Charlie McConalogue
Donegal · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“There are indications that the opt-out mechanism for the text and data mining exception is not working well in practice. Evidence gathered by the Danish Presidency showed that some activity is taking place on the licensing of works for AI, but that it is uneven across member states and subsectors of the creative sector.”
“The proposal involved the development of grass pitches, an Astroturf facility, flood-lighting and dressing rooms. The Football Association of Ireland wrote to my Department in 2023 stating that it no longer intended to proceed with the LSSIF-funded centre of excellence in Glanmire.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The programme for Government commits to maintaining sports funding to get more people participating in all levels of sport, particularly targeting cohorts in society where there are lower than average participation levels.”
“This is Ireland's first national strategy for diabetes and it sets out recommendations for action in relation to type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diabetes in pregnancy and paediatric diabetes. The strategy marks a major milestone in diabetes care in Ireland and represents the development of a unified approach to its delivery.”
“It is anticipated that the final business case will be submitted shortly to my Department. In relation to the site in Glanmire, my Department has been informed that the property has now been leased to Riverstown Football Club by Cork County Council.”
“The structure of that payment, which was agreed between An Post and the postmasters, is designed to maintain and strengthen our post office network and to keep it sustainable, taking into account the number of post offices in an area, the distance to the next nearest post office and the rural nature versus the population base that it migh…”
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“Our objective is to try to make the application process for both the sports facilities fund and the large-scale infrastructure fund as accessible and workable for clubs as possible. Obviously, when it comes to the large-scale infrastructure fund, the grants are of a much more significant scale - into the millions - and there is therefore more involved in the application process. We take on board the views of local authorities and the national governing bodies in relation to the prioritisation of those. We have had two rounds since 2019 of the large-scale sport infrastructure fund. The fund was recommended as part of the national sports strategy. There had not been a fund to cater for projects of this scale before.”
“This feedback will be an important input to our preparations for the next round. My aim is to have as many eligible sporting bodies as possible in a position to apply so that the Government is in a position to support them in the important work they do at community and grassroots levels.”
“Details of those payments are available on the Department's website. I will ask my Department to send the links directly to the Deputy. I am acutely aware of the need to assist all applicants, in particular first-time and rural organisations, in advance of the next funding round in terms of guidance on the scheme itself and on the application process. In this regard, I am currently inviting sporting organisations to information and consultation evenings on the CSFF. We held one of those in County Louth just before Christmas. We held another in Galway East and another will be held in Kilkenny this coming Thursday. The feedback from these information evenings is valuable to the Department to better understand the experiences, needs and challenges faced by clubs and other organisations.”
“I thank Deputy Byrne for the question. I know these are funds she has a strong interest in. As the Deputy knows, my Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the community sports facilities fund, CSFF, and the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF. Sporting organisations can apply directly for CSFF funding while applications to the LSSIF must be made through either a national governing body, NGB, of a sport or a local authority. The Department made a total of 2,500 CSFF payments to over 1,400 sporting organisations in 2025, with a total value of just over €71 million. Details of all CSFF payments made to clubs in 2025 are available on the Department's website. That is relevant to the Deputy's question. Payments to LSSIF grantees in 2025 totalled just under €25 million.”
“The reporting and compliance obligations are also separate to those which the bank owes to the European Central Bank and the Central Bank of Ireland as its regulators, which are onerous in their own right. Some of the requirements on the banks will remain in place subsequent to the revocation of these two schemes. I commend both motions and revocations to the House. I thank all Senators for their contributions.”
“The Minister and the Central Bank of Ireland imposed a number of obligations on the banks requiring them to, among other things, certify compliance with relevant matters; report and provide information to the Minister and to the Central Bank of Ireland; comply with certain restrictions relating to capital, share transactions and financial targets; and comply with any powers exercised by the Minister over the governance of the banks. These are known as the reporting and compliance obligations. The information that each bank has to provide under the reporting obligations in particular is voluminous and the obligations to do so arise frequently. This requires the banks to devote significant resources to meeting these and other compliance obligations.”
“These draft schemes will revoke SI 411 of 2008, the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme 2008, and SI 490 of 2009, the Eligible Liabilities Guarantee Scheme 2009. Section 6(5) of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008 provides that regulations may be made only if a draft of the proposed regulations is laid before each House of the Oireachtas and a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each House. In addition, certain obligations have become redundant.”
