I ask the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation what progress has been made to date with respect to the Midleton flood relief scheme and the introduction of flood protection measures in Rathcormac, Castlemartyr, Mogeely and Killeagh in east Cork, and if he will please make a statement on the matter.

Across Cork, nine flood relief schemes are completed. The OPW is currently providing funding to Cork County Council for nine staff for the delivery of 15 additional flood relief schemes across the county, which are all funded by the Government’s commitment to support the delivery of flood relief schemes under the national development plan. Six of these are in tranche 1 schemes and are under way at this time, including Midleton.

The Midleton flood relief scheme is due to be submitted by Cork County Council to An Coimisiún Pleanála in quarter 3 of 2026 and be substantially complete by 2031, protecting up to 750 properties that flooded during Storm Babet. Cork County Council, in June 2025, submitted a marine area consent application to the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority.

Advance works of €5.8 million at Midleton were recently submitted for planning under Part 8 and a public information day was held on 23 October. Subject to planning consent, construction works to protect 135 properties are expected to commence in late summer or early autumn 2026. Castlemartyr, which includes Mogeely, Rathcormac and Youghal are not in the first tranche of schemes being designed at this time. The specialised nature of engineering required means having trebled the number of schemes at design and construction to 100, Ireland is constrained by availability of specialised resources to commence new schemes.

Cork County Council is rolling out a €5.8 million individual property protection scheme across Midleton and east Cork to some 725 homes and businesses affected by Storm Babet in October 2023. This forms part of the council’s emergency response to these areas.

The council and the OPW meet quarterly with the local elected representatives, businesses and the community to keep them updated on and provide input into the planned works on the Midleton flood relief scheme and other measures, including those across east Cork. The next meeting will be held on 22 January. Cork County Council, with funding from the OPW, is introducing localised flood mitigation measures for communities across east Cork.

I acknowledge the work the Minister of State has done so far and his visits to these areas already. I acknowledge that and thank him. On 18 October 2023, Storm Babet flooded roughly 600 homes and 300 businesses in east Cork, with damages estimated at almost €200 million. The storm on 9 December of this year showed again that people in east Cork feel genuine fear every time a severe weather warning is issued. These storms are not slowing down, yet the Midleton flood relief scheme is still not expected to reach planning until some point next year, as the Minister of State said. Completion is even further out. In the meantime, people's homes, livelihoods and local businesses remain at risk and the State is exposed to repeated multimillion euro damages and costs. Given the scale of impact on Midleton in particular, can the Minister of State commit to visiting the town and engaging directly with businesses and residents on this urgent matter? It would be a great relief and reassurance if he could visit again because of the fear they constantly have.

If my wife hears I am going to Cork again, she will think I am either running for the election down there or I am having an affair. I will visit Midleton again because I am very keen to drive on the scheme. I have my Department working with the local authorities and the Deputies. As the Deputy knows, I have visited Midleton and nearly all the areas he mentioned. I have been down there twice and I am trying to drive on the scheme but the Midleton scheme is very complex. There are four different sources of flooding that happen in the one area. I understand and read what people are saying about the frustrations they are feeling. I understand it; no one knows this more than myself. It is about trying to deliver a scheme. We get one chance to get it right; if we do not, it will flood. This takes time and it is complex. When we go in and start the job, yes, we will leave Midleton in a much better place. People want to see that happening now but the interim measures, and the changes we have made to the minor works scheme, is a huge help to the local authorities. I will continue to engage with the Deputy, as I will with the people of Midleton, but, in particular, I will be driving on these schemes through the local authorities. I need more push from the Deputies to drive that as well.

I again thank the Minister of State for his response and the reassurance that he will visit Midleton in 2026. I think that is very important for the people of Midleton and the whole of east Cork affected by this.

While long-term schemes are being developed, the communities affected are looking for reassurance in the short term. These towns have already endured repeated flooding events and are facing another winter feeling unprotected. Could the Minister of State outline what interim measures are being put in place to support these communities until the Midleton flood relief scheme is delivered and whether additional resources can be made available to ensure local authorities are equipped to respond quickly to future storms? Rathcormac, Mogeely, Killeagh and Castlemartyr are disappointed they are not in tranche 1. Could they also be included? I thank the Minister of State for the money that was given to Rathcormac but what the people of Rathcormac want to see is work to be progressed there when money is available. I thank the Minister of State for the work he has done so far.

