Written Answers Nos. 423-447
423. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if Garrylucas bog, County Cork will be designated as a natural heritage area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20141/20]
View answerThere are 630 proposed natural heritage areas, including the site referred to in the Deputy's Question. While a review of these sites is foreseen, the current focus of my Department is on fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and the designation of Natura 2000 sites i.e. special areas of conservation and special protection areas.
Although proposed natural heritage area sites are not subject to the natural heritage area provisions of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, they may be recognised in local authority development plans.
424. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a schedule of advisers, special advisers and seconded civil servants currently working in her Department appointed and or recruited and or in an acting capacity; the roles and responsibilities attributed to each; and the salary scale for the role in tabular form. [20615/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PMSA Act, are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers; These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
In addition no civil servants have been seconded to my Department since the formation of the Government on 27th June 2020.
425. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to commemorate the counter revolutionary period of 1921 to 1923 and to recognise the atrocities carried out by Free State forces and to issue an apology to families affected. [20673/20]
View answerAs we navigate through the most challenging and sensitive phase of the Decade of Centenaries, which includes the period from 1921 to 1923, the Government's approach to commemorations will continue to be advised by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations; and in consultation with the All Party Consultation Group on Commemorations, which I will reconvene shortly.
One of the cornerstones of the State's commemorative programme for the coming years will be to continue to further reconciliation on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.
I am committed to ensuring that the State's approach to the remembrance of this very complex period in our history and all of those who lost their lives during those years, will be based on the respectful, sensitive, measured and authentic ethos that has become the hallmark of the Decade of Centenaries programme.
426. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the payments for services or goods by her Department to a company (details supplied) since 2015. [20772/20]
View answerThose payments made by my Department to the company identified by the Deputy during the period in question are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2015 |
€0 |
|
2016 |
€127 |
|
2017 |
€2,747 |
|
2018 |
€1,784 |
|
2019 |
€0 |
|
2020 (to date) |
€0 |
|
Total |
€4,658 |
427. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to the issues raised in correspondence on behalf of an association (details supplied); if it will be ensured that adequate support is provided as a matter of urgency to the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20934/20]
View answerI am critically aware that artists including musicians were among the first to be impacted in the country’s public health response to the crisis and that they will be among the last to return to work. Social distancing and restrictions on gatherings are likely to have long term impacts on performances, festivals and concerts and prove challenging for the prospects for a return to work of artists, performers and technicians in the entertainment industry.
I recently announced a new €10 million Culture Fund, which will include increased funding for Creative Ireland, to employ artists through the Creative Youth and Creative Communities programmes, funding to support the commissioning of artists to produce creative content for the national broadcast, a dedicated fund for musicians, recognising the particular difficulties being experienced by music performers across a range of genres and funding for Ealaíon na Gaeltachta for new artists’ bursaries and arts activities in Gaeltacht schools.
The additional monies allocated in the Stimulus package also brings the Arts Council’s total allocation this year to €105 – some 40% higher than in 2019. A key objective of this funding is to provide enhanced support for freelance artists and arts workers who have been impacted severely by COVID-19. In line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government.
The culture and audio visual sectors will also benefit from a new €10 million pilot “Performance and Production Support Package” to support the live performance and the audiovisual production sectors. Under this funding package two new schemes will be launched with a funding allocation of €5 million each:
- a scheme will be put in place to assist venues and promoters of live performances in music and theatre, by helping to de-risk the costs of preparing for new productions which may subsequently have to be postponed or cancelled
- a separate audiovisual scheme will be put in place to assist the film and TV drama sector.
These two pilot schemes will be designed in consultation with the sectors, and aim to build confidence in recommencing production, rehearsals and event planning now for the months ahead.
Since the advent of the crisis, officials in my Department have also been actively engaging with the arts sector and will continue to meet with arts and cultural organisations under its aegis, as well a broad range of sectoral stakeholders including resource organisations, advocacy groups as well as individual artists and arts practices.
The Programme for Government also commits to establishing a cross departmental taskforce to develop a clear approach, informed by the views of all stakeholders, to protect and sustain the arts and culture sector through the COVID-19 recovery and beyond, which in turn will inform the National Economic Plan. This taskforce will be established shortly.
428. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by same; if so, if she will provide the details of the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising and outdoor advertising; the cost of consultancy or production costs in each of the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21024/20]
View answerDetails of expenditure undertaken in 2019 and 2018 are set out in the replies given to Dáil Question no. 11 of 12 December 2019 and Dáil Question no. 589 of 19 December 2018 respectively.
To date in 2020 my Department has engaged in expenditure of this type in the order of €42,495 in respect of the promotion of the Creative Ireland Programme. Of this, €32,595 was incurred under the terms of an agreement with RTÉ in respect of Cruinniú na nÓg 2020, the national day of free creative activities for children and young people under 18 years of age, which took place on 13th June. This included RTÉ's production costs for Cruinniú promotional content (writing, production and voice-over fees for advertisements and interstitial production). It should be noted that while the agreement secured significant levels of programming across all RTÉ platforms, in relation to advertising and promotion no charges were incurred in respect of the broadcast of the Cruinniú na nÓg publicity campaign.
Further costs of €8,450 were incurred in respect of the writing, production and voice-over fees for radio advertisements for Cruinniú na nÓg. Again, no costs were incurred in the broadcast of these advertisements. Additional costs of €500 was incurred on social media in relation to Cruinniú na nÓg 2020.
The balance of the total, expenditure, €950, related to raising awareness of aspects of the Creative Ireland programme including the recent RTÉ documentary on the Creative Schools initiative and the extended deadline for schools applying for the Creative Schools initiative.
429. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of businesses in County Clare that have had their rates waived; the number that have requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20901/20]
View answer444. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of businesses in the Kildare County Council area that have had their rates waived; the number that requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19781/20]
View answer451. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of businesses in the Fingal County Council area that have had their rates waived; the number that have requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19844/20]
View answer460. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of businesses in County Wicklow that have had their rates waived; the number that requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19893/20]
View answer467. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of businesses in the Tipperary County Council area that have had their rates waived; the number that have requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19943/20]
View answer490. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of businesses in counties Cavan and Monaghan have had their rates waived by county; the number that have requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20190/20]
View answer507. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of businesses in County Donegal that have had their rates waived; the total number that have requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20440/20]
View answer525. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of businesses in the Meath County Council area that have had their rates waived; the number that have requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20711/20]
View answer536. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of businesses in Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal and Roscommon county council areas that have had their rates waived; the number that requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20798/20]
View answer543. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of businesses in the Kerry County Council area that have had their rates waived; the number that have requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20828/20]
View answer559. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of businesses in County Kildare that have had their rates waived; the number that have requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21016/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 429, 444, 451, 460, 467, 490, 507, 525, 536, 543 and 559 together.
The levying and collection of rates are legally matters for each individual local authority. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes.
An initial three-month waiver of rates for businesses forced to close business due to COVID-19 was announced in early May.
In order to enhance the supports available for enterprise, and in recognition of the fact that not only have many ratepayers been forced to close business due to the public health requirements, but many others who remained open have suffered significant reductions in turnover, this waiver has now been extended for a duration of six months to the end of September and the categories of enterprise who will be eligible to avail of it has been expanded.
The implementation of this waiver is a matter for local authorities and accordingly, the information sought in the question is not available in my Department.
A 100% waiver will be applied to all businesses in each local authority area, for a six-month period to the end of September, with the exclusion of a small number of categories. The rationale for the exclusion of certain categories of ratepayers is that their operations were not as severely impacted by the pandemic, coupled with the need to direct resources appropriately.
To support both the local government sector and the ratepayers impacted, €600m has been allocated by Government to fund the cost of a waiver of commercial rates for six months for eligible businesses impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic. This will take the form of a credit in lieu of rates.
The Credit in Lieu of Commercial Rates shall be administered by local authorities.
Credits in lieu of commercial rates applied to ratepayer accounts under this scheme shall be applied as a credit on the rate bill for 2020. Local authorities should automatically apply a 100% credit in lieu of commercial rates, for a six-month period, to classes and categories of occupied rateable property where the occupying business is not in an excluded category.
430. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the marine planning and development management Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20909/20]
View answer527. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the marine planning and development management Bill will come before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20741/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 527 together.
In January 2020 my Department published the finalised General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, which will provide the legislative basis for Ireland's new marine planning regime.
The commitment in the Programme for Government to enact this legislation in nine months reflects the priority it has been accorded.
