Frankie Feighan
Sligo-Leitrim · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Among patients reviewed after 12 months of treatment, there was an 88% reduction in episodes of cellulitis, an 80% reduction in hospitalisations associated with cellulitis, significant reductions in GP and public health nurse visits, and reduced demand on both acute and community services.”
“This will deliver an additional 263 positions to the service and will particularly help to support capacity building in our front-line emergency services.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this important matter in the House. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I am aware of the issues raised by the Senator. He will appreciate that neither I nor the HSE can comment on any individual case.”
“I can confirm to the Seanad that we are currently progressing development of a third HEMS to serve the west and north west regions, including the mid-west, and planning for the new HEMS is well advanced.”
“In my opening statement, I focused mainly on aeromedical services in Ireland, particularly the helicopter emergency medical resourcing, HEMS, to provide access to emergency patient care for the people of the mid-west region, including west Clare.”
“On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, I thank Senator Conway for the opportunity to update the House on the delivery of aeromedical services for the people of west Clare and the surrounding area.”
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“The National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, has been given a broader remit to provide Departments with financial, procurement and project delivery advice on public infrastructure projects. Furthermore, a new infrastructure division in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation was established, with a deputy secretary general appointed last December and senior officials allocated and specialist staff appointed since. A core remit of the division was leading and supporting the work of the accelerating infrastructure task force and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, led the publication of two substantial reports.”
“As Members know, the review of the national development plan set out annual sectoral allocations for the period 2026 to 2030 and overall Government capital expenditure ceilings out to 2035. The review considered the most important challenges facing our economy and society, namely, addressing historical infrastructure pressures, ensuring balanced regional development in line with the national planning framework and meeting our climate obligations. To oversee the implementation of the national development plan, a new Cabinet committee on infrastructure has been formed to drive the delivery, accountability and value-for-money of major capital projects. All Departments have published their infrastructure sectoral plans, which provide a clear pipeline of the capital projects to be delivered over the coming years.”
“As outlined by my colleague the Minister, Deputy Chambers, in his opening statement, the review of the national development plan sees the largest ever capital investment plan in the history of the State over the period to 2035, with a commitment to invest €275 billion to significantly improve our infrastructure stock. This, in turn, will develop our economy, deliver our housing targets and boost our competitiveness. With such a high level of investment, we need to ensure that the provision of strategic and much-needed infrastructure is delivered in a timely manner, with an emphasis on boosting productivity and resilience and achieving value for money for the Exchequer. That is why the five key commitments for infrastructure delivery outlined in the programme for Government have been implemented.”
“I thank Members for their constructive and insightful contribution to the debate, which affirms the importance of public investment in the delivery of capital projects and programmes and the urgent need to remove the barriers to infrastructure development. What has been made very clear is that, collectively, we know what the challenges we face are and that infrastructure deficits remain in certain sectors. I thank Members for articulating that. That is why this Government has prioritised investment in water, energy and transport, which will provide the necessary structures to boost national competitiveness and deliver more homes, schools and healthcare facilities.”
“As I said, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and I are committed to using public procurement as a strategic tool to deliver wider societal, environmental and economic impact. I came from an SME, a family business, and I know such people will work all the days they can. Sometimes it can be difficult to stand back and put in these applications, and we have to make it easier to do so. I again thank the Senator for raising this important issue.”
“Significant work is being undertaken to support SMEs accessing public procurement opportunities. I am keen to explore further ways to make public procurement more accessible for SMEs. I will work with the Senator and all her colleagues across government to this aim. The Government is committed to making it is easier for SMEs to tender for public contracts. To support that objective, the Department has undertaken a comprehensive review of the public procurement process to understand the barriers to SME participation. We are trying to identify ways to support and simplify the procurement process and encourage SME participation particularly among micro and small businesses and social enterprises.”
“The event provided opportunities for SMEs to meet public buyers from across the public sector and avail of learning zones covering topical procurement subjects. Over 40 exhibitors participated from across the public sector and 2,900 people attended the event on the day. Significant work is being undertaken to support SMEs accessing public procurement opportunities. I thank the Senator for raising this important issue.”