Again, with regard to those areas mentioned, I changed the criteria in the minor works scheme, so it is up to the local authority now to look at interim measures. We have supplied it with nine staff so it is up to the local authority to look at those areas in question to see if we can help it to move on.

In regard to Midleton, as the Deputy knows, we have done individual property protections, IPPs, and business protection. I know it is low but it is the biggest scheme we have ever taken on with regard to how many houses are affected and need support. Putting in the floodgates at the homes and businesses has been rolled out, as the Deputy knows, and it is slow.

In fairness to it, the local authority has carried out other interim measures in Midleton and we are close to coming in with Part 8 planning in certain parts of the area. If we could get that over the line, it would be a huge plus for the local people in Midleton. I know it will not satisfy everyone because it is one section, but the changes I have made to the minor works scheme mean that Cork County Council, working with the Deputy and other public representatives, could move to drive more of the interim measures. I believe in interim measures. I believe that while we are waiting for a long-term solution, these are vital. That is why I made this choice.

The programme for Government includes a commitment to reviewing the public procurement process to make it more transparent and encourage greater participation from SMEs. Working towards this aim, and to set out the strategic direction of public procurement for the next five years, my Department is developing a first national public procurement strategy.

The strategy has been subject to an extensive consultation process, which has been critical to understanding the primary challenges and opportunities for both public bodies and suppliers. My Department undertook the following as part of the consultation for this strategy: a public consultation to ensure that all those with an interest in the future direction of public procurement had an opportunity to inform the new strategy; regional workshops in Dublin, Cork and Athlone, which included public buyers and policy makers from across the public sector, representation from across the broad spectrum of Irish business, representatives from civil society, and members of the public; a dedicated webinar for suppliers so they could feed into the development of the strategy; and bilateral meetings with Departments and key stakeholders.

My officials are currently drafting the strategy in accordance with the feedback from the extensive consultation. Discussions with colleagues across Government and other key stakeholders will be held to agree desired outcomes and actions for inclusion in the strategy. Once finalised, the strategy will include objectives and cross-departmental actions to support the delivery of strategic, innovative, sustainable and transparent public procurement that promotes competition and value for money. I plan on bringing the strategy to the Government in quarter 1 of 2026.

I thank the Minister of State. I acknowledge the commitment in the programme for Government, which is very welcome. In order for public procurement to be effective, it needs to have the confidence of the people. The transparency committed to in the programme for Government is really important in that regard. Unfortunately, we are all aware of a number of projects that appeared to have lacked that transparency. I will not mention any projects on the Leinster House campus but even in my local authority area, there has recently been a bit of controversy around steps in Deer Park in Mount Merrion. The danger with that is that people feel public procurement is not effective or fair, which compromises the entire system.

The most important thing in the commitment in the programme for Government is the greater involvement of SMEs. Public procurement has become hugely complex and hugely cumbersome and more and more difficult for small businesses to get involved in because of the rules around it. Will the Minister of State address what specific elements may be in the strategy to make it more accessible and easier for SMEs to get involved in public procurement contracts?

I am very conscious of the critical role that public procurement can play in maintaining and building public trust in government. Billions of euro are spent on public contracts every year and the public needs to be confident that its money is being spent in a judicious and fair manner. Likewise, suppliers need to be able to trust the integrity of the procurement system if we are to drive participation. We have had workshops. I have met many SMEs and stakeholders to ensure that this is dealt with by whatever is in the new procurement strategy. I am dealing with that at the moment.

I acknowledge that as well. I know the Minister of State and his predecessor are committed to making it easier. Is there a way in which we can reduce the bureaucratic burden that comes with some of this because, as important as public procurement processes are, particularly when it comes to ensuring value for money for the taxpayer and cutting down on waste, from what I have been told by businesses in my constituency in particular, there is a wasteful burden on them from the point of view of engaging with procurement processes? Is there a way in which we can reduce that burden on them while maintaining transparency and safeguards that ensure public money is spent correctly? Is there a way in which we can tell small businesses that there is a route for them into this that is less bureaucratic and cumbersome and more streamlined and, therefore, allows businesses to get on with what they do rather than filling out forms, and instead of trying to justify a process, we let them get on with the business of providing whatever service, construction or so on they provide?

