Written Answers Nos. 717-735
717. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the quality standards framework inspection regime for emergency homeless accommodation; and when the framework will be in place. [50628/18]
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 accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. This includes operational issues such as ensuring that contracted services are delivered in a professional manner, that inspections take place and that homeless families/individuals can report issues to the relevant authority.
In this regard, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) has been overseeing the development of a quality standards framework, coordinating this work in consultation with an advisory group, which includes representation from various housing authorities, service providers, Tusla, clients and other stakeholders, with a view to having the finalised standards adopted on a national basis by individual housing authorities. The draft standards have been piloted in a number of selected services across the country and positive feedback has been received.
It is envisaged that guidance on the implementation of a quality standards framework will be issued to all local authorities before the end of 2018.
718. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50656/18]
View answerUnder section 50 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, any person who considers that they have reason to question the validity of a decision made or other act done by a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála under the 2000 Act may apply to the High Court seeking a judicial review of that decision or act. This includes a decision by the Board on an appeal of a decision made by a planning authority on a planning application, a decision made on direct applications to the Board for proposed Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) or Strategic Housing Development (SHD), and a decision by the Board in respect of the acquisition or disposal of land under Part XIV of the 2000 Act.
An application for leave to apply for judicial review in respect of such a decision or act done under the 2000 Act must be made within 8 weeks, beginning on the date of the decision or the date of the doing of the act by the Board. In the case of a decision or act done under Part XIV of the 2000 Act, the leave application must be made within 8 weeks beginning on the date on which notice of the decision or act was first sent or published. The High Court may extend this period if it is satisfied that there is good and sufficient reason for doing so, and if there were circumstances beyond the control of the leave applicant that resulted in a failure to make the application within the appropriate period for doing so.
719. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he is taking to ensure that a sufficient percentage of housing is fully accessible for wheelchair users and not merely visitable; the target number of units; the information available to him on the level of demand for such units; and the steps he will take to improve building and planning regulations in order that a percentage of new builds are fully accessible. [50680/18]
View answerLocal authorities are responsible for the provision of social housing in their areas, and, as such, decide on the number and specific types of dwellings to provide in their developments, based on identified need.
One of the key measures achieved in 2016 under the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD), which has been extended to 2020, was the establishment of Housing and Disability Steering Groups (HDSGs) in all housing authority areas, to achieve a coordinated and integrated approach to meeting the housing needs of people with a disability at local level. These are chaired by Directors of Housing in each authority and include HSE and disability representative organisations.
Each HDSG has prepared a local Strategic Plan for its own City/County area, to develop specific local strategies to meet identified and emerging need over the next five years. These Plans, the majority of which are now available on the relevant local authority websites, along with the annual Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA), will allow local authorities to plan more strategically for the housing needs of people with a disability and will support the delivery of accommodation using all appropriate housing supply mechanisms. This is a more targeted and responsive way to meet actual need identified rather than designating a specific percentage or number of new social housing builds that are fully wheelchair accessible. The SSHA counts the number of persons with a physical disability rather than with reference to the need for wheelchair accessibility but, nonetheless, local authorities are aware of the needs of individual housing applicants through the application process.
New buildings and extensions or material alterations to existing buildings must comply with the legal minimum performance standards set out in the Building Regulations 1997 - 2017. In this context, the Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010, and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use (2010), which came into effect on 1 January 2012, set out the minimum statutory requirements that a building must achieve in respect of access. The TGDs are available on my Department’s website at http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/building-standards/tgd-part-d-materials-and-workmanship/technical-guidance-documents.
The requirements of Part M aim to ensure that regardless of age, size or disability:
- new buildings other than dwellings are accessible and usable;
- extensions to existing buildings other than dwellings are, where practicable, accessible and useable;
- material alterations to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings, where practicable;
- certain changes of use to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings where practicable; and
- new dwellings are visitable.
Part M of the Building Regulations aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. While the Part M requirements may be regarded as a statutory minimum level of provision, the accompanying technical guidance encourages building owners and designers to have regard to the design philosophy of universal design and to consider making additional provisions, where practicable and appropriate.
Guidance on how to design, build and manage buildings and spaces so that they can be readily accessed and used by everyone, regardless of age, size, ability or disability is available in 'Building for Everyone, A Universal Design Approach', a National Disability Authority (NDA) publication, which may be accessed at www.nda.ie.
720. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the delivery of the 550 affordable homes at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 2. [50745/18]
View answerIn May 2016, the Government designated Poolbeg West as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) because of its potential to deliver a large proportion of the extra homes needed in the centre of Dublin. This was followed by the publication for consultation by Dublin City Council of a detailed planning scheme for the area. The Council prepared a draft planning scheme which was considered by the elected members of the Council in May 2017. As a statutory consultee for that process, my Department highlighted the importance of the planning scheme, addressing a variety of housing needs and relevant matters.
I and my Department remain committed to working with the City Council, any relevant approved housing bodies (AHBs) and either the receiver and/or developers of the SDZ area in order to secure additional social and affordable housing from this site over and above Part V obligations and of the order of magnitude laid out in the adopted planning scheme, but subject to agreement on all the normal and relevant terms, including value for money aspects.
It is my Department's understanding that the receiver is engaging with Dublin City Council with a view to advancing an approach that would both better enable the orderly development of this strategic but complex city location and to assist in delivering much needed additional social housing. My Department stands ready to support such initiatives, subject to observance of all the normal value-for-money, procurement and wider legal aspects.
It should be noted that there is currently an appeal to An Bord Pleanála in relation to the Poolbeg SDZ planning scheme. The progress of development of the site will be dependent significantly on the nature and timing of the decision of the Board. Accordingly, I am not in a position to comment further on the matter at this time.
721. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local area plans, strategic development zones and county development plans in operation by local authority in tabular form in 2005, 2010 and 2018; the reason for the variation in the number of plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50748/18]
View answerI have no further update to the number of local area plans, strategic development zones and county development plans in operation by local authorities since my reply to Question No. 230 of 24 May 2018.
The numbers of such plans and SDZ designations and planning schemes vary in line with wider policy and operational requirements including, the requirements of planning legislation, addressing the development needs of the wider economy and society and the workload involved in preparing, considering and implementing such planning policy frameworks.
My Department is currently giving consideration to the best manner in which to seek updates from planning authorities at more regular intervals.
722. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department has researched the amount it would cost to end the use of schools as polling stations and use other venues instead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50750/18]
View answerThe primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local Returning Officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums. This includes, in accordance with section 94 of the Electoral Act 1992, the provision of a sufficient number of polling stations, conveniently distributed for the accommodation of the electors entitled to vote there.
Guidance issued to Returning Officers by my Department in advance of electoral events advises that when schools are used as polling stations, every step should be taken to ensure that schools are not closed unnecessarily and that disruption of school work should be kept to a minimum. The Guidance advises that, where possible, school halls should be used instead of classrooms and that voting compartments and other equipment should be fitted up and dismantled after school hours. Guidance also advises that it is open to returning officers to hire a hall or other premises if they consider it to be appropriate. Electoral law provides that a returning officer may, for the purposes of taking a poll and counting the votes, use a school or any room in a school free of charge.
It is important to note that the wide distribution of schools around the country helps to fulfil the requirement under electoral law to provide polling stations conveniently distributed for the accommodation of electors. Due to this requirement, and the fact that Returning Officers can, and do, choose halls and other venues as polling stations, where appropriate, research in respect of the cost of ending the use of schools as polling stations has not proven necessary.
723. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department has conducted research into holding referendums and elections on weekends rather than on weekdays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50751/18]
View answerArrangements for the holding of elections and referendums, including the setting of the polling day, are set out in legislation. Electoral law allows for the taking of the poll at elections and referendums on any day of the week and this flexibility allows all relevant factors to be taken into account at any given time in setting the polling day. While I have no proposals to change the current arrangements or to carry out research currently, the arrangements in place are kept under review in my Department in the light of all relevant developments.
724. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when a response will issue to correspondence (details supplied) forwarded to Irish Water; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50760/18]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
Neither I nor my Department have a role in relation to the management of individual customer accounts or the resolution of complaints which are matters for Irish Water in the first instance or, where a satisfactory resolution is not forthcoming, for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
Section 8 of the Water Services Act 2014 (as amended) makes provision for the CRU to provide a dispute resolution service for unresolved complaints of customers of Irish Water. Further information on pursuing complaints with Irish Water or with the CRU is available on the website of the CRU and can be accessed from the following weblink - https://www.cru.ie/home/complaint-form/water/.
