Written Answers Nos. 51-75
51. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his plans for the State-owned unit 153 in Shannon Business Park, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15647/24]
View answerUnit 153 Shannon Business Park was acquired by the Office of Public Works as a solution to meet the long-term requirements of the Department of Transport and a range of other State bodies in the area. The Department of Transport which operates the Vehicle Registration Unit (VRU) from a State-owned building in Shannon town centre, was earmarked as a key priority client to go into this newly acquired building.
A master-planning exercise for building was under way shortly after its purchase when the building was allocated to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) as part of the emergency response to the increased demand for accommodation for those seeking protection in Ireland. The OPW engaged fully with the relevant Government Departments managing the process over a number of months. Earlier this year DCEDIY informed the OPW that it was releasing this property as it was no longer under consideration for that purpose. The OPW has since recommenced engagement with client departments to complete a masterplan for the property, and will proceed to design stage by end of 2024.
As a result of ongoing fabric issues within the existing VRU building the OPW intends to relocate Department of Transport staff from Shannon VRU to identified suitable space within Shannon 153 over the coming months.
53. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated cost of all means tested payments and supports in 2024; if any Departments are seeking to expand such payments by revision of such tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17778/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, means tested schemes are in place across a broad number of Government Departments to determine eligibility and rates payable for certain payments and supports. Means tests seek to ensure that scarce resources are allocated in a manner that reflects the policy objective of the scheme and allocate the available resources as effectively as possible to those most in need of support.
My Department does not collate information on the estimated cost of all means tested payments and supports. Some examples of such schemes and their associated Budgets are as follows:
In the Department of Social Protection, for example, social assistance schemes are generally subject to means testing. This would include Jobseeker’s Allowance (with a budget of almost €2billion in 2024), Disability Allowance (with a budget of €2.2 billion in 2024) and Carer’s Allowance (with a budget of €1.1 billion in 2024).
In the Health service, an important means test relates to the Medical Card scheme. The budgetary allocation by the Department of Health for 2024 for medical cards stands at just under €778m to cover GP fees related to costs arising from medical cards, just over €523m for Medical Card Schemes, and €20m allocated for medical cards provided to Ukrainian refugees. The medical card can also be used as a means to access support in other areas, such as free school transport.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth facilitates the administration of a number of means tested schemes. The National Childcare Scheme consists of a universal element (the universal subsidy) and a means tested element (the income assessed subsidy). Whether families qualify for the universal or Income Assessed subsidy depends on their particular family circumstances. The 2024 NCS budget is €369m. The Department also has responsibility for the Blind welfare allowance with a budget of €11.690m and the Mobility allowance with a budget of €8.244m.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has an allocation in 2024 of approximately €391m for the Student Support Grants (SUSI).
Relevant schemes in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage include the Rental Accommodation Scheme (with an allocation of €111m in 2024) and the Housing Assistance Payment (with an allocation of €525m in 2024).
The policy considerations around the revision of means tests are a matter, in the first instance, for each of the relevant Ministers. I am aware that revisions have been made to means tests in recent years by a number of Ministers, such as increases in the income and capital disregards applied in some tests. These have generally been made in the context of the annual budgetary process. Any proposals by individual Ministers to change or expand such payments by amendments to the means tests in the future would be a matter for consideration in the context of the overall annual budget process in light of the available resources and competing priorities.
56. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he has considered the extent of unclaimed benefits across different Government programmes; if he would consider establishing a cross-government initiative to better promote take-up of these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15267/24]
View answerI would like to acknowledge the deputy's interest in the issue of benefit take-up; and note that the deputy has raised this issue recently in relation to a number of specific benefits and tax reliefs including Working Family Payment, Carer’s Support Grant, the Household Benefits Package, and tax allowances and reliefs. In relation to this question concerning benefits across Government, I take benefits to be referring to payments and free or subsidised access to services, such as the medical card, which are available through the State. There are many benefits available through the State, administered across a wide range of government departments and bodies. Over €53 billion in gross non-pay current expenditure has been allocated for 2024, a large proportion of which is for the provision of such benefits. These benefits typically have a claims process to establish eligibility, collect applicant details, payment details, and so forth. The State typically does not have information on eligibility in the absence of eligible claimants making contact with the relevant body to claim the benefits to which they are entitled. My Department does not have access to the extent to which benefit take-up estimates are available across the Public Services. That being said, there are some areas where research or recipient numbers suggest that take-up is lower than expected, such as the Working Family Payment administered by the Department of Social Protection or the expanded eligibility for GP visit cards administered by the Department of Health. Departments are making efforts to increase take-up in such cases. I would like to acknowledge there has been a lot of good work done across Government in recent years to boost public awareness through public information campaigns and enhance online information and application processes. However, I believe more can be done to support eligible citizens' awareness of benefits to which they are entitled and navigate the application process. I consider further initiatives in this space to be the responsibility of the department or body with responsibility for administering each benefit.
