Written Answers Nos. 210-225
210. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the possibility of introducing a rural resettlement scheme has been investigated further by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41603/18]
View answerThe Government's Action Plan for Rural Development: Realising our Potential, has a clear objective of working across Government Departments to deliver a co-ordinated group of strategies and actions to ensure the success of vibrant rural communities across Ireland.
My Department works closely with the Department of Rural and Community Development on rural housing issues. In relation to social housing, it is already possible for households to move and relocate between local authority areas, including relocating from an urban to a rural location, under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme.
My Department is also currently examining additional ways to facilitate households, who are qualified for social housing, and who may wish to relocate to and resettle in rural areas.
211. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the sections and subsections of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 that have not been commenced to date. [41607/18]
View answerA significant number of the provisions of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 were commenced upon enactment, those being sections 2, 46, 50-55, 58, 59 and 61-65.
I intend signing a Commencement Order in the coming days which will commence the bulk of the remaining sections, specifically sections 1, 3, 6, 7, 9-20, 22, 24-32, 35-39, 41, 43, 44, 47, 48, 56 and 66-76, as well as most of the provisions of sections 21 and 23.
Further to the signing of that Commencement Order, the following sections/subsections will remain to be considered for commencement at a later point: sections 4, 5, 8, 33, 34, 40, 42, 45, 49 and subsections of sections 21 and 23.
212. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the full-time equivalent staffing levels at An Bord Pleanála in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41612/18]
View answerMy Department engages with An Bord Pleanála on an ongoing basis to ensure that it has the appropriate resources in order to perform its broad range of functions. As of 30 September 2018, the Board had a complement of 10 members and 148.6 other whole time equivalent staff employed.
The following table sets out the number of whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff employed by An Bord Pleanála on 31 December for the years 2008 to 2017.
|
Years |
Staffing* (WTE) |
|
2008 |
179.50 |
|
2009 |
167.50 |
|
2010 |
163.00 |
|
2011 |
158.10 |
|
2012 |
145.80 |
|
2013 |
144.10 |
|
2014 |
142.40 |
|
2015 |
138.40 |
|
2016 |
142.10 |
|
2017 |
156.10 |
*Staffing figures are inclusive of Board members.
This information, and other related statistics, are available in An Bord Pleanála's Annual Reports which can be accessed on the following link: http://www.pleanala.ie/publications/index.htm.
Through ongoing and planned recruitment processes, the Board's staff complement is expected to increase further in 2019.
213. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when it will be possible to make online appeal submissions to An Bord Pleanála via its website as is the case with local authority planning applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41613/18]
View answer214. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the current issues with An Bord Pleanála’s website whereby it is reported that appeal files submitted since January 2018 are not available to view on the board’s website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41614/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together.
An Bord Pleanála is currently implementing a major ICT strategy which will facilitate the introduction of on-line planning services as part of a complete upgrade and replacement of core systems. The first phase of the implementation of the ICT strategy has been completed with the deployment of a new case management and geographic information system. The final phase includes development of a website to facilitate online submission of planning cases which is to commence shortly with delivery of services planned for 2019.
In relation to planning appeal files, all appeals lodged with An Bord Pleanála are published in weekly lists which are available on its website, www.pleanala.ie. The lists include details and descriptions of the proposed development, the parties to the case, the date the appeal was lodged, and a link to the local authority website (where relevant). The search functionality on An Bord Pleanála’s website is currently not fully operational due to a technical issue and the Board is working to restore full search functionality as soon as possible.
215. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 112, 170 and 253 of 4 October 2018, his plans to engage with other relevant Ministers with regard to the rent a room scheme to address the barriers to uptake (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41640/18]
View answerThe rent-a-room tax relief is administered by the Revenue Commissioners, within the framework of tax policy, which is matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
The eligibility criteria for social welfare entitlements and medical/GP visit cards are matters for my colleagues the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Minister for Health, respectively. I understand that the Deputy has tabled Questions with the relevant Ministers in this regard and my Department is available to assist those Ministers' Departments in considering the issues arising, as necessary.
216. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department or agencies on his Department's behalf have been engaging with the owner or manager of a direct provision hostel (details supplied) for the purposes of that location being used at a future date for emergency accommodation, a family hub or other housing related accommodation; and if so, if this was carried out with the knowledge of the Department of Justice and Equality that has a contract via the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, with the owners and managers of the property for the provision of direct provision accommodation. [41668/18]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services, including accommodation, rests with individual housing authorities. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational issue in the day-to-day delivery of services and is a matter for the relevant housing authority.
My Department has not been in contact with the owner of the property referred to by the Deputy. I have been informed by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive that, while they are constantly working to ensure a sufficient supply of emergency accommodation, they are not involved in negotiations with the owner or manager of this property.
217. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on European Union regulation number 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, including American mink; and the level of preparedness to meet the obligations in this regulation. [41659/18]
View answerThere are considerable similarities between the EU Regulation 1143/2014 and sections of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. My Department is currently drafting a Statutory Instrument giving effect to measures in the EU invasive alien species Regulation. This will update and strengthen the existing legislative framework in Ireland and provide authorised officers with the appropriate powers to implement the EU Regulation in Ireland.
A key component of the EU Regulation is a list of invasive alien species of Union concern (known as the Union list), for which concerted measures are required across the EU. The EU Regulation imposes restrictions on the keeping, importing, selling, breeding and growing of the listed species. Member States are also required to take measures for the early detection and rapid eradication of species which have recently arrived, or to manage populations that are already widely spread in their territory. Prevention is the priority because established populations are invariably expensive to manage and difficult or impossible to eradicate. My Department is drafting management plans as required and will consult relevant Departments and experts over the coming months.
The first Union list of 37 species was adopted in July 2016 and this was updated in July 2017 with a further 12 species, bringing the total number of listed species to 49. The American Mink is not included on the Union list at this time.
The Scientific Forum on Invasive Alien Species (IAS), which consists of representatives of the scientific community appointed by Member States, provides advice on scientific questions related to the implementation of the EU IAS Regulation. The Scientific forum is currently reviewing 20 new risk assessments for species, including American Mink to be considered for the next update of the Union list.
Officials from my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service are engaged in this process and a decision on the proposed species to be added to the Union list is expected in the first half of 2019.
218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of species of wild bird, including game, now deemed extinct here North and South; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41733/18]
View answerUnder Article 12 of the EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC), which provides the legislative framework for the conservation of wild birds in Ireland, Member States report on the implementation of the directive and the trends in bird populations. Ireland’s most recent Article 12 report noted that one species, the Corn Bunting, is now extinct as a breeding bird in Ireland. This farmland bird was associated with arable farming and was common in the coastal counties of Ireland in the early 1900s but experienced a decline in numbers and breeding range over the following decades. By the early 1990s the population was thought to be less than 30 pairs. No confirmed breeding records are available for this century indicating that this farmland songbird species became extinct in the intervening period.
The latest list of Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland (north and south), produced by BirdWatch Ireland and The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, identifies several other farmland songbirds as being of particular conservation concern (e.g. Twite, Yellowhammer, Whinchat) as well as game birds (e.g. Grey Partridge, Red Grouse, Woodcock), breeding waders (e.g. Curlew, Dunlin and Golden Plover), ducks (e.g. Pintail, Shoveler, Common Scoter) and others (e.g. Corncrake, Barn Owl).
My Department operates and/or funds, a number of conservation programmes, as resources allow, aimed at improving the status of some of these species including Curlew, Grey Partridge and Corncrake.
219. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the investment plan timelines for regional cultural infrastructure in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41558/18]
View answerProject Ireland 2040 has given explicit recognition to the importance of our culture, language and heritage to our sustainable development over the next decade and beyond. This recognition is underpinned by the unprecedented commitment by Government to invest €1.2 billion in our culture, our language and our heritage. Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027 sets out the Government’s objectives for capital investment in Ireland’s culture, language and heritage. The plan includes a provision of €40 million to ensure a regional balance and secure existing investment in arts and culture infrastructure nationwide. In this context, the Department will work with local and regional authorities.
In terms of investment in County Wicklow,under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018, two organisations in County Wicklow were successful and have been allocated funding. These were Mermaid County Wicklow Arts Centre and Tinahely Courthouse CLG t/a The Courthouse Arts Centre. Both organisations have been active in drawing down their funding and this will continue into 2019. This Scheme will make a huge difference to each of the individual organisations and my Department is already seeing good outcomes and receiving positive feedback. My Department is currently giving consideration to new round of grant funding under Arts and Cultural Capital Scheme to be announced in the near future.
220. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports provided to protect historic structures at risk in County Wicklow in 2017 and to date in 2018; her plans for 2019 in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41559/18]
View answerMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through a number of schemes which are generally administered by local authorities.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is a scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures. It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals and tradespeople. I have allocated funding of €2m in total for this scheme in 2018. In 2017 and 2018 a total of €113,195 was provided in grant aid under this scheme for 17 projects in County Wicklow.
The Structures at Risk Fund supports conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. I have allocated €1.3m for the Structures at Risk Fund in 2018. Over the course of 2017 and 2018, a total of €94,000 was allocated to 5 projects in County Wicklow. Details of the projects approved under both funding schemes are published on my Department’s website and on local authority websites.
In terms of future funding, Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027 represents a major capital investment scheme of €1.2 billion in funding over the next 10 years, as part of Project Ireland 2040. This plan will see increased investment in protecting and celebrating our built heritage across the country. More details on the commencement and completion dates for projects and programmes, as well as the timing of the expenditure in relation to them, will emerge as we go through the process of appraisal and planning as required under the Public Spending Code.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports. Grant schemes are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
In addition, through the National Monuments Service (NMS), my Department continues to assess notices of intention to carry out work at, or close to, recorded monuments. Such notices are required under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014. NMS also responds to reports of threat to monuments to ensure the ongoing protection of our archaeological heritage.
221. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on progress made to date to increase funding and staffing levels at the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41560/18]
View answerIn 2018, my Department allocated €11,982m to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which represents an over 7% increase from 2017. In addition, the overall budget for the Heritage Division in 2018 (€47,146m) increased by 4% from 2017. A further increase in funding of over €7m, or 15%, in the overall budget for the Heritage Division was announced yesterday as part of the Budget Estimates for 2019. This investment represents a significant proportion of my Department's overall budget and reflects my continued commitment to the NPWS.
Staffing levels across my Department are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Of the total Department’s staff of 660, 335 work in the area of natural heritage through the NPWS. I am pleased to note that in 2018, my Department recruited five permanent ecologists to NPWS and three permanent staff for the National Parks including a Supervisor Guide, an Education Guide and a General Operative. My Department recruits in the region of 70 seasonal staff each year to meet demand during the busy tourist season at the National Parks.
222. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the precarious working terms and conditions, lack of training, lack of health and safety and lack of pension provision to many workers in the film and television production industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41561/18]
View answerThe Government launched its Audiovisual Action Plan in June 2018. To implement its recommendations, a high-level Steering group has been established with representatives of all Government Departments and State Agencies that have an interest in or involvement with the audiovisual industry. In the meantime, the Joint Oireachtas Committee published a Report entitled Development and Working Conditions in the Irish Film Industry in July. The Committee's Report and the Audiovisual Action Plan have significant overlap and share the objectives of developing the Irish Audiovisual Industry and improving employment within it. The Steering Group will address both the Plan and the Committee Report.
It is important to note that employees in every industry and sector are entitled to all existing legal protections. In addition to existing legislation, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection has brought forward the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 to improve the security and predictability of working hours for employees on insecure contracts and those working variable hours. This legislation responds specifically to the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to address the problems caused by the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious work. The Bill completed Report and Final Stage in the Dáil on 12th July 2018 and I understand that it will be introduced in the Seanad this autumn.
223. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a person (details supplied) will be considered for the turf cutting compensation scheme; if they are eligible for other such schemes due to extenuating circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41579/18]
View answerAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. With respect to 53 raised bog special areas of conservation sites, the qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:
- The applicant must have had a legal interest (ownership or a turbary right (right to cut turf)) in one of these sites on 25 May 2010 and must have had the right to cut and remove turf from the property on that date;
- The applicant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period (up to 25 May 2010 in respect of the 29 raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation between 1997 and 1999 and up to 31 December 2011 in respect of the 24 raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation in 2002);
- The turf resource on the site has not been exhausted; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
My Department is examining the application in view of the qualifying criteria for the scheme.
I am advised that an inspection of the plot of bog in respect of which the applicant has applied for compensation is scheduled to be undertaken. My Department will be in a position to further process the application when this inspection has been completed.
224. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the policy proposal to issue afforestation licences for special areas of conservation, SACs, and special protection areas, SPAs; if she has had discussions in this regard at EU level and or with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on same; her further views on whether such afforestation would be consistent with the management objectives of the sites concerned as the lead authority in charge of implementing Natura 2000; and her plans to carry out a review regarding these objectives. [41681/18]
View answerForestry is an important activity in Ireland, with many and varied benefits. There are however procedures and obligations set out in the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and they must be followed by licensing authorities in relation to SACs and SPAs and their habitats and species. A key protection mechanism, in Article 6 of the Habitats Directive, and which applies also to the Birds Directive, is the requirement to consider the implications of any plan or project for the conservation objectives of such a site, through appropriate assessment, before any decision is made to allow that plan or project to proceed. In brief, if the assessment procedure shows there is no significant risk of impact, then a project may proceed.
Officials in my Department are in contact with the European Commission in regard to the obligations of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive, and guidance on same, on a frequent basis. They also are in frequent contact with officials of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
My Department is currently working on completion of site-specific conservation objectives for SACs and SPAs and therefore a review is not scheduled at this time.
225. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the national policy decision was taken not to administer separate payments to farmers in both the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, farm plan scheme and GLAS. [41682/18]
View answerFor clarity I note that my Department wrote to the Deputy in April 2018 advising that the current policy is that participation in both GLAS and the NPWS farm plan scheme simultaneously is not allowed, but that where on occasion specific additional requirements are necessary, provision can be made for an additional payment in respect of the additional requirement, on the proviso that double funding does not arise.
This approach has been operational since the NPWS farm plan scheme was first launched in 2006, when the NPWS scheme was targeted at farmers not in REPS, and was based on consultations between the then Departments of Agriculture and Food, and Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
