Gerald Nash
Question:106. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the estimated yield to the Exchequer from reducing pension relief to the standard rate in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22940/20]
View answerPensions Data
Questions (106)
Written answers
The pre-Budget 2021 Ready Reckoner is available on Revenue’s website at the link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/ready-reckoner.pdf. It includes, on page 11, the estimated yield from reducing the maximum tax relief available on private pension contributions to 20%.
The Ready Reckoner shows that if tax relief on private pension contributions was reduced from the marginal rate of 40% to the standard rate of 20% it is estimated it would yield €414 million on a full year basis.
Questions Nos. 107 and 108 answered with Question No. 96.
Wage Subsidy Scheme
Questions (109)
Róisín Shortall
Question:109. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22987/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is an economy-wide enterprise support that gives a flat rate subsidy to qualifying employers. It is not an income support for the individual so it is ultimately up to the employer to claim the subsidy, if they qualify.
The EWSS was legislated for in the recently enacted Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020. The eligibility criteria for EWSS state that an employer must be able to demonstrate that their business will experience a 30% reduction in turnover or orders between 1 July and 31 December 2020, by reference to the corresponding period in 2019, as a result of business disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A qualifying employer is allow to claim a flat-rate subsidy for any qualifying employees on the payroll. For every qualifying employee paid between €203 and €1,462 gross per week, the level of subsidy is €203. For every qualifying employee paid between €151.50 and €202.99 gross per week, the subsidy is €151.50. No subsidy is paid for employees paid less than €151.50 or more than €1,462 gross per week. An employer is not obliged to claim the subsidy for all their qualifying employees.
From the details provided, it is assumed that the individual is an employee who also has caring responsibilities in their own home.
As explained above, it is up to the employer to determine if they qualify for the EWSS and to make a claim, but I would like to assure the Deputy that there is no distinction made between full time and part time workers in the EWSS, and no minimum requirement of hours worked - provided the appropriate level of gross pay is paid by the eligible employer to the qualifying employee on the payroll, a subsidy may be claimed.
Public Sector Pensions
Questions (110)
Brendan Griffin
Question:110. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if public sector pensions will be increased in line with public sector pay increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22841/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the Single Public Service Pension Scheme introduced for new entrants to the public service from 1 January 2013 onwards is a career average pension scheme which provides that both the referable amounts that are accrued by serving staff while in employment, as well as pensions in payment, are uprated in line with changes in the consumer price index.
As regards the pre-existing public service pension schemes (i.e. all pension schemes apart from the Single Scheme), the current pension increase policy was agreed by the previous Government in 2017 under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 (PSSA).
Under this policy, which applies for the duration of the PSSA, pay increases granted to serving staff over the course of the PSSA are passed on to those pensions awarded under pre-existing public service schemes where the salary on which the pension is based does not exceed the salary of serving staff with the same grade and scale point, after the pay increase has been applied.
If it qualifies, the pension is eligible for an increase to the extent that this will ensure alignment with the pay of serving staff. The most recent guidance issued by my Department on the matter is Circular 19/2019, which is available online at: https://www.gov.ie/en/circular/b5d982-circular-192019-further-instruction-on-the-pension-increase-policy-i/.
Finally, I note that the question asks about pension increases in the ‘public sector’, which is generally understood as including the commercial semi State bodies. Under the various pension scheme rules operational to such bodies, in the first instance, it is matter for the Government Department under whose aegis responsibility for individual commercial semi State Bodies falls to consider and approve any pension increase sought, with the consent of the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform. Obviously, as part of such decisions, account must also be taken of the overall funding position in the relevant pension funds prior to taking any decisions on pension increases. The impact of pension increases on the sustainability of pension funds is an important overall consideration.
Flood Prevention Measures
Questions (111)
Catherine Connolly
Question:111. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the cost of the flood defence system installed in Clifden, County Galway, in 2014; if he will provide a copy of the Natura 2000 impact statement completed for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22719/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has not undertaken any flood relief works in Clifden and has not provided any funding to Galway County Council for any minor works in the town under the OPW’s Minor flood Mitigation & Coastal Protection Scheme.
However, following the severe weather events which affected the Western seaboard in December, 2013, and January, 2014 the Government made a decision in February 2014 to make a separate funding stream available to Local Authorities for the repair to storm damaged public coastal defence infrastructure. As part of Galway County Council’s application to OPW for funding, an amount of €52,600 was approved for the Clifden area.