The aim of increasing benefit take-up is very much in line the ‘Better Public Services’ strategy being driven by my Department. ‘Better Public Services’, the public service transformation strategy, was launched in 2023. It encourages Public Service Bodies to identify and prioritise organisational actions aimed at putting the service user first in developing seamless and inclusive services for the public.
62. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to discuss the differing pension entitlements that exist for members of An Garda Síochána based on joining the force pre- or-post 1995. [7917/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question and for clarifying that it refers to the payment of occupational supplementary pensions specifically.
The majority of public servants recruited before 6 April 1995 pay Class B or Class D PRSI. This cohort of staff has no entitlement to Social Insurance benefits such as Jobseeker’s Benefit, State Pension Contributory (SPC) and Illness Benefit. Their occupational pension and lump sum forms the entirety of their pension benefit from the public service.
For all new entrants to the public service on or after 6 April 1995 (the introduction of full social insurance for public servants who now pay Class A PRSI) and before 1 January 2013 (the introduction of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme), including members of An Garda Síochána, their pension payment comprises of three components:
(i) A Public Service Occupational Pension which is reduced by the full rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC) payable by the public service employer;
(ii) A Social Insurance Benefit(s) (SPC, Jobseeker’s Benefit etc.), payable, subject to eligibility, by the Department of Social Protection (DSP); and
(iii) Where the full rate of SPC is not payable, a supplementary pension may be payable up to the SPC, subject to eligibility, by the public service employer.
Where a public service employee does not qualify for the SPC or qualifies for a Social Insurance benefit at less than the value of the SPC they may be entitled to a supplementary pension, subject to eligibility criteria, including:
(i) The retired public servant is not in paid employment;
(ii) The retired public servant, due to no fault of their own, fails to qualify for Social Insurance benefit(s) or qualifies for a benefit at less that the value of the SPC; and
(iii) The retired public servant must have reached minimum pension age or retired on grounds of ill-health.
The second condition is important to ensure no duplication of payments from public funds. To verify this condition, currently, prior to payment of the Occupational Supplementary Pension, a retired public service employee must engage with the DSP and obtain proof that they have exhausted any relevant benefits for which they may be eligible under the Social Insurance system.
My Department is aware that there are some issues concerning the procedures for qualifying for the payment of an Occupational Supplementary Pension, in particular the requirement to engage with the DSP. In this regard, we have liaised with the Department of Justice and DSP on these matters and my officials are currently reviewing the existing system with the relevant stakeholders, with a view to streamlining the process.
63. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the efficiencies to be achieved under the new public sector pay deal; how these are to be measured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17794/24]
View answerReform and transformation of our public services remains a key priority for Government and it is always a key element of Public Service Agreements.
As such, the Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026 underpins the ongoing transformation of our public services, enabling reform to continue in a collaborative and cooperative way. The new Agreement contains a chapter that sets out the high level goals and measures on service delivery transformation that the parties have committed to working together to achieve.
The agreement also reaffirms the extensive provisions of previous agreements, as they apply to the transformation of public services, so that they can continue to provide a framework to enable the sustained transformation of public services.
In 2023, “Better Public Services – The Public Service Transformation 2030 Strategy”, was published. This strategy seeks to deliver better public services through the implementation of actions in line with the core themes of Digital and Innovation at scale, Workforce and Organisation of the future and Evidence Informed Policy and Services designed for and with our public. The new agreement seeks to support this strategy as actions are initiated and progressed during its lifetime and provides for dialogue and engagement, in this regard.
The parties to the Agreement have acknowledged that the public service must play its part in taking a lead role, embracing and adapting to digitalisation and technological developments. This will include maximising the benefits of modern and emerging information technology including Artificial Intelligence, and related technologies, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Data Analytics.
