Robert Troy
Longford-Westmeath · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Only last weekend, I had the honour of representing the Taoiseach at the commemoration of those who had lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme. The presence of the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland was a very positive development. I understand that it was the first time she was present in Dublin for that commemoration.”
“People deserve to know and understand not just the aspiration but the implication for their livelihoods, public services and future. Transparency is something I have tried to foster during my term as Minister of State in the Department of Finance. People expect it and are savvy enough to find it themselves.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this debate on the financial implications of Irish unity. It is fair to say that it is an important discussion and one that deserves to be approached with seriousness, honesty and respect.”
“If we are serious about unity - I believe we all are - we must be equally serious about preparation. That includes asking the difficult but necessary questions, including about the role of the UK in supporting any transition, whether financial contributions over a defined period would form part of any agreement and how the EU could be inv…”
“While many will view these as barriers so as to delay and misinform, we need to realise that our island has overcome its fair share of barriers in the past and we have the capacity to overcome any barriers in the future. What we should be looking at are the opportunities that a united Ireland presents.”
“It can be secured through reassurance, actions and compromise. Deputy Lahart indicated some of the compromises that may need to be considered. From a financial perspective, we need to look for clarity. Some fundamental questions need to be addressed. What would happen to public services? How would taxation be structured?”
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“If the Cathaoirleach will forgive me, even though I am not a Member of this House, it is good to see one of my local councillors and his partner Deirdre up visiting the Dáil this evening. I am glad to say it was not me who was the Minister getting the grilling in the butcher shop during the Seanad campaign. I sincerely thank Senator Nelson Murray and all our colleagues in the Fine Gael group for tabling this important motion on insurance reform, and all those who contributed to the motion in a positive way. It is a privilege to be here in the Seanad this evening to discuss the Government’s plan in this critical area and to hear the contributions of Senators from across the House. Let me be absolutely clear; the Government regards insurance reform as a key priority.”
“Unfortunately, there is no scope to change how sunscreen products are treated from a VAT perspective without a change in the EU VAT directive. Such a change would rely on a proposal from the European Commission in the first instance, followed by unanimous agreement by all member states to the change. At present, no such proposal is on the horizon. The Senator made a valid point on the designation of sunscreen. If the designation changed from a cosmetic product to a healthcare product, would it then fall as VAT-free under the directive? We need to check that out. It may not. Even if the designation changes, I am led to believe that it must be specifically designated and negotiated on a unanimous basis across Europe. We will double-check that, as the Senator requested. I will get my officials to come back to her in that regard.”
“I again thank the Senator for raising this issue. I acknowledge that it is very important for many people. The position remains that the VAT directive provides that all goods and services are liable for VAT at the standard rate unless they are exempt from VAT or fall within Annex III of that directive, in respect of which member states may apply reduced rates of VAT. As sunscreen products are not included anywhere within Annex III of the VAT directive, the VAT applied to them must be at the standard rate of 23%. The only way that the VAT rate could be reduced on sunscreen products would be to reduce the standard rate of 23%. However, the estimated cost of a 1% reduction in the standard rate of VAT would be €653 million, which is high. A reduction must be applied to all products currently at that rate, so this is obviously not an option.”
“Worthy of mention is the fact that Ireland has always maintained a zero rate of VAT on oral medicines and ensured these zero rates were maintained in the 2022 agreement. In summary, because sunscreen products are not considered a medicine for the purposes of the VAT directive, it is not possible to apply a reduced or zero rate to them. There is, unfortunately, no scope at this time to change this position. I am sorry I am not the bearer of better news for the Senator.”
“It should be noted that with regard to Annex Ill of the VAT directive, I have been advised that an agreement was reached to amend and expand its scope in April 2022. These changes to the VAT directive, which require unanimity among member states, were negotiated over a four-year period. I understand no further changes to Annex Ill of the VAT directive are expected in the medium term. The Senator also be aware that the changes made to Annex Ill of the VAT directive did allow the Government to apply a zero rate of VAT to non-oral medicines, such as hormone replacement therapy patches and creams, and to nicotine replacement therapy patches. In addition, the Government was able to move the VAT rate for automatic external defibrillators to zero, which the Senator will be aware was a long-standing request of many in the Oireachtas.”
