Jack Chambers
Dublin West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“We have been clear about the absolute necessity to protect the huge ecosystem of digital and infrastructure investment in Ireland over the past ten to 20 years. Part of that has been the wider and ongoing discussion on the security of subsea cables.”
“Progress in achieving balanced regional development and detailing the delivery of the NDP is monitored through regular updates on the capital investment tracker and the MyProjectIreland interactive map viewer.”
“The tax strategy group examines the different options that are available to the Government during the summer. That informs the respective tax package that will advance. We have to honest about the measures we take in terms of taxation. They have to be sustainable and affordable in the long term. USC brings in about €5.5 billion per year.”
“I am not privy to the interaction the Deputy had with the Minister for housing on this, but the Local Government Fund distributes the respective funding across different local authorities, and Galway County Council and Galway City Council would receive allocations through that. I was clear in my initial response to Deputy O'Hara.”
“My Department has taken a proactive and co-ordinated approach to supporting the responsible and effective adoption of AI across the public service.”
“More broadly, the achievement of balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government and is at the heart of Project Ireland 2040, which includes the national planning framework, which sets out the wider spatial strategy for the next 20 years, along with the national development plan, NDP.”
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“The agreement provides for general round increases totalling 9.25% and a provision for local bargaining of 1% of the basic pay cost. In total, the agreement will cost approximately €3.6 billion spread over four budget years. There is a complex multiplicity of pension arrangements within the Irish public service, encompassing schemes with differing provisions that apply to staff recruited prior to 1995, post 1995 and post 2004, as well as the Single Public Service Pension Scheme introduced in 2013. The gross Exchequer pension bill in 2026 is estimated to be €4.9 billion, which will support a projected 200,700 public service pensioners. The latest value of the State’s accrued-to-date liability in respect of public service retirement benefits for active employees, pensioners and deferred members has been calculated as €175.7 billion.”
“The gross Exchequer estimated pay bill for Ireland's public service is €30.4 billion for 2026. In terms of staffing, forecast numbers in 2026 are just under 439,400 full-time equivalent public servants. This is the highest ever level of employment in the public service. Overall, the pay bill is a function of public service numbers and the costs associated with public service pay agreements. The current agreement, Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, was agreed in January 2024 and ratified by public service unions and representative associations in March 2024. This agreement achieves a balanced approach to public service pay in the context of both the State's fiscal position and the broader economic environment.”
“To fundamentally undermine and disrupt the Single Public Service Pension Scheme would have implications for paying for this in the long term. I am sure the Deputy has read the "Future Forty: A Fiscal and Economic Outlook to 2065" report published by the Department of Finance on the need to manage the inevitable demographic shift that will happen in the Irish economy in the long term.”
“The increase in the mandatory retirement age helps and makes a difference. It is part of what we are trying to do. It improves the overall end pension in terms of referrable amounts towards the single scheme pension. Another issue raised during the engagement with workers was that of basic pay and conditions, which we engage on in the context of the respective pay agreements. There is well-documented evidence on the need to ensure we have a sustainable pension system we can pay for in the long term. That is why retaining this in the context of future reforms is critical to ensuring we can manage the long-term sustainability of it. It is important to look at it in the round. We have strong engagement with trade unions in the context of the public service pay agreements.”
“This was an important reform. It has been there for nearly 12 years. It is important in the context of sustainability of State pensions.”
“The Single Public Service Pension Scheme, introduced in 2013, was one of the biggest ever pension reforms. Part of what we are trying to do is ensure we have sustainability of pension provision and can pay for this over the longer term. The work that has been undertaken to increase the mandatory retirement age for uniformed staff also helps in the context of workforce planning and to give certainty to uniformed staff, where they can build up additional referrable amounts towards their single scheme pension for any additional years worked, increasing its final value. Work is also ongoing in the context of the respective pay agreements we have to improve the pay and conditions of uniformed staff and as a retention measure for members across the public service. That work is ongoing, with direct engagement with the respective bodies.”
“While single scheme pension benefits are integrated with the contributory State pension, these benefits are separate and additional to any entitlement they may have to the State pension, which is paid from the age of 66 by the Department of Social Protection. In 2024, the Government enacted legislation to allow for an increase in the mandatory retirement age for uniformed staff to 62, if they wish to avail of it. It also allows uniformed staff to build up additional referrable amounts towards their single scheme pension for additional years worked, increasing its final value. A supplementary pension was never a feature of the single scheme, nor was it planned to be. No commitment has been made by the Government in relation to supplementary pensions for single scheme fast accrual members.”