Sectoral reform priorities are specified in the suite of strategies and plans that are contained in the Appendix. In support of public service delivery, there will be engagement, at sectoral level, in relation to these, which include, amongst others:
• Civil and Public Service Transformation Strategies;
• Cross Sectoral reform strategies that support the achievement of climate related goals;
• Health reform including Slaintecare and the delivery of Regional Health Areas.
• A key element of the Agreement is that each sector will produce and publish reform action plans and progress reports that will demonstrate delivery each year. These plans provide each sector with an opportunity to identify and agree specific goals and initiatives to be progressed during the lifetime of the Agreement. This is in line with the previous Agreement - Building Momentum and is required in order for pay increases to be realised.
• Full detail of the agreed overarching reforms can be found in chapter 2 of the Agreement which is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/29e6c-public-service-agreement-2024-2026/
64. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when he will be bringing forward legislation to increase the mandatory retirement age for certain public sector workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17648/24]
View answerI fully support increases to the retirement ages in the uniformed services. The changes proposed by the respective Ministers that are being facilitated by my Department will enhance the options available to members of the uniformed services, and allow them to remain in service for longer if they choose to do so. Furthermore, it will assist in retaining valuable expertise.
Following a comprehensive analysis undertaken by my Department to examine the issue of mandatory retirement age increases and the fast accrual pension terms which apply to uniformed public servants, a policy framework on fast accrual pensions was established.
Under this framework, fast accrual pension terms will be facilitated until age 60. If an individual remains in employment beyond that age, their pension accrual reverts to a standard basis from that point until their retirement.
This policy provides an equitable and sustainable basis on which to facilitate increases to the mandatory retirement age in these sectors. It strikes the right balance between competing demands; it satisfies equity and cost concerns, and it gives uniformed public servants greater choice as to how long they wish to work.
In the context of this policy, an increased mandatory retirement age of 62 for members of An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, Firefighters and the Irish Prison Service services was proposed and was approved by Government.
My officials are at an advanced stage of drafting the legislation to enact the necessary amendments and are working with colleagues in other relevant departments to progress through all stages of the legislative process as quickly as possible.
65. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department has plans to upgrade the State-owned motor taxation office in Shannon, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15646/24]
View answerThe Department of Transport (DoT) operate the Driver and Vehicle Computer Services from a State owned building in Shannon Town Centre (Shannon VRU). The building requires significant investment to address building fabric issues that have arisen over a number of years. This investment was under consideration when an opportunity to acquire a substantial property consisting of offices / warehousing in the Shannon area was identified. The property was acquired by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and has the potential to meet the long term requirements of the DoT and other State bodies in the area.
A master-planning exercise for the newly acquired building, Unit 153 Shannon Free Zone (Shannon 153), was underway when the building was allocated to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), for conversion to residential use, as part of the emergency response to the increased demand for accommodation for those seeking international protection in Ireland.
Earlier this year, DCEDIY informed the OPW that it was releasing this property back to the OPW as it is no longer under consideration for accommodation for International Protection Applicants.
As a result of the ongoing issues in Shannon VRU, it is the OPW’s intention to decant staff currently operating from Shannon VRU to an alternative location. A potential solution had been identified in the Government Offices in Ennis, however, the OPW now intend to utilise Shannon 153 as the decant solution, following its release back to the OPW.
The OPW are engaging with the DoT to ensure their requirements are met in Shannon 153 in the most efficient manner.
The OPW continue to work with the DoT to identify any measures that can be put in place to mitigate the impact of the building fabric issues in their current building. The long term use of this building is under consideration.
66. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to report on progress to retrofit traditional and historical buildings; if district heating will play a role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17705/24]
View answerThe Office of Public Works is responsible for maintaining some of Ireland’s most important and iconic structures, a diverse range of nationally and internationally significant historic heritage properties including 780 National Monuments, 32 National historic visitor sites, over 100 stone buildings in Dublin which are home to Government, State Agencies and National Cultural Institutions. In addition, the OPW maintains a portfolio of historic buildings nationwide, which house Garda stations, Departmental offices, educational facilities, lodges and visitor centres.
In December 2019, the European Commission adopted a Communication on the European Green Deal, in which the renovation of both public and private buildings was highlighted as a key initiative to drive energy efficiency in the sector and deliver on climate objectives.
To assist in the approach to improving the energy efficiency of OPW owned traditionally built heritage properties, my Office has been developing a guidance document, ‘Approaches to Improving the Energy Performance of Heritage Properties in State Care’ which is funded by the Department of Public expenditure, NDP delivery, which is due to be launched next month.