In the course of my recent visit to Clifden to talk to those impacted by the recent flooding, and view the damage first hand, I received confirmation from the Council that they will soon be tendering to engage Engineering Consultants to progress the development of the flood relief scheme for Clifden, as identified in the 2018 Flood Risk Management Plan for Erriff-Clew Bay-Blackson-Broadhaven areas, and that this week’s events will inform the scheme’s design.
Flood Relief Schemes
Questions (112)
Catherine Connolly
Question:112. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be made available for flood defences for Tawin Island, County Galway; if so, when such funding will be available; if a Natura 2000 impact statement has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22720/20]
View answerWritten answers
I have been advised by the Office of Public Works that an application submitted under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection scheme by Galway County Council for a project at Tawin, Maree, Co. Galway is currently under consideration. Further information has been requested from the Council to complete the assessment. If the application satisfies all the eligibility criteria of the Scheme, the Council will be funded 90% of the costs of the application. One such requirement is that the proposed works do not have a significant negative effect on the environment, during or after construction, and that any legislative requirements for assessment in this respect (e.g. Wildlife, Habitats, Fisheries, Environmental Impact Assessment, etc.) are fully complied with in the process.
Flood Relief Schemes
Questions (113)
Catherine Murphy
Question:113. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of flood relief projects undertaken by the OPW in the past five years to date by location; the date on which each flood relief project will be completed; the associated costs of each; if projects are overdue; and if projects went to conciliation, in tabular form. [22742/20]
View answerWritten answers
The table below (Table 1) sets out the information requested by the Deputy on flood relief projects that have commenced construction since the start of 2016. The information provided includes flood relief projects undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW), and / or Local Authorities with funding provided by OPW.
Table 1
Flood Relief Schemes which commenced construction since start 2016
|
Scheme Location |
Completion date or (substantial completion) |
Cost to date |
Estimated Final Cost (including ongoing maintenance) |
Is project on schedule? |
Did Project go to Conciliation? |
|
Ashbourne, Co Meath |
Mid 2021 |
€3.1m |
€4.9m |
Slight delay due to Covid-19 construction restrictions |
No |
|
Athlone, Co Westmeath |
Early 2022 |
€6.8m |
€12m |
Slight delay due to Covid-19 construction restrictions |
No |
|
Bandon, Co Cork |
End 2020 (substantial completion) |
€27m |
€31.6m |
Scheme completion is a year behind schedule |
Yes |
|
Bellurgan, Co Louth |
2018 |
€0.7m |
€0.7m |
Yes - completed |
No |
|
Claregalway, Co Galway |
End 2019 (substantial completion) |
€10.6m |
€11m |
The scheme was substantially completed a year behind schedule |
No |
|
Clonakilty, Co Cork |
End 2020 |
€23.1m |
€29.9m |
Slightly be behind schedule |
Yes |
|
Douglas, Cork City |
Early 2022 |
€6m |
€22.7m |
Slight delay |
No |
|
Dunkellin River, Co Galway |
End 2019 (substantial completion) |
€8.4m |
€9m |
Yes – it was substantially completed in line with expectation |
|
|
Ennis South, Co Clare |
Mid 2021 |
€7.2m |
€22.9m |
Yes |
No |
|
Foynes, Co Limerick |
2017 |
€2.6m |
€2.6m |
Yes - completed |
Yes |
|
Lower Morell, Co Kildare |
2024 |
€0.6m |
€12m |
Delayed by approx. 2 years due to Judicial Review |
No |
|
Northlands, Co Meath |
2018 (Substantial completion) |
€2.6m |
€2.6m |
Yes – substantial completion was reached in line with expectation |
No |
|
Skibbereen, Co Cork |
End 2018 (substantial completion) |
€32.2m |
€38m |
Yes – substantial completion was reached in line with expectation |
Yes |
|
Templemore, Co Tipperary |
Early 2021 |
€6m |
€10.2m |
Delayed approximately one year due to landowner issues, Covid-19 construction restrictions, weather and ground conditions |
No |
The above projects are part of the Programme of approximately 150 capital projects being progressed as part of the National Development Plan 2018-2027, of which approximately 120 can be considered ‘major projects’ with an individual estimated total value of over €1m.
OPW also provides funding to Local Authorities to carry out minor works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. The Scheme provides up to €750,000 to Local Authorities to meet 90% of the cost of engineering solutions to local flooding issues. Table 2 below sets out information on this Scheme since the start of 2016.