As Minister, I must respect the independent statutory powers and functions which the Oireachtas has conferred on Irish Water and on the CRU in line with the Water Services Acts 2007-2017 and I cannot involve myself in individual cases.
It may also be helpful to note that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
725. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason a proposal to build ten social and affordable housing units in Mountcollins, County Limerick, was not approved; if he will review this decision in view of the fact that the village needs investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50813/18]
View answerA proposal by Limerick City & County Council to construct 10 new social homes in Mountcollins, County Limerick was discussed in detail between my Department and the Council, in the context of the guidance for social housing developments set out in the document 'Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities'. The project was not advanced as the scale of housing proposed was greater than the numbers on the waiting list for social housing in the locality.
It is now a matter for the Council to consider how best to meet those social housing needs and I understand that the Council is considering the utilisation of existing properties, including vacant properties, in the area. My Department will continue to support Limerick City & County Council in its work to develop sustainable solutions to social housing need across its area of operation.
726. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding and-or grant aid her Department has made to an association (details supplied) from 1 January 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the purpose for which the funding and-or grant aid was released to the association; if the way in which the funding and-or grant aid used is audited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50062/18]
View answerI am advised that no funding or grant aid has been allocated to this association since the establishment of my Department in June 2011.
727. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the external consultant reports commissioned by her Department in each of the years March 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the cost of same; the company involved; and the title and publication date by report in tabular form. [50092/18]
View answerI am advised that no expenditure was incurred on external consultancy from my Department's Administrative Budget in 2017, nor has any such expenditure been incurred to date in 2018.
In relation to such expenditure in previous years I would refer the Deputy to the the reply given to Dáil Question No. 767 of 14 December 2017.
I would also point out that my Department commissions engineering, environmental and other experts from time to time to provide technical reports or activities on specific issues, as required. While the providers of these services are consultant engineers, environmental consultants etc. or may describe themselves in other such terms, their work is not classified as consultancy services and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.
728. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the threat response plan for hen harrier areas will be completed; and her views on permitting afforestation in hen harrier areas. [50131/18]
View answerThe draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan is nearing completion and is currently being refined in consultation with Departmental stakeholders. The Departments will meet with the Consultative Committee for the Threat Response Plan as soon as practical, and the plan will then go to public consultation.
Any afforestation proposals in Special Protection Areas designated under the EU Birds Directive require completion by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of an Appropriate Assessment, in accordance with Article 6.3 of the EU Habitats Directive. As per European Union Guidelines for State aid, any afforestation within the SPAs must be agreed in advance by the Competent Authority responsible for designating Natura sites, that is to say my Department.
729. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of implementing landscape based primary legislation as committed to under Article 5(a) of the European Landscape Convention; if further legislation is planned to comply with this article; if a landscape Ireland Bill is planned as called for by the Heritage Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50201/18]
View answer730. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the delivery of the high level objectives committed to in A National Landscape Strategy for Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50202/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 729 and 730 together.
Arising from Ireland’s ratification of the European Landscape Convention in 2002, and its coming into force in 2004, the then Minister launched the National Landscape Strategy for Ireland 2015-2025, on the 26 May 2015. Progress to date on the objectives in that strategy include the recognition of landscape in law in an amendment to the Planning and Development Acts. The Planning and Development Acts 2000 (as amended) therefore now specify that development plans shall contain objectives for the encouragement of the management of features of the landscape, such as traditional field boundaries, important for the ecological coherence of the Natura 2000 network and essential for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species.
Further to the objective in the National Landscape Strategy to increase public awareness, the Heritage Council now provides a range of supports to organisations engaged in landscape partnerships and community projects such as the Wicklow Mountains Uplands Council, Burrenbeo and the Irish Uplands Forum. The Council has also recently engaged an uplands co-ordinator to provide support to community-based heritage projects nationally across a range of areas as well as promoting the significance of High Nature Value Farming through results based schemes.
In relation to legislation I would like to note that my Department's forthcoming Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill contains provisions which will give me express powers to assist and promote research and public awareness in a number of fields, including in relation to landscapes.