“I understand that, in 2023 - the Senator said she raised it in August 2024, so between those times - this issue was something the then Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, asked to be raised directly with the European Commission. Following his instructions, officials sought clarity on whether the text of Annex Ill of the VAT directive, which refers to pharmaceutical products, could be understood to include sun protection products. However, the European Commission confirmed the position that it was not possible for sunscreen products to be considered pharmaceutical products as they are deemed to be classed as a product in the category of cosmetic or toilet preparations. In those circumstances, the Commission advised that a reduced rate cannot be applied to sun protection products such as sunscreen.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and for her ongoing advocacy in this regard. I am advised by Revenue that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish law must comply. In general, the VAT directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate unless they are exempt from VAT or fall within Annex III of the directive, in respect of which member states may apply reduced rates of VAT. The reduced rates of VAT in Ireland are 9% and 13.5%, respectively. Under VAT law, there is, unfortunately, no scope for a reduction in the rate of VAT on sunscreen products as it is not one of the products listed in the aforementioned Annex Ill. Therefore, the supply of sunscreen products is liable to the standard rate of VAT of 23%.”
“It was an error, and errors can happen. To be fair to Deputy Kelly, however, he has waited until 12.10 a.m. I do not have the information to hand to be able to give him the comprehensive answer that he deserves and that is warranted. I am sure the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, will facilitate the hearing of this matter on the earliest possible date that suits Deputy Kelly and the Minister or a Minister of State from his Department, with the agreement of the Ceann Comhairle. Between the three of us, I think we can get it sorted out quickly.”
“To be helpful, the matters for the morning will already have been selected and the relevant Deputies will be coming in for them. Perhaps I am speaking out of hand, but I do not think even Deputy Kelly will be ready to come in at 9 a.m. after staying here until 12.10 a.m. I will give a commitment. I accept that the error was probably made by the Department of Justice.”
“I am quite happy to listen to Deputy Kelly and relay his concerns to the Minister tonight but the information I was given was that this Topical Issue was withdrawn and I do not have a brief from the Department. I am not a Minister of State at the Department so I may not have a suitable answer for Deputy Kelly tonight. If he wants to proceed and make his intervention, I am happy to listen to it and relay it back to the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan. Another option is for Deputy Kelly to withdraw his matter and have it taken tomorrow. I am conscious he has waited until 12.05 a.m. and I am more than happy to sit here and take on board the points he makes this evening.”
“Any fair-minded person would say that in those five months he has been very much on the ground. I take on board that he states he intends to respond shortly and I take his word on this. I will relay back to the Minister the points Deputy Ó Snodaigh has raised.”
“Our policing and criminal justice system has seen substantial and comprehensive change over the past 50 years. In order for a public inquiry and all that entails to be warranted, it must serve an urgent public interest. With all of the developments that have taken place, there is no obvious purpose that would be served. I assure Deputy Ó Snodaigh that the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, is examining the petition received from a number of civil society organisations seeking a statutory inquiry into the Sallins case and I am advised that the Minister intends to respond to the petitioners shortly. Deputy Ó Snodaigh alluded to the Minister having information for the past two years. As a matter of fact, the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, has been in office for approximately five months.”
“Again, on behalf of the Minister for justice, Deputy O'Callaghan, I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As outlined, the case in question has been the subject of court proceedings, pardons and associated compensation settlements. More generally, the rights of suspects and the policing oversight regime have been completely transformed. I referred to the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which provides a new governance and oversight regime for policing. A key part of the Act is the reformed and strengthened independent Office of the Police Ombudsman to investigate allegations of Garda wrongdoing. Another key part is the Policing and Community Safety Authority, which has significant powers of inspection and engagement and can engage with the Garda Commissioner and senior leadership team in public sessions.”
“The primary concern is that the matter at issue must be considered of significant public concern in the sense that the concern to the public is live or there has been a recent significant development and an inquiry would assist in establishing the facts. Given all the developments that have taken place in the intervening years, including the adjudication by the courts and the granting of a presidential pardon, I am advised that the Minister is not aware of any matter of urgent public interest which would warrant reopening the matter. As the House is aware, the Minister is considering a petition received from a number of civil society organisations calling for a statutory inquiry into the Sallins case. I can offer assurances that the petition is receiving attention and the Minister expects to respond to the petitioners shortly.”