Table 2
Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme
|
Year |
Funding Approved |
Amounts Paid to Local Authorities |
Number of approved projects |
Number of completed projects* |
|
2016 |
€4.374m |
€2.978m |
83 |
54 |
|
2017 |
€3.060m |
€2.398m |
63 |
55 |
|
2018 |
€5.702m |
€1.816m |
67 |
44 |
|
2019 |
€4.751m |
€4.406m |
49 |
47 |
|
2020 |
€1.322m |
€0.189m |
34 |
4 |
|
Totals |
€19.209m |
€11.787m |
296 |
204 |
*Completed projects refer to projects that were completed in that year but not necessarily approved in that year.
Garda Stations
Questions (114)
Catherine Murphy
Question:114. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Garda stations within Dublin the OPW plans to refurbish over the next two years; the level of renovation for each station that will receive work; and when each project will commence. [22744/20]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that the Office of Public Works work plans for 2021 and 2022 are not yet finalised however there are currently plans to refurbish a number of Garda Stations within Dublin over the next two years. Please find below details of the planned projects which includes works funded by both OPW and An Garda Síochána.
|
Garda Station |
Description of works |
Project will commence |
|
Howth GS |
Window Refurbishment |
2020 |
|
Donnybrook GS |
Refurbishment of locker Rooms |
2021 |
|
Store St |
Refurbishment of Custody Suite |
2021 |
|
Bridewell GS |
Full Refurbishment to include Fire Protection and Universal Access |
2021 |
|
Ronanstown |
Refurbishment of Locker Rooms |
2021 |
Flood Relief Schemes
Questions (115)
Joe O'Brien
Question:115. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has a policy and strategy for dealing with family homes that become permanently uninhabitable due to flooding or coastal erosion. [22756/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State and covered 300 areas believed to be at significant flood risk. The CFRAM Programme culminated with the launch on 3rd May, 2018 of 29 flood risk management plans which identified 118 new outline flood relief works on top of the 42 major projects already completed and the 33 major schemes within the existing capital works programme of the OPW. These projects are being funded under the Government's 10-year flood risk investment programme of almost €1 billion under the National Development Plan 2018 – 2027. The key conclusion of the Flood Risk Management Plans is that 95% of properties assessed through CFRAM can be protected through continued investment in flood relief schemes.
The implementation of the Government's whole of Government approach to flood risk has delivered many sector led initiatives, including the 2009 statutory planning guidelines and the emergency response structures in preparing for and responding to a flood event. The Inter-Departmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group, which I chair, is developing a range of non-structural policy options to help mitigate flood risk for those properties where a flood relief scheme is not viable. In that regard a priority is the establishment of the national Flood Forecasting Service that is being developed by Met Éireann and overseen by the OPW. The service will deal with flood forecasting from both fluvial (river) and coastal sources. When fully operational, it will involve the issuing of flood forecasts and general alerts.
The Group also co-ordinated the Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management in line with its requirements under the National Adaptation Framework. The Plan, approved by the Government in October, 2019, sets out the cross sectoral impacts of climate change on flood risk. The long-term goal adopted on climate adaptation for flooding and flood risk management and set out in the Plan is to promote sustainable communities and support our environment through the effective management of the potential impacts of climate change on flooding and flood risk. To deliver on this goal, the Government has approved 21 actions across flood risk prevention, protection and preparedness, as well as further research and capacity building.
It also remains open to Local Authorities to apply to the OPW for funding of flood mitigation projects of up to €750,000 under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the Scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management.
Rising sea levels, increasing storm activity and coastal erosion, arising from climate change is expected to have a considerable impact on coastal areas. The Government has recently established an Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities, economies, heritage, culture and environment. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the OPW and will bring forward options and recommendations for the Government to consider.