“We have adopted a two-pronged approach - making targeted, evidence-based policy interventions aimed at promoting the participation of SMEs and developing practical supports and resources for public buyers on steps they can take to promote greater SME participation and for suppliers to promote public procurement as a business opportunity and to assist them in navigating the process. The Department also participates in InterTradeIreland's Go-2-tender programme which provides support for companies to successfully apply for public contracts. Last November, the Department, with support from InterTradeIreland, held a first all-island supplier event. The key objective of this trade show was to inform SMEs and the wider supplier base of the benefits of doing business with the Government.”
“Once finalised, the strategy will include objectives and cross-departmental actions to support the delivery of strategic, innovative, sustainable and transparent public procurement that promotes competition, value for money and makes it easier for SMEs to tender for public contracts. The strategy will build on the significant work undertaken by the Department in recent years to promote SME participation and to help them navigate the procurement process which, as the Senator knows, can be very onerous.”
“In parallel with a public consultation, regional workshops were held in Dublin, Cork and Athlone and a dedicated webinar was held with suppliers. I am delighted with the level of engagement from the enterprise sector. Representatives from across the broad spectrum of Irish business have taken the opportunity to share with the Department their primary challenges, as the Senator raised, and work with us to identify possible solutions and areas of opportunity. Final discussions with colleagues across government and other key stakeholders, including business representative bodies, are taking place now to address ways to support SME participation, as well as to identify other desired outcomes and actions for inclusion in the strategy.”
“I am working towards this aim and will set out the strategic direction of public procurement for the next five years. My Department is developing the first national public procurement strategy. Having been a small business owner myself, I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by SMEs when tendering for public contracts. I also chair the SME advisory group, which includes SME representative bodies. This affords me the opportunity to hear first-hand from SMEs about their experiences of tendering for public contracts. Consultation and collaboration are central to ensuring that the strategy works for all involved. With that aim in mind, last year, the Department launched an extensive consultation exercise to ensure that those with an interest in the future direction of public procurement had an opportunity to inform the new strategy.”
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to set out what the Government is doing to make public procurement more accessible to SMEs. I thank Senator Nelson Murray for raising this important matter. She referred to the rapidly changing world and to insurance cover. She also spoke about SMEs being both small and agile. I agree that we must look at the issue of insurance more closely. The participation of SMEs, particularly microenterprises, small businesses and family businesses in public procurement is a key priority for me as Minister of State with special responsibility for public procurement. The programme for Government includes a commitment to reviewing the public procurement process to make it more transparent and to ensure greater participation from SMEs.”
“There was a continuation of the fare initiatives, the 20% adult fare discount, the 50% discount and a 90-minute fare which reduce the cost of public transport and encourage modal shifts. Progress was made on the construction of the first 12 BusConnects phase 4 bus corridors, with a second due to begin in early 2026. A number of key public transport projects have been progressed through 2025, with railway orders for Dart+West, Dart+South West and Dart+ Coastal North, and procurement under way. Construction on key projects also included the M28, Cork to Ringaskiddy, Adare bypass and the N5, Ballaghadereen to Scramogue. There has also been a lot of very good announcements on the N4, Longford to Mullingar and the N17. I thank all the contributors for today's debate and thank them for their help and information.”
“Five new special schools were confirmed for the 2025-26 school year, bringing the total to 129 special schools, catering for approximately 9,000 children and young people with complex special educational year. Alongside this increase in special classes and special schools is an increase of the number of SNAs. There was an increase of a further 1,600 special needs assistants in September 2025, bringing the total number of SNAs working in schools to over 20,000. Capital funding in 2025 will amount to €1.6 billion to support a continued progression of the circa 300 building projects in the school building programme that are currently at construction stage. In 2025, funding for the Department of Transport has enabled delivery on a number of key projects.”
“The biggest drivers of affordable delivery were first home schemes with 1,558; vacant property refurbishment grants, 1,334; AHB cost-rental, 497; and local authority affordable purchase, 359. Education funding in 2025 provided an appropriate school place to over 975,000 students in primary, post-primary and special schools around the country. To support the education of these students a record number of teachers totalling approximately 78,000 are employed by the Department of Education and Youth. In addition, over 700 new teachers were employed in September 2035 for the commencement of the 2025-26 school year. To support the education of students with special educational needs over 400 new special classes were sanctioned for the 2025-26 school year. This brings the total number of special classes to over 3,700.”
