Written Answers Nos. 1425-1444
1425. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if county development plans currently under review should be suspended pending the issuing of regional planning guidelines with regard to the implementation roadmap for the national planning framework circular issued by his Department in July 2018. [36884/18]
View answerThe National Planning Framework (NPF), published under Project Ireland 2040, sits at the top of the planning policy hierarchy in Ireland and provides a structure for future development and investment over the next two decades. This national level planning policy is being implemented at the regional level through preparation of statutory Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES) for the three Regional Assembly areas. The RSES process formally commenced earlier this year with a pre-draft public consultation phase, following the launching of the NPF. Draft Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies are currently being prepared for public consultation later this Autumn.
My Department recently issued Circular Letter FPS 04-2018 and the NPF Implementation Roadmap which provide guidance on the alignment of city and county development plans with the NPF. The Roadmap referred to the advisability of pausing local authority development plan review processes that are under way to await the latest data and policy contexts set out in the RSES.
The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 includes provisions for the initiation of review of City/County Development Plans to be:
1. Deferred on a once-off basis, where due to commence prior to or within a period of 3 months after the initial making of the relevant RSES, until not later than a period of 3 months after the relevant RSES has been made; or
2. Temporarily suspended, where commenced and ongoing and where a draft plan has not been submitted to the members of the Planning Authority under Section 11(5)(a) of the Act, prior to the initial making of the relevant RSES in each case, until not later than a period of 3 months after the relevant RSES has been made.
These provisions should ensure an efficient and effective process of alignment between all the levels of spatial planning in our planning process, from national to regional to local. The Commencement Order, which is necessary for the formal commencement of these provisions, is being finalised by my Department, in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, with a view to these provisions coming into effect imminently.
The Circular and Implementation Framework are available on my Department’s website at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current?query=Circular+FPS+04%2F2018.
1426. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department is tracking the identification of vacant land by local authorities under the vacant site tax; the acres identified in each local authority to date; the proportion of this land in which the owner has been identified; the proportion of this land in which the owner has been notified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36929/18]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced the vacant site levy, which is a measure aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, under-utilised sites in urban areas. Under the Act, planning authorities are required to establish a register of vacant sites in their areas, beginning on 1 January 2017. Planning authorities have issued notices to owners of vacant sites by 1 June this year in respect of vacant sites included on their respective registers on 1 January 2018, indicating that the levy will apply to those sites on 1 January 2019.
While all 31 local authorities have established vacant site registers, not all registers have been populated to date as some local authorities are undertaking the necessary preparatory work in this regard, i.e. identifying qualifying vacant sites, their registered owners and commissioning the market valuations of such sites. As required under the Act, the planning authority must enter certain information on the register in relation to a vacant site, including name and address of owner, the folio reference, as appropriate, the market value together with the date of entry on the register.
My Department does not maintain a central register of vacant sites as each local authority administers the vacant site register in respect of their functional area. As provided for under the Act, the register in respect of each local authority is available for inspection at its offices and online on its website. However, on foot of a recent review of the on-line vacant site registers across all local authority areas, there are collectively almost 290 individual sites currently on the local registers. Over 160 of these sites were entered on the local vacant site registers on 1 January 2018 and will therefore be subject to the levy in 2019, unless development works are activated in the interim.
My Department has actively engaged with local authorities in relation to the implementation of the vacant site levy in order to ensure a consistent application of the levy provisions across all city and county areas and to facilitate the sharing of best practice. My Department has provided guidance and advice and also organised three separate information seminars for local authorities, most recently on 1 May 2018, which was attended by officials from every local authority.
My Department will continue to monitor implementation of the levy to ensure that it is being effectively applied, in line with its intended purpose of incentivising the development of vacant or under-utilised sites in urban areas.
1427. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the purchase by approved housing bodies, AHBs, with public funds of properties being sold by vulture funds that were previously sold by the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA; the cost of such acquisitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36957/18]
View answerApproved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have an important role in delivering the social housing ambition set out in Rebuilding Ireland. There is a range of funding programmes available through local authorities to achieve this ambition, including relating to construction, acquisition and leasing activity. AHBs and local authorities work in partnership locally across these delivery streams.