It would not be appropriate for me to speculate about and predetermine the outcome of the current cross-governmental engagements, but my officials are engaging with discussions with colleagues across Government and other key stakeholders to agree desired outcomes and actions to support the delivery of strategic, innovative, sustainable and transparent public procurement that promotes competition and value for money. I look forward to working with them.

I welcome the new accelerated infrastructure legislation and ask that the Minister ensure it is applied to one of the most critical transport projects in Meath and wider mid-east region, namely, the Navan rail line. Navan is one of the largest towns in the country and is without a rail connection. Every day, thousands of Meath commuters face long unreliable journeys because their transport network has not kept pace with our population and economic growth. The route selection work is under way and public consultation will follow next year, but without targeted acceleration-----

I thank the Deputy. I call the Minister.

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.

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. 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.

Realistically, under the current legislation and timelines, the Navan rail line will be delivered in 2036. Can we do better with than that this legislation? The purpose is to remove obstacles, streamline approvals, cut duplicated processes and ensure that key national projects like the Navan rail line move efficiently to delivery. In my very biased opinion, there is no project more deserving than the Navan rail line. Fast-tracking the rail line will ease the pressure on our roads, support housing and jobs, and give families in Meath the reliable and sustainable transport we have waited decades for. I am asking the Minister to apply the full force of this new acceleration framework to the Navan rail line and finally get this project moving at the pace our community deserves.

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. The Minister can respond on the direct timelines, but Irish Rail are also working on this.

I am taking this question on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Duncan Smith. This is something he and the Labour Party as a whole have championed for many years. Will the Government commit to the reinstatement of the supplementary pension facility for uniformed services to ensure that retention and recruitment can increase?

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. 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. 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.

On the face of it, that is a complete and utter "No". Do Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and the Government for many years now, not realise that the men and women in our Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, fire services and Prison Service go above and beyond? What we have right now in all of our public service, but particularly in our uniformed services, is a retention and recruitment crisis. All of those groups I mentioned - gardaí, firefighters, Defence Forces personnel and Prison Service staff - have stated that, because of this pension scheme, more and more people are leaving early. If you are told at the age of 55 that you have to get a new job, why would you not do so now? You would because you do not know what condition you will be in at 55. That is no disrespect to anybody but it is a fact.

On the face of the Minister's reply, I am taking it as a complete "No".

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. This was an important reform. It has been there for nearly 12 years. It is important in the context of sustainability of State pensions.

Mr. Karl Dalton, the Prison Officers Association general secretary, said, “If the last government believes that extending the retirement age alone addressed the concerns of Prison Officers, Gardai [sic], Firefighters and members of the Defence Forces, this survey [which was carried out] shows just how little they understand these services and the people who work in them.” I know the Minister does not want this to be his legacy within the Department of expenditure, but he and the rest of the Government have a decision to make. We have a retention and recruitment crisis. These are the men and women on the ground. If there is any storm across the country, or any crisis, we are all safe at home, but these people are on the front line. They are out there representing this country. That is the bottom line here. We do not want these people in a position where they feel, ultimately, that they are not wanted or respected.

The Minister referred to the reform of the pension scheme. That has completely failed. People are leaving these services, including An Garda Síochána, fire services, the Prison Service and the Defence Forces. It does not take anyone to see it. If you look at it from the outside in, they are leaving.

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. 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.

To what extent has the Department assessed the potential cost implications for public sector pay and pension liabilities that would arise in the event of Irish unification? This is not a political question. It is a simple question of forward planning, good governance and having all the facts in the context of this important debate.

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. 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. This will fall to be paid over the next 70 years or so. Northern Ireland’s pay and pensions are subject to different arrangements, with different grades, pay scales, premium payments and superannuation payments. An assessment of pension costs requires individual member data along with detailed data on the varied pension scheme rules and entitlements by sector, for example, the civil service, health, education and local authority sectors. Such an exercise constitutes a complex and substantial analytical undertaking.