“In this century, the State has continued to enact legislation to develop and update our oversight processes, most significantly through the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, commenced by the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, in April. Ireland has an exceptionally robust system of independent oversight of policing in place. Moreover, a human rights ethos is at the heart of the Garda code of ethics and in recent years a strong organisational focus has been put on embedding the principle that human rights are the foundation and purpose of policing into the everyday actions of members of An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will appreciate that the establishment of any public inquiry is something which can only be proceeded with where it is warranted.”
“Those wrongly accused suffer greatly, as do victims and families who feel that they did not get justice. It is important to emphasise, however, that this case occurred several decades ago and I can say, without question, that the safeguards which were available at that time to those who were the subject of investigation were very different from those in place today. As the Deputy is aware, following the Ó Briain and Martin committees, the Criminal Justice Act 1984, which regulates the treatment of persons in custody, the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act 1986, and the Criminal Procedure Act 1993 containing a new appeal procedure based on an alleged miscarriage of justice, were introduced.”
“I thank the Deputy. This happened before I was born so my memory does not stretch that far back. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Deputy O'Callaghan. I will respond to the issue raised by Deputy Ó Snodaigh on the Minister's behalf. Deputy Ó Snodaigh is aware that the issue concerns an investigation conducted almost 50 years ago, which resulted in the courts overturning the convictions of two people in 1980, a presidential pardon for a third person in 1992, and the payment of financial settlements. At the time, this case unquestionably cast a shadow on the trust we place in our criminal justice and policing systems to ensure justice is done. Miscarriages of justice serve absolutely no one.”
“The Minister also welcomes the State Examinations Commission's commitment to addressing any issue and to improve the RACE scheme to best meet the needs of candidates with special educational needs now and into the future, while ensuring fairness for all candidates. The Deputy asked me to bring the points he raised back to the Minister. I undertake to do so. He will appreciate that I am not in a position to give any confirmation of what might happen in the examination process next year. It is not under my remit. Equally, I do not think the Minister, Deputy McEntee, would have been able to give a confirmation today when a review is under way, but I undertake to relay back to her the points the Deputy raised.”
“As the State Examinations Commission has affirmed, its review of the RACE scheme will seek to take account of all the relevant issues, including the question of additional time and best practice internationally. The State Examinations Commission's intention is to consult extensively with stakeholders, including representative organisations, as it progresses its review, which is of course crucial. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, welcomes its intention to progress any changes that may arise from the review on a rolling basis to avoid unnecessary delay in facilitating candidates to perform to the best of their ability in examinations.”
“As I mentioned, almost one in four candidates at the 2024 certificate examinations were provided with some form of reasonable accommodation within the RACE scheme to support them in accessing State examinations, underlining the importance of the scheme. Deputies may be aware that an extensive range of accommodations are currently available for candidates with dyslexia. These include an individual reader, a reading assistant, an exam reading pen, a word processor, a recording device, additional time for any candidate who is using a scribe to provide for a time overhead in dictating answers, and a waiver from spelling, grammar and punctuation.”
“The State Examinations Commission absolutely acknowledges that there is increasing complexity in the special educational landscape and, by extension, in the impact on candidates with special educational needs taking the certificate examinations. The extensive consultation and engagement to be undertaken as part of this comprehensive review will provide an opportunity for the views of those affected to be incorporated into the consideration.”
“The consultation to take place over the coming months will inform any appropriate changes to the shape of the scheme for the 2026 State exams and beyond, with the details of the scheme for 2026 to be communicated to schools before the end of this year in line with normal timelines. Given the wide range of difficulties for which accommodations are sought, it is intended to seek the views of users through extensive consultation and engagement so as to capture all perspectives and ensure all voices are heard equally. This will include young people with special educational needs, their families, and representative organisations, including Dyslexia Ireland, and is to take place over the coming months.”