“There was a €60 increase in the working family payment income thresholds and an extension of fuel allowance to those in receipt of carer's allowance. There was also the introduction of a €280 newborn grant for each child born in the State to help parents with the initial costs of parenting. On housing, to the end of quarter 3 2025 there were 24,297 home completions, an increase of 12% over the same period in 2024. In 2024, 10,581 new social homes were delivered, including 7,857 new-build homes, 1,501 acquisitions and 1,223 homes delivered through the leasing programmes. In the first six months of 2025, 3,918 affordable housing options were delivered, which represents 61% of 2025's delivery target. This is a 44% increase in delivery compared to the same period in 2024.”
“This allows delivery of an adequate and sustainable social protection and pension support system and better outcomes in tackling poverty through providing a wide range of income support schemes. It helps to support the standard of living of the most vulnerable in our society. In particular, funding provided in 2025 enabled improvements in the social welfare system for people on a range of income supports, as well as providing additional support for families and people on illness programmes, disability programmes and carers' programmes. For example, 2035 funding enabled a €12 increase in core weekly social welfare rates, an increase in the weekly rates of child support payments by €4 for under 12s and €8 for over 12s.”
“The committee noted the Accounting Officer had stated that the State Laboratory has implemented appropriate procedures to prevent a similar situation arising in the future. In light of the assurances from the Accounting Officer, the committee saw no objection to this sum being provided by Excess Vote. The committee agreed an interim report at its meeting of 9 October 2025 in respect of excess expenditure incurred by the State Laboratory, indicating that the committee saw no objection to the sum provided by excess Vote. Our social protection system seeks to provide an effective social safety net for the more vulnerable members of society and when expenditure on the Social Insurance Fund is included, the 2025 gross expenditure allocation for social protection is €27.5 billion.”
“The increased investment plays an important role in delivering much-needed public infrastructure across Ireland and the sectors such as social housing, education and higher education, primary healthcare, public transport, water infrastructure, climate change adaption and mitigation. In 2024, due to an unexpected shortfall in appropriation-in-aid not matched by consummate savings and expenditure subheads, an excess Vote of €9,680 was recorded for the 2024 Appropriation Account for Vote 14 - State Laboratory. This led to a net deficit in the Vote, which the Comptroller and Auditor General referred to at the public accounts committee. At a committee meeting on 9 October 2025 the Comptroller and Auditor General referred the excess expenditure recorded for Vote 14 to the committee.”
“As part of this prioritisation, Government has completed a review of the national development plan which was published in July of this year. The NDP review is the most ambitious investment plan launched in the history of the State. The review provides us with the potential to transform our built environment, through permanent and sustainable interventions focused on the medium- and long-term health of our economy and country. Taking into account the total gross voted capital expenditure for 2026, set out in the budget and the addition of capital carryover in the Appropriation Bill, over €19.3 billion will be available for capital spending next year.”
“Government continued investment in our ongoing critical public services during 2025, with a significant proportion of gross voted current expenditure allocated in the areas of health, housing, social protection, education and justice, all of which provide essential front-line public services. The funding provided this year will support a sustainable delivery of public services and infrastructure, providing a clear vision for the continuous improvement of public services, living standards and the infrastructure. This expenditure will ensure investment in better public services, anticipating and meeting the needs of our growing and changing population, and investment in digitalisation and climate initiatives. To address our infrastructure needs, Government has made clear capital investment is a priority for the years ahead.”
“The House will be aware the passage of the Bill is required to ensure it is possible to make payments in 2026 in respect of services that were funded from voted expenditure this year, including jobseeker's allowance, disability allowance, non-contributory State pension, nurses pay, Garda pay, teachers pay and all those who pay on pensions funded from voted money, payment of suppliers for goods and services, including SMEs. Of fundamental importance to those who depend on our essential public services is the passage of the Appropriation Bill which will allow for the payments required to deliver these public services to continue in 2026.”
“I thank all the Members for their very helpful and informative ideas and contributions. We will certainly take many of them on board. The Appropriation Bill 2025 sets an amount that we appropriate for supply of services of €91.5 billion. This reflects the Estimates voted by the Dáil over the course of this year, including Revised, Further Revised and Supplementary Estimates. In gross terms and taking into account expenditure on the Social Insurance Fund and the National Training Fund, the total gross voted expenditure made available this year is €109.9 billion. As Deputy Ó Murchú said, the Appropriation Bill is a technical piece of legislation that authorises in law all the expenditure that has been agreed by way of Estimates during the year.”