I support the long-term aspiration of Irish unity based on consent. However, if we are serious about this aspiration, we also need to be serious about the practicalities that come with it and the financial implications. Right now, there is little discussion about the fiscal implications of Irish unification, particularly disparities that exist in public sector pay and pensions, social protection systems, taxation, health and infrastructure. This is not a political question. It is simply a question of good governance and having all of the information. The Good Friday Agreement provides a democratic pathway for constitutional change, but that pathway requires facts, not assumptions. My question is simple. Has the Department assessed the potential cost implications for the State? If we want to be informed and want responsible debate, we must first establish a clear understanding of the potential financial landscape.

Such an exercise constitutes a complex and substantial analytical undertaking requiring access to detailed, contemporaneous micro-level data on the pay structures and pensions of both current and former employees in order to accurately assess the full costs. It also involves a range of assumptions in relation to the pay and pensions policy implications. My Department does not have access to the required level of detailed data relating to the remuneration and pension arrangements of public servants in Northern Ireland to set out that context. I have some macro data here. We know that the total size of the public service of Northern Ireland, inclusive of civil service, health, education, police and local government employees, is estimated to indicate approximately 227,500 in October 2025. The annual pay bill is estimated to be approximately 14.4 billion for core civil service and departmental staff. I have been told that this increases to approximately £18 billion when the wider public services are included. Total public expenditure for the Northern Ireland Executive is estimated at €32 billion in 2025. I have set out some high-level data from the team who assessed the Deputy's question. It would require a lot more specific and micro-level data to answer it, however.

I am sure the Minister agrees there are huge disparities between systems North and South in public sector pay structures, pension liabilities, welfare supports in particular, and broader public spending. Any future settlement, whenever it might arise, will have significant financial consequences for this State. Ignoring that reality does not make it go away. All I am seeking, and what the public deserves, is clarity on whether the State has even begun to model these implications. If unity is ever to happen, it must be built on facts and not on vague assumptions or political slogans. My question is really about sensible and prudent long-term planning, nothing more and certainly nothing less.

That is why I stated that to give an accurate picture would require a detailed analytical assessment. Pay and pension provisions are subject to different arrangements across different grades, pay scales, premium payments and superannuation payments. In the context of the Deputy's question, we have not been able to put a number beside the information he has requested. That would be an important consideration.

It will come as no surprise to the Minister that I am raising the issue of critical infrastructure in the west. Thankfully, the storm this week did not hit Connemara in the way Storms Éowyn, Bert and Darragh did last year. However, we still have the aftermath and impact of those storms. The Minister knows Connemara well. If he travels around Connemara now, he will see there are still wires on the ground and poles hanging to one side. What is his plan for the west?

As part of the budgetary process each year, my Department sets out overall expenditure ceilings for each ministerial Vote group. These are laid out at Vote level in the budget day expenditure report published in October, with further detail provided in the Revised Estimates for Public Services published in December. Following the allocation of each ministerial expenditure ceiling, it is a matter for each Minister to assign funding as appropriate at programme and subhead level for their Departments and the agencies under their remit, accounting for the demands for services in different areas and regions, having regard to demographics and other relevant factors. Within this process, both current and capital expenditure are allocated on a departmental rather than geographic basis.

More broadly, the achievement of balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government in Project Ireland 2040, which includes the national planning framework and the national development plan. Since Project Ireland 2040 was launched in 2018, the Government has overseen the delivery of many impactful NDP projects across the country, including in the west of Ireland, for example, the enterprise centres in Boyle and Tulsk in County Roscommon and Belmullet and Swinford in County Mayo, the N59 Moycullen bypass, the Salmon Weir bridge in County Galway, the Killaloe bypass in County Clare, the heritage and tourism projects in Portumna, Galway and Aghleam, Mayo and many other capital projects.