“Their revocation eliminates the duplication of reporting requirements and removes unnecessary burden. It should be noted that in 2022, the deeds of partial release were entered into by the then Minister and each of Bank of Ireland, AIB and the PTSB group to release the banks from contractual obligations in the CIFS guarantee acceptance deeds in 2008 and the ELG scheme agreements in 2009. The scheme has already significantly divested from its bank shareholdings. Furthermore, and in line with the programme for Government commitment to complete the task of normalising the domestic banking system, a further normalisation of the relationship between the State and the domestic banking system was announced in June of this year. This included the removal of certain crisis-era measures including certain restrictions pertaining to remuneration.”
“On 9 September 2009, the eligible liabilities guarantee scheme was introduced, having been approved by the Oireachtas. The draft statutory instruments to revoke both schemes will remove the obligations placed on the relevant banks - Bank of Ireland, AIB and the PTSB group - under the schedules of the schemes. As I have mentioned already, these obligations have become redundant due to there no longer being any guaranteed liabilities under the schemes and duplication requirements under EU legislation. I set out how the European regulatory and supervisory structure for banks has fundamentally changed since 2008. The comprehensive reporting requirements in the capital requirements regulations will remain once the credit institutions financial support scheme and the eligible liabilities guarantee scheme have been revoked.”
“The obligations under these schemes have become redundant as there are no longer any guaranteed liabilities under the schemes. Furthermore, there is duplication of requirements under existing EU legislation. I have brought these motions before the House on behalf of the Minister for Finance to request resolutions to approve the following regulations in draft: the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) (Revocation) Scheme 2025 and the Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Revocation) Scheme 2025. In my opening speech, I set out the context and backgrounds of these two schemes. The Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008, which was enacted on 2 October 2008, provided the Minister of Finance with the powers to provide the bank guarantee.”
“The review, which was conducted by officials from the Department with assistance from other Government agencies and Departments, made a wide range of recommendations to improve the experience of both the sector and the customer, recognising the critical importance of a stable and viable retail banking sector for the Irish economy. From a financial stability perspective, the capital funding and liquidity positions of the traditional banks have strengthened considerably. As mentioned, financial regulation has transformed significantly in more recent years as a result of changes introduced through domestic reform and at EU level. The motions I bring before this House today to revoke these two schemes will further strengthen our regulatory framework. The schemes have served their purpose.”
“I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the three spokespeople for their contributions to the discussion. I will summarise the key points that have emerged and place them in a clear and factual context. It is clear that Ireland's banking landscape has undergone profound change in recent years. The regulatory framework of the banking sector has changed significantly over the past decade, driven both by domestic and European legislation. This has included a material strengthening of banking regulation, which can be attributed to recognition of the regulatory failings that contributed to the financial crisis and corresponding loss of trust in the regulatory system. Many reports have been completed post crisis, including the Department of Finance's banking review which addressed the impacts of the financial crisis.”
“The revocation schemes are made under section 6(4) of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008. Section 6(5) of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008 provides that regulations may be made only if a draft of proposed regulations is laid before each House of the Oireachtas and a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each House. In the context of the programme for Government commitment, I ask the House, on behalf of the Minister for Finance, to approve both resolutions to approve the schemes in draft, which have been laid before the House.”
“In 2022, the Minister and Bank of Ireland, AIB and PTSB Group companies entered into deeds of partial release to release the banks from contractual obligations entered into in CIFS guarantee acceptance deeds in 2008 and ELG scheme agreements in 2009. The State has significantly divested from its bank shareholdings. In line with the programme for Government commitment to complete the task of normalising the domestic banking system, a further normalisation of the relationship between the State and the domestic banking system was announced in June of this year. This included the removal of certain crisis-era measures, including certain restrictions pertaining to remuneration. The draft schemes will revoke the credit institutions financial support scheme, SI 411 of 2008, and the eligible liabilities guarantee scheme, SI 490 of 2009.”
“This provides for a comprehensive template for mandatory reporting of financial and operational data by banks throughout the EU. The obligations and rights assigned to the Minister under the CIFS and ELG legislation, such as data reporting or ensuring compliance with codes of practice, have largely been codified into either domestic primary legislation or the capital requirements regulation, as amended. The comprehensive reporting requirements in the capital requirements regulations will remain once the credit institutions financial support scheme and the eligible liabilities guarantee scheme have been revoked. The revocation will eliminate the duplication of reporting requirements.”
