Written Answers Nos. 238-256
238. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of land zoned for residential use transferred from local authorities under the land aggregation scheme by local authority and location; the dates of completion of the transfers; the number of transfers awaiting completion; the number of units completed on these lands to date by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38151/18]
View answerA detailed database and GIS map of Land Aggregation Scheme sites, showing their location, size, boundaries, zoning and other information, is available at http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/.
Under the terms of the Land Aggregation Scheme, lands accepted into the scheme must be transferred to the ownership of the Housing Agency. The Housing Agency is responsible for managing the transfer process, including any technical and legal aspects. Of the 73 sites accepted into the Land Aggregation Scheme, 71 have now transferred to the ownership of the Housing Agency.
The position with regard to the two sites that have not transferred is as follows:
1, Royal Oak, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow (0.11ha): a decision was taken taken not to transfer the small site as it is already being developed by an Approved Housing Body under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).
2. Barrack Road, Youghal, Co Cork (1.16 hectares): discussions are ongoing between the Housing Agency, an AHB and Cork County Council regarding the development of this site. Proposals for its development had been signaled by the AHB involved and a decision as to whether it is pragmatic to transfer this site to the Housing Agency is contingent on progress being demonstrated in bringing forward concrete proposals.
In terms of the development of the Land Aggregation Scheme sites generally, the Housing Agency is prioritising those which are already serviced and with the most potential to deliver housing at scale in the short to medium term. Some sites are incorporated into proposals which were awarded funding under Phase 1 of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (e.g. Mount Avenue, Dundalk, Gibbet Hill, Waterford and Lissywollen, Athlone) which will facilitate the development of a wider serviced land bank on both private and public lands.
The Housing Agency is also working with the new Land Development Agency, in progressing residential development on three prime Land Aggregation Scheme sites, at Hampton, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, Hacketstown, Skerries, Co Dublin, and Devoy Barracks, Naas, Co Kildare, which collectively have the capacity to deliver some 1,000 homes.
Projects to deliver 769 social homes are being progressed on Land Aggregation Scheme sites, details of which are set out in the following table. Progress on these and other developments can be tracked through the Social Housing Construction Status Report. The latest report (Q1 2018) is available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-q1-2018/.
My Department will continue to work with the Housing Agency, the relevant local authorities, the Land Development Agency and Approved Housing Bodies with a view to delivering the optimum housing mix from these and other Land Aggregation Scheme sites.
|
County |
Site Accepted into LAGS |
Portion of site being developed |
Programme |
No of Units |
Status |
|
Kildare |
Craddockstown (7.93 ha) |
4.5 ha |
PPP Bundle 1 |
74 |
Stage 3; tender process underway |
|
Kildare |
Craddockstown (7.93 ha) |
0.81 ha |
Capital Assistance Scheme |
3 |
Stage 1 approved; outline design andcosts beingprepared. |
|
Galway City |
Ballymoneen Raod (2.5ha) |
0.49 ha |
Social Housing Capital Investment Programme |
14 |
On site |
|
Galway City |
Ballymoneen Raod (2.5ha) |
2.01ha |
Social Housing Capital Investment Programme |
78 |
Stage 2 approved; full design/tenderbeing prepared. |
|
Laois |
Old Knockmay Road (1.031ha) |
1.031 ha |
Social Housing Capital Investment Programme |
33 |
On site |
|
Wexford |
Ballyowen (Baile Eoghain - Ramsfort) (0.95ha) |
0.95 ha |
Social Housing Capital Investment Programme |
9 |
On site |
|
Meath |
Kells (Riverside) 4.38ha |
1.5 ha |
Social Housing Capital Investment Programme |
40 |
Stage 3 approved; the scheme is nowbeing tendered. |
|
Carlow |
Royal Oak Bagnelstown (0.11ha) |
0.11 ha |
Capital Assistance Programme |
6 |
Stage 3 approved; the scheme is nowbeing tendered. |
|
Wexford |
Carrick on Bannow (Danes Castle) (0.52ha) |
0.52 ha |
Social Housing Capital Investment Programme |
12 |
Stage 3 approved; the scheme is nowbeing tendered. |
|
Wexford |
Creagh, Gorey (0.73ha) |
0.73 ha |
Social Housing Capital Investment Programme |