The NDP review 2025 was published on 22 July 2025. It committed €275.4 billion up to 2035, the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State. Arising from this, €19.1 billion in Exchequer capital investment will be provided in 2026. On budget day, Ministers set out the capital projects and programmes that they will prioritise within their allocation in 2026. In recent weeks, Ministers have developed sectoral plans for priority investment programmes. Many of these projects relate to the west, including the Uisce Éireann upgrade of water and wastewater treatment plants in Lough Mask and Claremorris in County Mayo, 35 social and 310 affordable housing units in Crowne Square in Galway, new transport infrastructure with Bus Connects Galway and the Galway city ring road. I can list many more.

I understand what the Minister said about things not being done in an area-specific way but, rather, in terms of Departments. I also know that he is the Minister for infrastructure, and he has an understanding of the west of Ireland. He has links to the west and knows Connemara well from his time as Minister for the Gaeltacht. I know, and I am sure the Minister knows, the serious lack of basic critical infrastructure in Connemara in particular. Safe roads and safe bridges are lacking. We still have the repercussions from Storm Éowyn, and all of these things will worsen unless specific capital investment is made in the area now. I ask the Minister to look at what can be done through his Department to ensure the area has basic critical infrastructure so that people can live in and go about their daily lives in the area and jobs can be created in it.

I am familiar with those elements of the west of Ireland, in Galway, Mayo and elsewhere. The west is being prioritised in many of the projects set out in the sectoral investment plans. There is the social and affordable housing delivery we want to ramp up in the context of the housing sectoral plan that the Minister, Deputy Browne, has published. The transport sectoral plan will significantly enhance public transport and there address road infrastructure projects across the west, which have been waiting for years. There is also the resilience the Deputy mentioned in the context of storms and other issues. The Minister of State, Deputy Moran, through the work the OPW is doing, is front-loading a lot of the capital investment in flooding and other areas to make sure we build greater resilience. Similarly, there is work happening on other infrastructure across many Departments. This is agreed at a sectoral level. The wider funding arrangements are clear in Project Ireland 2040, as is ensuring balanced regional development.

When I look at infrastructure in the west I see it in two veins. There is obviously the serious capital investment needed for those bigger projects.

The Minister has outlined some of them. Any investment there is welcome but there are also thee basic things that need to be done immediately.

The Minister will remember the snow during Storm Bert, which had serious implications across Connemara. We then had Storm Darragh and when we had Storm Éowyn, Connemara did not have a chance. The impact of those storms on that basic infrastructure, which was already eroding, was devastating. We need to see some kind of plan from the Government - whichever Department sees fit but the Minister is obviously over infrastructure - to make sure we have those basics in order that this does not happen again. We still have wires on the ground as a result of Storm Darragh, not Storm Éowyn. That work needs to be done and a boost or push from the Government would really help in that regard.

Regarding wastewater infrastructure in Craughwell and Clarinbridge in County Galway, funding was announced three years ago for the provision of wastewater infrastructure in those villages. This was very important for the delivery of housing and I raised this before with the Minister at the infrastructure committee. Since then, that project has been at a standstill. In recent weeks, Government TDs welcomed an increase of several million euro in the allocation of funding for this project. However, the only reason this is needed is because the project has stood still and costs have increased in the meantime.

The greatest barrier to delivery of this project is the 15% co-funding allocation expected of local authorities for such projects. That means Galway County Council would be expected to make a contribution of approximately €5 million. The local authority does not have this money and has not budgeted for it. When we talked about accelerating delivery, this issue needs to be sorted. It is a major barrier and needs to be taken out of the way to ensure delivery. Can the Minister commit to removing this co-funding requirement to ensure these projects can be delivered in a timely manner?

On the latter point, I am following up on that with Irish Water in the context of wastewater treatment plants. There has been a funding increase. I can get a specific answer to the question for the Deputy. I am aware of the importance of the issue to local towns and villages in County Galway.

To the other point on resilience of critical infrastructure, a recent Cabinet committee meeting focused on the learnings from Storm Éowyn, the greater prevalence of storms and the impact this is having on basic infrastructure. It is a critical point of co-ordination across government on building better resilience into our basic infrastructure systems and also ensuring response in respect of community resilience. There is a strong focus on co-ordination in the work the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, is doing as well.