“The total accrued at retirement, with adjustments for inflation, determines their final retirement benefits. This is payable in addition to any social welfare pension entitlement. Uniformed members, including firefighters, prison officers, gardaí and members of the Defence Forces, have enhanced benefits that other single scheme members do not have. Uniformed staff can accrue more benefits over their expected shorter public service careers in recognition of their retirement age. When uniformed staff reach normal retirement age, they can retire and receive their retirement lump sum and occupational pension benefit payments.”
“The Single Public Service Pension Scheme is a statutory public service career-average defined benefit pension scheme. It was established under the public service pensions Act 2012. The provisions of the scheme are clearly set out in law. All new-entrant public servants hired after 1 January 2013 are members of the single scheme. The introduction of the scheme is instrumental in ensuring the sustainability of public service pensions, particularly in the context of improved life expectancy and rising public service employee numbers. As the single scheme uses a career-averaging model, members' retirement benefits are based on a percentage of their pensionable earnings throughout their public service careers. For each pay period, members accrue amounts towards their retirement benefits.”
“I appreciate the Deputy's advocacy for the Navan rail line. We have been there and have had extensive engagement with the Deputy's constituency on it. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has published the transport sectoral plan, which sets out the funding allocations for the next five years. He is keen to advance a lot of the ambition we have in the regions on rail infrastructure in particular. We have an allocation of €24 billion in the next five years for capital investment in transport infrastructure and there has been a massive uplift over the last five years. That gives significant scope to drive delivery of improved public transport, develop our road network, enhance active travel and deliver many of the projects that have been on lists for multiple years.”
“Together, these actions will ensure that the record investment under the national development plan translates into faster, more efficient delivery of housing, energy and transport infrastructure, supporting Ireland’s economic growth, climate commitments and Delivering Homes, Building Communities. This will benefit every county and region of Ireland, as infrastructure projects play an essential role in supporting Ireland’s balanced economic growth and meeting the demands of a rapidly expanding population. There are considerable infrastructure projects under way in the mid-east region that will benefit from improvements in delivery, including for example the Louth 220 kV station refurbishment project and the proposed Slane and Ardee bypasses.”
“The plan sets out 30 targeted actions grouped under four pillars, each addressing a key area of reform. The actions address the 12 barriers to the timely delivery of infrastructure that were highlighted in the report published by my Department in July. A four-week online and in-person public consultation last summer supported the preparation of that report published in July by providing an opportunity for stakeholders and the general public from across the country to feed into this work. I hosted events during this consultation period, including a regional event in Athlone. The actions selected represent a transformative approach to streamlining development processes and significantly reducing delivery timelines, ensuring a more efficient and timely delivery of critical infrastructure nationwide.”
“Last week, the Government published the accelerating infrastructure report and action plan. It is a comprehensive programme of actions designed to speed up the delivery of critical infrastructure across the State. This action plan responds to well-documented challenges of lengthy development timelines, fragmented processes and rising costs. These have all been identified as major barriers to achieving Ireland’s housing, energy and climate objectives. The report is evidence-based. It is built on the research and analysis of my Department, the views received during the public consultation and stakeholder engagement undertaken by my Department over the summer, and expert input and advice from the members of the accelerating infrastructure task force.”
“Ultimately, we want utilities that have strong leadership and that are matched with the market median so we build an economy and State which can address child poverty and give people the support they require.”
“The Deputy saw the recent budget and the intervention we made around child poverty. It was a significant intervention on child poverty, the biggest in years. That was the child support payment and it was done with the engagement of the sector. We want to address the issues with child poverty in our country. The facts are clear about the €300 million-plus expenditure on child poverty measures next year to try to narrow the gap. The Government, led by the Taoiseach and his Department, has put a real focus on child poverty because of some of the statistics the Deputy referenced. This is separate and distinct from an informed decision made by a board assessing CEO pay. It is populist to pit one against the other.”
“That is why there has to be a full assessment within the board and with the consent of the relevant Minister, in line with the wider focus on performance within State bodies.”
“On a wider point, the budgets we implemented this year and in recent years are progressive. That is reflected in the SWITCH model the ESRI has around low-income deciles. The two lowest income deciles have been where the concentration of supports has been in terms of our response from a social protection perspective and the changes around income tax I made as Minister for Finance. We received recommendations from the independent senior posts remuneration committee. It is important we have a structured way to set salaries within the State. That is why we have a banded structure based on the market median in respect of commercial State bodies. It is important we have that in the context of attracting people to run those companies, whether utilities or other State bodies, so that we drive performance.”
