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Wednesday, 3 Jun 2020

Written Answers Nos. 1242-1266

Housing Provision

Questions (1242)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1242. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on local authorities altering their development plans to accommodate individual large-scale developments. [9371/20]

View answer

Written answers

The making or varying of a county or city development plan is a reserved function of the elected members of a local authority in their capacity as planning authority under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act). Statutory requirements governing the content and process for review of a development plan are set out in Sections 10-12 of the Act. A planning authority may also, for stated reasons, decide to vary a development plan under Section 13 of the Act.

In making or varying a development plan, the elected members of a planning authority are restricted to considering the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, the statutory obligations of any local authority in the area and any relevant policies or objectives for the time being of the Government or any Minister of the Government. Such policies and objectives include the national planning policies and objectives of the National Planning Framework, the regional planning policies of the relevant Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, together with associated regulations and statutory planning guidelines issued by the Minister.

Since the establishment of the Office of the Planning Regulator (the Office) in April 2019, the Office has had responsibility for the evaluation of the making or varying of county and city development plans. The evaluation process is an independent function of the Office, which also has a statutory function to issue advice where relevant, to the Minister or Minister of State in respect of matters relating to the making or varying of county and city development plans.

In evaluating the making or varying of county and city development plans, the Office of the Planning Regulator is required to have regard to provisions set out in the Act, including, but not limited to the National Planning Framework, regional spatial and economic strategies, the principles of proper planning and sustainable development, relevant guidelines issued under Section 28 of the Act, relevant legislative policies and directives, and other provisions as set out in the Act. 

In accordance with Section 31AN of the Act, if the Office issues a recommendation to the Minister, the Minister shall consider the recommendations of the Office and may either  issue a notice  as recommended by the Office, or, where not in agreement with the Office, the Minister shall:

(i) prepare a statement in writing of his or her reasons for not agreeing,

(ii) cause that statement to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, and

(iii) as soon as practicable, make that statement available on the website of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

To date, there has been one case in which the Office has made a recommendation to the Minister, which remains ongoing and I am not, therefore, in a position to comment further.

Question No. 1243 answered with Question No. 1197.

Vacant Properties

Questions (1244)

Johnny Guirke

Question:

1244. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the overall national percentage of local authority housing currently vacant, awaiting refurbishment, reallocation or other reasons; the average time vacant; the breakdown by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9421/20]

View answer

Written answers

Under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, responsive repairs and implementing planned maintenance programmes, is a matter for each individual local authority.  

My Department actively encourages local authorities to ensure all vacant properties in their stock are brought back into use as expeditiously as possible. Since 2014, funding has been provided for this purpose under the Voids Programme and the suite of works being funded is tailored to encourage swift turnaround.  Local authorities also provide significant funding from their own resources to address the level of vacancy within the social housing stock.

Local authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock and this will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process. Statistics in relation to social housing stock are collated by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their annual reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These statistics are set out by local authority and include the percentage of such dwellings that were vacant at the end of the year. The most recent report, relating to 2018, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:

http://noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/NOAC-Performance-Indicator-Report-2018-1.pdf.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (1245)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

1245. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if temporary water supplies installed at Traveller sites nationally during Covid-19 will be retained into the future; if they are to be withdrawn as the pandemic subsides; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9424/20]

View answer

Written answers

In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.  My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.   It is a matter for each local authority to assess the adequacy of provisions on sites (both authorised and unauthorised) and implement measures as necessary, taking into consideration advice from the HSE, fire safety guidelines, local area plans, public procurement guidelines and any other considerations relevant to their area.

Covid-related provisions will be kept under regular review with reference to ongoing Government advice and guidance on the matter.

Departmental Reports

Questions (1246)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

1246. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the advisory body for marine protected areas; when the report on marine protected areas from the advisory body will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9439/20]

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Written answers

As part of the Government's commitment to extend our network of marine protected areas (MPAs) under the National Biodiversity Action Plan (2017-2021) and the requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive,  I established and launched the first meeting of the MPA Advisory Group on 18 December 2019.