In order for this legislation to be enacted within the 9 month timeframe, further policy work is continuing on the development of certain aspects of the proposed regime and intensive engagements in that regard are ongoing with the Department of Communications Climate Action and Environment, who are leading the development of the provisions specific to Offshore Renewable Energy.
In addition to the policy development work, engagement is also continuing with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, other Departments and agencies on the drafting of the legal text.
431. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number on the housing list for each local authority in the Dublin area; the occupancy type required by category 1, 2, 3 bed and so on in tabular form; the average duration persons are waiting on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19599/20]
View answer440. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list in north County Kildare; his plans to reduce same; the number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19776/20]
View answer447. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list in Dublin 7 and 15; his plans to reduce these times; the number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months and each month of 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19840/20]
View answer456. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list in County Wicklow; his plans to reduce the times; the number on the social housing list in each of the past 12 months and each month to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19889/20]
View answer464. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list each of the Tipperary municipal districts; his plans to reduce these times; the number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months and each month to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19940/20]
View answer486. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list in counties Cavan and Monaghan in tabular form; his plans to reduce these times; the number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months and each month to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20186/20]
View answer493. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal; his plans to reduce the times; the number on the social housing list in each of the past 12 months and each month of 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20273/20]
View answer503. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list in County Donegal; his plans to reduce these times; the total number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months and each month of 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20436/20]
View answer521. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list in counties Meath and Westmeath by local authority; his plans to reduce the times; the number on the social housing list in each of the past 12 months and each month to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20707/20]
View answer532. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal; his plans to reduce the times; the number on the social housing list in each of the past 12 months and each month to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20794/20]
View answer539. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list in County Kerry; his plans to reduce these times; the number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months and each month to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20804/20]
View answer546. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list in the Clare County Council area; his plans to reduce these times; the number on the social housing list in each of the past 12 months and in each month to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20897/20]
View answer555. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time spent on the social housing list in Kildare County Council; his plans to reduce these times; the number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months and each month of 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21012/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 431, 440, 447, 456, 464, 486, 493, 503, 521, 532, 539, 546 and 555 together.
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The purpose of the SSHA is to capture the total number of households qualified for social housing support across the country whose social housing need has not yet been met, in order to better inform policy and plan for the delivery of the right types of housing support.
The most recent summary, conducted in June 2019, shows that 68,693 households were assessed as qualified for, and being in need of, social housing support. This represents a decrease of 3,165 households or 4.4% on the last assessment in June 2018. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 68,693, a reduction of 25%.
Below is the link to the summary report for 2019 which includes breakdowns by each local authority, across a range of categories. SSHA data is collected and collated at local authority level and therefore a breakdown of the numbers by electoral area cannot be provided. Details on the length of time spent on the record of qualified households (waiting lists) can be found at tables 2.8 and A1.8 of the report, although it does not record data on a month by month basis in the manner sought.
In relation to the questions posed by the Deputy's regarding the average time spent on the housing list, and the housing type required by category 1, 2, 3 bed and so on, information of this exact type is not held by my Department. However, tables 2.4 and A1.4 of the report provide details on household size. It should be noted that the category “Household Composition” in the previous reports, is replaced in the 2019 report by the “Household Size” profile category which provides more granular level of detail regarding the number of persons in each household type.
Report 2019
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/sha_summary_2019_dec_2019_web_1.pdf.
While the SSHA is normally conducted in or around June, given the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on local authorities and nature of the work involved in conducting the SSHA, the SSHA for 2020 was deferred to allow local authorities to continue to focus their resources on immediate priorities. However, recognising that the SSHA is a very important part of the evidence base for housing policy at both local authority and national level, I have directed local authorities to carry out the SSHA 2020 in November 2020.
The Programme for Government commits to delivering more than 50,000 further social housing homes, with an emphasis on new builds, and also with a focus on the delivery of affordable homes. I have also convened a High Level Housing Group of key delivery partners to seek their views on a range of initiatives aimed at speeding up delivery of social housing.
432. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the criteria for a single person who wishes to avail of first-time buyers' assistance; the way in which eligibility of an applicant is determined; if there are exceptions for applicants who already have an interest in a property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19615/20]
View answerMy Department operates the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, which is targeted at first time buyers who wish to own their own home, have access to an adequate deposit and have the capacity to repay a mortgage, but who are unable to access a mortgage sufficient for them to purchase their first home. As part of the eligibility criteria applicant(s) of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan must have received insufficient offers of finance from two mortgage lenders to apply for a Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. The loan enables credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range.
To be eligible for a Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan you must:
- be a first-time buyer;
- be aged between 18 and 70 years;
- be in continuous employment for a minimum of two years, as the primary earner or be in continuous employment for a minimum of one year, as a secondary earner- some flexibility on this provision has been provided arising out of COVID-19 for applicants in receipt of the temporary wage state subsidy (TWSS) and pandemic unemployment payment (PUP);
- have an annual gross income of not more than €50,000 as a single applicant or not more than €75,000 combined as joint applicants;
- submit two years certified accounts if self-employed;
- provide evidence of insufficient offers of finance from two banks or building societies;
- not be a current or previous owner of residential property in or outside the Republic of Ireland;
- occupy the property as your normal place of residence;
- purchase or self-build a property situated in the Republic of Ireland of no more than of 175 square metres (gross internal floor area);
- purchase or self-build a property which does not exceed the maximum market value applicable for the county in which it is located;
- consent to an Irish Credit Bureau check.
Eligibility is subject to submission of a complete Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan application form and confirmation by your local authority.
Applicants who are separated or divorced may be treated as first-time buyers, in accordance with the regulations, if they meet certain conditions, including:
- they are separated or divorced under a court order or by a separation agreement;
- the property being purchased is the first property since leaving the family home;
- they have left the family home and retain no interest in it; or
- the other party has remained in the family home.
In meeting the conditions as set out above, in particular that the other party has remained in the family home and that the potential applicant has relinquished any rights they had over that property, no financial gain should have been made by the potential applicant in exchange for relinquishing their rights to the property in this manner. Were the individual to have made a financial gain in releasing their rights to the property, such as being bought out by the other party who remains resident in it, they would be deemed to have been compensated for their interest in the property, and therefore not be eligible as a first-time buyer.
The final decision on loan approval is a matter for the relevant local authority and its credit committee on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and the lending local authorities.
Further information on the scheme is available on the dedicated website www.rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie
The availability of the Help To Buy Scheme for first-time-buyers, which is a policy of the Department of Finance, offers additional assistance to purchasers of newly built properties. Further information is available from revenue.ie
433. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he, his Ministers of State and or advisers have ever used private email for any form of official Government use since the formation of the Government; and if so, if he will publish all such emails and corresponding documents immediately. [19640/20]
View answerI can confirm that neither Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, my Special Adviser, nor I have used private email for any form of official Government use.
Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan has used his private email on a number of occasions for work purposes. The majority of these concerned emails confirming arrangements for meetings; confirming details for site visits; disseminating information in relation to nature and heritage matters; or issuing press statements. None of these emails concerned Government business.
434. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the meetings he and his Ministers of State have had since the formation of the Government by date in tabular form (details supplied). [19657/20]
View answerMinisterial diaries are published on a regular basis by my Department. My diary contains details of my meetings and has been published on the Department’s website at the link provided below.
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/minister_darragh_obrien_-_diary_-_july_2020.pdf
Preparations are currently being made for the publication of the diaries of Minister of State Burke and Minister of State Noonan. In the meantime, details of meetings attended by the Ministers of State are provided in the table below:
|
Minister |
Meeting |
Date |
|
Ministers of State Burke and Noonan |
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
2 July 2020 |
|
Minister of State Peter Burke |
Bilateral Meeting with An Taoiseach, Minister Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
10 July 2020 |
|
Minister of State Peter Burke |
Moorhead Report meeting with FG Senators |
23 July 2020 |
|
Minister of State Peter Burke |
Tim O’Connor, Chairman of Advisory Group on Directly Elected Mayor, Limerick |
23 July 2020 |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Virginia Teehan, Heritage Council |
6 July 2020 |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
John McDonagh, Waterways Ireland |
6 July 2020 |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
National Animal Welfare Group |
10 July 2020 |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Bilateral with An Taoiseach, Minister O’Brien and Minister of State Burke |
10 July2020 |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Minister Ryan and Env. NGOs |
10 July 2020 |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Biosphere Group meeting |
13 July 2020 |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Waterways Ireland Group |
13 July 2020 |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Irish Wildlife Trust |
14 July 2020 |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
An Taisce |
14 July 2020 |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
IFA Kilkenny |
20 July 2020 |
435. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide details of his advisers and those of the Ministers of State; the remuneration packages of same; and the date of commencement in their role. [19674/20]
View answer437. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the names and salaries of his special advisers; and the salaries paid to each Minister and Minister of State in his Department [19724/20]
View answer513. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide a schedule of advisers, special advisers and seconded civil servants currently working in his Department appointed and or recruited and or in an acting capacity; the roles and responsibilities attributed to each; and the salary scale for the role in tabular form. [20622/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 435, 437 and 513 together.