“There are several obligations set out in the credit institutions financial support scheme and the eligible liabilities guarantee scheme that continue to apply to Bank of Ireland, AIB and PTSB Group companies. These obligations have become redundant due to there no longer being any guaranteed liabilities under the schemes and duplication of requirements under EU legislation. Since the introduction of the eligible liabilities guarantee scheme and the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008, European regulatory and supervisory structure for banks has changed fundamentally. Credit institutions authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland are required to comply with the prudential reporting requirements set out under EU Regulation No. 575/2013, known as the capital requirements regulation.”
“I refer in particular to paragraphs 24 to 52 of the schedule to the credit financial support scheme, which contain provisions on restructuring, board representation, commercial conduct, remuneration and transparency and which impose reporting requirements on covered institutions. The obligations imposed on participating institutions under the terms of the eligible liabilities guarantee scheme are chiefly concerned with the establishment and operation of the scheme. The draft statutory instruments to revoke both schemes will remove the obligations placed on the relevant banks, being Bank of Ireland, AIB and PTSB Group, under the schedules of the schemes.”
“The statutory instrument set out the terms and conditions in which institutions specified, by way of ministerial order made under section 6(1) of the Act, could benefit from the guarantee. On 9 December 2009, the eligible liabilities guarantees scheme, SI 490 of 2009, was introduced, having been approved by the Oireachtas. This scheme was made pursuant to section 6(4) of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008. The eligible liabilities guarantee scheme covered deposits and certain unsecured death securities for participating institutions where the liabilities were incurred after January 2010. The terms of the credit institutions financial support scheme imposed ongoing obligations on covered institutions.”
“I thank the Members of the House for bringing this through the House today. I am bringing these motions before the Houses of the Oireachtas on behalf of the Minister for Finance, requesting resolutions to approve the following regulations in draft: the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) (Revocation) Scheme 2025 and the Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Revocation) Scheme 2025. The Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act, 2008 was enacted on 2 October and this provided the Minister for Finance with the powers to provide the bank guarantee. On 20 October 2008, it was introduced by way of statutory instrument via the credit institutions financial support scheme, which was SI 411 of 2008.”
“The Department has two schemes supporting local authorities across the country to provide additional capacity and availability of artist workspaces across the regions on a sustainable basis. In this instance, however, the Department is not in a position to provide funding for the purchase of a property for the provision of local arts infrastructure. I know the Complex is engaging with the local authority on trying to identify a potential way forward. I hope that through that engagement a way forward can be found that can see a solution for the artists. I thank Senator Black for raising the matter.”
“Local authorities are invited to propose projects which can accommodate and address the demand for artist workspaces in their regions and produce workspaces that are fit for purpose, design focused and accessible. Capital grants up to a maximum of €300,000 are available to densely populated local authority areas, with capital grants up to a maximum of €150,000 available to remaining local authorities. With regard to both schemes, I am aware of a number of long-term artists' spaces that are being put in place. I understand that this is a particularly distressing time for the Complex. I sincerely hope that a satisfactory resolution can be reached.”
“The Department recognises that local authorities can play a vital role in delivering the infrastructure necessary to provide a number of artists' workspaces nationwide. That is why the Department allocated €3 million in funding in 2023 to Space to Create, an initiative that aims to provide up to 60 artist workspaces in Dublin city, in partnership with Dublin City Council. In addition, the Department launched the artists' workspaces scheme in June 2024. This is a €6 million pilot capital funding scheme for local authorities to increase the provision of artists' workspaces across the country. The primary focus of this pilot scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to enable them to provide additional capacity and availability of artist workspaces in their regions on a sustainable basis.”
“While I further understand that negotiations are still ongoing with the developer, the CEO, Vanessa Fielding, has written to the Department advising that the Complex will look for a meanwhile space to move into should there not be a positive outcome to those discussions. While the Department does not own any properties and is therefore not in a position to assist the Complex in this regard, it is the Department's hope that Dublin City Council may be able to assist it. The Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, and I are acutely aware of the pressures artists and creatives face in finding suitable workspaces, especially here in our capital city. The lack of space has been a significant barrier for artists, limiting their ability to create and to exhibit work.”