This independent advisory body consists of 19 senior experts and is Chaired by Professor Tasman Crowe of University College Dublin. I have tasked the advisory group with producing a report that will examine and advise on the processes by which Ireland can extend its network of MPAs in the future. The group's formidable expertise and main activities in this regard come under the following headings: life and ocean sciences; social, economic and cultural perspectives; and governance and legislation.

Since its launch the advisory group has met on a monthly basis, including remotely during the current Covid-19 pandemic, and it has been progressing its research, deliberations and discussions in a focused manner. The advisory group also intends to conduct a round of regional stakeholder fora, in order to facilitate the sharing of views and perspectives on MPAs from key societal, community and sectorial interests, and to further inform the group's subsequent Final Report to my Department. 

These stakeholder events were due to take place in early April 2020 but due to travel and social gathering restrictions they were postponed and are now anticipated to take place in late summer or early autumn, as permitted under the Government's phased lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. I expect the Final Report to be submitted to my Department shortly after these stakeholder events.

Housing Issues

Questions (1247)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

1247. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will now reconsider all co-living developments including a site (details supplied) following the Covid-19 pandemic. [9468/20]

View answer

Written answers

Under Section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), I am precluded, in my capacity as Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, from involvement in any particular planning case and therefore I am not in a position to comment on the proposed development referred to.

In 2018, I published updated Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, as Ministerial Guidance under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), following an extensive public consultation process. 

The updated guidelines set out policy in relation to a range of apartment formats needed to meet the accommodation needs of different household types and sizes.  This includes the potential for a ‘Shared Accommodation’ or ‘Co-Living’ format.  This format comprises professionally managed rental accommodation, where living accommodation, that may comprise individual rooms, is rented within an overall development, that must also include access to shared or communal facilities and amenities, but not shared bathroom or toilet facilities.

To end Q1 2020, 294 co-living bedspaces have been approved by An Bord Pleanála under the strategic housing development application process, for development since the guidelines came in to force in 2018.  In comparison, there were more than 60,000 homes permitted, none of which were co-living bedspaces, since the guidelines were published to the end of 2019 alone.

Shared accommodation is one of a number of residential settings that include hotels, hostels, residential institutions and student accommodation, where residential occupation comprises more than one household.  Although such accommodation formats are not as prevalent as individual houses or apartments, they nonetheless play an important role in catering for the diverse needs of the overall population.  My Department will continue to monitor all relevant existing policy measures and activities, having regard to the most up to date Government public health advice and guidance, as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.

Housing Assistance Payment

Questions (1248)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1248. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if inter-county HAP transfer lists are operating in some or all local councils to facilitate those with housing needs to seek accommodation in areas in which there is more available housing stock at lower rates of rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9498/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals.  At the end of Q4 2019, over 71,000 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were more than 52,500 households actively in receipt of HAP support and over 30,000 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme. 

The flexibility of HAP as a social housing support is one of the scheme's key characteristics and was one of the primary benefits envisaged at the outset of the scheme. With this in mind, guidelines on inter-authority movement were introduced in 2017 to allow for local authorities to facilitate movement of HAP households from one local authority area to another in cases where a HAP tenant, currently on a local authority waiting list, wishes to access rented accommodation with HAP support in another local authority area. Inter authority movement is subject to certain conditions.

Additional guidance issued in April 2019. Households eligible for social housing support are now provided with the opportunity to avail of HAP in any local authority area, subject, of course, to the current Social Housing Income Eligibility Bands or confirmation that the applicant's income is below the threshold in the new local authority.

HAP tenants continue to be dealt with by their originating local authority. However, the rent limits will be those that apply in the local authority where the property is situated. The originating local authority will engage with the relevant new local authority to facilitate eligible requests for inter-authority movement.

At present, local authorities and the HAP Shared Services Centre are continuing to provide a critical service to all HAP customers. While local authorities are putting in place arrangements to reduce direct contact, because of public health requirements, alternative processes are in place to ensure a HAP service continues to be provided.  This is particularly important for those applying for support under Homeless HAP in the current crisis.