“Already on a pilot basis for 2025 examinations, additional time for vision-impaired candidates who are under the care of the visiting teacher service is being increased from ten minutes per hour or part of an hour to 15 minutes for the junior cycle, leaving certificate applied and the leaving certificate examinations. This increases the additional time for these candidates to between 25% and 38% of the total examination duration. For example, in an examination of two and a half hours, additional time of 15 minutes per hour increases the total examination time now provided by 30%.”
“The review is being directed by the board of commissioners of the State Examinations Commission and overseen by a steering group, with the terms of reference published on the State Examinations Commission website. The steering group is chaired by the CEO of the State Examinations Commission and is composed of external members drawn from government, academic and international organisations, and internal State Examinations Commission members of staff. The inclusion of internal State Examinations Commission members of staff as well as external members is designed to ensure that rolling changes can be implemented as the review progresses rather than awaiting a big bang approach at the end of the full review period. This will ensure any changes are implemented as early as possible in the interests of students.”
“The review that the Deputy raises is being undertaken by the State Examinations Commission during a time of senior cycle redevelopment and in the context of the wider special educational needs policy landscape. It is a comprehensive and system-wide review of the scheme. The programme for Government commits to developing an appropriate mechanism to allow additional time for students with specific needs and in certain circumstances, and also to ensure that those who use assistive technology can do so in State examinations. The review now under way by the State Examinations Commission will seek to take account of these and all relevant issues, and best practice internationally.”
“I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to provide an update on this important matter on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee. The State Examinations Commission has responsibility for the reasonable accommodations at certificate examinations, RACE, scheme. A central tenet of the RACE scheme is to ensure equitable treatment for all candidates. The range of accommodations provided within the scheme has been designed to ensure fairness for all when facilitating candidates in demonstrating their level of achievement. It is important to note that access to the scheme is needs based rather than based on a specific diagnosis.”
“Ireland has implemented the agreed OECD Pillar Two minimum effective taxation rate of 15% and we remain deeply engaged in the ongoing work to finalise Pillar One of the agreement. Our long-standing position remains that the international tax system needs to keep pace with how business is now conducted globally.”
“Recent years have seen a substantial period of reform through the OECD BEPS programme which has resulted in real changes to global multinational activities, with firms moving away from locations with little substance to key centres in their value chains including Ireland, as activity in tax havens is wound down. Ireland has continued to implement many reforms to our tax systems in recent years, including the introduction of the EU anti-tax avoidance directive and defensive measures on outbound payments and we are fully compliant with the OECD standards of transparency and exchange of information about tax measures. Ireland has been to the forefront in implementing the OECD international tax agreement which seeks to address the tax challenges arising from the digitisation of the economy.”
“Regardless, as I mentioned in my opening statement, capital allowances for intellectual property are a normal part of any tax system. The tax system provides relief in the form of capital allowances against trading income for capital expenditure incurred on the provision of intangible assets for the purposes of trade, both acquired and internally developed. IP allowances may only be deducted from income generated by those assets and a cap applies. A maximum of 80% of relevant profits may be offset by capital allowances in any year, which is below the EU average of almost 82%. Intellectual property is an important aspect of any modern multinational enterprise, but especially in the IT and pharmaceutical sectors, as the Deputy is no doubt aware.”
“Tax is only one element of this story, with other factors such as: a young, educated workforce; political stability; a common law legal system; access to the EU market; ease of doing business; tax certainty; and pro-business regulation also being key features.”
“This demonstrates the real economic activity taking place which is underpinned by the elevated levels of intellectual property which is exploited, developed and enhanced through those Irish entities. Ireland has fully implemented agreed new international tax standards, including transposition of the anti-tax avoidance directives, implementation of the BEPS action plan measures, and implementation of the OECD Pillar Two minimum tax agreement. Ireland's tax rules are in line with international norms. We have been, and continue to be, an attractive location for foreign direct investment as evidenced by the good jobs provided by multinational enterprises in the State.”
“Ireland's corporate tax policy, and broader industrial strategy, has consistently focused on attracting real and substantive investment that brings jobs and real activity to Ireland. The elevated level of intellectual property in lreland is a natural outcome of having the substantial operations of many of the world’s leading multinational companies with investments here. This investment creates real and substantive employment and economic activity in the State. The IDA has indicated that employment by its client companies is in excess of 300,000 people, with more than 110,000 people employed in the information and communications services sector and more than 109,000 in modern manufacturing alone.”
