Wednesday, 16 Oct 2019

Written Answers Nos. 277-285

Social and Affordable Housing Expenditure

Questions (277)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

277. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address concerns that Dublin City Council was involved in the payment of moneys relating to criminal activities at a social housing development in Dublin city; when his or a Minister of State's attention was drawn to this issue; the measures taken in response to ensure that such practices are not being carried out at other local authority social housing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42548/19]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Contributing financially towards criminality cannot be condoned in any circumstances, nor should intimidation and anti-social behaviour be tolerated or rewarded in any way.

While concerns around alleged intimidation, anti-social behaviour and other criminality in relation to the social housing development concerned were raised with a number of public bodies, including An Garda Siochana and my Department, in late 2016/early 2017, the suggestion that certain payments were made on foot of advice from Dublin City Council officials only emerged in the context of recent Court proceedings. Following the matter coming to light, I and my Department have been in contact with my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, and with Dublin City Council. On foot of this, I am commissioning an independent investigation to establish the facts in relation to this matter.

Accordingly, I will be engaging closely with the Attorney General in relation to the arrangements for the investigation. The question of further action will be considered in light of the outcome of this work, which I intend to complete quickly.

Commercial Rates Calculations

Questions (278)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

278. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he or local authorities have the power to apply a discount to commercial rates in cases in which businesses have been adversely affected by roadworks resulting in reduced trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42625/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

Local authorities are required by legislation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.

The annual rate on valuation (ARV) is decided by the elected members of each local authority in the annual budget and its determination is a reserved function. The ARV is applied to the valuation for each property determined by the Valuation Office to obtain the amount payable in rates.

Local authorities also work closely with ratepayers experiencing difficulties with the payment of commercial rates. In this regard, local authorities may facilitate the payment of commercial rates by instalments, and work with businesses to put in place flexible payment options.

The Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019, enacted earlier this year, modernises the legislation governing commercial rates. The Act will further facilitate such flexible approaches, provided ratepayers engage with the local authority concerned. Importantly, the act also provides for new rates vacancy abatement and rates alleviation schemes, to be decided by local authority members in order to promote national and/or local policy objectives. My Department is currently preparing supporting regulations and working with local authorities on implementation with a view to commencing these provisions. These new provisions will add to the suite of options already available to local authorities to support local businesses and ratepayers.

Turf Cutting

Questions (279)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

279. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the turf cutting ban; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42395/19]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Significant efforts have been made by the State to resolve the issue of the protection of Ireland’s raised bog special areas of conservation within the framework of the EU Habitats Directive. This has included the establishment of the Peatlands Council, intensive and on-going engagement with turf cutting interests, the farming community, non-governmental organisations and with the European Commission, as well as the establishment of a long-term compensation scheme for affected turf cutters.

The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was established in 2011 for active turf cutters arising from the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation and was extended in 2014 to include natural heritage areas. It is comprised of a payment of €1,500 per annum, index-linked, for 15 years, or relocation, where feasible, to a non-designated bog, together with a once-off legal agreement payment of €500.

While applicants are waiting for relocation sites to be investigated, prepared and developed, they may, on an interim basis, opt for the annual payment or opt to receive an annual supply of up to 15 tonnes of cut turf delivered to their homes.

From 2012 to date, 18,506 annual payments and 1,150 deliveries of turf have been made in respect of applications received under the scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation at a cost of just under €29.4m. In addition, 1,837 once-off legal agreement payments have been made costing €938,500.

Resulting from a recommendation of the report of the Peatlands Forum held in 2012, the National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022 was approved by the Government and published in 2017. The Plan sets out a framework for the conservation, management and restoration of the raised bog network whilst addressing the needs of turf cutters and other stakeholders. The cost of the development of the National Management Plan (including scientific studies on the conservation and restoration of the raised bogs), the National Peatlands Strategy 2015 and the 2014 review of the Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network was approximately €1.923m.

Operational costs for the Peatlands Council to date stand at €0.040m.

The framework for the restoration programme for Ireland’s raised bog special areas of conservation is contained within the National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022. Work on the restoration programme has already begun with a €5.4m project ‘The Living Bog’ which is co-funded under the EU LIFE 2014-2020 programme. The Department is managing this project and is contributing €1.352m as well as expert ecological resources and know-how, with the European Commission providing €4.056m.