The OPW has just completed the refurbishment and energy renovation of Block M in Dublin Castle, as a pilot using this draft guidance document. In addition, there is ongoing collaboration between the OPW and other organisations; including SEAI through our participation on the steering group of the FabTrads Study to review the performance of traditional building fabric and we have partnered with Limerick City Council to secure EU TSI funding, for the Deep Energy Renovation Of Historic Buildings In Ireland project.
The National Development Plan, supported by the Programme for Government, commits to a once in-a-generation investment in the renovation and redevelopment of our National Cultural Institutions. As the technical lead on the NCI programme the OPW has a central focus on the objectives of the Climate Action Plan including decarbonisation and is incorporating innovative retrofitting initiatives as a key driver to the investment scheme.
The Office of Public Works in addition to the development of the guidelines, pilot studies and NCI programme is continuously engaged in a programme of maintenance and renovation works to the everyday but equally important historic buildings in our care. Boiler replacements and heating systems upgrades, roof repairs, the installation of appropriate breathable insulations, window and door repair / replacement, the installation of solar collectors PV panels and other renovation works improve / repair building fabric and result in improved energy efficiency and building performance.
The OPW has been innovative in the use of district heating systems in Ireland. A district heating system, which utilises biomass (wood pellets) renewable energy, serves the Leinster house complex, government buildings and 3 of the city centre cultural institutions which reduces carbon and increases efficiency. There is ambition to continually seek to utilise/improve this district heating systems that all buildings served by this system will benefit from.
It is envisaged that District Heating will play a significant role in the decarbonisation of heating systems in Traditional Buildings as interventions to reduce heat demand by upgrading building fabric can be limited. Changing the heating source to district heating from renewable energy has the potential to provide a solution for these building types. The OPW is engaging with district heating utility providers regarding planned schemes in some larger urban areas. This process will continue as plans for district heating schemes are further developed.
67. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform whether the national development plan has sufficiently considered and is adequately resourced to deliver community and cultural amenities and services needed to accompany increased residential construction and housing demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17861/24]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. The Government has committed €165 billion funding for capital investment, as set out in the NDP published in October 2021. This expenditure was considered and agreed in order to support those sectors that would be key in delivering the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) identified in the National Planning Framework (NPF). An additional capital expenditure of €250 million is being made available for 2024 from windfall exchequer receipts with a further €2 billion is being made available across 2025 (€750 million) and 2026 (€1.25 billion). This allocation is in addition to the committed €165 billion in capital investment through the National Development Plan (NDP), published in 2021.
The NDP contains expenditure commitments for NSO 3 which relates to Strengthening Rural Economies and Communities and NSO 7 which is the delivery of Enhanced Amenity and Heritage.
Under NSO 3, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) seeks to support ambitious and strategic projects which have the potential to transform rural economies and communities and achieve the objectives of the Government’s rural development policy – Our Rural Future. To date 215 projects have been approved for funding of €414 million for projects worth €571 million.
Also under NSO 3, I welcome the positive progress being made under the National Broadband Plan. Under the National Broadband Plan (NBP), I note that, as of 5 April 2024, over 246,700 premises are now available to order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection from National Broadband Ireland, with over 232,200 premises passed and available for immediate connection.
Under NSO 7, the NDP recognises cultural heritage infrastructure as an essential component for sustainable, attractive and liveable cities, towns, villages and rural areas. Investment priorities include: the enhancement of sports facilities throughout Ireland with the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund; the National Cultural Institutions Investment Programme. Specific projects range from the refurbishment of the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork, to the development of world-class sporting facilities at the Sport Ireland Campus.
The Government is committed to detailing progress on the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future, including the delivery of community and cultural amenities and service, to allow for full transparency of the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This is achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and MyProjectIreland interactive map viewer which list projects and programmes on a regional and county level. In addition, Annual and Regional Reports on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040 have been published for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. The Project Ireland 2040 Annual and Regional Reports, capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
68. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress made to date in 2024 in relation to the CFRAM scheme for County Louth; the current timelines for the delivery of the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17789/24]
View answerLouth County Council, working with the Office of Public Works (OPW), are the Lead Authority in the delivery of flood relief schemes at Dundalk/Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford/Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, all of which are in the first tranche of projects being progressed. The funding for these schemes has been allocated under the €1.3bn investment in flood relief under the National Development Plan to 2030.