“It would not be appropriate for me to speculate about and predetermine the outcome of the current cross-governmental engagements, but my officials are engaging with discussions with colleagues across Government and other key stakeholders to agree desired outcomes and actions to support the delivery of strategic, innovative, sustainable and transparent public procurement that promotes competition and value for money. I look forward to working with them.”
“I am very conscious of the critical role that public procurement can play in maintaining and building public trust in government. Billions of euro are spent on public contracts every year and the public needs to be confident that its money is being spent in a judicious and fair manner. Likewise, suppliers need to be able to trust the integrity of the procurement system if we are to drive participation. We have had workshops. I have met many SMEs and stakeholders to ensure that this is dealt with by whatever is in the new procurement strategy. I am dealing with that at the moment.”
“Discussions with colleagues across Government and other key stakeholders will be held to agree desired outcomes and actions for inclusion in the strategy. Once finalised, the strategy will include objectives and cross-departmental actions to support the delivery of strategic, innovative, sustainable and transparent public procurement that promotes competition and value for money. I plan on bringing the strategy to the Government in quarter 1 of 2026.”
“My Department undertook the following as part of the consultation for this strategy: a public consultation to ensure that all those with an interest in the future direction of public procurement had an opportunity to inform the new strategy; regional workshops in Dublin, Cork and Athlone, which included public buyers and policy makers from across the public sector, representation from across the broad spectrum of Irish business, representatives from civil society, and members of the public; a dedicated webinar for suppliers so they could feed into the development of the strategy; and bilateral meetings with Departments and key stakeholders. My officials are currently drafting the strategy in accordance with the feedback from the extensive consultation.”
“The programme for Government includes a commitment to reviewing the public procurement process to make it more transparent and encourage greater participation from SMEs. Working towards this aim, and to set out the strategic direction of public procurement for the next five years, my Department is developing a first national public procurement strategy. The strategy has been subject to an extensive consultation process, which has been critical to understanding the primary challenges and opportunities for both public bodies and suppliers.”
“As overcompensation is not permitted under EU law, the change must be introduced in line with the relevant macroeconomic data. Were Ireland to leave the rate at 5.1%, it would lead to overcompensation and would likely trigger a state aid investigation. In addition to likely infringement proceedings against Ireland, the possible consequences of such an investigation include the Commission seeking to recoup any payments made to farmers and potentially restricting the operation of the flat rate addition scheme in Ireland. As macroeconomic data informs the rate that is set, I do not propose to accept the recommendation.”
“This section amends section 86 of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 which deals with special provision for tax invoiced by flat rate farmers. It confirms the budget reduction in the farmers flat rate addition from 5.1% to 4.5% with effect from 1 January 2026. The new 4.5% rate will continue to achieve full compensation for farmers under the flat rate scheme. The farmers flat rate scheme is reviewed each year in the run-up to the budget in accordance with criteria set down in the EU VAT directive. The rate is based on macroeconomic data relating to agricultural inputs and production and the prevailing VAT rate structures averaged over the preceding three years. Revenue's calculations based on data from 2023 to 2025 indicate that full compensation can be achieved by decreasing the rate to 4.5%.”
“That commitment was repeated on Report Stage in the Dáil and I reiterate that I am happy to support it. However, having regard to the fact indicative costings have already been prepared and published for new measures, which will be included in the annual report on tax expenditures into the future and as data are available, I do not believe an additional report is necessary or useful at this time. With regard to alternative approaches to achieving housing supply objectives without tax expenditures, such measures do not fall under the remit of the Minister for Finance but are, rather, the responsibility of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. For the reasons outlined, I do not propose to accept the recommendation.”
“The Senator will be aware that the Finance Bill 2025 is providing for the changes to the tax system announced on budget day that are intended to complement direct expenditure and capital investment in housing. Going forward, as data are available for these new schemes, they will be included in the annual report on tax expenditures the Department publishes each year. In line with the Department's guidelines for tax expenditure evaluation, any expenditures that are expiring will be subject to a detailed review. Those reviews are published by the Department and, as I have mentioned, are available on its website. As raised on Committee Stage in the Dáil, the former Minister, Paschal Donohoe, committed to continue to review the interplay of different tax schemes.”