“The provision of local arts and culture infrastructure is a matter in the first instance for local authorities. Officials from the Department met with the chair of the Complex and other members of the team in December of last year and advised them of this position. Further communication in June reiterated the position. In any event, no funding was sought from this Department for the purchase of the building by the Complex. Any grant for refurbishment support would require chargeable title to be in place. I understand that the Complex has been given notice to quit on 14 January next. I am sure that this must be a very distressing time for the staff, the board and all the artists who use the Complex regularly.”
“It is my understanding that the centre has been in negotiations with the developer for a partnership in which the Complex would be given the opportunity to buy back two floors. The Complex CLG has in principle secured a loan of €1.5 million towards the purchase. I understand that the Complex has stated that talks took place with the Department of Finance, the Department of public expenditure and reform and Dublin City Council to assist with the finance of this offer, after an initial business case undertaken by Forvis Mazars. However, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport was not part of this engagement. The Department provides grants as a contribution towards maintaining and enhancing existing arts and culture facilities but does not provide funding for the purchase of property.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Black as an ábhar tábhachtach seo a thabhairt chun cinn. This Government places really strong value on culture and the arts sector. As outlined in the programme for Government, we recognise that the arts are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement. As the Seanadóir is aware, the Complex is a multidisciplinary arts and creative venue in Dublin's north inner city governed by a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The Complex has been leasing its building, a former fruit warehouse off Capel Street, from a private landlord on a site ring-fenced for redevelopment.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this today and for her very clear and ardent advocacy on that, and I will certainly relay that in detail to the Department and Minister, as well as its importance.”
“I will certainly relay to the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien, the fact that the Senator raised this, and the urgent need for progress regarding the south orbital route in particular and the development of the bridge. I will also seek a further update from the Department in respect of the progress report on the business case and as much information it can provide in relation to the next steps on this. The Senator has clearly outlined the significant traffic challenges as a result of the congestion at present, the need for this relief route to relieve that and the fact it is urgent that there is further engagement with the county council by the Department and the Government on how the project can progress and deliver benefit to the local area and the people of Newbridge.”
“The Department made an allocation to the council in 2025 in support of the preparation of a business case for the Newbridge south outer orbital route. In summary, the Minister for Transport recognises the importance of the funding provided to local authorities for the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network, together with some targeted investment in road improvement projects. This funding helps to maintain a safe road network for people on a day-to-day basis. Regarding the Newbridge south orbital route, the most up-to-date position is the Department made an allocation to the council this year to support the preparation of a business case for the route and that is where it sits from the Department's point of view at present.”
“In addition, the Department is providing funding for three strategic regional and local road improvement schemes, namely, NDP scheme Athy southern distributor road, NDP scheme R407 Sallins By-Pass and the Osberstown interchange, as well as the Newbridge south orbital relief route. As regards the Newbridge south orbital relief route scheme, Kildare County Council submitted a preliminary appraisal application in late 2023, with an approximate cost estimate of €12.5 million. It was noted to the council that the project would require a business case to be developed in order for the council to substantiate the need for the scheme, which addresses the transport issues or opportunities and provides value for money.”
“Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding under the strategic grant programme are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the infrastructure guidelines, formerly the public spending code, and the Department's transport appraisal framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works, it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind. In 2025, Kildare County Council was allocated €20,828,600 for the maintenance and improvement of its regional and local roads network, of which over €19 million was allocated to road protection and renewal.”
“Ireland's regional and local road network spans over 96,000 km and requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose. As such, on 14 February 2025, the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien, announced an Exchequer investment of €713 million for our regional and local roads across the State, which represents an increase of 8% year on year. Due to pressures on the regional and local road network, the primary focus for capital investment under the regional and local road grant programme is on the maintenance and renewal of the network, the implementation of the strategic regional and local road projects identified for development, subject to necessary approvals in the national development plan, NDP, and targeted minor safety schemes across the regional and local road network.”