The development and progression of flood relief schemes is overseen by project Steering Groups with representatives, meeting typically monthly, from the OPW and Louth County Council and the consultant engineers. Delivering a flood relief scheme involves five distinct, sequential and related stages. Aligned to the decision gateways of the Infrastructure Guidelines these are assessing the flood risk and identifying options; seeking planning consent, detailed design, construction and maintenance. Public consultation forms part of the scheme design and project websites, available on floodinfo.ie provide updates on each scheme’s progress.
The Dundalk/Blackrock South and Ardee projects are being progressed simultaneously and engineering and environmental consultants were appointed in 2020. The proposed scheme will protect some 1,880 properties when completed. The emerging scheme option for Dundalk/Blackrock South is expected later in 2024 and the finalisation of options appraisal for Ardee is being prepared.
Consultants for the Drogheda and Baltray flood relief schemes were appointed in September 2021. The proposed schemes will protect some 454 properties when completed. The scheme option is expected in Q4 2024.
The OPW established a working group on Carlingford and Greenore that is focused on ensuring that all approaches for implementation are considered from a technical perspective and to propose the best method to proceed, and has met with Louth County Council engineers to progress the project. In Q1 2024 Louth County Council advertised a CCTV and Topographical Survey Tender competition for Carlingford and Greenore to collect data to develop a flood relief scheme.
Scheme viability reviews for Annagassan and Termonfeckin are being progressed by the OPW in-house with completion envisaged in Q2 2024.
The OPW since 2009, has approved circa €1.9m for 24 local flood projects to Louth County Council under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
69. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to report on the progress of the OPW in assessing the impact of climate change on flooding and flood risk assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17706/24]
View answerThe OPW has assessed flood risk through the National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme and subsequent projects. Flood maps have been prepared and published for potential future conditions, taking into account the potential impacts of climate change, as well as for present-day conditions. This covers the entire coastline, and for all rivers and streams nationally with a catchment area of more than 5km2
The OPW is currently updating the national flood risk assessment based on this mapping to review where significant flood risk currently exists, and importantly also where flood risk may become significant in the future due to the impacts of climate change, and hence where measures to manage the risk may be required in the future.
The OPW's Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan (CCSAP) for Flood Risk Management sets out a long-term goal for adaptation in flood risk management, along with a set of objectives and adaptation actions aimed at achieving those objectives.
These actions, that require a whole-of-government response, span the areas of flood risk prevention, protection and preparedness and resilience, as well as in further research, risk-assessment and capacity building.
Flood relief schemes that are currently in construction or under design, or that are planned as set out in the FRMPs, will have a Scheme Climate Change Adaptation Plan (SCCAP) prepared. This ensures that climate adaptation is embedded in the design process with a view to the scheme being planned and designed so that it will provide for, or can be efficiently adapted to manage, increased flood risk associated with climate change. A pilot SCCAP was developed for the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme as part of the design process for that Scheme, which has informed the preparation of guidance for application across other schemes.
All existing flood relief schemes will also have SCCAPs prepared retrospectively to determine what future interventions or works would be required to maintain the required standard of protection. A national programme is now commencing to prepare such plans for the schemes previously constructed around the country.
A number of other actions from the CCSAP are also being implemented, including revising the Minor Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Scheme to ensure that future impacts of climate change are considered, and updating guidance on the economic appraisal of new flood relief schemes to provide for climate change.
The OPW has also been supporting, and will continue to support, research into the potential impacts of climate change for inland and coastal flooding, to ensure that its work is informed by up-to-date and local scientific assessments, as well as data from the international programmes of research.
70. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the status of the works being carried out at the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park; and the timeline for completion and its opening as a visitor site. [17835/24]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has responsibility for the conservation and preservation of Ireland’s built heritage.
Set in the Phoenix Park, the Magazine Fort has played a key role in the history of Ireland from its original purpose to store gunpowder to the first shots of the Easter Rising, to its use by the Irish Army.
The OPW submitted plans to Dublin City Council in Oct 2021 to restore and upgrade the historic Magazine Fort. The works encompass the conservation and stabilisation of the historic fort and the conservation and improvement of visitor facilities at the site to enable the OPW to better present this significant military building to the public. Planning permission was granted by Dublin City Council in August 2022 with the main contractor for the conservation works being appointed by the Office of Public Works in May 2023.