10 |
On site |
|
Cork County |
The Miles Clonakilty (2.46ha) |
2.46 ha |
PPP Bundle 2 |
54 |
NDFA published a contract notice on 28 February and following a pre-qualification process, four candidates were shortlisted and have been invited to tender. |
|
Cork County |
Oakwood Macroom (2.26 ha) |
2.26 ha |
PPP Bundle 2 |
50 |
NDFA published a contract notice on 28 February and following a pre-qualification process, four candidates were shortlisted and have been invited to tender. |
|
Cork County |
Duntahane Road, Fermoy (3.98 ha) |
2 ha |
Capital Advance Loan Facility |
46 |
Applicationunder consideration by the Department. |
|
Kildare |
Butterstream, Clane, (8.49 ha) |
5 ha |
PPP Bundle 2 |
80 |
NDFA published a contract notice on 28 February and following a pre-qualification process, four candidates were shortlisted and have been invited to tender. |
|
Fingal |
Hampton (Pinewood) Balbriggan (24.2 ha) |
1.4 ha |
Social Housing Capital Investment Programme - Rapid |
20 |
On site |
|
Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown |
Enniskerry Road (2.8ha) |
2.8 ha |
Capital Advance Loan Facility/Cost rental |
155 |
Approved for CALF funding for 105 units; the scheme is now being tendered. |
|
Louth |
Mount Avenue Dundalk (3.09ha) |
3.09 ha |
Social Housing Capital Investment Programme |
75 |
Stage 1 approved; outline design andcosts are now beingprepared. |
|
Cork County |
Townsend Street, Skibbereen (0.13ha) |
0.13ha |
Social Housing Capital Investment Programme |
6 |
Stage 1 approved; outline design andcosts are now beingprepared. |
|
Limerick |
Ballyhahill (1.212 Ha) |
0.4ha |
Social Housing Capital Investment Programme |
4 |
Stage 1 approved; outline design andcosts are now beingprepared |
|
Total |
769 |
239. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he next expects to allocate funding to local authorities for housing adaptation grants including for persons with a disability, mobility issues or older persons; his plans to increase the funding for these grants in view of the waiting lists in many areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38162/18]
View answerFor 2018, I have provided €66.25 million for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, an increase of some 11% on 2017. Funding for these schemes has been increasing year on year since 2014 and 9,080 households benefitted in 2017, with 10,000 expected to benefit in 2018.
The approach each year is to issue a single full year allocation to the local authorities, so that they can plan and implement the grants programme. Over the course of the year, my Department works closely with the local authorities to monitor spend and to achieve a full drawdown of the available funding. This allows any underspends to be redistributed to local authorities with high levels of grant activity who seek additional funding.
240. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will examine the criteria set down under the tenant incremental purchase scheme and the €15,000 minimum income requirement to avail of the scheme due to the significant number of persons being denied the scheme, albeit living in the homes for decades in some cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38177/18]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year.
The minimum reckonable income for eligibility under the scheme is determined by the relevant local authority in accordance with the detailed provisions of the Ministerial Direction issued under Sections 24(3) and (4) of the 2014 Act. In the determination of the minimum reckonable income, local authorities include income from a number of different sources and classes, such as from employment, private pensions, maintenance payments and certain social welfare payments, including pensions, where the social welfare payment is secondary to employment income.
In determining reckonable income, the income of all tenants of the house, including adult children that are joint tenants, is included, as is the income of the spouse, civil partner or other partner/co-habitant of a tenant who lives in the house with them, thus ensuring the appropriate level of discount is applied to the purchase price.
The minimum income criterion was introduced in order to ensure the sustainability of the scheme. Applicants must demonstrate that they have an income that is long-term and sustainable in nature. This ensures that the tenant purchasing the house is in a financial position, as the owner, to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period, in compliance with the conditions of the order transferring the ownership of, and responsibility for, the house from the local authority to the tenant.