Office of Public Works
Questions (116)
Patrick Costello
Question:116. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all sites under the remit of the Office of Public Works have admission fees and the capacity to accept bookings online. [22763/20]
View answerWritten answers
The following OPW-managed Visitor sites apply admission charges in the normal course:
|
OPW-Managed Visitor Sites. |
|
|
Altamount Gardens |
Farmleigh Estate |
|
Ardfert Catherdral |
Garnish Island (Illnacullin) /Bryce House |
|
Athenry Castle |
Glebe House and Gallery |
|
Aughnanure Castle |
Glendalough Visitor Centre |
|
Battle of the Boyne/Oldbridge Estate |
Hill of Tara |
|
Blasket Visitor Centre/Ionad an Bhlascaoid |
J. F. Kennedy Arboretum |
|
Boyle Abbey |
Jerpoint Abbey |
|
Brú na Boinne Visitor Centre, Newgrange & Knowth |
Kilkenny Castle |
|
Cahir Castle |
Kilmainham Gaol Museum |
|
Carrowmore |
Mellifont Abbey |
|
Casino Marino |
National Botanic Gardens (charge for guided tour) |
|
Castletown |
Ormond Castle |
|
Céide Fields |
Parke's Castle |
|
Charles Fort |
Ionad Cultúrtha an Chonamara/Pearse Cottage |
|
Clonmacnoise |
Portumna Castle |
|
Derrynane House |
Rathfarnham Castle |
|
Desmond Castle |
Reginald's Tower |
|
Donegal Castle |
Rock of Cashel |
|
Doneraile House & Garden |
Roscrea Heritage Centre |
|
Dublin Castle |
Ross Castle |
|
Dun Aonghasa |
Sligo Abbey |
|
Dunmore Caves |
Swiss Cottage |
|
Emo Court |
Tintern Abbey |
|
Ennis Friary |
Trim Castle and Keep |
Currently, admission charges have been lifted at all but the following sites as a measure designed to encourage domestic visitors and to support the tourism economy:
|
Admission Charges Lifted |
|
|
Bru na Boinne (Newgrange & Knowth) |
Farmleigh Grounds (Guided Tour) |
|
Clonmacnoise (half price) |
Garinish Island (half price) |
|
Derrynane House |
Kilkenny Castle |
|
Doneraile Estate |
Kilmainham Gaol Museum |
|
Dublin Castle |
Rock of Cashel (half price) |
The following sites are free admission at all times:
|
Free Admission |
|
|
Askeaton Castle |
Loughcrew |
|
Ballyhack Castle |
Mainguard |
|
Barryscourt |
Maynooth Castle |
|
Corlea Visitor Centre |
Newmills |
|
Desmond Hall |
Pearse Museum |
|
Dungarvan Castle |
Phoenix Park Visitor Centre |
|
Ferns Castle |
Scattery Island |
|
Gowran Church |
Skellig Michael |
|
Kells Priory |
St. Audoen's Church |
|
Listowel Castle |
Currently, OPW has an ongoing programme underway to provide Online Booking facilities at suitable sites. To date, the following locations have been enabled to accept advance online bookings:
- Kilmainham Gaol Museum;
- Dublin Castle;
- Brú na Bóinne;
- Ionad Cultúrtha an Chonamara / Pearse Cottage;
- Kilkenny Castle;
- Clonmacnoise
- Castletown.
- Rock of Cashel
- Cahir Castle
The following sites are in progress and Online Booking facilities will be available for the start of the 2021 season:
- Blasket Visitor Centre/Ionad an Bhlascaoid
- Doneraile House
- Derrynane House
- Charlesfort.
Traffic Management
Questions (117)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:117. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expected start date and completion date of the proposed consultation process on a Phoenix Park traffic management strategy. [22895/20]
View answerWritten answers
OPW officials are currently engaging with representatives from the National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council to develop a process of options appraisal and consultation for new Transport and Mobility options in the Phoenix Park. This is to ensure that future plans for access and mobility in the Park are integrated with the wider traffic and transport plans for Dublin City and surrounding areas and also to ensure they reflect the local, national and international significance of the Phoenix Park.
A detailed consultation process will be a key element of this work but it is not possible at this stage to confirm exact dates for commencement and completion of such a process. However, I confirm that I have asked my officials to advance this process as a matter of urgency in the coming weeks and months.
Departmental Budgets
Questions (118)
Gerald Nash
Question:118. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an updated projection for spending by each Department on the basis of the Exchequer figures for August 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22943/20]
View answerWritten answers
Total Gross voted expenditure to end-August 2020 amounted to €52,076 million. This is €10,060 million (23.9%) ahead of the same period in 2019 and €7,827million (17.7%) ahead of the profile for 2020. Of this, gross voted current expenditure of €47,946 million is €9,293 million (24.0%) ahead on the same period last year and €7,561 million (18.7%) ahead of profile. Gross voted capital expenditure of €4,129 million is €767 million (22.8%) ahead on the same period in 2019 and €266 million (6.9%) ahead of profile.
The profiles against which this spend is reported were published in February of this year, based on the overall gross voted amount of €70.4 billion set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) 2020 published in December 2019, and as such, they do not reflect additional spending in relation to Covid-19. Consequently, the Departmental overspends versus profile highlight the areas where additional Covid-19 related expenditure has been allocated.
