Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

I thank members for the invitation to discuss the key issues around the 2025 Revised Estimates for the Office of Public Works. I look forward to engaging with the committee and answering members' questions on the work of my office.

The Office of Public Works plays a vital role in supporting the effective functioning of the Government. The OPW works to support essential national priorities, ranging from climate resilience and energy efficiency to public infrastructure and heritage protection. One of the OPW's most critical areas of work is flood risk management. As Ireland faces increasing threats from climate change, the OPW co-ordinates the whole-of-government approach to managing costal and river flooding. We anticipate that the 2025 allocation of €127 million will enable the OPW to progress a series of important projects in flood management. These include continuing the construction of six major flood relief schemes in Crossmolina in Mayo, the Glashaboy River, Morrison's Island in Cork, King's Island in Limerick and the Poddle river in Whitechurch in Dublin. We will also bring five further flood relief schemes towards substantial completion. These are Athlone, the Morell River in County Kildare, Springfield in County Clare, Templemore in Tipperary and the River Wad in Dublin. These schemes will provide protection for 775 properties.

Beyond climate-related challenges, the OPW is also the principal manager of the State's extensive management portfolio. This includes 2,500 buildings such as Garda stations, courthouses and central government offices to facilitate front-line public services. The allocation of €495 million for the estate management portfolio reflects the Government's continued investment in public infrastructure and effective estates stewardship. The OPW works hard to ensure best value for money in the outcomes of all projects under its management to support greater efficiency and oversight. New procedures have been introduced, including updated project management guidelines for small capital projects, while the OPW continues to follow the public spending code.

Energy efficiency and sustainability are centred through the OPW's mandate as key agents in the delivery of the climate action plan within the public sector. The OPW leads by example through leading energy retrofits, decarbonisation initiatives and sustainable assets planning. In the past year, the OPW has delivered energy efficient office accommodation for headquarter buildings for the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment, at Tom Johnson House, and for the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, in Leeson Lane. Those are two examples of the OPW's endeavours not only to reduce carbon emissions and operational costs but also to ensure public buildings meet evolving environmental standards. The public sector data centre is near completion and will consolidate a number of data centres on one site to ensure more sustainable and energy efficient solutions than are currently in place.

The OPW also manages an extensive heritage estate, including many of Ireland's most iconic historic sites, which are central to the regional tourism and national identity. By investing in conservation and improving the visitor experience, the OPW strengthens Ireland's cultural offering and contributes to the economic viability, particularly in rural communities.

With respect to the administration fund of €92 million, the OPW's dedicated workforce, whose expertise spans a wide range of areas, enabled the organisation to meet its ambitious goals. The work is essential to the delivery of the service and enables the Departments, the public service and the community to operate safely, efficiently and sustainably. I thank them for their ongoing efforts.