A particular focus of acquisition related activity is targeting vacant properties and bringing them back into use for social housing. In that context, a specific Fund has been established and the Housing Agency has been provided with €70 m with the objective of acquiring some 1,600 units from banks and investment companies over the period to 2020 for social housing use. Properties acquired by the Agency using this Fund are sold on to AHBs utilising the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and the funds received will then be recycled back into the fund for future acquisitions.
As at 31 August 2018, through the Housing Agency €70 m Acquisitions Fund, bids by the Housing Agency have been accepted on 786 properties, 23 of which are being sold by private investment funds whose loan charges were previously under the control of NAMA. Purchases have closed on 438 properties, two of which were sold by private investment funds whose loan charges were previously under the control of NAMA. The total value of these 23 properties is €5,703,800. The purchase of two of the 23 properties was complete as of the end of August with the other 21 properties being progressed. It is intended that these properties will be sold on to AHBs by the Housing Agency. These properties were part of a larger portfolio offered by an investment fund and it was considered in the public interest to purchase these particular properties to support social housing objectives.
1429. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the unilateral decision by local authorities to alter the layout and chronology of the layout of the 2018-2019 electoral register and the local authorities' obligation to provide the register in a usable format for public representatives; if his Department has been involved in the decision to change the layout of the way in which the register is presented; the instructions his Department provides to local authorities in respect of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36962/18]
View answerThe preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. The focus of my Department's work in relation to the Register is to support and assist registration authorities in ensuring that an appropriate legislative framework is in place.
The statutory provisions relating to the form and content of the Register are contained in Rule 2 of the Second Schedule of the Electoral Act 1992. It is provided there that if the registration area is a city, the names should be arranged in street order unless the registration authority consider that doing so would be inappropriate, having regard to the general character of any part of the area. If the registration area is an administrative county, the requirement is to arrange the names alphabetically in townland order unless the authority considers that arrangement in street or any other order is possible and convenient, having regard to the general character of any part of the area.
I understand that the Dublin registration authorities have published the 2018/2019 Register in street order, where appropriate, but by name alphabetically rather than by house number in each such street. However, in order to be of assistance to the councillors and Oireachtas members in their areas, I understand that the registration authorities have also sent to them a soft copy of the Register, which enables them to sort the register information for each street into house number rather than alphabetic order.
1430. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a seal cull will take place (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36101/18]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the reply provided in response to his previous question, PQ Reference No. 31811/18.
While seals are protected species, my Department may issue licences to cull individual problem seals, and affected persons can apply for such licences. My Department has no plans to undertake a general cull of seals.
1431. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding available for a textile artist whose creative skills and dedication to their art has helped them overcome mental health challenges that could have been overwhelming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35430/18]
View answerThe Arts Council, the main Irish Government agency for developing the arts, works in partnership with and provides funding for arts, artists, arts organisations, public policy makers and others to build a central place for the arts in Irish life. The Arts Council would be best able to advise on potential sources of support in this case. The relevant local authority arts officer may also be able to assist.
The Arts Council offers a wide range of financial supports across artforms and arts practices, including arts and health. Financial supports are both direct and indirect and include bursaries, projects and travel and training awards.
The national arts and health website www.artsandhealth.ie was launched in October 2011 and provides a resource and focal point for the dynamic field of arts and health in Ireland. The website includes resource documents, case studies, a directory of contacts, perspectives on a range of issues and current news. The website was initiated and is funded by the Arts Council as an important element of its Arts and Health Policy. The website was developed by Waterford Healing Arts Trust (WHAT) in partnership with Create, the national development agency for collaborative arts in social and community contexts.
1432. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a building (details supplied) will be purchased for the local arts community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35555/18]
View answerWhile my Department provides capital grants to the arts and culture sector for the maintenance and enhancement of arts and culture facilities the Department does not fund the purchase of land or buildings. The local authority may best be able to advise the organisation in these circumstances.