“Accordingly, sustainable progress on improving viability requires a relentless focus on cost reduction that maximises private sector participation, while optimising interventions on the public side. This is essential to improving supply of apartments and delivering a sustainable housing system that allows us to reach both our social and economic goals. Where data are available on the Exchequer cost of tax reliefs for housing market development, they are publicly available and included in the Department of Finance's report on tax expenditures, which is published annually in advance of the budget, as well as Revenue's publication on the cost of tax expenditures.”
“The guidelines, as well as other reports and information regarding the evaluation of tax expenditures, are available on the Department of Finance's website. The guidelines, most recently updated in 2024, also set out the criteria that should be considered as part of reviews of tax expenditures, including assessing whether a tax expenditure is the best approach to address the relevant market failure. Targeted tax incentives to encourage developers to build more apartments and increased capital investment in infrastructure to support new schemes form the main housing measures of budget 2026. The root cause of viability issues in relation to apartments is structurally high costs.”
“The Senator has recommended a report on the fiscal and housing market effects of tax reliefs and incentives available to property developers and on alternative approaches to achieving housing supply objectives without such tax expenditures. I reiterate that the commencement of reports is not a matter that should be dealt with within legislation. It is important to note that all decisions regarding taxation measures must have regard to the sound management of the public finances and the Department of Finance's tax expenditure evaluation guidelines. Those guidelines make clear that any policy proposal that involves tax expenditures should only occur in limited circumstances where there are demonstrable market failures and where a tax-based incentive is more efficient than a direct expenditure intervention.”
“This VAT measure is targeted specifically at apartment construction, one of the areas that we know has viability challenges when considerations are made by private operators as to whether they should begin construction. This is a measure that will take place over five years and will, among many other measures, help to meet our housing needs. It is in line with the social policy to support higher density housing by reducing the viability gap for apartment construction. This measure will support the development of all qualifying apartments, including those sold as affordable housing. As such, I cannot accept this recommendation.”
“This section provides for a temporary 9% VAT rate on the supply and construction of apartments and apartment blocks as part of our social policy. The temporary 9% rate of VAT on the supply of apartments came into effect on budget night. The extension to the construction of apartments and the supply and construction of apartment blocks, including student accommodation, came into effect on 26 November 2025, which was the date of Report Stage in the Dáil. The 9% rate will apply until 31 December 2030. The Government's view is that everything that can be done to increase the supply of housing should be done. The reality is that Government funded or subsidised housing will not be enough to meet the housing requirements of our growing population. Measures are required to incentivise the private market to meet housing demand.”
“He also understands that how it works is that a price is displayed in advance showing the maximum fare for the ride and the user pays a lower meter fare or the maximum fare provided. I will bring the Senator's concerns back to the Minister.”
“As previously mentioned, the regulation of the SPSV industry, including the setting of fares, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the NTA, to which Senator Craughwell alluded. Section 24 of the Consolidated Taxi Regulations Acts 2013 and 2016 vests power in the NTA board to make a maximum fares order that fixes the maximum fares that may be charged by a taxi driver. The NTA conducts fare reviews approximately every two years. The current maximum fares order took effect in December 2024. Taxi fixed price is a trip option introduced by Uber in Ireland where passengers see a single maximum price for their trip before requesting it. The Minister does understand that Uber taxi fixed price is also available in other jurisdictions such as Berlin, Brussels, in London for licensed black taxis that use the Uber app, and in Madrid.”
“Senator Craughwell raised that one individual, a family or company can have up to 100 or 200 plates. That is a very disturbing matter. I will bring the issue to the attention of the Minister.”
“The Minister understands that the Uber fixed-price offer does not breach the maximum fare regulatory provisions for taxis. Neither does it constitute an offence associated with the misuse of taximeters set out by the NTA in the Small Public Service Vehicle (Fixed Payment Offences and Driver Licence Period) Regulations 2022. SPSV operators are self-employed and may decide whether or not to sign up with a licensed dispatch operator, such as Uber. They are not obliged to be affiliated with any dispatch operator. Where they choose to do so, taxi drivers are free to contract with a dispatch operator of their choice. Neither the Minister nor the NTA are parties to the commercial or contractual arrangements between SPSV drivers and their dispatch operators. Accordingly, the Department and the NTA have no role in the approval of such matters.”