The most significant areas of overspend relate to payments of approximately €6 billion in respect of Covid-19 by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, roughly broken down as €3.3 billion in relation to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and €2.7 billion in relation to the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme.
Overall expenditure in the Department of Health is €1.2 billion above profile for end-August. This is due to the drawdown of funds for the HSE in relation to Covid-19 including for PPE, Ventilators, the Private Hospital Agreement, and Testing and Tracing. Capital expenditure in the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation is €556m ahead of profile. The main driver for this is the additional funding granted on the Enterprise Ireland programme and other Business Support Grants, allocated in light of COVID-19.
From the beginning of the crisis to end-June, a wide range of supports were introduced. These include in particular the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, significant additional resources for our Health sector and a range of supports for businesses. In July, the Government launched the July Stimulus, a €7.4 billion package of tax and expenditure measures, designed to support the economy as businesses and society reopen. The purpose of these measures is to provide additional targeted supports to stimulate activity across the economy, assist firms and support employment. As outlined at that time, these measures brought the overall increase in expenditure for 2020 to an estimated €16.2 billion, relative to the overall spending estimate of €70.4 billion set out in the REV 2020, also taking into account further spending that may be required to support key sectors as the year progresses.
Work is ongoing to restate the 2020 Revised Estimates to take account of the additional spending arising from Covid-19 and also the impact of the Departmental transfers of functions. As part of the Budget process, the 2020 Estimates will be updated to reflect these additional resources as well as to reflect the impact of Transfers of Functions on Departmental expenditure ceilings, with the estimated outturn for the year also being published in the White Paper - Estimates of Receipts and Expenditure in advance of the Budget.
Flood Relief Schemes
Questions (119)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:119. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding flooding in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23000/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Office of Public Works (OPW) allocated funding of €100,000 to Kerry County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme in February, 2012 for embankment strengthening works at Cromane Lower. The Council has already drawn down this funding. The OPW is not responsible for the upkeep of this embankment.
Following the coastal storms, which affected the western seaboard in December 2013 and January 2014, Kerry County Council was allocated €1,243,270 for a programme of repair works, which included funding for a project at Cromane Lower. All funding has been expended.
Clár Éire Ildánach
Questions (120, 121)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:120. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Meán, Turasóireachta, Ealaíon, Cultúir, Spóirt agus Gaeltachta conas a chuireann scéim na Scoileanna Ildánacha an Ghaeilge agus na healaíona teanga-bhunaithe chun cinn. [22796/20]
View answerAengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:121. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Meán, Turasóireachta, Ealaíon, Cultúir, Spóirt agus Gaeltachta conas a chuireann Éire Ildánach an Ghaeilge agus na healaíona teanga-bhunaithe chun cinn. [22797/20]
View answerWritten answers
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 120 agus 121 le chéile.
Tionscnamh uile-Rialtais faoi stiúir mo Roinne atá i gClár Éire Ildánach atá bunaithe ar an gcultúr agus atá leagtha amach le folláine an duine aonair, an phobail agus an náisiúin a chur chun cinn. Is é an bunsmaoineamh go mbíonn páirt ag gach duine i ngníomhaíocht chultúrtha ina spreagadh ag an gcruthaitheacht phearsanta agus ag cruthaitheacht an chomhair, agus go mbíonn tionchar aici sin ar fholláine agus gnóthachtáil an duine aonair agus an tsochaí.
Is é Pobail Ildánacha an phríomh-mheicníocht trína gcuireann Clár Éire Ildánach tacaíocht ar fáil do ghníomhaíochtaí, imeachtaí agus cláir áitiúla agus déantar sin a chur ar fáil i gcomhar le gach údarás áitiúil.
Tá tacaíocht tugtha ag an gClár Éire Ildánach do gach ceann den 31 údarás áitiúil chun Straitéis 5 bliana don Chultúr agus don Chruthaitheacht a fhoilsiú tar éis comhairliúchán poiblí áitiúil, ar leith do gach ceantar údaráis áitiúil agus ina léirítear an réimse oibre i dtaobh cultúir agus cruthaitheachta a bhfuiltear ina bhun, fís agus luachanna an údaráis áitiúil chomh maith lena gcuid tosaíochtaí straitéiseacha. Tá Foireann Cultúir agus Cruthaitheachta bunaithe ag gach údarás áitiúil, arna stiúradh ag Comhordaitheoir Éire Ildánach, chun maoirseacht a dhéanamh ar chur i bhfeidhm a straitéise le tacaíocht maoinithe ó mo Roinnse agus ó mo chomhghleacaí, an tAire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta, araon.