“Recent articles highlight the exposure for the Irish economy of the recent onshorings, not least the vulnerabilities and concentration of risks associated with our corporate tax receipts. This Government and successive Ministers for Finance have been cognisant of these risks. While these revenues are welcome, they may well be transitory and cannot be relied on to fund ongoing spending commitments, which the Government has recognised through the establishment of two long-term funds, the Future Ireland Fund and the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund. It is important that we continue to support the establishment and growth of domestic businesses to improve the resilience of our corporate tax revenues.”
“The OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, BEPS, project introduced rules to better align substance and intellectual property. As a result, Ireland has seen a significant increase in onshoring of intellectual property in recent years, as multinational enterprises aligned intellectual property previously held offshore with the substantive economic activities that take place here, including the hundreds of thousands of jobs in these sectors in Ireland. Ireland was not the only country to benefit from intellectual property onshoring since the BEPS actions were agreed in 2015. Groups also onshored intellectual property to the US and to other jurisdictions worldwide where they have located substantial operations.”
“I congratulate Deputy Hayes on making his maiden speech in the Dáil. I did not expect to be saying that at this stage. However, I congratulate him and his supporters who join him today. As a small open globalised economy that is home to substantial levels of foreign direct investment, elevated levels of intellectual property, and by extension capital allowances associated with that intellectual property, are inevitable. The development, enhancement and exploitation of this intellectual property in Ireland forms a key part of the activities of multinational enterprises in Ireland and especially so in the IT and pharmaceutical sectors. Capital allowances associated with such activity are an ordinary part of any corporation tax system.”
“That is the problem we have faced with many projects that have been delayed and stalled. The price is only going one way, not down. The OPW needs to carry out due diligence. It is important that it do so for us to get value for money regarding what I acknowledge is very important infrastructure for Courtown. I will relay to the relevant Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran, the sentiments the Deputy has expressed today, and no doubt the Deputy will raise the issue directly with Minister for Transport to ensure the authorisation is forthcoming.”
“At a time when we have all read about, and been aghast by, some of the projects that the OPW has sanctioned, and the funding it has spent on some projects, it is important that it carries out due diligence to ensure value for money on what is a very important project for Courtown and the wider area. No one will thank the organisation if something is deemed considerably excessive.”
“I reiterate that draft heads of terms, including on the purchase price, have been agreed in respect of the new site. Therefore, there has been progress. The matter is now with the Department of Transport. I have no doubt that the Deputy will exert pressure on the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, to the same extent that he has exerted it on the OPW. It now needs to sanction the necessary funding and give authorisation to proceed with the purchase of the site. That is currently awaited. My advice to the Deputy is that he should channel his efforts in this regard to move things on.”
“The Department has confirmed that this arrangement will remain in place until the new facility is completed. I am not quite sure whether the information on the agreement of the heads of terms is in addition to what the Deputy heard when he raised this in the Seanad. I will not take credit for relaying the message today but there does seem to have been some movement. That, no doubt, is largely due to his relentless pursuit of this issue.”
“Once a suitable site is required, the OPW will assign a project team to commence the planning and detailed design stages of the project. The tender process will then follow and the OPW will manage the delivery of the new Coast Guard facility in Courtown while continuing to work closely with colleagues in the Department of Transport to deliver on the overall Coast Guard programme. Unfortunately, at this time it is not possible to provide a commencement date for the start of the construction of the new Coast Guard facility in Courtown. The OPW has been informed that, as an interim measure, the Department has secured accommodation for the Coast Guard unit in the local parochial house, which I believe is what the Deputy referred to in his contribution.”
“The Deputy will be well aware, given his advocacy and interest in this matter, that a preferred site for the Coast Guard facility in Courtown was selected following consultation between the OPW and the Department in March 2024. Following negotiations with the landowner, draft heads of terms and the purchase price have been agreed in respect of the preferred site. Given that the Department funds the Coast Guard programme, the OPW has sought authorisation to proceed with the purchase of the site, and this is awaited. Once this is received, the OPW can complete the remaining due diligence and the acquisition of the preferred site. As this is commercially sensitive, the OPW is not in a position to provide further information on the preferred site at this time.”
