will consider purchasing or long-term leasing a building adjacent to the OPW-managed Ennis Friary site, so that a visitor and interpretative centre could be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19784/24]
View answerEnnis Friary, Ennis, Co. Clare is in State Ownership under National Monument number 170. Ennis Friary was vested under the care of the Office of Public Works in the late 19th century. The Friary, founded by the O’Briens of Thomond, dates to the early 13th century and is home to a unique collection of stone panel carvings dating to the 15th century. The building contains an exceptional wealth of fifteenth- and sixteenth-century sculptures carved in the local hard limestone, including one of St Francis himself displaying the stigmata.
The OPW guide service operates daily from March to November, from 10am to 6pm. In 2023, Ennis Friary welcomed 15,181 visitors, showing a notable increase from the previous year's visitor numbers of 11,032. With a significant increase in numbers visiting the Friary, the OPW has a focused effort on improving and upgrading the current visitor experience within the site.
Currently, our primary objective is to improve the existing resources and structures at Ennis Friary to deliver an engaging and educational experience for visitors. To enhance the visitor experience, we are implementing comprehensive upgrades at Ennis Friary. Our ongoing plans include a complete overhaul of the exhibition signage, encompassing internal displays, external wayfinding panels, and directional signage. Additionally, new information panels will be introduced, to increase engagement and understanding of the site's significance. Furthermore, we are establishing a new guide accommodation unit to facilitate OPW guides on site.
At present, the current exhibition upgrade within the existing parameters will adequately provide visitors an enriching and informative experience at Ennis Friary.
The OPW also currently run a guide service on Scattery Island in Co. Clare from May to September, with a visitor centre on the island operating during these months. There were 4713 visitors to Scattery Island in 2023. A short boat trip will take you to the island, where you can explore its multi-layered, 1,500-year history.
In addition, The OPW continues to explore future options for unguided sites within Co. Clare such as Quin Friary and Clare Abbey. These are currently open to visitors on an unguided basis and will be included in any future plans for OPW services in Co. Clare. Any future plans for improved visitor experience in Co. Clare will also include considerations for a visitor centre.
The OPW is committed to the continual improvement of heritage sites and facilities across the country.
78. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will outline the targets for 2024 for the climate division of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19814/24]
View answerThe priorities and planned outputs of each of the Divisions of my Department are laid out in Departmental business plans, as agreed and published each year on gov.ie. The business planning process takes place annually and enables my officials to plan and deliver on the strategic objectives outlined in the overarching Departmental Statement of Strategy 2023- 2025. The mission, strategic goals and strategic context in which the Department operates have led to the development of 25 Departmental priorities for 2024.
My Department’s Climate Division has five key divisional priorities.
It drives the implementation of the National Development Plan in the context of Project Ireland 2040 and has responsibility for the expenditure management and monitoring of a number of Votes, namely: Transport; Agriculture, Food & the Marine; the Office of Public Works; Communications, Climate and the Environment; Foreign Affairs and Overseas Development. Thus unifying internal responsibility for capital investment generally as well as expenditure management across each of those Government Departments key to achieving Ireland's climate goals.
The Division provides my Department's input to the overall response to the climate challenge with a particular focus on:
• ensuring investment is consistent with Ireland’s climate goals,
• that climate policy interventions deliver value for money and have regard to distributional consequences,
• the range of responses needed encompassing public and private sector investment, regulatory interventions and individual actions.
The Division also supports transparency, efficiency and strategic alignment of public expenditure through the ongoing development and implementation of a performance budgeting framework and contributes to the evidence informed policy making through research and policy development.
The 2024 Business Plan for my Department is now available on my Department’s website on gov.ie, with further detail included on the work of the Climate Division.
79. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform how his Department assesses demographic needs and the capital investments which it will require to be scheduled over the medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19863/24]
View answerThe Government has committed to €165 billion in capital investment through the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-30 published in 2021. As set out in the Summer Economic Statement (SES) 2023, an additional €2.25 billion of capital funding was made available to be allocated in the 2024 to 2026 period. This funding will facilitate the progression of important projects and enable more rapid development of key Programme for Government commitments, such as the delivery of actions to fulfil our climate action plan commitments, the provision of more housing and enhanced education facilities. Following the conclusion of more than 30 bilateral meetings which took place from January to March with my Ministerial colleagues, the distribution of the additional €2.25 billion across Departments was agreed by Government in March 2024. This builds on the existing funding already available under the NDP out to 2026 and it will mean more schools, housing, transport and healthcare projects can be progressed and delivered for our people. Deliverability was of critical focus in the NDP process with funding to be provided to those projects and programmes that will be successfully delivered or on track for delivery at end-2026.
Overall in 2024, €13 billion will fund vital infrastructure. The total available capital funding for 2025 is now €14.35 billion and for 2026 it is €15.459 billion. As a percentage of national income, annual capital investment is now among the largest in the EU.
As regards the assessment of demographic needs, the Deputy will be aware that the Government agreed in March to the deferral of the approval of a revised National Planning Framework (NPF) and have set out a revised timeline for the process. The revision to the NPF is informed, to a significant degree, by census data and the postponement of the census in 2021 due to the global pandemic, resulted in the delayed publication of crucial census outputs relating to housing and demographics. In light of the extent of recent demographic change and the implications for future population projections and structural housing demand, Government has decided to defer the approval of a draft revised NPF until the full suite of data required to properly consider matters relating to demographics and population projections has been completed by the Economic Social and Research Institute (ESRI). The ESRI have currently produced a draft final report, which is now subject to peer review. The independent report will published by the ESRI once all the final reviews have been completed.
83. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome 3 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19822/24]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery.
The NDP contains expenditure commitments for NSO 3 which relates to strengthening rural economies and communities. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), launched in 2018, is providing the investment needed to support rural renewal, strengthen and build resilience in rural towns, villages and communities and deliver on the objectives of Project Ireland 2040. The RRDF is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and is complemented by a range of additional programmes and schemes delivered under the Department’s Rural Regeneration Programme as part of Project Ireland 2040, which helps maintain and develop the growth and vitality of rural areas and supports communities and organisations to meet their needs. The four schemes funded through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are the RRDF Category 1 and 2, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
The RRDF Category 1 and Category 2 funding is targeted towards revitalising rural towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas. This is being achieved through addressing dereliction, ensuring the re-use of heritage and other buildings and providing essential facilities and infrastructure, including remote working and digital hubs.
Under the RRDF, funding of €414 million has been approved for 215 projects worth €571 million. A total of 24 Category 1 RRDF projects, approved for funding of €45.5 million, were completed in 2023. Completed projects include Virginia Library and Civic Centre project; An Ríoga project in Roscommon; Trim Library and Cultural Centre; and Kinsale Library Project.
In October 2023, the fifth call for Category 1 RRDF applications was announced. Category 1 funding is for large-scale, ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed. The successful projects will be announced in Q2 2024.
Also under NSO 3, I welcome the positive progress being made under the National Broadband Plan (NBP). Under the NBP, I note that, as of 19 April 2024, over 254,400 premises are now available to order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection from National Broadband Ireland, with over 237,800 premises passed and available for immediate connection.
Also under NSO 3, there has been significant investment in the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme, including the completion of the N56 Mountcharles to Inver Road and N59 Moycullen Bypass.
Further details of projects and programmes being delivered under NSO 3 can be found in the latest capital investment tracker, which I published yesterday and provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, and contains smaller investments such as schools and social housing projects. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
The Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
84. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome 9 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19817/24]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery.
The NDP contains expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which will contribute towards the achievement of these NSOs, including NSO 9 which relates to the Sustainable Management of Water, Waste and other Environmental Resources. This NSO highlights the centrality of our sustainable water resources to the implementation of the National Planning Framework to underpin our environmental and economic well-being into the future, against the backdrop of the deficits in water services capacity and quality arising from past underinvestment. Investment in the water and waste water network will support environmental and economic wellbeing, deal with population growth and the effects of a changing climate.