I thank Deputy McCormack for his question. Last week, the Government published the accelerating infrastructure report and action plan. This 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 undertaken by my Department over the summer and the expert input and advice from the members of the accelerating infrastructure task force. 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. Together, these actions will ensure 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 County Offaly. I am sure the Deputy is aware of the Edenderry wastewater treatment plant, a number of regeneration projects and education and schools' projects across the county and the work being undertaken in the context of transport investment.

I thank the Minister. The accelerating infrastructure report and action plan outlines significant reforms aimed at improving delivery of major projects, including streamlining approval processes, a single decision pathway for water investment and stronger co-ordination across agencies. These reforms are welcome. For Offaly, infrastructure is key for future economic development, enterprise growth and balanced regional progress.

The water supply project for the eastern and midlands region is central to this and will cross Offaly, with Dunkerrin and Tullamore identified for future outtakes. However, the spur connections and local system upgrades required to utilise that supply are currently planned in later phases. If delivered sequentially, the benefit to Offaly could be realised an awful lot sooner. The cost of doing this work would be cheaper now than it would be if it is done in the future. We have seen from other projects previously, second phases sometimes do not proceed for many years. If we want balanced growth in the region, we need to do this now, rather than in a second phase. The key point is that Offaly needs that spur, those integration works and the wastewater upgrades delivered together as one co-ordinated package, not in separate phases.

We are keen to ensure all infrastructure in the State, including in County Offaly, is accelerated. At present, it takes 15 years to build a road and it can take up to ten years to deliver wastewater and water infrastructure and seven or eight years for electricity or energy infrastructure. These timelines are all too long to meet the growing demands of our population and economy.

As regards the eastern midlands water supply project, which is of interest to the Deputy, this is an issue on which we can engage with Irish Water. Obviously, it is critical that we advance the project for the east and midlands more generally. Irish Water is working through how it can accelerate the planning of the project and ensure it can commence. Whatever can be done to drive its delivery will be critical for the future development and growth of the east, as well as ensuring basic water supply. I will ask the project design team to respond directly to the Deputy on the issues with phasing or sequencing.

A core feature of the new infrastructure plan is to improve transparency and accountability. For Offaly, we need clear visibility that the Shannon pipeline spur and the wastewater upgrades are progressing together and not in staggered phases. Will the Minister commit to a county-level delivery reporting, so communities in Tullamore, Edenderry, Birr, Clara and Banagher can track progress and gain confidence that these projects will be delivered in one integrated programme, unlocking real regional development for Offaly?

I hope when we look at rural infrastructure that we also look at areas that have not been supported before. To take a template of Arklow, the town is blessed to have one of the finest wastewater treatment plants in Europe. The population of the town is about to explode, however. There is a new data centre, offshore wind farms and thousands of houses planned but we have only one bridge. The town will choke if the infrastructure development does not match other development. I am speaking about infrastructure in terms of roads and bridges, but also social infrastructure. I appeal to the Minister to ensure areas that have not been supported before are looked after in this new programme.

To respond first to Deputy McCormack, again, the whole focus is on driving delivery. I take his point on the role of that particular project in the east and midlands. We will engage with Irish Water on it. Obviously, we do not want to delay the current design, which could possibly hold back the project by a number of years. There is a need to accelerate its delivery because it is a critical project for the State.

To respond to Deputy Brennan, we have tried to complement the prioritisation we have given in the national development plan with social infrastructure.

We have record levels of investment in transport infrastructure in the State of €24 billion. The Minister for housing, Deputy Browne, has also set out proposals for an infrastructure fund to try to complement housing delivery to support the broader infrastructure where there is significant housing development and having that enabling infrastructure. If we look at the overall capital allocation for education, for example, it is €7.5 billion over the next five years. This is to ensure we continue development of critical education infrastructure across the State. We have had record funding, for example, on sports capital to ensure we have sports infrastructure built in communities. This is something we are continuing to commit to.

I want to ask the Minister if public access can be facilitated at the Dominican Priory in Athenry and also if consideration can be given to extending the opening season of Athenry Castle. It is closed now until March and it is a missed opportunity for the town.