I am delighted to say that I recently launched the public consultation phase of a new Heritage plan, Heritage Ireland 2030. Heritage Ireland 2030 is the Government’s commitment to a revitalised and refreshed National Heritage plan. It will provide a coherent national heritage policy, recognising its importance to local communities and global visitors alike. Community engagement will lie at the heart of Heritage Ireland 2030, reflecting the values, visions and concerns of our citizens, communities, farmers tourists and businesses. The on-going priority and associated resourcing of the National Landscape Strategy will be further determined in the context of that plan. The consultation is open until 28 February 2019 and I hope and expect that all of those with an interest in caring for and managing our heritage will make a submission. Details of how to have your say are available on my Department's website.
In the meantime, the primary role of planning authorities and the consultative roles of other bodies and persons in decision-making relating to landscape issues will continue to be governed by the provisions of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 (as amended).
731. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the public events she attended by county since 1 May 2018 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50279/18]
View answerMy Ministerial Diary is published on my Department’s website on a quarterly basis and details of my engagements and events up to the end of September this year are available at https://www.chg.gov.ie/about/ministers/ministers-diary/.
Subsequent to this, I have attended 60 public events relating to my role as a Government Minister from Monday 1 October to Friday 30 November (inclusive). Of these, 55 events took taken place within the Dublin area and 4 took place outside Dublin in Limerick (1), Wicklow (2) and Wexford (1).
I also attended a celebration of the culture and tradition of hurling held at Ireland’s Embassy to France in Paris on Thursday 18th October 2018 in connection with the successful campaign to have hurling inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Details of all these events will be published on my Department's website in due course.
732. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a person can invoke the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 during the closed season on the grounds of health and safety in cases in which the local authority does not carry out a specific service (details supplied). [50344/18]
View answerSection 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the activity in question, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August.
Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 contains provisions related to the matter, in which it is a hazard or potential hazard to persons using a public road.
The Heritage Act 2018 incorporated the provisions of Section 70 of the Roads Act relating to the activity for road safety reasons as an exempted activity under the Wildlife Acts.
The Heritage Act 2018 also empowers the Minister for Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht to make regulations to allow for such managed activity during the month of August on a pilot two year basis.
733. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of contracts and-or tenders that have been awarded to a company (details supplied); the value of these contracts, that is, the amount the company has been paid; the services the contracts were for; and the number of public sector and-or publicly funded catering facilities being run by the company. [50359/18]
View answerI am advised that no contracts have been placed or payments made by my Department to the company identified by the Deputy.
734. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén fáth nár glacadh leis an éileamh ó 80 grúpa Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta, le tacaíocht ó roinnt páirtithe polaitíochta, go gcuirfí €9 milliún ar fáil do Phlean Infheistíochta na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta i mbuiséad 2019; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [50676/18]
View answerIs ionann iomlán an mhaoinithe don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hOileáin don bhliain 2019 agus níos mó ná €54m. Nuair a chuirtear leithdháileadh an Fhorais Teanga san áireamh, is ionann an maoiniú iomlán agus €67.5m - méadú €5m nó 8% ar leithdháiltí 2018. San áireamh anseo tá:
- €0.6m sa bhreis chun tacú le cur i bhfeidhm an Phróisis Pleanála Teanga dá ndéantar foráil in Acht na Gaeltachta 2012;
- €1.5m breise d’Údarás na Gaeltachta chun infheistíocht a dhéanamh i gcothabháil agus i gcruthú post i gceantair Ghaeltachta, rud a fhágann gurb é €8.5m (méadú 21% ar 2018) an leithdháileadh iomlán caipitil don eagraíocht;
- €0.5m sa bhreis i maoiniú reatha d’Údarás na Gaeltachta chun tacú le comharchumainn agus eagraíochtaí forbartha pobail sa Ghaeltacht den chuid is mó;
- Leithdháileadh breise de €0.5m do Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeltachta mo Roinne chun tacú tuilleadh le Próiseas Pleanála Teanga na Gaeltachta;
- Leithdháileadh breise de €0.58m do Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Teanga na Roinne lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht chun scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta a chur ar fáil do dhaltaí ó scoileanna DEIS agus chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh i ndáil le gréasán d’Ionaid Gaeilge agus Cultúir a fhorbairt ar fud na tíre;
- Leithdháileadh breise de €1m chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar infreastruchtúr calafoirt a fhreastalaíonn ar na hOileáin Árainn agus ar Thoraigh; agus
- Leithdháileadh breise de €0.5m chun seirbhísí riachtanacha iompair a sholáthar chuig na hoileáin.