In line with the commitment given in Rebuilding Ireland, a review of the first 12 months of the Scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which took place in 2017 and saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The review is now complete and a full report has been prepared setting out findings and recommendations.
In finalising the report some further consultation was necessary and due consideration had to be given to possible implementation arrangements. These matters are now almost completed and I expect to be in a position to publish the outcome of the review shortly.
241. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an emergency funding application can be made by Louth County Council in respect of its social housing maintenance department's depleted funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38178/18]
View answerWhile my Department provides funding to support capital improvements to local authority housing, including through the Voids Programme, the routine management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including maintenance programmes and carrying out of responsive repairs and pre-letting repairs, is a matter for each individual local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966 and is not directly funded by my Department.
242. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the anticipated number of affordable, social and private units to be developed under the Land Development Agency per annum from its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38225/18]
View answer243. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the location in which the new land agency will be based; the anticipated number of staff and annual operating budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38226/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
To support the work of the Land Development Agency, the Government has agreed new policies requiring that a minimum of 30% of public lands coming forward for redevelopment and/or disposal are to be reserved for affordable housing purposes (in addition to the statutory requirement for 10% social housing under the existing Part V provisions), ensuring more housing supply at more affordable prices and rents.
Ahead of its launch earlier this month, the LDA has secured access to State lands which can yield 3,000 new homes. It is currently in discussions with State bodies in relation to land for another 7,000 homes and a minimum of 40% of the homes built on all State land will be in the form of a mix of social and affordable housing.
Subsequent to the Agency's establishment last week, a detailed business plan and development programme is currently being prepared and will be finalised shortly, and this plan will set out further detail in relation to the initial and longer-term tranches of sites and the anticipated delivery of homes on such sites.
Detailed arrangements for the operation of the Agency are currently being developed by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of An Taoiseach and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with a view to their early finalisation. While the Agency currently has three core staff at its establishment, it is expected to expand its existing capacity over the coming weeks, and in time may employ around 25 people, with the requisite skills and experience to deliver on its policy and legislative mandate.
244. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applications received for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; the number of successful applicants; the amount issued to date; the interest rate applied by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38227/18]
View answerAs with the previous local authority home loan offerings, loan applications under the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan are made directly to the local authority in whose area the property proposed for purchase is situated. My Department does not directly collect information on the number of loan applications received by each local authority.
However, as is currently the case, my Department will continue to publish information on the overall number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Information up to Q4 2017 is available on the Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity, and this information is updated on a quarterly basis as additional data is compiled.
In addition, the Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses loan applications that are made to the local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities as to whether loans should be offered to applicants. I have asked the Agency to centrally compile figures on the numbers of applications that it has assessed and the most recent figures, as at the end of August, indicate that the Agency had received a total of 2,628 applications for assessment from local authorities.
Of the 2,628 applications received, 2,074 were deemed to be valid. Of these valid applications, 1,989 had been assessed and 1,024 of these (51%) had been recommended for approval. A breakdown by local authority of the 1,024 applications recommended for approval is set out in the following table.
|
Local Authority |
Applications Recommended for Approval |
|
Dublin City Council |
149 |
|
Fingal County Council |
138 |
|
Meath County Council |
91 |
|
Cork County Council |
89 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
79 |
|
Kildare County Council |
60 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
41 |
|
Cork City Council |
35 |
|
Wexford County Council |
30 |
|
Galway County Council |
30 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
28 |
|
Laois County Council |
26 |
|
Kerry County Council |
25 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
24 |
|
Galway City Council |
22 |
|
Louth County Council |
19 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
16 |
|
Sligo County Council |
15 |
|
Carlow County Council |
13 |
|
Clare County Council |
13 |
|
Longford County Council |
12 |
|
Donegal County Council |
12 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
11 |
|
Mayo County Council |
10 |
|
Westmeath County |
10 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
9 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
8 |
|
Offaly County Council |
6 |
|
Cavan County Council |
1 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
1 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
1 |
|
Total |
1024 |
Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan offers three interest rate products:
- 2% fixed for up to 25 years (APR 2.02%)*,
- 2.25% fixed for up to 30 years (APR 2.27%)*, and
- 2.30% variable (subject to fluctuation) for up to 30 years (APR 2.32%)*
Applicants have the option to choose from between these three rates. Mortgage rates are set on the date of drawdown of the loan. The fixed rates are set for all loans drawn down from the first tranche of €200m of fixed-rate financing secured by the Housing Finance Agency. Rates for further tranches may be subject to change and are dependant on the overall rates secured for each tranche.
245. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated number of units to be delivered in each of the pilot projects for a new cost rental scheme; the timeframe for their delivery; the criteria for their allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38228/18]
View answerI refer to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1424 of 7 September 2018, which sets out the general position in relation to the cost rental pilot projects.
As regards the criteria for the allocation of these cost rental homes, I announced earlier this year new measures that are specifically targeted at delivering more affordable homes generally to households with maximum gross incomes of €50,000 for single applicants and €75,000 for joint applicants. The income criteria for access to a cost rental scheme, and the allocation of the homes, will take into account the broader policy development on affordable housing.
246. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on the rental accommodation scheme in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38229/18]
View answer247. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of recipients of the rental accommodation scheme in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38230/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.
The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) introduced in 2005 placed responsibility on local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of people in receipt of Rent Supplement for 18 months or longer, and who are assessed as having a long-term housing need. RAS has provided a more structured, accommodation-based approach to the use of the private rented sector to meet long-term housing need, thereby eliminating dependence on temporary income support payments through Rent Supplement.
In the period from RAS commencing in 2005 to the end of December 2017, some 34,493 households have been transferred from Rent Supplement to RAS. Data for the years 2011 to 2017 on the number and cost of tenancies funded under the RAS scheme, broken down by local authority, is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
As of 31 May 2018, there are 19,388 tenancies supported under RAS. I am providing €134.3 million to support the cost of RAS in 2018, some €42.7m of which was spent up to 31 May 2018, and this funding will go towards supporting 600 additional RAS tenancies targeted to be achieved by local authorities in 2018, and the ongoing cost of supporting continuing RAS contracts in place at the end of 2017.
Towards 2021, as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme continues to be rolled out nationally and replaces Rent Supplement completely, it is expected that more RAS tenancies will terminate than will commence.
RAS continues to be an effective and secure form of social housing support, and remains a significant part of the suite of social housing options currently available to those who are assessed as being in need of housing support.
248. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on the social housing current expenditure programme in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38231/18]
View answer249. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of units on the social housing current expenditure programme in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38232/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.
The Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the leasing of houses and apartments. The SHCEP budget funds the ongoing current costs of homes delivered using a variety of different delivery mechanisms through the Housing Leasing Programmes under Rebuilding Ireland, including Direct and Enhanced Leasing, the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and the Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS). Dwellings made available under the programme are used to accommodate households from local authority waiting lists.
Details of the total number of dwellings operational under SHCEP at the end of each of the years 2011 to 2017 are provided in tabular form. Data for end Q1 2018 is published on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
Data for end Q2 2018 is currently being collated and will be published shortly.
|
Year |
Dwellings operational under SHCEP |
|
2011 |
2,496 |
|
2012 |
3,701 |
|
2013 |
4,600 |
|
2014 |
5,622 |
|
2015 |
7,099 |
|
2016 |
8,366 |
|
2017 |
10,152 |
In total, it is estimated that an additional 21,100 dwellings will be incrementally supported under SHCEP in the period from 2018 to 2021. This includes dwellings to be sourced through long-term lease arrangements from a range of different sources, the Repair and Leasing Scheme and properties which will be delivered by AHBs through a combination of the support under my Department's Capital Advance Loan Facility (CALF) and private borrowings, including from the Housing Finance Agency (HFA).