Is faoi gach údarás áitiúil ar leith atá forbairt agus seachadadh na gclár áitiúil, bliantúil seo, chomh maith leis an méid maoinithe atá le leithroinnt ar gach imeacht ar leith.
I gcaitheamh an chéad dá bhliain iomlán de chur i bhfeidhm an Cholúin maidir le Pobail Ildánacha (2018 agus 2019), tá na tionscadail seo a leanas a chuireann an Ghaeilge chun cinn curtha ar fáil ag údaráis áitiúla:
- 2018 - rinne 20 údarás áitiúil 55 tionscadal, chomh maith le 4 cinn eile go sonrach do Chruinniú na nÓg, a fhorbairt; agus
- 2019 - rinne 11 údarás áitiúil 17 tionscadal, chomh maith le 1 amháin eile go sonrach do Chruinniú na nÓg, a fhorbairt.
Anuas air sin, mar chuid den cheiliúradh ar Chruinniú na nÓg na bliana seo, tháinig trí údarás áitiúil le cheile chun 'Branar Téatar do Pháistí' a choimisiúnú chun dánta agus rannta nua Gaeilge a chruthú, agus a craoladh ansin iad ar RTÉ 2 Dé Sathairn an 13 Meitheamh. Maidir le Cruinniú na nÓg na bliana seo chomh maith, thug mo Roinn féin tacaíocht do Great Lighthouses of Ireland agus Fighting Words a bheith ag teacht le chéile le haghaidh "Bí i do Choimeádaí Scéil", tionscnamh dátheangach inar tugadh cuireadh do leanaí 7-12 bhliain le scéal a chumadh, pictiúr a tharraingt nó beochan a dhéanamh ina raibh tionchar tithe solais le brath orthu.
I gcomhthráth le hobair na bPobal Ildánach, tá mo Roinnse ag obair i gcomhar leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna, an Roinn Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige agus leis an gComhairle Ealaíon chun tacaíocht a chur ar fáil do réimse beart agus tionscnamh faoi Óige Ildánach. Tá siad seo dírithe ar dheiseanna níos fearr agus níos mó a chur ar fáil do leanaí agus do dhaoine óga chun go mbeidh teacht acu ar ghníomhaíochtaí agus cláir don chruthaitheacht, agus ag tacú leo dá réir lena gcumas cruthaitheachta nádúrtha a aimsiú agus a fhorbairt, mar chuid dá bhforbairt phearsanta agus oideachais, cibé más laistigh den chóras oideachais nó a bpobail féin é.
Is é an tionscnamh Scoileanna Ildánacha príomhtionscnamh Óige Ildánach. Faoi stiúir na Comhairle Ealaíon, tá sé i gceist le Scoileanna Ildánacha tuiscint a fháil ar na healaíona agus ar an gcruthaitheacht sna scoileanna agus iad a fhorbairt agus a cheiliúradh trí thacú le scoileanna a 'bplean Scoil Ildánach' a fhorbairt agus a chur i bhfeidhm, agus cuidiú leo an caidreamh atá acu leis an mbonneagar cultúir agus pobail níos leithne ina bhfuil siad ag feidhmiú a fhorbairt agus a neartú. As an 300 scoil a bhfuil éirithe leo go dtí seo a bheith páirteach sa chlár i ndiaidh glao ar iarratais atá oscailte do gach scoil, agus aithníodh 24 díobh sin mar scoileanna Gaeilge.
Maidir le líon tionscnamh eile a fhaigheann tacaíocht faoin gColún maidir le hÓige Ildánach áirítear gné shuntasach Gaeilge, ar nós:
- Fighting Words – tionscadal teagaisc agus meantóireachta don scríbhneoireacht chruthaitheach saor in aisce a bhfuil tacaíocht á fháil aige ó mo Roinn féin chun an tseirbhís a fhás agus an teacht atá air ar fud na tíre a mhéadú, lena n-áirítear Fighting Words Chonamara a bhunú, atá lonnaithe in Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh i Ros Muc, agus is i nGaeilge a thionóltar na ceardlanna. Cuireann an tacaíocht seo ar chumas Fighting Words é tuilleadh ceardlanna agus cláir Gaeilge a fhorbairt a bheadh ar fáil níos fairsinge ach iad a iarraidh.