“The Coast Guard building programme, which includes the provision of new or upgraded facilities at a number of locations across the country, is managed by the OPW on behalf of the Department of Transport. These projects are funded by the Department. Programme priorities are decided by the Coast Guard and the programmes are overseen by a programme oversight group consisting of representatives from the Department, the Coast Guard service and the OPW. The OPW provides advice and assistance on the design of such projects, site feasibility studies, acquisition of sites, planning and detailed design, and contractor procurement and manages the delivery in line with the requirements of the Department of Transport and Coast Guard Service.”
“At least the Deputy acknowledged that I am only deputising for another Minister of State. He sends his apologies as he cannot be here. It is obvious, given the level of interaction and number of representations the Deputy has made on this project over the past five years, why he is frustrated. I will give him the response I have been given. He will appreciate that I am not au fait with the issue. I will give the answer and he can come back to me afterwards if he has supplementary questions or questions he would like me to bring back to the relevant Minister of State. The Irish Coast Guard, a division of the Department of Transport, has 44 units, based in 58 Coast Guard stations.”
“Once again, I thank colleagues here and in the Dáil for their input and careful consideration of the Bill since its introduction. I am happy the Bill has now passed all Stages and will go to Uachtarán na hÉireann to be signed into law.”
“It is heartening to see it through the final legislative Stages in the Seanad today, particularly given the key aim of the Bill is to strengthen protections for financial consumers by amending legislation underpinning the FSPO so it can continue to carry out its statutory functions in line with the Constitution. It will significantly improve the consumer protection framework in Ireland and, importantly, it will clarify that customers of financial services providers that have left the Irish market will continue to be able to access the existing services and consumer protections afforded by the FSPO. All mortgage holders will now have access to the FSPO, even if their mortgage loan was a credit servicer that was unregulated before the Acts of 2015 and 2018.”
“I thank the Senators who are present, and those who attended debates on previous Stages of the Bill, for their contributions to the debate, particularly in recent weeks, and for their very constructive engagement with the legislation. The Financial Services and Pension Ombudsman is an independent, impartial, fair and free service that helps resolve complaints from consumers, including small businesses, against financial service providers and pension providers. It provides a vital service for consumers of financial services in Ireland. The Bill was originally published on 19 December 2023.”
“A key point is that betting duty accrues to the Exchequer and, therefore, betting duty receipts are not ring-fenced for any sport or any sporting body. It is acknowledged that there is a regular source of confusion in that from 2001 to 2008, the horse and greyhound racing fund received a guaranteed level of funding each year, which was based on betting duty receipts for the preceding year, subject to a minimum level based on the year 2000 amount. However, in 2009, a policy change was made whereby the annual payments to the fund were no longer automatically calculated by reference to the previous year's betting duty. This policy change was outlined in the budget 2009 summary of budget measures.”
“I reiterate that the Government is committed to supporting the development of Ireland's sporting ecosystem and the support that continues to be provided for football is a key example of that commitment in action. This is evidenced by the significant funding provided to the FAI, including capital investment for sports infrastructure and funding for training facilities. As I referred to earlier, the programme for Government includes a commitment to exploring new mechanisms for the creation of football academies with the FAI and the League of Ireland. My colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy McConalogue, will review the report on the development of football academies, which will feed into the development of a future training development plan.”
“The Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy McConalogue, will engage with the FAI on this topic further to receiving the report for which the Department has provided funding. That report will be a key input into considering the next steps to be taken, while noting that decisions in this regard are preliminarily a matter for the FAI as an independent sports body.”
“Under the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, €54.4 million was allocated to football stadia in November 2024 for projects at Finn Harps, Dalymount Park, Sligo Rovers and Wexford Football Club. The programme for Government includes a commitment to exploring new mechanisms for the creation of football academies with the FAI and the League of Ireland. An important piece of work in this context is supported by the additional grant fund of €1 million to the FAI in 2024. This funding will enable the FAI to produce a detailed report on the development of football academies, building on a submission to the Department of sport in autumn 2024. The report will include a deep baseline audit of existing structures and needs, which will inform the development plan.”