Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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619. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he intends to introduce a Ministers and Secretaries Bill to legislate for the planned changes to responsibilities of various Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21211/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Following the Taoiseach’s decision on 23 January 2025 to restructure Departments of State to better align them with the priority objectives of the new Government, certain functions are being transferred between Departments.

Section 6(1) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 1939, inter alia, gives Government powers to alter by order the name of any Department of State, the title of any Minister in charge of a Department and to transfer functions between Ministers. Primary legislation is not necessary to effect these changes.

A number of Transfer of Functions Orders have already been brought to cabinet for approval. Officials in my Department are engaging with relevant Departments on this matter and it is expected that the remaining Orders will be finalised shortly.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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620. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to examine an appeal as a matter of extreme urgency, to a decision to disqualify a Skellig boat operator in County Kerry from renewing their licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18654/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in State Ownership. The conservation and presentation of the island is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The OPW manages access to the Island by way of a license or permit system whereby a specific number of boat operators are granted permits to carry visitors to the Island in a given season.

The OPW undertook an open competition via the e-Tenders system to award permits to fifteen successful candidates. Successful tenderers, subject to compliance with necessary Terms and Conditions, will be awarded a permit for a maximum of five consecutive seasons.

The original invitation issued on e-tenders on the 12th December 2024 and the evaluation has been completed in recent weeks. I am advised by my officials that the OPW issued notifications to all applicants on Thursday 27th March and relevant feedback has also been provided.

The Deputy may be aware that this competition is now the subject of legal proceedings and as such I cannot comment further.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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621. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to review a decision to refuse a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18655/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in State Ownership. The conservation and presentation of the island is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The OPW manages access to the Island by way of a license or permit system whereby a specific number of boat operators are granted permits to carry visitors to the Island in a given season.

The OPW undertook an open competition via the e-Tenders system to award permits to fifteen successful candidates. Successful tenderers, subject to compliance with necessary Terms and Conditions, will be awarded a permit for a maximum of five consecutive seasons.

The original invitation issued on e-tenders on the 12th December 2024 and the evaluation has been completed in recent weeks. I am advised by my officials that the OPW issued notifications to all applicants on Thursday 27th March and relevant feedback has also been provided.

The Deputy may be aware that this competition is now the subject of legal proceedings and as such I cannot comment further.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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622. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to urgently review an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18661/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in State Ownership. The conservation and presentation of the island is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The OPW manages access to the Island by way of a license or permit system whereby a specific number of boat operators are granted permits to carry visitors to the Island in a given season.

The OPW undertook an open competition via the e-Tenders system to award permits to fifteen successful candidates. Successful tenderers, subject to compliance with necessary Terms and Conditions, will be awarded a permit for a maximum of five consecutive seasons.

The original invitation issued on e-tenders on the 12th December 2024 and the evaluation has been completed in recent weeks. I am advised by my officials that the OPW issued notifications to all applicants on Thursday 27th March and relevant feedback has also been provided.

The Deputy may be aware that this competition is now the subject of legal proceedings and as such I cannot comment further.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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623. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding possession of a building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18741/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) have a 99 year leasehold interest in the property referred to, dating from 1st August 1927. This term will expire on 31st July 2026 and the OPW has the option to renew the lease on a year to year basis subject to 6 months advance notice being given to the owner of the property. The property is being used by the Irish Coast Guard and, as a suitable alternative location has not been identified, they have an ongoing requirement for the property. It is therefore the OPW’s intention to retain its interest in the property in accordance with the terms of the lease.