Under the HAP scheme, priority is currently being given to HAP set-ups and ensuring that landlords are paid and that HAP tenancies are maintained.  HAP applications continue to be received and processed by local authorities, and the HAP Shared Service Centre is continuing to carry out all of the necessary back office activities in setting up HAP tenancies as normal.

Under the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (COVID-19) Act 2020, the Government introduced additional supports and protections for renters. The Act provides for amendments to the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2019, which will operate for a period of 3 months from 27 March 2020. Provision has also been made for this period to be extended, if the Government considers it appropriate to do so.  A notice of termination cannot be served during the COVID–19 emergency period.  All notices of termination which were served before the emergency period are paused and tenants, in general, cannot be obliged to leave their rented accommodation during this time. 

The administration of the HAP scheme is a matter for the relevant local authority and it is the responsibility of the local authority to make a decision in each individual case.   This includes consideration of recent government announcements in relation to public health guidance measures introduced for the purpose of preventing, limiting, minimising or slowing the spread of Covid-19.

Questions Nos. 1249 and 1250 answered with Question No. 1191.

Housing Data

Questions (1251, 1256)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

1251. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social housing applicants in long-term leased properties in County Longford; the number of those on the housing transfer list; the number of applicants in receipt of the HAP payment; the number of applicants in RAS accommodation; and the number of applicants in tabular form. [9538/20]

View answer

Sorca Clarke

Question:

1256. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social housing applicants in long-term leased properties in County Westmeath; the number of those on the housing transfer list; the number of applicants in receipt of the HAP payment; the number of those in RAS accommodation; and the number of those in tabular form. [9543/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1251 and 1256 together.

The Social Housing Leasing Programme, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) are all critical components of the accelerated delivery of social housing envisaged under Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.

The position in Longford and Westmeath, as at end 2019, for each of these schemes is set out in the following table:

Local Authority

Leased Units

Active HAP Tenancies

RAS Tenancies

Longford

116

330

209

Westmeath

354

901

569

The number of persons on the housing transfer list is a matter for the relevant local authority.

Local Authority Housing

Questions (1252, 1253, 1254, 1255)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

1252. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of properties owned by Longford County Council; the number that are occupied; the number that are voids; and the number under offer pending occupancy in tabular form. [9539/20]

View answer

Sorca Clarke

Question:

1253. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of properties owned by Longford County Council that are classified as OPDs; and the number suitable for tenants with a physical disability in tabular form. [9540/20]

View answer

Sorca Clarke

Question:

1254. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of properties owned by Westmeath County Council that are classified as OPDs; and the number suitable for tenants with a physical disability in tabular form. [9541/20]

View answer

Sorca Clarke

Question:

1255. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of properties owned by Westmeath County Council; the number that are occupied; the number that are voids; and the number under offer pending occupancy in tabular form. [9542/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1252 to 1255, inclusive, together.

While the social housing stock numbers of each local authority area is changing consistently, particularly given the inflow of new delivery as part of Rebuilding Ireland, the number of social homes owned by each local authority – including Longford and Westmeath - is captured at a particular point in time by the National Oversight & Audit Commission (NOAC) and is published in its Annual Performance Indicator Reports.  The most recent such report, relating to 2018, is available at the following link (see Appendix 2 for data on social housing by local authority)

http://noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/NOAC-Performance-Indicator-Report-2018-1.pdf.

This NOAC Report also provides details on the number of local authority homes that were vacant at a particular point in time.  As would be expected in the management of several thousand homes, the levels of occupancy in the housing stock of local authorities change on an ongoing basis, as tenancies cease and new lettings are commenced continuously.  My Department actively encourages local authorities to ensure that vacant properties in their stock are brought back into use as efficiently as possible. Since 2014, funding has been provided for this purpose under the Voids Programme, to accompany the funding invested by local authorities themselves in the management and turnaround of their own stock. More precise details on the tenanting of social homes by Longford and Westmeath County Councils will be available from the local authorities themselves.

Information on the precise number of properties owned by individual local authorities that are classified as OPDs or are suitable for tenants with a physical disability, is not held by my Department but should be available directly from the local authorities.

Question No. 1256 answered with Question No. 1251.