- Clár nua faoi stiúir Sing Ireland é Youth Sing Ireland atá dírithe ar rannpháirtíocht chruthaitheach agus inbhuanaithe daoine óga san amhránaíocht agus sa cheol cóiriúil a spreagadh, lena n-áirítear ábhar acmhainní nua i nGaeilge nó de bhunús thraidisiún na hÉireann a fhorbairt.
Tá comhpháirtíocht dhíreach déanta ag Clár Éire Ildánach le hEalaín na Gaeltachta Teo chun tacaíocht bhreise a chur ar fáil dá chuid gníomhaíochtaí tar éis chomh maith is a d'éirigh lena n-iarratas chuig an gCiste Náisiúnta Cruthaitheachta. Thug Clár Éire Ildánach tacaíocht do thionscadal “Garraí an Ghiorria” Ealaín na Gaeltachta, ceann de thríocha tionscadal a roghnaíodh chun maoiniú a chur ar fáil dóibh. Tionscadal é seo a éascóidh coiste ar a mbeidh maoinitheoirí ábhartha ar amharclannaíocht i nGaeilge agus ar na healaíona traidisiúnta béil chun (i) straitéis trí bliana ar mhaithe le forbairt inbhuanaithe a dhéanamh ar amharclannaíocht i nGaeilge agus na traidisiúin béil mar scéalaíocht, amhránaíocht ar an sean-nós, lúibíní agus agallamh beirte, a fhorbairt (ii) chun tabhairt faoi iniúchadh cuimsitheach ar an earnáil amharclannaíochta agus ar na tacaíochtaí atá ar fáil maidir le scéalaíocht i nGaeilge, amhránaíocht ar an sean-nós, lúibíní agus agallamh beirte, agus (iii) chun straitéis trí bliana a chomhordú agus a chur i láthair (atáthar ag súil leis gan mhoill).
Chomh maith leis sin, mar fhreagra díreach ar ghéarchéim COVID-19, bhí m'oifigigh sa Chlár Éire Ildánach ag obair freisin le réimse páirtithe chun tacaíochtaí breise a chur ar fáil mar chuid de phacáiste Spreagtha mhí Iúil an Rialtais. Áirítear ann, €250,000 breise a chur fáil d'Ealaín na Gaeltachta chun maoiniú atá ar fáil do dhaoine aonair nó d'eagraíochtaí araon, atá páirteach in earnáil na n-ealaíon, an chultúir agus na cruthaitheachta, a mhéadú, d'fhonn deiseanna níos mó agus níos fearr a chur ar fáil do phobail áitiúla sa Ghaeltacht chun go mbeidís rannpháirteach sna healaíona, sa chultúr agus sa chruthaitheacht mar aon le taithí a fháil ina leith. Bainfear seo amach trí líon sparánachtaí a bhronntar ar ealaíontóirí gairmiúla/cleachtóirí cruthaitheacha a mhéadú faoi “Scéim Sparánachta sna hEalaíona” agus trí thacú le tionscadail bhreise faoi Scéim "Forbartha na nEalaíon”. Príomhní eile a bhainfidh leis an tacaíocht seo ná líonrú agus comhoibriú idir Ealaín na Gaeltachta (mar aon lena cuid tionscadail/tionscnaimh a dtugtar tacaíocht dóibh) le réimse tionscnamh agus cláir i gceantair Ghaeltachta a dtugann Clár Éire Ildánach tacaíocht dóibh a neartú agus a láidriú (níos mó idirchaidrimh le Comhordaitheoirí Éire Ildánach, Scoileanna Ildánacha, etc.).