In tandem with the LIFE project, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department is undertaking restoration works on State owned lands within the protected raised bog network. Costs to date for these works, including project management of the works, is €0.542m.

I was pleased to recently announce that €7m is being provided in the budget for 2020 for the restoration and conservation of peatlands.

Arts Funding

Questions (280)

Carol Nolan

Question:

280. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the funding application process for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is being reviewed; if the Arts Council will have a role in such changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42415/19]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

There are currently no plans to change the funding arrangements with respect to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Rather, in the recognition of the importance of all forms of the traditional arts, my Department will continue to explore with all stakeholders how best to strengthen, preserve and develop this sector across the island of Ireland and beyond.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Questions (281)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

281. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on whether the National Parks and Wildlife Service had at its disposal adequate resources to deal with its responsibilities for protecting special areas of conservation, such as at a location (details supplied). [42452/19]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Budget 2020 announced total funding for my Heritage division of some €62.5m, up from €54m this year – an increase of over €8m or 15.5%. This is comprised of an additional capital provision of €6.75m (up 44%) on 2019 and additional current funding of €1.6m. In 2019, my Department allocated some €13.727 to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). 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 permanent Department’s staff of 679, 351 work in the area of natural heritage through the NPWS.

I am pleased to note that in 2019, my Department recruited additional staffing resources for the NPWS including 5 permanent ecologists to NPWS, 15 Rangers and 4 permanent staff for the National Parks including 3 General Operatives. In 2019 to date there has been a net increase of 18 permanent staff assigned to the NPWS. In addition, each year, my Department recruits in the region of 70 seasonal staff to meet demand during the busy tourist season at the National Parks. Frontline conservation Rangers are deployed through a regional structure and assignments are determined in light of Departmental business needs and priorities.

Within those staffing contexts, officials of my Department carry out scientific research, survey work and monitor compliance with the with national and European law in relation to nature conservation across the country, as well as conducting patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of these Acts, as required. Many of these officers carry out work in more than one county.

Budget 2020

Questions (282)

Dara Calleary

Question:

282. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to budget 2020 the current and capital funding allocations in 2020 for each item (details supplied) in tabular form. [42453/19]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

A detailed breakdown of my Department's estimated expenditure will be provided in the Revised Estimates Volume 2020 which will be published prior to year end.

Total funding for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands included in Programme C of my Department's Vote for 2020 amounts to almost €58m, up from €55.5m last year, which represents a 4% increase.

Údarás na Gaeltachta will receive an additional capital allocation of €1m, bringing its core capital allocation to €10m (an increase of over 11% on 2019). This will enable the attraction of additional investment to Gaeltacht areas and support the maintenance and creation of jobs in Údarás client companies.

Údarás na Gaeltachta will also receive an additional €200,000 in current funding for Gaeltacht co-operatives, bringing to over €1m the increases provided to this important sector over the past 5 years.

Údarás na Gaeltachta will also have access to additional capital funding in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

I am particularly pleased to be in a position to obtain additional current and capital funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta at a time when the work of the organisation will be more important than ever.

Investment in the delivery of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 will remain a priority in 2020. An additional €500,000 will go towards the language planning process in 2020. The establishment of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas is well underway, and my Department expects up to 23 language plans to be approved before the end of the year. So far, of the 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, 16 plans have been approved to date. This follows measures announced over the past year to support the language planning process, including additional significant investment to support the early years sector, language transmission in the family setting and the traditional arts.

An additional allocation of €275,000 for 2020 will ensure the continued provision of essential transport services to the islands. This additional allocation follows the recent establishment by me of an Inter-Departmental Committee for Island Development.

The aim of Programme D of my Department's Vote is to maintain, develop and promote cross-border co-operation in the context of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Under this programme, both Irish and Ulster-Scots language and culture are promoted through the work of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency. Unfortunately, in the absence of a North-South Ministerial Council, it has not been possible to allocate additional monies to this programme in 2020. That said, my Department makes every effort, where possible, to allocate funding direct to Foras na Gaeilge's lead organisations to support the services they provide to Irish-speaking communities.