1433. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 2790 of 24 July 2018, the number of early years educational settings participating in the ECCE programme in the Gaeltacht that are operating through the medium of Irish; and the number of children that attended these services from September 2017. [35602/18]
View answerAs I indicated in my reply to PQ No. 2790 of 24 July 2018, Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta (CNNG) provides administration support and training services for Irish-medium early childhood education and care services which includes naíonraí, crèches, breakfast clubs, afterschool services and parent and toddler groups in Gaeltacht regions.
During the 2017/2018 school year, CNNG supported 96 early-years services throughout the Gaeltacht. I understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that, of the 96 services supported by CNNG during the 2017/2018 school year, 74 services benefited from the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE), with a total of 1,069 children benefiting under the scheme.
1434. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures to be taken to ensure a monument (details supplied) does not fall into further disrepair; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35615/18]
View answerThe site referred to by the Deputy is protected under the National Monuments Acts and any person proposing to carry out works at or in relation to it is required to give the Minister two months’ advance notice. Any such works would also be subject to applicable planning and development legislation, for which the planning authority has specific responsibility.
I am advised that a representative from my Department’s National Monuments Service has visited the site in question on a number of occasions with the Parish Priest and the local authority Heritage Officer to discuss and advise on particular work proposals and that the Department is now awaiting the formal statutory notification required for the works.
1435. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 410 and 411 of 21 July 2016, if the commitment given in the reply will be implemented (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35720/18]
View answerThe individuals referred to in the Deputy’s Question applied to sell their interest in land in a raised bog natural heritage area under the voluntary bog purchase scheme, administered by my Department.
The 2014 Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. Arising from this review, 46 raised bog natural heritage areas (including parts of 7 sites) are scheduled for de-designation. The Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 provides for the de-designation of these sites.
The raised bog natural heritage area referred to in the Deputy’s Question is scheduled for de-designation. Domestic turf cutting may continue on this site, while large-scale or commercial turf cutting will continue to be regulated through other consent systems. Arising from the 2014 Review and the proposed de-designation of the natural heritage area in question, the individuals referred to in the Deputy's Question were advised that my Department would not be proceeding with the purchase of their interest in land in the site under the voluntary bog purchase scheme.
Under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, compensation is payable arising from a refusal of consent, by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in relation to proposed works, in a natural heritage area, that were carried out lawfully in the five-year period preceding the refusal of consent. I understand that the individuals referred to in the Deputy's Question do not fulfill this criteria and would not be eligible for compensation in accordance with the provisions of that Act.
1436. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address a matter regarding sick pay in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35860/18]
View answerWhile I cannot comment on individual cases or circumstances, the following sets out the position in relation to the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme and provisions for serious illness.
The Public Service Sick Leave Scheme came into effect on 31 March 2014. The administrative arrangement for paid sick leave for civil servants is set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Circular 05/2018: Arrangements for Paid Sick Leave, which is available on DPER’s website www.circulars.gov.ie. The rationale for the Scheme is to provide support to public servants who became ill while at the same time reduce the very high and unsustainable cost of sick leave in the public service. Although the new Scheme did reduce access to sick pay overall, it retained the previous access to sick pay for those public servants who suffer from a critical illness or injury.
Where an individual is out on sick leave their record over the previous four years is examined to determine if they have access to paid sick leave. This process is known as the ‘look back’ and is set out in in the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No 124 of 2014).
Under the scheme, sick leave is paid at full pay for three months (i.e. 92 days) and at half pay for three months (i.e. 91 days) annually, subject to an overall limit of 6 months (i.e. 183 days) paid sick leave (at either full or half pay) in any four year period. In addition, there is provision for a longer period of sick leave to address a critical illness or serious physical injury under the Critical Illness Protocol (CIP). Under CIP, an individual may have access to extended sick leave of 6 months on full pay in a rolling 1 year period, followed by 6 months on half pay, subject to a maximum of 12 months’ paid sick leave in a rolling 4 year period. Under the protective year, if an individual returns to work following CIP, he or she may continue to avail of the remaining extended sick leave for subsequent illness or injury, critical or non-critical which occur within 12 months of the first date of absence due to critical illness/injury.