Maoiniú d’Fhoras na Gaeilge
Questions (122)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:122. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Meán, Turasóireachta, Ealaíon, Cultúir, Spóirt agus Gaeltachta cad é a barúil maidir leis an maoiniú do Chlár na Leabhar Gaeilge a bheith laghdaithe faoina leath ó 2008; agus an bhfuil sé i gceist aici an maoiniú a thabhairt ar ais don chlár seo. [22799/20]
View answerWritten answers
Is í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT) a cheadaíonn na buiséid do na Forais Trasteorann uile, An Foras Teanga san áireamh. Mar gheall ar chúinsí polaitiúla i dTuaisceart Éireann, áfach, níorbh fhéidir cruinnithe CATT a eagrú ó lár 2016 i leith. Dá bhrí sin, cé nach bhfuil na buiséid i leith 2017 go 2020 ceadaithe go hoifigiúil go fóill, ó 2017 i leith, tá aontaithe ag na Ranna Airgeadais sa dá dhlínse go bhfeidhmeodh na Forais Trasteorann uile de réir na buiséid a cheadaigh an CATT ina leith don bhliain 2016.20
I mbliana, meastar go n-íocfaidh mo Roinn €11,087,184 (75% den ollbhuiséad ceadaithe ag CATT) le Foras na Gaeilge. Anuas air sin, cuirfidh mo Roinn maoiniú breise ar fáil d'Fhoras na Gaeilge i ndáil le nithe imfhálaithe mar a bhaineann le Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge (€1,061,165) agus Colmcille (€118,519). Is fiú a nótáil freisin go ligtear d'Fhoras na Gaeilge an t-ioncam breise a ghintear ó dhíol leabhar agus eile a choinneáil le caitheamh ar a chuid gníomhaíochtaí.
Tá i gceist go dtionólfar cruinniú CATT d'earnáil na teanga arís go gairid, tráth go ndéanfar na buiséad 2017 - 2020 a cheadú go foirmiúil agus go bpléifear gach gné de chúrsaí oibre an Fhoras Teanga, buiséid 2021 san áireamh.
Residential Tenancies Board
Questions (123)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:123. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of eviction notices registered with the Residential Tenancies Board since 1 August 2020; the breakdown of reasons given for evictions; the number of disputes lodged in which the tenant was being evicted; the turnaround time between an appeal being lodged with the board and the appeal being heard; the procedure in place for hearings; and the procedure adopted for persons with literacy or language difficulties. [22739/20]
View answerWritten answers
My Department does not hold or collate the information referred to in the Question.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) which was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2020, operates a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
The Clerk of the Dáil requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P)05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose. The RTB may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.
Tenant Purchase Scheme
Questions (124)
Martin Kenny
Question:124. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the report into the tenant purchase scheme will be published; if the issues relating to income from social welfare and persons over the age of 70 being allowed to purchase a local authority house will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22800/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme which came into operation on 1 January 2016 is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year.
The minimum reckonable income for eligibility under the scheme is determined by the relevant local authority in accordance with the detailed provisions of the Ministerial Direction issued under Sections 24(3) and (4) of the 2014 Act. In the determination of the minimum reckonable income, local authorities can include income from a number of different sources and classes, such as from employment, private pensions, maintenance payments and certain social welfare payments, including pensions, where the social welfare payment is secondary to employment income.
In determining reckonable income, the income of all tenants of the house, including adult children that are joint tenants, is included, as is the income of the spouse, civil partner or other partner / co-habitant of a tenant who lives in the house with them, thus ensuring the appropriate level of discount is applied to the purchase price.
The minimum income criterion was introduced in order to ensure the sustainability of the scheme. Applicants must demonstrate that they have an income that is long-term and sustainable in nature. This ensures that the tenant purchasing the house is in a financial position, as the owner, to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period, in compliance with the conditions of the order transferring the ownership of, and responsibility for, the house from the local authority to the tenant.
A review of the first 12 months of the Scheme’s operation has been undertaken. In addition, the Programme for Government commits to maintaining the right of social housing tenants to purchase their own home with some changes to eligibility. The review and the commitments in the Programme for Government are being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda. The position on the minimum income requirement is a matter for consideration.
The review of the Scheme is part of a significant body of work undertaken in the Department in relation to the broader social housing reform agenda. I expect to be in a position to publish the review and finalise changes to the Scheme once the work on these reform measures is complete.
Housing Data
Questions (125, 126)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:125. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of turnkey social housing units per unit by local authority in each of the years 2017 to 2019, in tabular form. [22819/20]
View answerEoin Ó Broin
Question:126. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of SHIP social housing units per unit by local authority in each of the years 2017 to 2019, in tabular form. [22820/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.
Cost information on the delivery of social homes through the local authority construction and turnkey programmes is collated by my Department at development level rather than at granular individual housing unit level. Disaggregating such development level information into individual unit costs, across all of the various types of units, would require significant analysis on unit characteristics such as size, type, number of bedrooms, site costs, abnormal costs, fees, etc. to derive an accurate reflection of an average cost by unit.
My Department is working with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a Spending Review of the Social Housing Build programme for the period 2016-2019, a report on which is expected to be published later this year and will be publicly available. As part of this work, the Departments are working to extrapolate unit costs from the raw data provided by the local authorities.