Local Authority Funding

Questions (1257)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

1257. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a revenue stream will be provided for Kildare County Council to bid for homes nearing completion in view of the fact that private buyers may have difficulty obtaining a mortgage due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9573/20]

View answer

Written answers

Under Rebuilding Ireland, all local authorities including Kildare County Council, have funding available to them to deliver new social homes through a variety of delivery programmes.  This has included agreements with developers to complete new homes and deliver them to the local authority on a ‘turnkey’ basis.  That option has been utilised by many local authorities including Kildare County Council and it continues to be available to them.

Approved Housing Bodies with the approval of local authorities, also utilise these approaches for the delivery of new housing for those on the waiting lists.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1258)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

1258. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if contingency plans have been considered relating to holding elections and referenda during the Covid-19 pandemic; if so, the nature of the plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9574/20]

View answer

Written answers

The preparation and management of electoral events is a key part of the ongoing business planning work of the Franchise Unit in my Department.  Earlier this year, when the extent of the COVID-19 virus became evident, officials in the Franchise Unit commenced scenario planning for the conduct of any electoral event where COVID-19 type restrictions might be in place. This included carrying out an initial assessment of all elements of the electoral process where issues might arise.

In consultation with Returning Officers, who are responsible for the conduct of elections and referendums, this initial assessment is being further developed to identify actions that would need to be taken and arrangements that would need to be put in place if the pandemic is ongoing.  This work is ongoing and actions to be taken would depend on the prevailing public health advice at the time of an electoral event.

Question No. 1259 answered with Question No. 1197.

Housing Issues

Questions (1260)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1260. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his officials will liaise with a housing association (details supplied) to ensure that all public health guidelines are being adhered to and to ensure there is a health and safety audit of the entire complex including fire safety in view of concerns in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9605/20]

View answer

Written answers

The management and maintenance of social housing stock (both local authority and Approved Housing Body), including compliance with both Health & Safety and Fire Safety regulations is a matter for each individual local authority and Approved Housing Body, in line with Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.

The Deputy may wish to seek further information in this regard from the Building Control Section of Dun-Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. 

For information, my Department did provide capital funding for the facility referred to in the Question through my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme in 2009.

Legislative Measures

Questions (1261)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1261. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the strategic housing development legislation will be suspended in view of the fact that the current health crisis shows that good quality public and affordable housing is needed which this legislation has not provided but instead has contributed to planning permissions for co-living and overpriced large-scale development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9606/20]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness, the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 (the Act) introduced new streamlined arrangements to enable planning applications for strategic housing developments (SHDs) of 100 housing units or more, or student accommodation or shared accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more, to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála (the Board) for determination.

In 2018, I published updated Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, as Ministerial Guidance under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), following an extensive public consultation process. 

The updated guidelines set out policy in relation to a range of apartment formats needed to meet the accommodation needs of different household types and sizes. This includes the potential for a ‘Shared Accommodation’ or ‘Co-Living’ format.  This format comprises professionally managed rental accommodation, where living accommodation, that may comprise individual rooms, is rented within an overall development, that must also include access to shared or communal facilities and amenities, but not shared bathroom or toilet facilities. Up until 31 March 2020, developments comprising 294 co-living bedspaces have been approved by An Bord Pleanála under the SHD process since the guidelines came into force in 2018.  In comparison, in overall terms, there were more than 60,000 homes permitted, none of which incorporated co-living bedspaces, from when the guidelines were published to the end of 2019 alone.

Shared accommodation is one of a number of residential settings that include hotels, hostels, residential institutions and student accommodation, where residential occupation comprises more than one household.  Although such accommodation formats are not as prevalent as individual houses or apartments, they nonetheless play an important role in catering for the diverse needs of the overall population. My Department will continue to monitor all relevant existing policy measures and activities, having regard to the most up to date Government public health advice and guidance, as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.

Obesity Strategy

Questions (1262)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

1262. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the work being carried out within his Department in respect of the national obesity plan specifically regarding developing guidelines and support materials for those working in developing the built environment of urban development and planning in relation to reducing the obesogenic environment; the status of this matter; when the proposed event on same will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9629/20]

View answer

Written answers

A Healthy Weight for Ireland - Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2025" was published by the Department of Health in 2016 and lead responsibility is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health.

‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland’ will cover a ten year period until 2025 and sets targets to be achieved and actions that will produce measurable outcomes. Step 2 of the action plan sets outs, inter alia, to “develop guidelines and support materials for those working in developing the built environment for urban development and planning in relation to reducing the obesogenic environment.”

The National Planning Framework, launched in 2018, recognises the strong link between our health and environment and includes at National Policy Objectives 26 and 27, to support the objectives of public health policy, including Healthy Ireland, through integrating such policies, where appropriate and at the applicable scale, with planning policy, and to ensure the integration of safe and convenient alternatives to the car into the design of our communities.

Additionally, the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) was jointly prepared by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) in 2013 and was recently updated in May 2019 by DTTAS with input from my Department. 

DMURS seeks to ensure the integration of safe and convenient alternatives to the car into the design of our communities, by prioritising walking and cycling accessibility to both existing and proposed developments.  DMURS contains a range of objectives, measures and standards that when applied, create a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists, promoting more active modes of travel. An updated document and various other resource material can be downloaded from a dedicated website www.dmurs.ie.

Departmental Advertising

Questions (1263)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1263. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount that has been spent on advertising in 2020 by his Department and its agencies on social media platforms (details supplied) in tabular form; and the name of each campaign advertised. [9841/20]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested in respect of expenditure by my Department is contained in the following table.

Platform

Amount Spent

Campaign

Facebook

€200

Met Éireann Podcast promotion

Facebook

€200

Five things you need to know about going to vote

Twitter

€203

Make sure you’re on the Register to vote

Twitter

€320

Five things you need to know about going to vote

Twitter

€90

Met Éireann Podcast promotion

The details requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each organisation to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The relevant contact email address for each body, to which members may address queries, are set out in the following table:

Agency

Email address

An Bord Pleanála

Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie

Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland

oireachtas@ervia.ie

Housing Finance Agency

oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie

Housing Sustainable Communities Agency

publicreps@housingagency.ie

Irish Water

oireachtasmembers@water.ie

Local Government Management Agency

corporate@lgma.ie.

Ordinance Survey Ireland

Oireachtas@osi.ie

Property RegistrationAuthority

reps@prai.ie

Pyrite Resolution Board

oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie

Residential Tenancies Board

OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie

Valuation Office

reps@valoff.ie

Land Development Agency

 oireachtas@lda.ie

Office of the Planning Regulator

 oireachtas@opr.ie

Wildlife Data

Questions (1264)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1264. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of reported cases of wildlife illegal poisonings and or killings from January 2016 to April 2020, in tabular form; and if in each case a person or persons were prosecuted. [9393/20]

View answer

Written answers

My Department does not keep a central register each incident reported on wildlife crimes given that many of these are reported by various means to the local conservation ranger of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).  However, reports of the Raptor Protocol, which is a collaborative approach between my Department, the Regional Veterinary Laboratories, and the State Laboratory are published on-line annually and these provide records, information and analysis of mortality, poisoning and persecution of birds of prey.  The following link provides all the relevant reports from 2011 to 2019: https://www.npws.ie/research-projects/animal-species/birds/raptor-protocol

In the period 2013 to date in 2020 some 90 prosecutions were taken by my Department for breaches of the Wildlife Acts ranging from illegal deer and hare hunting, the cutting of hedges and vegetation and the poisoning of bird species. My Department is compiling details of the number of prosecutions taken by the NPWS under the Wildlife Acts for the specific period in question relating to the illegal poisoning, hunting and killing of wildlife in the format requested by the Deputy and arrangements will be made to have these details sent to the Deputy.  It is to be noted that officers of An Garda Síochána are also authorised under the Wildlife Acts to investigate and prosecute wildlife crimes. 

Arts Policy

Questions (1265, 1291, 1293)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1265. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will engage with arts and arts workers in Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8291/20]

View answer

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1291. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the percentage of the Arts Council funding programmes in the previous three years pre-Covid-19 emergency awarded to musicians, music projects and music programmes as opposed to other disciplines within the arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9450/20]

View answer

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1293. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount available to the touring and dissemination of work scheme; if that funding will now be made available to artists, performers and touring groups that cannot travel abroad or perform due to the Covid-19 emergency measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9452/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1265, 1291 and 1293 together.