Rachaidh an infheistíocht mhéadaithe seo de €67.5m don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hOileáin in 2019 i bhfeidhm go mór ar phobail Ghaeltachta, go háirithe, mar go bhfuil an chuid is mó den leithdháileadh á tabhairt do chruthú post, forbairt pobail agus pleanáil teanga sa Ghaeltacht, agus, chomh maith leis sin, d’fhorbairt na gcalafort agus na seirbhísí iompair a bhaineann leis na hoileáin.
Is fiú a nótáil chomh maith go mbeidh maoiniú caipitil de €2.8m á chur ar fáil faoin gCiste um Athghiniúint agus Forbairt Tuaithe do thograí de chuid Údarás na Gaeltachta i nGaeltachtaí Dhún na nGall, Mhaigh Eo agus na Gaillimhe. Tá an maoiniú ceadaithe do thrí thogra rathúil de chuid Údarás na Gaeltachta mar seo leanas:
- €1.5m ceadaithe chun an t-urlár bairr neamhfhorbartha de gteic @Gaoth Dobhair ar Pháirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair a fhorbairt agus 1,725 sq.m de spás oibre/oifigí nua a chur ar fáil;
- €548,000 chun Ionad Nuálaíochta agus Mol Digiteach gteic @An Spidéal a fhorbairt i gConamara; agus
- €795,000 chun 8 nIonad Nuálaíochta/Moil Dhigiteacha/Láthair Barrfeabhais a fhorbairt i nGaeltacht Mhaigh Eo ag áireamh Béal an Mhuirthead, An Eachléim, Gaoth Sáile, Acaill agus Tuar Mhic Éadaigh.
Ní miste a rá gur soláthar breise é seo d’Údarás na Gaeltachta anuas ar an soláthar méadaithe de €8.5m atá curtha ar fáil don eagraíocht do 2019.
Táim sásta, mar sin, go bhfuil aird chuí tugtha ag an Rialtas do mholtaí an 80 grúpa Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta agus go bhfuil neart dul chun cinn déanta ag an Rialtas mar a bhaineann sé leis an réimse cúraimí atá orm i mBuiséad 2019.
735. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50688/18]
View answerMy Department has sanctioned annual current funding of €479,551 to the organisation to which the Deputy refers for the 2018/19 school year. In line with the Department's remit insofar as the Irish language is concerned, this overall funding package is specifically directed at supporting the organisation in implementing a range of language-centred actions and initiatives. The following provides an overview of this annual current funding:
- €224,824 has been granted to assist in the provision of their family-centred Irish-language activities. This funding includes funding for the employment of a the full-time director of the organisation, a full-time director of the organisation's home-visits scheme, the part-time employment of 4 employees of the organisation's home-visits scheme, funding for resources for the same scheme and funding for various administration costs. This funding package for 2018 represents €155,430 towards pay (€143,815 in 2017); travel and subsistence €10,000 (€12,000 in 2017); administrative costs, including resources, marketing, rent, maintenance, etc. €59,394 (€81,009 in 2017).
- €239,727 has been allocated to the organisation for the Language Assistants Scheme in respect of the current school year.
- €15,000 has been allocated to the organisation for the Pre-school and After-school Scheme
It should be noted that this organisation is a subsidiary company of the local co-operative which is also in receipt of an annual administration grant from Údarás na Gaeltachta, and which also has a healthy income stream available to it from the Irish summer colleges sector in this particular Gaeltacht region, in which the co-operative is the primary stakeholder.
The Deputy should also be aware that, on foot of the language plan for the organisation's Language Planning Area being recently sanctioned under the language planning process, annual funding of up to €150,000 is being provided to the organisation to assist in the implementation of its agreed language plan.
I also understand that the organisation has recently signed a Performance Level Agreement with my Department which addresses and effectively resolves the matters to which the Deputy refers.