The Athenry Dominican Priory is an important medieval monastic site and is a national monument in State care. The Office of Public Works, OPW, has statutory responsibility for its conservation, presentation and management. Protecting the fabric of this historically significant site while facilitating meaningful public access is a key priority for the OPW, and this balance guides all decisions around how the priory is operated.

While the priory is closed to unsupervised access, it continues to be made available to the public through guided tours and supervised visits, which are organised and delivered by OPW guide staff based at Athenry Castle. These visits allow members of the public to experience and engage with the monument while ensuring that the site is appropriately protected at all times.

During 2025, guided tours of the priory were held throughout the season from April to November. These scheduled visits have proven to be effective in allowing access while maintaining oversight of visitor movement within the monument. All access requests are managed through Athenry Castle, where OPW staff provide the necessary information, organise tours and co-ordinate visitor management.

At present, the priory is not open for general, unsupervised public access. This position is based on a combination of conservation, security, and health and safety considerations. Since 2019, following incidents of damage and graffiti, the OPW has had to restrict casual access in order to safeguard the structure and prevent further damage.

The OPW continuously monitors the condition of the monument and, as part of operational planning, it will review whether additional guided or supervised access can be scheduled more frequently throughout the year.

As I am sure the Minister of State knows, Athenry is a heritage town. Within the town, we have a lot of really iconic landmarks and attractions, including the castle and the priory, which are under the remit of the OPW, but also the likes of the heritage centre and the town walls. There is incredible history in the town, and I think it is fair to say that there is a lot of frustration locally that we are being undersold in terms of our status as a heritage town and our tourism potential. We definitely have not reached our full potential for a town with such great heritage and history. There is a lot of great work going on locally to try to address that and I will come back to that. However, that some of our greatest assets are closed to the public is a major challenge. As I mentioned, the castle is closed now for the winter season until March. While I understand that access can be facilitated to the priory, there is a need to give a lot of notice. Also, I do not think there is a broad awareness among people who are visiting Athenry that there is the option to visit the priory. I ask the Minister of State to engage with the OPW on the opening arrangements for these sites and the promotion of these sites more broadly, which is a challenge.

I agree with the Deputy in one sense but I would say that the OPW is very good and works very closely with all stakeholders in relation to the castle and the priory and all the other OPW sites. We promote all our sites very well. Last year alone, there were some 50 million visitors to OPW sites across the country, and no place more than the west of Ireland which got a lot of visitors. On the other hand, we have to supervise the priory. The Deputy knows the damage that has been caused. It would be a different situation if we were here this morning and we had not had the priory supervised and damage had been done. Then, the Deputy would be asking me what I was going to do about it. I will work closely with the Deputy, as I have on other things that he has raised.

In terms of tourism, my Department works closely with other Departments and Fáilte Ireland to try to promote tourism, where possible. I was the first Minister to allow kids under the age of 12 into all of our sites. I have also done a pilot scheme for under 18s, to improve the visitor numbers up and down the country, and it has proven to be very successful. In relation to the question the Deputy asked me about a longer opening schedule, it is something I will look at.

I want to acknowledge the work of the OPW locally as well. The Minister of State mentioned the number of visitors visiting the sites. I had a parliamentary question recently and the response told me that in the region of 15,000 people visit Athenry Castle every year. That paints an overall picture for the number of visitors coming to the town but the same number of people would visit Galway city or Connemara on one weekend. We can do a lot better in Athenry in terms of the number of people visiting. I take the Minister of State's point about safety and maintenance of the structure and so on. However, I would ask that a particular effort be made around the promotion of that service being available to people, in that they can access this site because it is an iconic landmark, as I mentioned.

I ask the Minister of State to comment on the opening season for the castle. It is a missed opportunity that from November to March it is closed. There is a lot of great work going on locally. Galway County Council has plans for a heritage trail, heritage event spaces and a River Clarin walkway. Great efforts are being made to enhance our tourism offering but we need all the stakeholders coming together to push this forward and the OPW is an important part of it.