Details of the Arts Council’s expenditure under each funding scheme for all disciplines are published on the Arts Council's website with information showing all allocations from 2008 to 2020. This can be accessed at http://www.artscouncil.ie/funding-decisions/. Decisions are routinely published in the Arts Council newsletter, and decisions are also recorded in the Arts Council's annual reports, which are available online.

Funding for the Arts Council has increased in recent years and stands at of €80.5m in 2020. Much of this is invested by the Council through its Strategic Funding programme which includes grants to key arts organisations across the country. Additional funding is invested in projects and programmes, including Arts Centre Funding, Bursary Awards, Festivals Investment Scheme, and Project Awards for art organisations and artists nationwide. The Arts Council has a number of schemes and initiatives around the support of music, details of which are also available on its website.

The Arts Council responded quickly to the impact of COVID-19 on the arts sector. At the start of the crisis, the Council introduced a series of measures to help artists and arts organisations manage their businesses during the period of the COVID-19 crisis. The Council announced that it would honour all existing funding commitments and asked in particular that its regularly funded arts organisation prioritise commitments to artists. Since March 12th the Arts Council has fast-tracked the payment of up to 90% of funding to organisations and individuals. The Arts Council also announced that there will be no financial penalties for arts organisations and individuals unable to deliver programmed events and activities arising from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Council also undertook a number of detailed surveys of individual artists and arts organisations to identify the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on audiences, employment and finances for March, April and May.

I understand that over the past few months, based on information gathered and its knowledge of the sector, the Arts Council has taken decisions to direct its 2020 funding allocation in a way which would assist artists and arts organisations to best respond to the Covid-19 crisis. These decisions have been taken on the back of extensive and on-going consultation with the arts sector and other stakeholders. Priority in the use of all funds is being given towards supporting the artists and arts workers.

The Council announced a suite of programmes which include expanded bursary, commission and professional development awards designed to sustain the ecology at this difficult time, while also offering support which enables artists to develop work and supports arts workers to enhance their skill sets. In relation to the touring and dissemination of work scheme, the Arts Council announced that the application date for has been deferred to later this year. This is due to the considerable uncertainty regarding programming brought about by the COVID-19 crisis. Details of upcoming funding schemes are routinely publicised by the Council on their website as follows http://www.artscouncil.ie/available-funding/.

Under Section 24 (2) of the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its funding decisions and I as Minister cannot intervene in its decisions in this regard.

More generally, my Department has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders since the commencement of the COVID-19 crisis including national cultural institutions, the Arts Council, Screen Ireland, resource organisations, advocacy bodies, and individual arts organisations and artists to assess the impacts of the crisis on the sector and to ensure that optimal use is made of available resources to sustain the sector through this challenging period.

Offshore Islands

Questions (1266)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1266. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address a matter regarding travel to offshore islands (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8431/20]

View answer

Written answers

As a response to the threat that the COVID-19 virus poses to island communities, this Government has placed travel restrictions on all of the off-shore islands of this State. Currently only island residents and those providing essential services are permitted to travel to the islands.  This action was taken in response to requests from island communities and the advice of the relevant health authorities. 

My Department has worked closely with island representative groups and ferry operators in order to implement reduced ferry schedules serving the islands on a temporary basis.  This was done to properly protect both island communities and those working on their life-line transport services during the current pandemic.  These services will be fully restored in due course in accordance with best practice, following consultation with island communities and the relevant health authorities.

The re-opening of the islands to the general public is scheduled for phase 5 of the National Roadmap. While Government recognises the importance of tourism to the economy of the islands, the well-being of island residents and the operators of lifeline services to these islands must be given priority at this time.  Notwithstanding this if a reasonable request to reopen the islands earlier than Stage 5 of the National Plan were to come from the island communities through their representative body I would be willing to bring same to the appropriate authorities for consideration. My Department continues to engage with island communities through their representative body.

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