Budget 2020 has been framed in the context of an imminent Brexit. However, through the continued investment, in challenging times, outlined herein, we will continue with our work on the implementation of the Government’s 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language next year.

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications

Questions (283)

Peter Burke

Question:

283. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the delay in the processing of a compensation payment for a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42491/19]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

An 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 area 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.

I have been advised that an annual payment for 2019 under the scheme for the applicant has been approved and he should receive his payment in the coming weeks.

Special Areas of Conservation

Questions (284)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

284. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of bog SACs which have now been resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42539/19]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Significant efforts have been made by the State to resolve the issue of the protection of Ireland’s raised bog special areas of conservation within the framework of the EU Habitats Directive. This has included the establishment of the Peatlands Council, intensive and on-going engagement with turf cutting interests, the farming community, non-governmental organisations and with the European Commission, as well as the establishment of a long-term compensation scheme for affected turf cutters. The aim is to address the needs of turf cutters as part of an overall raised bog designated sites network solution, as set out in the National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022. This involves a balance of protecting traditional rights, providing compensation where these rights are curtailed, and seeking to facilitate feasible alternatives, where possible, while working to ensure that Ireland meets its legal obligations.

In the region of 2,000 applicants have qualified for payment under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme from 48 of the 53 raised bog special area of conservation sites. There are particular reasons as to there being no qualifying applicants under the scheme for the remaining 5 sites, for example, the lack of turf cutting on these sites during the qualifying period.

For 11 raised bog special areas of conservation, relocation sites within non-designated bogs have been identified and developed. Some of these relocation sites have been operational since 2013/14 with domestic turf cutting scheduled to begin in the 2020 season in the most recently developed sites. Relocation sites for a further 8 special areas of conservation have been identified by the Department and are at various stages of development. The Department is still investigating suitable relocation sites for 7 raised bog special areas of conservation.

For a number of the special area of conservation sites, the non-designated site identified may not be suitable or may not have the capacity to cater for the number of turf cutters who may wish to relocate there. In such cases and within the framework of the National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022, the Department, in consultation with turf cutter representatives, is considering the available options in terms of relocation and the provisions of the Habitats Directive to provide for turf cutting with certain areas of the raised bog special areas of conservation. 14 sites are under consideration for the possible application of article 6 of the Directive.

Caiteachas Ranna

Questions (285)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

285. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an gceapann sí go bhfuil cothrom na féinne á fáil ag Pobal na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge ós rud é go bhfuil €5 mhilliún sa bhreis á thabhairt don Chomhairle Ealaíon, ach nach bhfuil ach €2.4 milliún sa bhreis á thabhairt do Roinn na Gaeltachta i gcomhair na Gaeltachta, na Gaeilge, Fhoras na Gaeilge agus na n-oileán ar fad le chéile; an bhfuil cúrsaí ealaíon dhá oiread níos tábhachtaí ná inmharthanacht phobal labhartha na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus lasmuigh di; an lorgóidh an tAire breis maoinithe don Ghaeltacht agus don Ghaeilge sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe roimh an Nollaig. [42623/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Athníonn an Rialtas an tábhacht a bhaineann leis na hÉalaíona, an Ghaeilge agus ár nOidhreacht togtha agus Nádúrtha mar nithe idirghaolmhara dár bhféinúlacht agus dár n-oidhreacht chultúrtha.

Tá sé seo le feiceáil sna méadaithe sna hallúntais sna cláir sin le dhá bhliain anuas, ach go háirithe, i maoiniú faoi Thionscadal Éirinn 2040. Beag beann ar an gá le chur chuige cúramach maidir le hairgead poiblí i gcomhtheacs na héiginnteachta a bhaineann leis an mBreatimeacht, tá méidithe bainte amach trasna an trí clár de chuid na Roinne do 2020.

I dtéarmaí an allúntais bhreise don Chomhairle Ealaíon a bhfuil tagairt déanta dó, tá san áireamh anseo maoiniú atá athdháilithe i leith nithe atá á maoiniú ag an Roinn faoi láthair. Ar an iomlán, méadaíodh an allúntas do Chlár Cultúir (Clár A) na Roinne faoi 2% i gcomparáid le méadú de 4% do Chlár na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus na nOileáin (Clár C) de chuid na Roinne.