The relevant sectoral strategies under this NSO are the Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025, Uisce Éireann’s National Water Resources Plan and the Government’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. These strategies play a critical role in identifying the goals and priorities for this area and are therefore critical in informing the investment projects set out in the NDP.
In terms of water management a range of investments are planned and underway under the NDP. Some recently completed projects include:
• The Cork City Water Supply Scheme and Upgrade of Water Treatment plant;
• The Cork lower harbour main drainage project;
• The Blanchardstown sewerage scheme;
• The Ballycoolen/Kingstown main scheme and
• The Roscommon sewerage scheme.
Further details of projects and programmes being delivered under NSO 9 can be found in the latest capital investment tracker, which I published yesterday and provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, and contains smaller investments such as schools and social housing projects. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
The Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
86. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the Midleton flood relief scheme; the details of other flood relief schemes in the east Cork area; the measures that have been taken to support the local authority since storm Babet to accelerate the delivery of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19878/24]
View answerI am aware of the devastation caused by flooding to people, families, businesses in Midleton and East Cork during Storm Babet.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme provided the Government with the evidence necessary to launch a national programme of 150 flood relief schemes in 2018 funded by €1.3bn from the National Development Plan. Major flooding in December 2015 and January 2016, were catalysts to commence work on the design of a scheme for Midleton.
Cork County Council is leading the delivery of the Midleton flood relief scheme and in 2017 appointed engineering and environmental consultants. Midleton has proven to be one of the most complex schemes with flood risks from four sources, fluvial, tidal, groundwater and pluvial. Following Storm Babet, an assessment of the scheme is being completed, so we can be confident that we have designed a scheme that can meet the standard of protection required by the insurance industry. The next step is to seek planning consent and work is ongoing on the development of the planning design for the scheme. Some interim measures have been implemented and more, including Individual Property Protection, are planned.
It is not possible to progress all 150 flood relief schemes simultaneously, due to the limited availability of the professional and specialised engineering skills required to design and construct flood relief schemes. The flood relief schemes for Castlemartyr, which is planned to include Mogeely, Youghal and Rathcormac are not in the first tranche of schemes being progressed.
Pending the commencement of the design of a scheme, Cork County Council can introduce localised flood mitigation measures with funding from the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Cork County Council has recently submitted an updated application to the OPW for Castlemartyr. The OPW have reviewed this application and have requested further information from Cork County Council, which will be reviewed when submitted. I understand that Cork County Council is preparing an application to the scheme for interim flood risk mitigation works in Mogeely.
Since Storm Babet the OPW approved funding for an Executive Engineer to work exclusively on the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme, together with the OPW funded dedicated Senior Executive Engineer for this scheme. The OPW currently provides funding for four Senior Executive Engineers to Cork County Council and one Executive Engineer. Cork County Council earlier this year submitted a business case for additional staffing to support the delivery of all flood relief schemes across Cork County. This business case is being discussed between OPW and Cork County Council.
87. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome 5 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19812/24]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery.
The NDP contains expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which will contribute towards the achievement of these NSOs, including NSO 5 which relates to a Strong Economy supported by Enterprise, Innovation and Skills.
NSO 5 aims to maintain and enhance Ireland's status as a competitive, innovative and resilient enterprise base providing high-quality jobs and employment opportunities for people to live and prosper in all regions. Over 16,843 new jobs were created in 2023 in IDA supported client companies. The numbers directly employed in the multinational sector in Ireland were 300,853. The existing base of FDI has shown continued resilience and more than half (53%) of investments went to regional locations.
Employment in client companies of Enterprise Ireland increased to a total of 225,495 in 2023, the highest ever recorded. The total number of jobs created was 15,530. Eight out of nine regions recorded net jobs growth, with the West region (+5%), the North-East region (+5%) and the North-West region (+4%) performing particularly strongly. 68% of new jobs created in 2023 in companies supported by Enterprise Ireland were located outside the Dublin region.