The first phase of conservation works is led by OPW Heritage Services Conservation Architects. In this phase, the main fort rampart walls measuring around 420 linear metres standing at a height of 7 metres and the cavaliers, constructed in 1736 will be repaired and conserved. The Gunpowder Store buildings built between 1736 and 1758 which were originally designed to store the ammunition will be restored. A 1921 steel structure clad in corrugated iron structure, the ‘Bakery’ building, which was used to produce weapon ammunition and grenades during the emergency, will be conserved. Finally, the Duke of Dorset Gateway from 1736 which was the original entrance point, dismantled by the Irish army in the 1970’s, will be reinstated. This first phase of stabilisation and repair works is at construction stage on site and the anticipated completion of these works is Q2 2025.
Preparation is underway for the second phase of works to create an exciting and engaging visitor experience at the site. A timeline, for the opening of the site to general public access is not yet available but it will be announced as soon as this information if available. It is anticipated that escorted specialised tours for the public will be provided during heritage week 2024, to showcase ‘conservation in action’ within the Fort. These dates and times will be made available closer to heritage week.
Investment for the enhancement of the Phoenix Park as a heritage site under the National Development Plan allowed the OPW to commission a review of the visitor experience in the Phoenix Park in 2018 supported by our strategic partners Fáilte Ireland. The ‘Phoenix Park Visitor Experience Strategic Review’ proposed a roadmap how this amazing resource could make a greater contribution to our local, national and international tourism economy through sensitive enhancement of visitor infrastructure and the preservation of its unique heritage features, including the Magazine Fort.
The OPW proposes to open the Fort with an exciting new unique interactive visitor experience that will bring to life the unique cultural, social, industrial and military history of the Fort through the centuries. Aspects of the Magazine Fort, such as the ramparts, will be conserved and refurbished to provide a visitor Rampart Walk with views over the Park towards the City and further to the mountains. The unique Magazine Stores themselves will be restored and refurbished to accommodate an immersive interpretative experience of the history of the fort, including a curated sound and light installation. The visitor information and facilities will be accommodated within the existing 1801 Francis Johston range of buildings. The immediate surrounding landscape will be activated by a Moat Walk within the old ditched ravelins.
The Fort itself is positioned within the military landscape of the Liffey Valley in close proximity to the Irish National War Memorial Gardens and the Royal Hospital Kilmainham to the south and Arbour Hill and Grangegorman Military Cemeteries to the east and north. The proposed new non-vehicular commemorative bridge across the River Liffey will link the north & south sides of these cultural routes. The proposed Heritage and Military Trail on this side of the City would find, in the Fort, a suitable new focus as a visitor centre for the Park and its southern environs.
Brief History of the Magazine Fort
The Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park is the major surviving Magazine Fort in the country. The complex has had a long history of continuous use spanning three centuries. It is considered to have special architectural, military, historical, social and archaeological interest. The highly recognisable form of the fort makes it one of the Phoenix Park’s most important landmarks. The Magazine Fort is a Protected Structure in the Dublin City Council Development Plan 2016 – 2022.
Construction of the Magazine Fort (formerly the Royal Magazine Fort), designed by John Corneille Junior, began from c.1736 on the high ground occupied by the Phoenix House (1611), a strategic location for military purposes with commanding views of the city and surroundings. The fort was built for the storage of gunpowder and was managed by the Military Authorities until 1988 when it was decommissioned and transferred to the Office of Public Works. The fortification is a typical square plan with four demi-bastions and a dry moat.
A number of structures ranging from the early eighteenth century to the twentieth century are found within the rampart walls, the earliest of which are two gunpowder magazines. A third magazine designed by Thomas Eyre, Surveyor General, was built between the existing two in 1758. A ravelin was added to its east side in 1801 by Francis Johnston to provide accommodation for the officers and soldiers of the fort and their families.
Architecturally the complex is the product of successive phases of adaptation and addition, typical of an enclosed military site. The Fort occupies a strategic location within the Phoenix Park within which it stands out as one of its main architectural landmarks.
The Magazine Fort is architecturally and historically a very significant site and unique to Dublin. It is a protected structure (DCC RPS No: 6760) and Recorded Monument (RMP No. DU018-007019-).
71. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the efforts his Department is making to liaise with An Garda Síochána regarding policing of road speed within the Phoenix Park. [17834/24]
View answerThe Phoenix Park is a historic landscape of international importance and one of the largest designed landscapes in any European city. The Park represents a unique natural and cultural landscape that is both a historic park and a city park and which provides a setting for a range of activities and amenities.