Ní mór don Teachta a nótáil go dtiocfaidh méadú de 4% ar sholáthar Chlar C de chuid Vóta mo Roinne don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hOileáin i 2020 le hais méadaithe de 2% ar sholáthar Chlár A do Chultúr, as a dtagann an maoiniú don Chomhairle Ealaíon.

Is é aidhm Cláir C mo Roinne tacú leis an nGaeilge agus le húsáid na teanga mar phríomhtheanga an phobail sa Ghaeltacht agus cuidiu´ le forbairt inbhuanaithe an phobail ar na hoileáin. Tá maoiniú iomlán de bhreis is €58m curtha i leataobh don Chlár seo i 2020.

Leis an allúntas seo, déanfar infheistíocht bhreise a mhealladh chuig ceantair Ghaeltachta chun poist a chruthú tríd an méid atá ar bun ag Údarás na Gaeltachta. Gheobhaidh an tÚdarás leithdháileadh breise caipitil de €1m chun a leithdháileadh ar bhun-chaipiteal a thabhairt suas go dtí €10m, méadú de bhreis agus 11% le hais 2019.

Chomh maith leis sin, cuirfear €200,000 breise in airgead reatha ar fáil d'Údarás na Gaeltachta le dáileadh ar na chomharchumainn Ghaeltachta. Sin ós cionn €1m nó méadú de 25%, in airgead breise atá curtha ar fáil don earnáil thábhachtach seo le trí bliana anuas.

Anuas ar a ghnáthsholáthar caipitil, beidh teacht ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ar mhaoiniú breise sa chás go dtarlóidh Breatimeacht gan ord gan eagar.

Táim thar a bheith sásta, dár ndóigh, a bheith in ann maoiniú breise reatha agus caipitil a fháil d'Údarás na Gaeltachta le linn tréimhse a mbeidh tábhacht faoi leith ag baint le hobair na heagraíochta.

Déanfar infheistíocht leanúnach i 2020 chun an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm. Cuirfear €500,000 breise i dtreo an phróisis pleanála teanga. Tá bunú na Limistéir Pleanála Teanga sa Ghaeltacht faoi lán seoil agus tá súil ag an Roinn go gceadófar suas le 23 plean teanga ar fad faoin bpróiseas roimh dheireadh na bliana. Tá 16 as 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga sa Ghaeltacht ceadaithe go dtí seo. Fógraíodh bearta nua le bliain anuas chun tacú leis an bpróiseas teanga, lena n-áirítear, infheistíocht shuntasach bhreise chun tacú leis an earnáil luathbhlianta, seachadadh teanga i saol an teaghlaigh agus na healaíona traidisiúnta.

Cinnteoidh leithdháileadh breise de €275,000 don bhliain 2020 go mbeidh fáil ar sheirbhísí iompair riachtanacha chuig na hoileáin. Tagann sé seo sna sála ar an gcinneadh a rinne mé le gairid Coiste Idir-Rannach maidir le Forbairt na nOileán a bhunú.

Is é aidhm Chláir D na Roinne comhoibriú Thuaidh-Theas a choinneáil, a fhorbairt agus a chur chun cinn i gcomhthéacs Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta a chur i bhfeidhm. Faoin gClár seo, déanfar teanga agus cultúr na Gaeilge agus an hUltaise a chur chun cinn trí Fhoras na Gaeilge agus Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise. In éagmais Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas, faraor, ní bheidh ar ár gcumas airgead breise a chur isteach sa gclár seo i 2020. É sin ráite, déanann mo Roinn gach iarracht, áit gur féidir, airgead a chur díreach chuig ceanneagraíochtaí Fhoras na Gaeilge chun tacú leo cur lena gcuid seirbhísí do phobal na Gaeilge.

Cuireadh Buiséad 2020 le chéile i gcomhthéacs Breatimeacht a bheith ar tí tarlú. Tríd an infheistíocht leanúnach seo, áfach, i gcúinsí dúshlánacha, leanfaimid le cur i bhfeidhm Straitéis 20-Bliain an Rialtais don Ghaeilge.