In the Higher Education sector, a number of programmes and projects continue to be advanced to deliver on ambitions for Ireland’s higher education sector as outlined in NSO 5. These projects will expand capacity in higher education institutions, will support a pipeline of talent and skills aligned with national and regional needs, and will also upgrade existing infrastructure to improve the campus environment– taking account of energy efficiency, as well as best practice in teaching and learning. Some examples of projects completed under NSO 5 in the Higher Education sector include the Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman and Phase 2 UL Glucksman Library in Limerick.
Further details of projects and programmes being delivered under NSO 5 can be found in the latest capital investment tracker, which I published yesterday and provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, and contains smaller investments such as schools and social housing projects. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
The Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
88. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome 6 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19813/24]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery.
With that point noted, I would be glad to give the Deputy an overview of the NSO 6 which is the delivery of high quality international connectivity. As a small open economy, wider global challenges and the recovery and return to operations following COVID-19 continues to frame the context in which Ireland does business with the world. High quality international connectivity through our ports and airports is arguably more important now than ever.
The relevant sectoral strategies here are the National Aviation Policy, the National Ports Policy and the Telecommunications chapter of the National Marine Planning Framework which relates to international telecommunications connectivity. These strategies play a critical role in identifying the goals and priorities for the sector and are therefore critical in informing the investment projects set out in the NDP.
In terms of our airports a range of investment are planned and underway. The new North Runway at Dublin Airport has enhanced capacity and will help to meet future demand in the greater Dublin area. The Shannon Airport Group continues to implement its investment plan both for the airport and to redevelop and refurbish the core commercial properties within the Shannon Free Zone. Continued Exchequer support for smaller regional airports is ongoing under the Regional Airports Programme, including Donegal, Kerry and Knock.
In relation to ports, the Port of Cork Company's Ringakiddy Redevelopment Project was completed and became operational in April 2022. The development will enable the Port to increase capacity and throughput, accommodate larger vessels and further develop it as an international gateway for trade.
The development of the Foynes Port by the Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) consists of a 38-hectare site development for a new logistics park at Foynes Port and the reinstatement of Foynes rail. This investment will further improve our international connectivity
Dublin Port is progressing implementation of its Masterplan 2040 in order to ensure that the Port can provide for future sustainable growth.
Further details of projects and programmes being delivered under NSO 6 can be found in the latest capital investment tracker, which I published yesterday and provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, and contains smaller investments such as schools and social housing projects. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
The Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
90. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 48 of 23 April 2024, for an update on the engagement between the steering group and the consultants regarding the fee proposal for the Coirib go Cósta project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19531/24]
View answerThe 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 this CFRAM assessment and study, Galway City Council appointed consultant engineers in November 2020 to design a detailed option to protect the city from a significant flood event in the future.
During this time, it has become apparent that the scale of flooding risk in Galway City is greater than identified in the strategic CFRAM study. The process of redefining the scope for the Coirib go Cósta - Galway City - Flood Relief Scheme, which is at Stage 1 Scheme Development and Preliminary Design, has taken longer than first envisaged due to the need to complete some coastal assessments, that did not form part of the CFRAM Programme; and the complexity and increase in scale of the Scheme, identified by the assessment of hydrology and hydraulic modelling for the City.
A draft revised scope reflecting additional works for the scheme has been presented by the scheme’s consultants to Galway City Council, the Lead Authority for the scheme. To give a context to the increase in scale of the programme, the scheme was originally to protect some 312 properties, whereas today the scheme is being designed to protect some 940 properties, three times more.
This revised scope has been reviewed by the Coirib go Cósta Steering Group members and agreement has been reached on the revised scope, subject to agreement on a fee proposal from the consultant.
Galway City Council is currently liaising with the consultant on its fee proposal, and is awaiting a response from the consultant regarding comments submitted by Galway City Council and the OPW. It is currently envisaged that Galway City Council will receive a response this week. Subject to consideration of the response received, Galway City Council intend making an application to the OPW, as the Approving Authority, for approval of fees.
Once the fee proposal is agreed, the project programme can be finalised and it is the intention of the project Steering Group to publish the updated project programme to the project website shortly thereafter.