On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval.
It should be noted that the appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government, either directly or by secondment. However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned Ciara Shaughnessy to work with me as Special Adviser and it is anticipated that she will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved. Ms. Shaughnessy's responsibilities are primarily in the area of press and media.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers; These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Ministers of State in my Department have not assigned anyone to work with them as Special Advisers.
The salaries paid to all Ministers and Ministers of State are on the basis of a one point salary scale. The rate as of 1st September 2019 is €79,510 in respect of Ministers and €38,787 in respect of Ministers of State. This is in addition to their salary as a T.D. This information is available on the website of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
436. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the roll out of a new affordable housing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19689/20]
View answerThis Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society and this is reflected in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future. The Programme commits to putting affordability at the heart of the housing system through the progression of State-backed affordable housing.
In terms of affordable housing, I will outline my detailed plans in the Autumn, taking account of the progress made under the Serviced Sites Fund, the development of the Affordable Purchase Scheme and Cost Rental.
438. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding that has been allocated to Kildare County Council to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19774/20]
View answer442. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding allocated to each local authority under the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities in tabular form; the deficit expected for each local authority in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19778/20]
View answer445. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding allocated to Fingal County Council in order to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19838/20]
View answer449. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to each local authority under the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities; the deficit expected for each local authority in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19842/20]
View answer454. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding that has been allocated to Wicklow County Council in order to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19887/20]
View answer458. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to each local authority under the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities; the deficit expected for each local authority in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19891/20]
View answer462. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to Tipperary County Council in order to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19938/20]
View answer484. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding that has been allocated to Cavan County Council in order to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20184/20]
View answer488. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to each local authority under the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities; the deficit expected for each local authority in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20188/20]
View answer491. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding that has been allocated to Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal County and Roscommon county councils in order to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20271/20]
View answer495. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to each local authority under the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities; the estimated deficit expected for each local authority in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20275/20]
View answer501. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding that has been allocated to Donegal County Council to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20434/20]
View answer505. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to each local authority under the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities; the deficit expected for each local authority in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20438/20]
View answer519. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to counties Meath and Westmeath by county in order to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20705/20]
View answer523. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to each local authority under the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities; the estimated deficit expected for each local authority in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20709/20]
View answer531. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding that has been allocated to Sligo County Council, Leitrim County Council, Donegal County Council and Roscommon County Council in order to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20792/20]
View answer534. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to each local authority under the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities; the deficit expected for each local authority in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20796/20]
View answer537. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding that has been allocated to County Kerry in order to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20802/20]
View answer541. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to each local authority under the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities; the deficit expected for each local authority in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20806/20]
View answer544. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to Clare County Council in order to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20895/20]
View answer548. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to each local authority under the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities; the deficit expected for each local authority in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20899/20]
View answer553. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding that has been allocated to Kildare County Council in order to deal with the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21010/20]
View answer557. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to each local authority under the Covid-19 support scheme for local authorities; the deficit expected for each local authority in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21014/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 438, 442, 445, 449, 454, 458, 462, 484, 488, 491, 495, 501, 505, 519, 523, 531, 534, 537, 541, 544, 548, 553 and 557 together.
In terms of measures taken by my Department to assist local authorities with the financial challenges they are experiencing since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, as a short term measure €136 million was made available to local authorities as cash flow support in early April, in order to ensure that vital services that local authorities deliver could be maintained. This support comprised an early payment of the Local Property Tax allocation ordinarily paid from the Local Government Fund in May and July. Further to these measures, my Department arranged for the payment of 50% of each local authority’s individual Payroll and PSPR allocation, amounting to €54.8m, in mid-June. This interim payment would ordinarily be paid later in July.