As the Deputy outlined, it is important that all the stakeholders come together. Regarding anything that comes from the stakeholders, my Department has always reached out and been supportive. I will have to come back to the Deputy regarding the castle because it was not in the question. I am looking at the issue of sites that are not getting the numbers I would like to see them getting. I call these the smaller sites. I want to see if we can work in partnership with other tourism sectors, so we can deliver more numbers into those key areas. Tourism is what keeps the country going at certain times of the year. In my own town of Athlone, I note the large number of people who, when the castle closes, ask me when it is going to open again. I fully understand the Deputy's frustration but, as he said, the OPW is doing good work. We will work together with the stakeholders to deliver for people and tourism but we have to acknowledge all the local groups and the work they do. I thank them for their work because the work they do along with the voluntary groups, particularly in the area in question, is vital to the economy and to tourism.

My question relates to the recently published Government infrastructure plan and the steps that will be taken by Government to work more closely with housing developers and builders, big and small, on essential infrastructure for housing. What reforms will be introduced under the accelerated infrastructure delivery plan to enable developer-led infrastructure?

The accelerating infrastructure report and action plan includes targeted reforms to certain types of developer-led infrastructure as set out under action 15. This action recognises that alongside record public investment under the national development plan, private sector delivery models may play a complementary role in certain circumstances. Specifically under action 15, the Government has committed to progressing regulatory reforms that allow developers to deliver certain types of electricity and water infrastructure, where this may result in faster or more efficient development with no degradation of standards.

In relation to electricity, this means advancing regulations to enable private wire electricity connections in line with the Government's private wires policy statement. In relation to water, it means bringing forward measures for developers to deliver new, stand-alone wastewater treatment plants to bolster the service provided by Uisce Éireann to support increased levels of housing. Both of these activities are planned for completion in quarter two of 2026. It is explicitly committed to that any developer-led infrastructure will comply with environmental and technical standards and integrate with public systems, where appropriate.

The Department of housing will lead on reforms relating to water infrastructure while the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment will lead on energy-based measures. Both Departments will work closely with utilities, local authorities, regulatory bodies and planning authorities to ensure that developer-led delivery is integrated effectively with statutory processes and national priorities.

I thank the Minister for that update. I welcome the progress the Government is making on accelerating this infrastructure, particularly from a wastewater perspective. Standards are essential, but this is a way for these housing estates and these developments to get on the blocks, get done and get moving quickly rather than having to wait for Uisce Éireann, local authorities, the ESB, etc., to get that work done. It is very important that standards are clear and, for that reason, that Uisce Éireann takes all that stuff on when the developer is finished and the work is built out to standard. Those standards are really important. I look forward to hearing a bit more about their development, alignment, monitoring and implementation.

The Deputy will have heard from the Minister, Deputy Browne, about wastewater treatment plants and the work on advancing that, which will be critical to improving overall housing supply. It will not be solely Irish Water but it will be something that will enhance wider water infrastructure across the State. Similarly, there is the work the Minister, Darragh O'Brien, is doing in respect of private wires, again ensuring we broaden and enable infrastructure development across the State, which will help. I am working with both Ministers in order that these reforms are advanced in 2026. Both will help in terms of overall housing supply but also in building greater investment in job opportunities across the State.

As Chair of the climate committee, I am acutely aware of this. We hear a lot at that committee about the pressures on the energy grid, its ability to move energy around the country and to take additional houses, and how important that is. I welcome private wires, investment in the grid and anything else that will help relieve that pressure and put capacity in place in the network to allow residential units to connect as quickly and as reliably as possible. With forthcoming regulations that will allow developers to deliver that electricity infrastructure independently, the deployment of renewable generation and storage can certainly be accelerated. A good co-ordinated approach across government will be essential to make that possible. I welcome the progress the Minister has made on the action plan. I know he has put a lot of time and effort into its delivery. The proof will be in the pudding in the delivery and its implementation.

I appreciate the Deputy's remarks. We can make a serious impact next year in terms of the legal reforms, the regulatory reforms, and the co-ordination and delivery changes we are making while also making the case for greater public acceptance of infrastructure across the State, in particular across those critical areas of water, energy and transport. Part of that is reflected in the questions the Deputy has asked in terms of enabling developer-led infrastructure as well. I look forward to working with him next year on driving delivery.