“I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I thank the Senator for raising the matter and for explaining the need for the project so succinctly. She is raising the importance of, and necessity, for a second bridge for Newbridge linking the Great Connell Road and the Athgarvan Road over the River Liffey. The Senator will also be aware, as outlined in the 2025 regional and local roads programme, that the Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing road network. As we all know, this network is fundamental in connecting people and places across the country. It is also important to highlight the improvement and maintenance of the regional and local road network is a statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the Roads Act 1993.”
“I again thank the Senator for raising this important issue. The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality is committed to taking steps to ameliorate the long-lasting trauma experienced by many people who were subject to illegal birth registrations, including amending and improving the legislation to address affected people's concerns. As I said, work on the matter is well advanced, with the public consultation process due to commence early in the new year. There is an open door at the Department in relation to taking on board the concerns the Senator raised on behalf of affected people. We look forward to that work progressing next year and to seeing a positive outcome for those he is representing.”
“While the Civil Registration Act 2004 falls under the remit of the General Register Office and the Department of Social Protection, the State's response to illegal birth registration falls within the ambit of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. The Senator will be aware that issues of terminology can give rise to particular sensitivities in the context of illegal birth registrations, reflecting the trauma experienced by affected people whose identities have been withheld from them for most of their lives. People affected by illegal birth registrations have raised concerns about the language used in the legislation, including notably, the use of the words "cancelled" and "cancellation" in relation to the affected person's incorrect registration and identity.”
“A number of affected people have requested that the link between the two registers be made publicly available, where the affected people so wish. There is no difficulty in principle with amending Part 9 of the Act to allow the entry in the index to be made public, where the affected person so wishes. Such a change would not affect people who wish to keep their registration on the index of lived identity private. Officials of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality have been working the General Register Office and the special advocate for survivors, as well as affected people, with a view to amending the legislation.”
“It is also important that we educate and raise awareness among the general public of Ireland's online safety network, the obligations of platforms, the rights of users and the role of Coimisiún na Meán. In conclusion, regulation is not a silver bullet. We need to support parents and families to have those difficult conversations with their children. Online safety is a whole-of-society issue and a whole-of-government priority. From a regulatory perspective, we have made good progress but we have more to do.”
“However, as the Minister said, there is no universal view on this across the EU, nor in Ireland. The initiative of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, with regard to an expert panel to look at the matter is important. Whatever decisions we make, we need to listen to children and have regard to their rights, while protecting them from harm. With respect to the future, the Minister has said that online safety will be his top priority during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union next year. We will engage with children and young people in this regard. As outlined, significant progress has been made through legislation and regulation. Considerations are being given to future next steps.”
“It is vital to protect children from harmful content online. That is why we are working with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, OGCIO, on incorporating age verification in Ireland’s digital wallet. In addressing age verification, we must seek to ensure there are trustworthy systems in place that are interoperable and respect users’ rights, including data protection rights. The aim is to commence an extensive pilot next year and we expect that those who are committed to online safety will be happy to engage. It is important to reiterate that robust age verification is not a stalking horse for a ban on children accessing social media. We are all aware of Australia’s initiative in this regard but, for Ireland, we think it is important that any such decision is taken at EU level with other member states.”
“Members will be aware that an coimisiún’s investigations into platforms are around how they deal with complaints, so it is aware of issues in this area. The more evidence an coimisiún has, the better equipped it will be to focus and target its supervision and enforcement functions. That is why awareness is so important. Coimisiún na Meán has been running a variety of public awareness campaigns since its establishment, illustrating that online safety is a whole-of-society issue. It is co-operating with, for example, the Department of education and Webwise on educational resources, as well as receiving welcome support from the Department of Health for a two-pronged awareness campaign that is currently running, aimed at both children and parents. However, within online safety, the top priority is robust age verification.”
“We know that algorithms and recommender systems can have harmful impacts on users, especially children, so we wait with anticipation for the outcome of the European Commission’s investigation into TikTok and Meta on these matters. An coimisiún stands ready to assist the European Commission in its work under the DSA. I know, however, that none of this is much comfort to colleagues in this House, other elected politicians and candidates who have been subject to abuse and bullying online. I reiterate the importance of reporting any such incidents to the relevant platform in the first place. An coimisiún wants people to report content and, if anyone is dissatisfied with a platform’s response, he or she can bring it to Coimisiún na Meán.”