Following an extensive public consultation process, the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study Post-Consultation Report was published in 2021 which included a number of key recommendations including the reduction of commuter traffic, increasing the cycling and pedestrian opportunities and the provision of limited public transport. The introduction of a one-way system on the North Road and the provision of a cul-de-sac on the Upper Glen Road were also priorities. The undertaking of a Parking Strategy and a review of the park byelaws was also recommended along with a reduction of the speed limit in the Park from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour.
The lower speed limit was introduced for public safety. There has been a reduction of speeds within the Park with a noticeable change in driver behaviour making the Park a safer place for all visitors. Studies have shown that a reduction in the speed limit to 30 kilometres per hour reduces the risk of fatalities. The 30 kilometres per hour speed limit has been adopted in many other urban areas across Europe including cities in, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden, not only for safety reasons, but to reduce noise, air pollution and CO2 emissions. Dublin City Council also implemented a 30 kilometres per hour speed limit for large parts of the city in 2020, including in the areas immediately outside the Park Gate Street entrance to the Phoenix Park.
An Garda Síochána continues to work with the OPW in relation to all aspects of the management and operation of the Phoenix Park. The OPW also continues to liaise with the Department of Transport in respect of the required legislation.
It is important to note that under Section 5(k) of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, dangerous driving (including speed) in any place, not just public, is an offence and, on conviction, a person is liable to a class A fine and/or a term of imprisonment for up to 6 months. If a person is convicted of dangerous driving causing death or serious bodily harm, they can be fined up to €20,000 and imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both.
72. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will report on the delivery of national development plan projects in County Monaghan. [17713/24]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan 2021-30 (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Expenditure is therefore allocated and monitored on a Departmental basis and not a geographical basis.
The Government committed €165 billion towards capital investment through the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-30 published in 2021. An additional €2.25 billion of windfall corporate tax receipts has also been allocated from 2024 to 2026, to provide funding for critical infrastructure projects that are at an advanced stage as well as to the existing Climate Action Fund.
Following the conclusion of more than 30 bilateral meetings which took place from January to March with my Ministerial colleagues, the distribution of the additional €2.25 billion across Departments was agreed by Government in March 2024. This builds on the existing funding already available under the NDP out to 2026 and it will mean more schools, housing, transport and healthcare projects can be progressed and delivered for our people.
In 2024, over €13 billion will be made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects. This level of expenditure will be pivotal in consolidating the progress already made, supporting balanced regional development and, most importantly, delivering the necessary infrastructure to support our future climate change obligations as well as our social and economic requirements.
The Government will continue to detail the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This will be achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and map as well as the publication of annual reports and regional reports highlighting Project Ireland 2040 achievements and giving a detailed overview of the public investments which have been made throughout the country, including in County Monaghan.
The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, and contains smaller investments such as schools and social housing projects. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
In addition, Regional Reports on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040 in the three Regional Assembly areas have been published for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. The reports set out the regional projects and programmes, which are being planned and delivered in the Northern and Western Region as part of the public investment detailed in Project Ireland 2040. While the reports do not provide an exhaustive list of all public capital expenditure, they serve to highlight the diverse range of investments being made by the State under Project Ireland 2040 in the region.
The Project Ireland 2040 Regional Reports, capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
Some projects which are currently being implemented in County Monaghan include:
• Monaghan Library, Construction of a library as part of a PEACE campus project;
• Dublin Street Regeneration Monaghan, Ballybay Regeneration, Carrickmacross Town Centre Renewal, Clones Regeneration, Castleblayney Market Square Regeneration Phase 2;
• C Tek II Co-working Enterprise Hub will deliver a new 1,450sqm Enterprise Hub and Co-Working Hub in Carrickmacross, Redevelopment of Newbliss Courthouse as an Enterprise and Digital Hub; and
• Ulster Canal Restoration, Phase 2, to restore the Clones section of the canal.
73. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if there is a plan or strategy in place for the Office of Public Works to reduce the reliance on leased properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17730/24]
View answerThe OPW has a significant and diverse office accommodation portfolio distributed throughout the country, comprising of 866,768 square meters at year end 2023, and including a range of differing types of office provision, from prestige heritage buildings to brand new grade A office accommodation. Currently 60% of this accommodation is provided in State Owned Accommodation. The issue of whether to buy, build or lease properties is a complex matter and is subject to a variety of variables, including: the availability of capital funding; the availability of suitable buildings or sites; the prevailing market conditions at the time; the urgency and scale attached to the accommodation request, and the duration of the requirement.