“The report outlines fair and appropriate remuneration as a key element in the recruitment and retention of CEOs, who are critical to the State's future development and economic performance. Having considered the report, the Government has agreed to implement a more structured approach to the remuneration of CEOs. A banded salary structure is being implemented for CEOs, which ranges from their current salary to the market median of the relevant band. In line with the SPRC findings in relation to increased flexibility for boards, it is a matter for boards to propose a point within the relevant band for the body. This is subject to governance and scrutiny. The approval of the relevant Minister is required and then my subsequent consent. There will be no backdating of any changes to pay.”
“On foot of this report, the senior posts remuneration committee, SPRC, was established by Government in March 2024 to provide independent and objective advice, supporting consistency and transparency in the pay arrangements attaching to senior roles across the public service. The SPRC was requested to perform a review of the remuneration arrangements for the CEOs of CSBs. Following Government approval, I published the SPRC report on 29 April 2025. The SPRC made a number of findings and recommendations. The report found CEO remuneration packages have fallen out of alignment with the market and that a transparent and robust framework for the regular review of CEO remuneration was required to ensure remuneration levels are set and remain at a level that is appropriate and equitable.”
“The independent review panel on senior public service recruitment and pay determination processes was established in March 2022 and its report was published in June 2023. It found that pay determination of senior posts should consider best practice in terms of openness, transparency, accountability and the need for an objective evidence-based methodology. To this end, it recommended that an independent body be established to give independent advice to the Minister on remuneration arrangements for senior posts in the public service and CEOs of commercial State bodies, CSBs. It further recommended that a review of CEOs of CSBs be prioritised.”
“I will, of course, listen to and engage with whistleblowers. The review is really important, which is why we are bringing it forward from 2027 to 2026 to ensure we have broad feedback. They system I want to see operating is one that works for whistleblowers. As I said, we will be able to advance that next year.”
“I have had limited engagement on this matter with counterparts at an EU level. The directive has been transposed. Our Presidency in 2026 will allow opportunities for engagement on it. In the context of the review that will be happening in parallel, there will be a greater opportunity to take wider European feedback on this issue. We transposed the directive and legislation was enacted in 2022. Ultimately, I want to make sure, as I am sure we all do, that we have a system that works. It is timely to have a review that takes into account people's full experiences and everyone's interaction with the existing system. Following that consultation, I am open to taking the feedback and seeing how we can have a system that best supports whistleblowers. That is ultimately the direction and context in which I want to see it operate.”
“In the meantime, effective ways to address the issues arising from the ongoing implementation of the protected disclosures legislation include increased training and guidance for employers, regulators and designated recipients, as well as providing more guidance to workers to ensure their concerns are directed to the appropriate channels.”
“Given the amended Act only commenced on 1 January 2023, my Department has only two full years of statistics on the number of reports of wrongdoing received by Departments, public bodies and prescribed persons. The statistics suggest that the volume of reports received is increasing. In 2023, more than 1,100 reports were received, while in 2024, the number was just over 1,500. This increase suggests a greater awareness of the amendments that were introduced in 2022 among workers and that more workers felt motivated to make a protected disclosure under the framework.”
“A number of stakeholders have been pointing to challenges arising from the implementation of the amended legislation, including the protected disclosure processes and procedures. The statutory review will be an opportunity to bring to light any issues arising by consulting a more complete range of stakeholders and hearing their respective perspectives. It is clearly preferable to put forward amendments that are well considered and based on the experience and evidence of all relevant stakeholders. The consultation will provide an opportunity to ensure that is done. It is important to note that the legislation has only been in force for three years and many of the provisions in the Act have yet to be fully tested in practice and in the courts. The legislation was designed to encourage workers to report instances of potential wrongdoing.”
“As the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 is Ireland's national whistleblower protection law. Significant amendments to the Act were signed into law in July 2022. The amended Act gives effect to EU Directive 2019/1937 and provides for the establishment of the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner within the Ombudsman's office. As Minister, I am obligated to commence a statutory review of the Act no later than five years after the date of enactment, which is July 2027. That review must be completed and a report made to the Oireachtas no later than July 2028. I will arrange for the review to commence in advance of 2027 and for a public consultation to take place during 2026.”