If an individual has exhausted access to full or half pay they may access a further payment called Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration (TRR) subject to certain conditions. It provides that where an individual has received 365 days’ paid sick leave in a rolling 4 year period, he or she may be paid TRR for a maximum of 365 days (1 year). TRR may be paid for a further period of 730 days (2 years) where it is a direct continuation of an illness under the Critical Illness Protocol. The rate of TRR is based on pensionable service. Public servants who pay Class A PRSI may also receive Illness Benefit from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in addition to TRR.
While I have outlined the general provisions of the Sick Leave Scheme that relate to critical illness, it is the individual’s circumstances, including their sick leave record and the nature of the illness, that determines their access to sick leave. I am also advised that my officials have been in contact with the officer in question and have explained the sick leave regulations in depth.
1437. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of funding for an organisation (details supplied) in each of the past five years; if a copy of the service level agreement between her Department and the organisation will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35933/18]
View answerThe capital funding provided to the venue referred to in the question by my Department over the last 5 years is set out in the table.
|
Year |
Amount of Capital funding € |
|
2018 |
150,000 |
|
2017 |
0 |
|
2016 |
0 |
|
2015 |
50,000 |
|
2014 |
44,328 |
In relation to capital funding it is policy that all grantees awarded funding enter into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with my Department. Generally the SLAs set out the purpose for which funding is provided, public procurement procedures, legal matters, procedures for drawdown of funding, and reporting and accounting procedures.
A copy of the most recent SLA between my Department and the venue promoter is being sent to the Deputy for his information.
1438. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing inappropriate management of grasslands at a location (details supplied); if the matter will be investigated in accordance with regulations 27, 28 and-or 29 as relevant of European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 SI 477 of 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36017/18]
View answer1439. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to invoke regulations 27, 28 and-or 29 as relevant of SI 477 of 2011 to restrict and regulate the management of the grasslands at a location (details supplied) to ensure that the appropriate management of the grasslands is being adhered to in order to sustain the Brent geese population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36018/18]
View answer1460. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if EU regulations under the habitats directive in respect of Brent geese feeding on a site (details supplied) will be enforced; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the owners of this site have allowed the grass to grow too long thus endangering these birds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36758/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1438, 1439 and 1460 together.
There is no basis for me as Minister to issue a Direction to restrict or regulate the management of these lands, which were formerly playing fields at St. Paul’s College, Raheny, Dublin. These lands do not form part of a designated European site, are not an integral part of the core habitat for the Brent geese population, and I am not aware of any activity being carried out on the lands which meets any of the criteria for issuing of directions under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2015.
1440. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to restore the mid-Shannon walkway on the Meelick Weir following the damage caused by the severe flooding of November 2009; if the funding required will be ring-fenced for this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36064/18]
View answerWaterways Ireland has informed me that planning for the Meelick Weir is at an advanced stage to bring this project to tender in the autumn of 2018 and funding has been allocated from the capital programme to commence works with site preparation and material purchase in 2018, subject to a successful tender process.
Capital funding is allocated to Waterways Ireland on an annual basis and this has increased by €900,000 from 2017 to 2018 with a total allocation of €3,580,000.
The estimate of cost to complete the work in 2019 is being finalised. The final figure will be confirmed upon completion of the procurement process.
1441. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when funding will be provided for a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36070/18]
View answerWaterways Ireland have informed me that planning is at an advanced stage to bring this project to tender in the autumn of 2018 and funding has been allocated from its capital programme to commence works with site preparation and material purchase in 2018, subject to a successful tender process.
Capital funding is allocated by this Department to Waterways Ireland on an annual basis and this has increased by €900,000 in 2017 to a total allocation of €3,580,000 in 2018.
The estimate of cost to complete the works in 2019 is being finalised. The final figures will be confirmed upon completion of the procurement process.