“The legislation provides for significant financial sanctions in the case of non-compliance and continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanctions for senior management. The Minister outlined to the House where we stand in terms of implementing the framework. Under the Digital Services Act, DSA, it is the European Commission that is the lead enforcer and we have just seen the Commission conclude an investigation with a fine of over €120 million for the platform, X. Of course, the aim of regulation is not to impose massive fines but to achieve compliance and enhanced online safety. There are quite a few examples of platforms taking the necessary steps to bring themselves into compliance rather than face those fines. We are still at the beginning stage for online safety.”
“It is fair to say that in recent years we have made significant progress in establishing Coimisiún na Meán and bringing the legislative underpinnings of the online safety framework forward. In doing so, we have sought to ensure an coimisiún’s sustainability by enabling it to fund its activities through levies on regulated entities. We gave it a kick-start with Exchequer funding and extensive sanction to recruit staff. We are seeking to make regulation seamless and efficient by co-locating regulatory functions in an coimisiún. We see the fruits of this investment and progress today. The online safety code applies in full. An coimisiún is supervising the online safety framework and it is well on its way to a staff complement of 300.”
“I thank all Members of the House who have contributed with substantive points throughout the debate and discussion this afternoon on a significant and important topic in the times we live in. As the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, said in his opening statement, the online safety of our children and young people is a top priority for the Government and all of us. We all want our children to enjoy themselves online, be able to connect with people and find out about the world they live in, so it is essential we make sure that children do not see illegal, harmful or inappropriate content. The effective regulation of online platforms is essential when it comes to creating a safe online environment for young people.”
“The Minister is looking forward to engaging proactively with all interested stakeholders and contributors such as the initiator of the Bill, Deputy Whitmore, on the output of the recommendations emanating from the process. The Minister is very happy to consider the need for legislative change in this space and engage proactively with all interested parties in the context of the completion of the evidence-based and stakeholder-driven processes that are in place to inform these considerations by the Minister and the Department. I know there has been a very significant and comprehensive debate this morning on an issue that is particularly important and for which the Deputy has been a long-time advocate. The Department and the Minister are committed to engaging further, with a view to implementing changes in due course.”
“On behalf of the Minister for agriculture and the Minister of State, Deputy Grealish, I thank Deputy Whitmore for bringing forward this Bill and for her many contributions in relation to it. The Department has committed to making a difference around dog control, breeding and welfare. The Minister also wishes to emphasise that this timed amendment, as put forward, is focused on providing sufficient time to allow for existing processes that have been in train for some time to come to fruition. This is also about ensuring that there is sufficient public, stakeholder and expert engagement in the area of dog control, breeding and welfare-enacting legislation prior to any legislative change.”
“Departments, including the Department of education, are currently in the process of publishing their sectoral NDP implementation plans. The sectoral plan for the Department of Education and Youth will be published next week and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January 2026. This NDP implementation plan will optimise outputs from the national development plan allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools and areas is insufficient and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money and meets functional needs. I certainly will feed back the full content of the Deputy’s contribution and the need for the prioritisation of this project.”
“They are committing to a stakeholders meeting being scheduled once that review is complete. This is where the process is at now. I take on board the points made by the Deputy in terms of the urgency of completing that review and giving clarity in terms of when the meeting will happen and having it happen so that the process can then move forward. On a wider note, to summarise where we are at generally and where this situation sits within the wider overall investment plans, which are going to be important in terms of moving this and other projects forward, €6 billion has been invested since 2020, as the Deputy knows. This has seen 1,300 school projects completed. In 2025 to 2026, 80% of new special classes are being facilitated in repurposed classroom accommodation, so there is particular pressure in respect of addressing that need.”
“I certainly will bring that back to the Department and to the Minister and the Deputy’s emphasis on the urgency of moving this project on. I know that whenever three schools are brought together for one project like this, it is a big commitment on behalf of all three schools. It is not easy to keep everybody on the one page and it is important the project keeps moving. I will reflect back to the Department and the Minister the full content of what the Deputy has been saying. As I said in my previous response, the Department asked the design team in early June this year to submit an addendum stage 2a report to the Department. This was received on 31 October 2025, some five or six weeks ago. The departmental officials will be carrying out a full review of that addendum report.”
“The approach to project roll-out for large-scale projects and additional school accommodation scheme projects will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project roll-out over the course of the 2026-30 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.”