“This is all about co-ordination and delivery of reform as well, and that is why the practical measures we have set out in this report will do what the Deputy said earlier in her remarks when she said we all want this to work. Ultimately, it is about how our energy systems, our transport infrastructure and our water infrastructure yields greater abundance across the economy so we can improve investment and increase the opportunities for job creation. That is what we have sought to do in this report.”
“We have fronted up an investment and taking the investment profile over the next five years, it means we will be one of the biggest investors in infrastructure per capita in Europe and have about 5% GNI*. We have responded to that around the investment piece. However, there is a well-documented need and an evidence base to drive reform and infrastructure delivery and that is why there needs to be much more balance around regulation. We need to cut some rules, regulations and processes which are not adding value but are causing excessive delay. We also need to have a wider debate about the level of regulation around certain areas within the economy to ensure we have growth and delivery as a means to drive the strategic direction of the State.”
“However, the reforms here are not about the investment. They are about how we change the practice and the delivery which is too slow. Doing that quickly is imperative to ensure the investment we have set aside yields improved delivery and that is the nature of what is set out.”
“The first aspect is on the actions which relate to reform and the majority of them fall in 2026. We have tried to front-load the interventions and actions we make so we can see the benefits of having legal reform, regulatory reform and simplification, better co-ordination delivery and improved public acceptance. They are the four areas identified. Most of those are to be progressed in 2026. We have already set out the national development plan review, which the Deputy will know about, and sectoral plans have been published in recent weeks setting out the trajectory of projects and of priorities across all areas of Government for the next number of years. The Deputy's point about five and ten years obviously relates to the overall capital investment. We have set out the €275 billion over ten years in the five-year sectoral plans.”
“Across government, it means driving and embedding a delivery-first culture, including a balance between risk and delivery that incorporates the potential cost of delay. The final pillar is public acceptance. I will set out greater detail on that.”
“It also means examining the structure of our regulatory environment, the practices applied by regulatory bodies and how they communicate with one another and with applicants. In practical terms, there is scope for improved outcomes by applying parallel processes, mandatory statutory timelines and measuring the performance of our regulatory bodies. The third pillar is co-ordination and delivery reform. This implements the reforms outlined in the programme for Government. It means my Department assumes a more central co-ordination role on the delivery of critical infrastructure, providing certainty to other Departments through multi-year funding commitments to underpin five-year sectoral plans and reforms to the infrastructure guidelines.”
“The plan sets out 30 targeted actions under four pillars, each addressing a key area of reform. The first pillar is legal reform. Reforms here aim to achieve a better balance towards the common good by addressing the incentives that drive a disproportionate reliance on the courts in planning and regulatory matters. While access to justice remains protected, the reforms will reduce incentives for excessive litigation, clarify rules on standing and remedies, and introduce fast-track pathways for nationally significant projects that are in the common good, through new legislation. The second pillar is regulatory simplification and reform. This means identifying where regulation leads to excessive process, rather than improved outcomes.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Farrell. Last week, the Government published the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. It is a comprehensive programme of actions designed to speed up the delivery of critical infrastructure across the State. This action plan responds to well-documented challenges of lengthy development timelines, fragmented processes and rising costs. These have all been identified as major barriers to achieving Ireland’s housing, energy, and climate objectives. The report is evidence-based. It has been built on the research and analysis of my Department, the views received during the public consultation and stakeholder engagement over the summer, and the expert input and advice from the members of the accelerating infrastructure task force.”
“I move the following Excess Vote: Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Statement of Excess) That a sum not exceeding €9,680 be granted to make good an excess on the grant for State Laboratory for the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2024.”
“The Government's policy on housing is what we have set out in our housing plan. The series of actions the Minister, Deputy Browne, has taken to ensure that young people can build a future and set up roots here, and the many interventions we have made in terms of the viability of housing and the increased provision in our national development plan for social and affordable homes, are all about ensuring we increase affordability and the supply of social homes right across our country. Our focus over the next number of years is to ramp up housing supply so that we ensure more young people have the ability to buy a home or have affordable rent across our country.”
“The Deputy has not referenced the housing plan, which is to sufficiently ramp up the provision of social and affordable homes to ensure we ramp up overall housing supply. The Deputy is misrepresenting the facts on this. It was something produced by SpunOut. It is not something-----”
“I recognise the role of the Complex for many in the arts community. I will engage with colleagues on it again. That particular notice has been advanced and I understand the urgency of the issue but I will engage with the Department of arts and culture on it and revert.”