The annual cost of SHCEP to the Exchequer is made up of the continuing cost of supporting existing tenancies and contracts in place at the end of the previous year together with the additional cost of the new tenancies and contracts supported over the course of the year to which the allocation relates. Exchequer funding of €115m is available for SHCEP in 2018. Details of the funding drawn-down by local authorities under SHCEP from 2011 to 2017, and up to Q1 2018, are provided in tabular form.
|
Period |
SHCEP Expenditure |
|
2011 |
€13,817,464 |
|
2012 |
€20,814,526 |
|
2013 |
€27,362,6145 |
|
2014 |
€34,844,780 |
|
2015 |
€42,275,724* |
|
2016 |
€54,028,752 |
|
2017 |
€84,050,743 |
|
2018 (Q1) |
€14,016,737 |
*Of this figure, a total of €7,933,651 was self-funded by local authorities using funding from their RAS Reserve.
250. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on the housing assistance payment in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38235/18]
View answer251. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of recipients of the housing assistance payment since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38236/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is funded through a combination of Exchequer monies and tenant differential rents collected in respect of HAP tenancies. Budget 2018 increased the Exchequer funding for the HAP scheme to €301 million. This will allow for the continued support of existing HAP households and also enable the additional 17,000 households targeted under Rebuilding Ireland to be supported by HAP in 2018.
The expenditure on, and the number of households in receipt of, HAP on an annual basis are set out in the following Table.
|
Year |
Additional Households supported at end of year |
Expenditure €M |
|
2014 |
485 |
0.394 |
|
2015 |
5,680 |
15.64 |
|
2016 |
12,075 |
57.69 |
|
2017 |
17,916 |
152.69 |
|
2018 |
9,083 (to end Q2 ) |
At the end of Q2 2018, there were 37,751 active HAP tenancies in receipt of payment and over 21,000 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.
I am satisfied with how the HAP scheme is currently operating and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under Rebuilding Ireland. My Department will, of course, continue to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review.
252. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated number of units provided through the repair and lease scheme to date in 2018; the amount provided in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38237/18]
View answerThe Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) has been developed to assist local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to harness the accommodation potential that exists in certain vacant dwellings across Ireland.
The RLS is targeted at owners of vacant dwellings, who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their dwellings up to the required standard for rental property. Subject to the suitability of the dwelling for social housing, and the agreement of the property owner, the cost of the necessary repairs will be met upfront by the local authority or an AHB.
At the end of 2017, a total of 820 applications had been received under the scheme; 31 agreements for lease had been signed and 9 homes had been delivered and tenanted.
At the end of Q1 2018, a total of 942 applications had been received under the scheme; 52 agreements for lease had been signed and 15 homes had been delivered and tenanted. A detailed breakdown of the RLS scheme data up to end Q1 2018 is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
The RLS data for end Q2 2018 are currently being collated and will be published shortly.
253. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the land her Department or agencies under its remit own in County Meath; the location of same; the use to which the land is put; the location of the land that is vacant, not in use or being used for agricultural purposes; the land which has been made available to Meath County Council or other housing agencies for the purpose of house building; and the amount of this land that could be made available for housing. [38053/18]
View answerAs set out in my reply to Dáil Question No. 1921 of 16 January last, the management of properties occupied by staff of my Department and the bodies under its aegis is primarily a matter for the Office of Public Works. On occasion my Department may also be required to lease additional property for specific purposes. I am advised that any such properties are fully occupied at present.
The Deputy will be aware that the ownership of significant lands across the country, including national parks, national monuments sites, nature reserves and other property acquired for purposes of heritage protection and conservation is also vested in my Department for use in connection with its statutory remit.
Two of the bodies under the aegis of Department, Údarás na Gaeltachta, and Waterways Ireland also own and manage properties in connection with their functions.
Údarás na Gaeltachta is the owner of a significant portfolio of commercial properties in Gaeltacht areas arising from its development role. Details of currently available properties in each of the Gaeltacht counties are available directly from Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Waterways Ireland owns land and property along and adjacent to the Royal Canal in Co. Meath. These lands stretch from the townlands of Croboy to Longwood / Boolykeagh, from Newcastle to Ballinderrin and from Ardrums Great to Kilglin (the canal intermittently runs into parts of Co. Kildare along the route from Croboy to Kilglin). Land and property owned by Waterways Ireland is associated with the operation of the inland waterways network and the maintenance of the amenity value of the waterways. The land consists primarily of the canal corridor, adjoining towpaths and banks and areas of bogland. The route of the National Cycle Network runs along the Royal Canal towpath in Co. Meath. Where land is not required for operational or recreational purposes, agricultural land letting agreements have been implemented.