To support both the local government sector and the ratepayers impacted, €600m has been allocated by Government to fund the cost of a waiver of commercial rates for six months to the end of September 2020 for eligible businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This will take the form of a credit in lieu of rates.
It is recognised that additional costs are being incurred by local authorities in relation to Covid-19. Local authorities have been advised to capture all related costs in their financial systems to aid future financial analysis of the impact of Covid-19 on the local government sector. The full financial impacts and estimated potential deficits for 2020 have not yet been fully quantified by the local authorities. In order to support the sector generally, my Department continues to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow under review and will continue to work with all local authorities, both collectively and individually, on issues arising, including those issues facing Kildare County Council and all the other authorities referred to in the Deputies questions.
439. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable homes built in north County Kildare in each of the past five years; the number planned for 2020; the funding allocated in each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19775/20]
View answer446. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable homes that have been built in Dublin 7 and 15 in each of the past five years; the number planned for 2020; the funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19839/20]
View answer455. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable homes that have been built in County Wicklow in each of the past five years; the number planned for 2020; the funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19888/20]
View answer463. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable homes that have been built in each municipal district of County Tipperary in each of the past five years; the amount planned for 2020; the funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19939/20]
View answer485. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable homes that have been built in County Cavan in each of the past five years; the number planned for 2020; the funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20185/20]
View answer492. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable homes that have been built in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal in each of the past five years; the amount planned for 2020; the funding allocated each year to each local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20272/20]
View answer502. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable homes that have been built in the Donegal County Council area in each of the past five years; the amount planned for 2020; the funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20435/20]
View answer520. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable homes that have been built in counties Meath and Westmeath by local authority in each of the past five years; the number planned for 2020; the funding allocated each year by local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20706/20]
View answer538. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable homes that have been built in County Kerry in each of the past five years; the amount planned for 2020; the funding allocated in each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20803/20]
View answer545. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable homes built in the Clare County Council area in each of the past five years; the number planned for 2020; the funding allocated in each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20896/20]
View answer554. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of affordable homes that have been built in the Kildare County Council area in each of the past five years; the amount planned for 2020; the funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21011/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 439, 446, 455, 463, 485, 492, 502, 520, 538, 545 and 554 together.
Under the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF), €310 million has been provided to fund infrastructure to support the delivery of more affordable homes on local authority lands. With a maximum of €50,000 funding available per home, at least 6,200 more affordable homes, to buy or rent, can be facilitated. To date, Serviced Sites Funding of €127 million has been approved in principle in support of 35 projects in 14 local authority areas, which will assist in the delivery of almost 3,200 affordable homes.
Details of all SSF projects have received approval in principle to date can be found at the following links;
https://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-gives-the-go-ahead-for-ten-local-authority-sites-for-affordable-housing-under-the-service d-sites-fund/
https://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-approves-funding-of-e84m-to-support-delivery-of-1770-affordable-homes-under-the-ssf/
This Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society and this is reflected in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future. In terms of affordable housing more generally, I will outline my detailed plans in the Autumn, taking account of progress to date under the SSF, other measures and the input of key delivery partners.
441. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans from north County Kildare; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19777/20]
View answer448. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans from Dublin 7 and 15; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19841/20]
View answer457. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans to Wicklow County Council; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19890/20]
View answer465. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans from each municipal district in County Tipperary; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19941/20]
View answer487. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans from counties Cavan and Monaghan; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20187/20]
View answer494. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20274/20]
View answer504. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans from County Donegal; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20437/20]
View answer522. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans in counties Meath and Westmeath by local authority; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20708/20]
View answer533. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20795/20]
View answer540. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans from Kerry County Council; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20805/20]
View answer547. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans from County Clare; the number that have been successful; the number refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20898/20]
View answer556. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans from County Kildare; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21013/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 441, 448, 457, 465, 487, 494, 504, 522, 533, 540, 547 and 556 together.
The Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses applications for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities to approve or refuse applications. Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
I have asked the Agency to compile figures on the numbers of applications that it has assessed and recommended for approval/decline for each local authority since the scheme began. The most recent figures, as at the end of June 2020, are included in the below table-
|
Local Authority |
Applications Assessed |
Recommended to Approve |
Recommended to Decline |
|
Carlow County Council |
95 |
35 |
60 |
|
Cavan County Council |
26 |
9 |
17 |
|
Clare County Council |
111 |
46 |
65 |
|
Cork City Council |
278 |
116 |
162 |
|
Cork County Council |
499 |
253 |
246 |
|
Donegal County Council |
68 |
27 |
41 |
|
Dublin City Council |
731 |
431 |
300 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
160 |
89 |
71 |
|
Fingal County Council |
848 |
470 |
378 |
|
Galway City Council |
127 |
66 |
61 |
|
Galway County Council |
216 |
73 |
143 |
|
Kerry County Council |
177 |
72 |
105 |
|
Kildare County Council |
218 |
114 |
104 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
83 |
41 |
42 |
|
Laois County Council |
153 |
73 |
80 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
27 |
6 |
21 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
175 |
103 |
72 |
|
Longford County Council |
66 |
33 |
33 |
|
Louth County Council |
180 |
75 |
105 |
|
Mayo County Council |
100 |
34 |
66 |
|
Meath County Council |
373 |
235 |
138 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
83 |
25 |
58 |
|
Offaly County Council |
66 |
27 |
39 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
71 |
31 |
40 |
|
Sligo County Council |
77 |
36 |
41 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
445 |
233 |
212 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
171 |
72 |
99 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
146 |
48 |
98 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
65 |
37 |
28 |
|
Wexford County Council |
209 |
97 |
112 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
282 |
129 |
153 |
The next stages in the process are approval by and drawdown from the local authority.
My Department publishes information on the overall number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).
Information on the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan for 2019, including the number and value of mortgage approvals and drawdowns, as well as average loan amounts, are available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity
Information on the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan for 2018 is also available through this link and can be found under local authority loans approved and local authority loans paid, however these figures are not detailed by loan type. My Department recently issued data requests for the first two quarters of 2020 and more up to date figures will be made available in due course, as additional data is compiled.
The data collected for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is on a local authority basis and is not broken down by postcode/area.
443. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Kildare County Council to make an application for the vacant properties programme; if such an application has been submitted; the funding he proposes to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19780/20]
View answer450. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Fingal County Council to make an application for the vacant properties programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding he proposes to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19843/20]
View answer459. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Wicklow County Council to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department plans to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19892/20]
View answer466. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Tipperary County Council to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department plans to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for the release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19942/20]
View answer489. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited counties Cavan and Monaghan to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department plans to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20189/20]
View answer496. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal and Roscommon county councils to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding he plans to allocate to each authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20276/20]
View answer506. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Donegal County Council to make an application for the vacant properties programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department proposes to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20439/20]
View answer524. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Meath County Council to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted, the amount he plans to allocate to the authority; the estimated timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20710/20]
View answer535. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal and Roscommon county councils to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if applications have been submitted, the amount of funding he plans to allocate to each authority; the estimated timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20797/20]
View answer542. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Kerry County Council to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department plans to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20807/20]
View answer549. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Clare Count Council to make an application for the vacant properties voids programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department proposes to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20900/20]
View answer558. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has invited Kildare County Council to make an application for the vacant properties programme; if such an application has been submitted; the amount of funding his Department proposes to allocate to the authority; the expected timeframe for release of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21015/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 443, 450, 459, 466, 489, 496, 506, 524, 535, 542, 549 and 558 together.
An initial call for proposals for COVID-19 related voids funding issued to local authorities earlier this year. It was targeted at supporting authorities bring social housing homes back into use quickly to help them deal with Covid-19 restrictions and requirements. I understand that the work on the majority of these homes is now complete and from overall funding of €4.8 million 475 homes were brought into productive use.
As announced on the 23rd of July, as part of this Government's Stimulus Package, I have secured additional funding for the Voids programme this year, to help bring over 2,000 homes back into use, support local authorities financially and to give a stream of work to builders and contractors locally, across the country.
My Department has been in regular contact with local authority management in preparing this programme and I have highlighted its importance, in particular the need for immediate delivery, to the City and County Management Association during a meeting with social housing delivery partners this week.
A call for proposals and initial funding allocations will issue to all local authorities imminently.