1442. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding is available for cultural groups to travel abroad to tour and perform; if funding is available as part of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36158/18]
View answerCulture Ireland which operates as a Division of my Department runs a funding support programme to promote the presentation of Irish arts by practising professional artists worldwide. Culture Ireland annually offers travel support for a large number of events by Irish artists globally over the St. Patrick’s Day period as this is a key time for Ireland to present the strength of our arts and culture sector on the world stage.
The deadline by which events for St Patrick's day must submit is 15 October. Full details on Culture Ireland's eligibility criteria and application processes are available at http://www.cultureireland.ie/funding.
1443. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if discussions will be held with Tipperary County Council in relation to a site (details supplied) in order to acquire and develop the site as a visitor centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36302/18]
View answerMy Department receives regular requests to acquire sites and to have them maintained, managed and presented to the public by the Office of Public Works (OPW) as national monuments.
National monuments already in State care number some one thousand sites at over 750 locations around the country. These command considerable resource commitments in terms of both funding and manpower and new acquisitions can, therefore, only be considered where a site has rare or unique features that clearly warrant it being taken into State care. Cognisance is also taken of the range of other monuments already in State care in the same general area of which there are a significant number in this particular case.
In these circumstances, my Department, which was in touch with the local authority at the time, did not consider that this property met the relevant criteria when it became available for purchase. I am advised, however, that it appears to have been sold in the meantime and that the new owners have indicated their intention to undertake any necessary conservation works and to also provide visitor facilities on the site. It is listed in the statutory Record of Monuments and Places and, therefore, also continues to be protected by the provisions of the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004.
1444. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé méid airgead a ceadaíodh i 2018 chun oibreacha caipitil a dhéanamh ar na hoileáin amach ón gcósta, briste síos de réir an oileáin; cén daonra atá ag gach oileán atá i gceist; cén bunús ar a roinneadh an t-airgead; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [36341/18]
View answerGach bliain, tugann mo Roinn cuireadh d'údaráis áitiúla a bhfuil oileáin le buan-chónaí faoina gcúram, iarratas a dhéanamh ar comh-mhaoiniú ar thograí infreastruchtúra ar na hoileáin sin nó gaolta leo. Iarrtar go mbeadh na tograí liostáilte in ord tosaíochta agus déantar iad a mheas i gcomhthéacs bhuiséad na Roinne. Rinneadh amhlaidh do 2018. Anuas ar seo, scrúdaíonn mo Roinn iarratais ar chúnamh do thograí caipitil eile de réir mar a fhaigheann sí iad, agus déantar deontais a cheadú dá réir.
Déanann an tábla thíos cur síos ar an méid a ceadaíodh de réir oileán in 2018, chomh maith leis an daonra atá ar na hoileáin sin de réir dhaonáireamh 2016.
|
Oileán |
Deontais Ceadaithe in 2018 |
Daonra |
|
Dhún na nGall |
|
|
|
Árainn Mhór |
€ 186,500 |
469 |
|
Toraigh/Machaire Rabhartaigh |
€ 150,000 |
119 |
|
Oileán an Bhráighe |
€ 22,500 |
12 |
|
Sligeach |
|
|
|
Inis Uí Mhaolchluiche |
€ 18,750 |
3 |
|
Maigh Eo |
|
|
|
Cliara |
€ 112,500 |
159 |
|
Cloigeann |
€ 37,500 |
8 |
|
Inis Toirc |
€ 189,000 |
51 |
|
Gaillimh |
|
|
|
Inis Bó Finne |
€ 43,613 |
175 |
|
Inis Oírr |
€ 349,149 |
281 |
|
Inis Mór |
€ 12,429 |
762 |
|
Corcaigh |
|
|
|
An tOileán Mór |
€ 82,500 |
167 |
|
Faoide |
€ 73,500 |
18 |
|
Inis Fada |
€ 48,750 |
20 |
|
Baoi |
€ 26,250 |
4 |
|
Inis Arcáin |
€ 82,500 |
111 |
|
Oileáin Éagsúla i gCorcaigh |
€ 22,000 |
|
