Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. I thank Deputy Heneghan for the question and for raising these two issues regarding the Irish language, particularly the school in his constituency, Gaelcholáiste Reachrann, and also Foras na Gaeilge and its funding. Let me address both of them. I hear and understand the Deputy's frustration but as he knows, this school is going to be a very large-scale capital project. The aim is to include the provision of a new 600-pupil school building, including all the associated ancillary accommodation. My understanding is that the project was originally authorised to proceed to tender upon completion of the pre-qualification shortlisting in September 2022. The planning permission on that was due to expire in December 2022, and it was anticipated that an application to extend the duration could be submitted but then there were changes to the Planning and Development Act, and therefore they had to basically submit a new application. That is the history; everybody knows it but it is just important to say it.

A new grant of planning permission was received in December 2023. There were a number of conditions attached to that. Decarbonisation measures were included in a revised project scope, and a design team is finalising the tender documents in line with revised technical guidance issued by the Minister, Deputy McEntee's Department. The Department of Education remains in very close contact with the design team and with the patron throughout the process. I will certainly pass on the Deputy's request - indeed, the Minister heard it herself - with regard to that school. I know the Minister, Deputy McEntee's officials will be in contact with the school authority as soon as the design team has completed the tender documents.

On the other question about Foras na Gaeilge, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, is sitting near me and he chaired a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council language body sector on 10 April. At that, the specific business plans for Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency were agreed. I am pleased to say that the agreed funding for 2025 does include a once-off payment of €630,000 from the Irish Government to Foras na Gaeilge in respect of historic pension costs. This is good news because it is going to enable that agency to reverse cuts it unfortunately and regrettably had to announce earlier this year. It did not want to find itself in that position.

I am also pleased to say the Government will provide one-off funding of €40,000 to support the Ulster-Scots Agency community programme. Officials in both the sponsoring departments and both finance departments North and South have been working closely with colleagues in both agencies, and are trying to look at what the longer term looks like. Discussions have begun regarding a new corporate plan for 2026 to 2028, and this will involve a full review of things like governance, procedural matters and how the treatment of pensions is dealt with. I hope that can bring us to a positive place with regard to the budgetary trajectory for Foras na Gaeilge into the future. In the meantime, we have made that interim or one-off payment of €630,000, which I know has been well received, is much needed, and will have a very positive impact on both.

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