“If the final price on the taximeter is greater than the maximum price, users pay the maximum price. From a legislative perspective, section 24 of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016 empowers the NTA board to make a maximum fares order to fix the maximum fare that may be charged by the driver of a taxi for any journey. The current maximum fares order took effect in December 2024, and a maximum fare review is carried out approximately every two years. The NTA has conducted these reviews since 2011. Hackneys and limousines agree their fares in advance and do not use meters. As set out in the legislation, charging more than the maximum fare can lead to prosecution. However, charging below the maximum fare is permitted.”
“Therefore, the classic model where anyone with a car and the relevant app may provide taxi services does not exist here. Protection of the consumer and personal safety are vital objectives and must continue to be central to how the SPSV industry is regulated and operated. In November 2025, Uber Ireland introduced a new option on its platform, providing customers with a single maximum price for a trip before requesting. The option is referred to on the platform as "taxi fixed price". Usually, when booking a taxi with Uber or other dispatch operators, a price range of the approximate cost of the journey is shown. With the Uber taxi-fixed-price option, the customer will now be provided with a maximum guaranteed price upfront. If the final price on the taximeter is less than the designated maximum price provided, users pay the lower price.”
“I thank the Senator for his question and I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I wish to clarify that the National Transport Authority, NTA, is the independent transport regulator of the small public service vehicle, SPSV, sector,, that is, taxis and hackneys. The Minister for Transport is not involved in the day-to-day operation of that sector and notes recent developments regarding taxi protests. Ireland has a robust regulatory framework for taxis and hackneys, which require that all drivers and vehicles be licensed as a means to protect the consumer and help ensure public safety. Furthermore, no special regulations have been developed to govern the carriage of passengers by passenger cars that are not small public service vehicles.”
“I thank the Senator. She has made it quite clear that she needs a timeline. She expected that the diggers would be on-site last summer. Unfortunately, I do not have any timelines for her but I will bring her concerns back to the Minister. The sectoral plans for the education and youth sector will be published next week and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January. The NDP implementation guide will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects for local capacity across schools in areas deemed insufficient, ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money and meets functional needs. Effectively, the sectoral plan will be published next week and hopefully the school will be in that sectoral plan.”
“As part of the NDP allocation, the Department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to the project roll-out for large-scale projects and additional school accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and to provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project roll-out over the 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs”
“However, an appeal was lodged to An Coimisiún Pleanála in January 2022 which delayed the granting of planning permission until April 2022. Following this, the stage 2 report was approved in September 2024 and the project moved to the current stage. This major building project is currently at stage 3, tender action evaluation and award, and the Department is currently reviewing tender report number 2, which is subject to due diligence by the Department. This is a critical part of the overall completion of the stage 3 process and vital for ensuring quality and value for money. In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.5 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026 to 2030 under the national development plan.”
“Stage 2A was approved in September 2015 following the submission of an addendum report. Due to an unresolvable dispute with regard to design team fees, the regional design team was replaced in November 2016 and works began on stage 2B of the building project. As the Senator said, there are decades of issues here. In mid-2017, the board of management advised the Department that it could acquire additional land from Louth County Council for the school building project. The original site was extremely restrictive, and the acquisition of this land eliminated the need for a phased delivery of the project. The sale closed in July 2018. The planning application was submitted in June 2021, and was initially granted after a request for further information.”
“I thank Senator Comyn for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, to outline to the Seanad the current position in relation to the major building project for Marymount National School in Drogheda, County Louth. The project is included in the Department of Education and Youth’s construction programme, which will be delivered under the national development plan as part of the Project Ireland 2024 framework. The brief for this project is the development of a new 24-mainstream-class primary school, plus four classrooms for pupils with special educational needs, along with one home school liaison room on the existing site. Stage 1 for Marymount National School was approved in February 2013, as the Senator said.”
“Guidelines and requirements for these are currently set out through several Acts, policy documents, spatial strategies, and development plans. As the Deputy will be aware, projects above a certain threshold are also required to complete an environmental impact assessment. Again, I thank the Deputy for raising his concerns. I will bring them to the Minister as soon as possible.”