The only property Waterways Ireland owns in Co. Meath is the former Toll Collector’s House at Longwood which is currently held under a 15 year lease by Ribbontail Paddlers Canoe Club that commenced in 2014.
None of the aforementioned land/property has been made available to Meath County Council or other housing agencies for the purpose of house building. Due to the type of land within Waterways Ireland’s ownership, as described above, this land may not be suitable for housing.
254. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é an méid airgid a ceadaíodh i mbliana le caoi a chur ar bhóithre ar oileáin na Gaillimhe, agus é briste sios de réir oileáin; cad iad na sonraí maidir leis na hoibreacha atá i gceist; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [38081/18]
View answerDéanann an tábla ar leanúint cur síos ar na hoileáin i gContae na Gaillimhe ar ceadaíodh deontais ina leith i mbliana, an obair atá le cur i gcríoch agus suim an deontais a ceadaíodh. Tá na deontais ceadaithe ar bhonn 75% den chostas inghlactha:
|
Oileán |
Cur síos ar na hoibreacha |
Deontas na Roinne |
|
Inis Bó Finne |
Oibreacha ar bhóthar ag an cé nua |
€750 |
|
Inis Bó Finne |
Oibreacha ar 360m de bhóthar Clossey |
€17,250 |
|
Inis Bó Finne |
Dromchla nua le cur ar 325m den bhóthar idir an séipéal agus an cé nua. |
€4,988 |
|
Inis Bó Finne |
Dromchla úr ar 150m le clocha méilte (Mir 804) agus coiriú ansin le dromchla dúbáilte agus dromchla singil ar 150m eile den bhóthar ó theach Kieran Concannon go Dolphin Hotel agus cóiriú ar an mbóthar ó chúl an Inishbofin Hotel go teach Kieran Concannon. |
€10,875 |
|
Inis Bó Finne |
Dromchla nua le clocha meilte (Mir 804) agus coiriú le dromchla dúbáilte le cur ar an mbóthar ag Westquarter Village |
€6,750 |
|
Inis Bó Finne |
Cóiriú dromchla singil a chur ar 295m den bhóthar soir ón Aerstráice |
€3,000 |
|
Inis Bó Finne |
Obair Dhraenála agus obair ar acomhal ar bhóthar Clossey |
€3,000 |
|
Inis Bó Finne |
Coiriú de dhromchla singil a chur ar 80m den bhóthar idir East End Beach agus Cloonamore High Road Junction. |
€1,125 |
|
Inis Bó Finne |
Coiriú de dhromchla dúbailte a chur ar 405m de bhóthar Cloonamore. |
€8,512 |
|
IOMLÁN |
€56,250 |
Tuigfidh an Teachta go bhfuil mo Roinn ag brath ar na húdaráis áitiúla le hiarratais a dhéanamh ar a cúnamh chun bóithre ar na hoileáin a dheisiú.
255. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the recent CSO report that shows that arts and entertainment was the only sector that has seen a decrease in average weekly earnings in the second quarter of 2018 and the second quarter of 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38100/18]
View answer256. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to address the issues arising in which artists cannot afford to live in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38101/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 256 together.
I am aware of the issues referred to in the questions and I am determined to deliver additional supports to the arts and culture sector in line with Government commitments. In this regard, primary support for the Arts is delivered through the Arts Council. Funding for the Arts Council has increased by 20% over the past 4 years and now stands at €68.2 million in 2018; representing 23% of the total allocation to of my Department and over 49% of all current expenditure by the Culture Division of my Department. The Creative Ireland Programme is also delivering additional resources to the sector, for example, through the Creative Youth Programme, Cruinniú na Cásca and the Culture and Creativity Strategies delivered by local authorities. I have also delivered significant capital resources for the culture sector which will see almost €1.2 billion invested in our culture, language and heritage over the next 10 years.
My Department has also provided investment for artists studios under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme and the Department will continue to engage with Dublin City Council and the OPW in particular in relation to the provision of facilities for artists in the City.