To meet its strategic objectives of modernising the estate and making it more efficient, OPW constantly look to appraise the potential of the existing Owned accommodation portfolio for future redevelopment of sites, refurbishment opportunities and potential asset recycling prospects. This is done in parallel and in conjunction with ongoing appraisal, monitoring and managing of opportunities which arise from within the Leasehold Estate, including the exploration of possible purchase opportunities.
Due to the range of accommodation requirements across Government, it is important to keep a dynamic portfolio that has flexibility to meet the evolving long term needs of Government. The OPW’s preference is that functions of infrastructural importance or viewed as a long-term commitment should, where possible, be accommodated in State owned properties.
Under the National Development Plan (2021 – 2030), the OPW has been successful in securing funding for a broad range of projects, which includes a number of office developments that will further augment the balance of leased and owned accommodation.
One of the major capital projects is the deep energy retrofit of the state owned Tom Johnson House in Dublin 4, which will reduce the buildings primary energy use by 75% and become the new headquarters of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. Other recent and ongoing examples of modernising the State Owned accommodation portfolio in the care of the OPW include significant capital investment projects on a brownfield site in Dublin 2, a range of regional investment projects in the West and North West, and a recent purchase of a strategically located office building in proximity to Government Buildings in Dublin.
74. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline the progress made to date with respect to flood relief schemes for Castlemartyr and Mogeely, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15630/24]
View answerI am aware of the devastating impact flooding has had to home owners, businesses and the communities of Castlemartyr and Mogeely during Storm Babet, with both residential and commercial property flooding in Castlemartyr and the Gleann Fia housing estate flooding in Mogeely.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management or CFRAM Programme, the largest study of flood risk in the state, was completed by the OPW in 2018. The output from this study was the Flood Risk Management Plans that are providing the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities.
It is not possible to progress all 150 flood relief schemes identified by these Plans simultaneously, due to the limited availability of the professional and specialised engineering skills required to design and construct flood relief schemes. While the prioritised approach to delivering schemes means that work is complete or underway to protect some 80% of all at risk properties, nationally, the flood relief project for Castlemartyr, which is planned to include Mogeely, is not in the first tranche of projects being progressed. The Government is committed to funding this scheme as part of the €1.3bn for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.
Pending the commencement of the design work for this scheme, Cork County Council can introduce localised flood mitigation measures with funding from the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The details of this scheme are available on the OPW website.
Cork County Council has recently submitted an updated application to the OPW for Castlemartyr. The application consists of proposed works, which includes increasing the height of the wall upstream of Castlemartyr Bridge and cleaning, widening and deepening the river to improve flood conveyance. The OPW have reviewed this application and have requested further information from Cork County Council, which will be reviewed when submitted.
I have been advised that Cork County Council is currently preparing an application to the scheme for interim flood risk mitigation works at Gleann Fia and at other locations in Mogeely. I understand that Cork County Council are considering all possible solutions to mitigate against flooding in that area.
75. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the up-to-date position on flood relief plans (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17784/24]
View answerLocal flooding issues are matters for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the Office of Public Works, under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.
At present, there is no application with the OPW for this location. My office contacted Cork County Council who have advised that the area around Ardcahan Bridge has a history of flooding, whereby the R587 frequently becomes impassable to road traffic. This can happen several times a year and presents both a hazard and inconvenience requiring a temporary emergency road closure and diversions to be put in place.
The OPW understands that the eyes of Ardcahan Bridge have become silted, and that the hydraulic conveyance capacity of the bridge is compromised. This reduction in conveyance capacity has resulted in an increase in the frequency and severity of flooding upstream of the bridge. Cork County Council have completed an investigation on the structure of the bridge to determine corrosion effects, extensive hydrological modelling, environmental surveys and a detailed design on repair works to the bridge. As this is a Special Area of Conservation, finalising the design for removing silt is challenging. Cork County Council is currently advancing maintenance works for the bridge deck only. Given environmental constraints relating to the presence of Fresh Water Pearl Mussels at the location of the bridge, there are no plans at present to include the removal of silt from the eyes of the bridge as part of these maintenance works.
As this flooding issue is affecting roads and not properties, the funding and responsibility for this flooding issue is a matter for the Minister for Transport. I will bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Transport.