“I thank the Deputy. I am familiar with the Complex and its important role for many in the arts community. Obviously, the specific capital needs in terms of any acquisition will be a matter for the Minister for arts. I will reflect on what the Deputy said and I am happy to engage with my colleagues on that matter. Obviously, if there has been immediate notice given, I do not know the facts on how quickly that is moving. It will be a matter for the Minister for arts to respond to and I will ask him to do so.”
“I thank the Deputy. All schemes are constantly under review. The Minister, Deputy Calleary, who oversees the hot school meals programme can take into account any feedback the Deputy has relating to procurement. He can also take into account feedback on the nutritional value of the hot school meals programme. I will ask him to provide a more specific answer to the Deputy's query.”
“I thank the Deputy. The Minister for housing has an ongoing review of that particular grant. It is my understanding that it has yet to come before Government. He will be able to respond to any particular queries after he has concluded a review, or if any changes are to be made at that point.”
“He has referenced the strategic link to Shannon Airport and he will be able to set out a more accurate timeline for that.”
“I thank the Deputy. I will have to ask the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to refer specifically to her query. In budget 2026 and the national development plan, we have secured €24 billion for transport capital investment over the next five years, which will make a significant difference in improving public transport, the development of roads and the wider active travel programme right across communities in our country. Part of that is the strengthening the provision of rail in many communities across our country. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is working on the sectoral investment plan, which he has published for the next five years, but he is also building a trajectory and pipeline of capital investment over a series of years.”
“We also need to increase the provision of therapies for many of the people in communities we represent. That is complemented by the waiting list initiative. The legislative reforms that will be progressed by the Minister, Deputy Foley, and Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, will make a difference in improving the process. Ultimately, we want to vindicate the rights of young people so there is a quicker process around the assessment of need and they get the therapy and intervention from the allied health professionals and providers.”
“I thank the Deputy. I acknowledge that many people in all of our constituencies are waiting too long for an assessment of need. We have seen increased resourcing of this over the past number of years but a doubling of demand since 2020, which has put significant pressure on the overall service. For example, approximately 9,570 applications were received in the first nine months of this year alone. We have significantly resourced this in the current year but also in budget 2026, with a 20% increase in disability funding. This will provide for significant recruitment support and increased provision of assessment of need. Complementing the resource allocation, we also need to reform the assessment of need process to make it much more efficient and effective for many of the children who are waiting for an assessment of need.”
“I thank the Deputy. I regret the fact that residents in Newmarket on Fergus are seeing an important community healthcare provision in terms of their GP service removed and replaced at another location. I will ask the Minister for Health and HSE to follow through on this and the impact of the absence of transport provision for many vulnerable people who need basic community healthcare and a continuity of healthcare in their local community. I will ask that the HSE and Department of Health respond fully to the Deputy's query.”
“In the engagement I have had with then Minister for education, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister, Deputy Naughton, we have prioritised the school building programme in the national development plan. For the next five years we have a total allocation of €7.5 billion. That is up from €5 billion over the previous five years in the national development plan, which was agreed in 2020 or 2021. That will allow for significant ramping-up of the overall delivery of school buildings and, in addition, the special education needs, which are critical in overall school provision. The Department has to work with the allocation it has and manage its pipeline in that context. I can ask the Department of Education and Youth to provide a more specific note on the timeline for that particular school.”
“The Minister, Deputy Foley, is advancing legislative change to reform the assessment of need without weakening the rights of children, establishing a dedicated panel to provide autism diagnostic assessments, removing the requirement for an assessment of need for accessing non-health supports including special classes and school places, and the roll-out of the education therapy service. In the agreement for budget 2026 the significant increase in disability funding of 20% will make a significant difference in ramping up recruitment in terms of improving assessment of need across the system in addition to the reforms the Minister is progressing.”
“First, I want to acknowledge Cara Darmody, who is continuing her campaign outside the gates of Leinster House. I know Cara has met with the Minister, Deputy Foley, and they have had good and positive engagement. In terms of assessment of need, the demand for assessments of need has more than doubled since 2020 and there has been a 57% year-on-year increase in the assessments of need that have been completed within the HSE. We are also using every available mechanism to reduce the backlog as quickly as possible. There have been 5,000 assessments procured privately through the waiting list initiative.”
“The OPW at that point set the rent for this property, which was paid by An Garda Síochána and, as has already been confirmed, the former Commissioner paid benefit in kind in respect of the accommodation that was provided. The Department of justice and the OPW can provide any further information that Deputy Bacik is seeking.”