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Thursday, 19 Nov 2020

Written Answers Nos. 151-175

Culture Policy

Questions (152)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the degree to which she expects to be in a position to promote the economic interest of Ireland through cultural activity with particular reference to tourism and education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37668/20]

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Written answers

In line with Government's Global Ireland 2025 initiative, Ireland aims to share our culture more widely and deepen our global links. Through the promotion of Irish arts and culture to new audiences and new generations it is proposed to increase awareness of Ireland’s creative strengths and valued heritage and thereby encourage visitors to Ireland for tourism, education and business purposes.

Culture Ireland supports Irish artists performing internationally. Despite the challenges this year Culture Ireland advanced several innovations to promote Irish arts and culture through online events such as Ireland Performs, where 120 artists presented individual events from their locality and reached a global  audience of almost 1 million.  

Culture Ireland continues to showcase Irish artists to international promoters with the aim of creating future touring for Irish artists. This included Ireland Music Week with 50 rock/indie bands and Dublin Fringe Festival, as well as the virtual presentation of Irish artists at Philadelphia Folk Festival, for example, which included Tourism Ireland films promoting Ireland as a holiday destination to the festival audience .

Through Culture Ireland my Department continues to support a programme of Irish artists at key cultural centres globally, maintaining links with the diaspora and key tourism and business interests.

The Music Industry Stimulus Package I established in July will help artists and workers in the music industry to create, record and promote new work and allow them continue to connect with global audiences through recordings until a physical presence of Irish artists is again possible globally.

It is for our artists and strong creativity that Ireland is known on the world stage and this brings many benefits to our country. Tourism Ireland and the IDA as well as the Arts Council and Screen Ireland are represented on the Expert Advisory Committee of Culture Ireland and this cross agency representation ensures that all can work together to achieve the aims of Global Ireland 2025. 

Culture Policy

Questions (153)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the degree to which interest in the arts and Irish culture can be generated through the electronic social media; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37669/20]

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Written answers

My Department is actively using electronic social media, alongside traditional print and broadcast media, to raise awareness and interest amongst the public in the arts and Irish culture. My Department’s Twitter feed has 12,500 followers, the Facebook page has 8,250 followers and 6,800 people follow my Department’s activities on Instagram.

The stories and content broadcast daily across these electronic social media platforms are all devised and delivered by my officials, who regularly collaborate with Cultural Institutions, Festivals, Events, artists and schemes to ensure a steady stream of engaging, colourful and relevant stories, photography and short-form video for public presentation across the social media platforms.

My officials also regularly create social media content in Irish, and about life, sports and culture in the Gaeltacht.

The public response to this activity has been strong, and followers and engagement levels continue to grow across my Department’s platforms.

In addition, Culture Ireland, a division of my Department, is charged with promoting Irish arts worldwide, creating and supporting opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. In 2020, in response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, it has supported the presentation of outstanding Irish work to international audiences, through online showcases at key global arts events, promoted through social media. There is also wide ranging use of social media by bodies under the aegis of the Department to host and promote Irish arts and culture events to a global audience.

Earlier this year, in direct response to the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts and cultural sector, my Department harnessed the reach of electronic social media to deliver an innovative approach to ensuring that citizens could continue to access arts and Irish culture, despite curtailments on audiences and gatherings, and also to ensure that artists could still connect with their audiences in Ireland and around the world.

The Cultural programme developed included:

Ireland Performs :  A partnership with Facebook: 120 live online performances by Irish artists from their homes, supported by Culture Ireland. This attracted a global audience of 821,000 people over the six weeks of its run.

Courage programme: A series of live concerts (online and RTÉ) broadcast from a number of National Cultural Institutions, and other landmark venues, delivered by Other Voices with support from my Department. The series reached 2,700,000 people worldwide.

The Hot Press Lockdown Young and Emerging Series supported young and emerging acts joining Hot Press on Instagram for a special live performances.

In addition in 2020, as a response to the impact of the pandemic of arts and culture, my Department’s Creative Ireland programme used online and social media to:

(i) pivot Cruinniú na nÓg 2020, the annual national day of free creativity for young people, to online delivery, straight into families’ homes

(ii) support the national #ShineYourLight initiative to support frontline healthcare workers

(iii) develop and implement the #createathome initiative for the general public

(iv) establish the Positive Ageing and Creative Well-being Scheme to support older members of society

Electronic social media is a very useful channel through which my Department generates interest amongst the general public in arts and Irish culture. It is now in everyday use by my officials, and my Department will continue to work in collaboration with the sector and use its social media channels to further build on this.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (154)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the degree to which she has evaluated the totality of the losses suffered by the various sectors under the aegis of her Department arising from Covid-19 or other reasons; the action taken or proposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37670/20]

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Written answers

While absolutely necessary to protect us all, the impact of the public health guidelines has been extremely challenging for the sectors supported by my Department. Tourism, Arts and Culture, Gaeltacht and the Irish language, Media and Sport are integral to our society; supporting economic activity, as well as enhancing physical, mental and societal well-being. The public-facing and audience driven nature of those sectors means that each time there is an escalation in the Level applicable under the Plan for Living with Covid-19 these sectors are often the hardest hit.

The impact of COVID is ongoing and it is too early to say with certainty what the total impact will be.

I am however acutely aware of the need to support our sectors through these challenging times and have been in regular and sustained contact with a broad range of stakeholders over the past weeks and months. In addition to bilateral engagements with a wide range of stakeholders and agencies under the aegis of the Department, a number of taskforces and consultative fora have been established to ensure that I have the most up to date information about the difficulties facing these sectors. This includes the Tourism Recovery Taskforce, the Tourism Hospitality Forum, the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, the Night-time Economy Taskforce, and the Sports Monitoring Group. These involve a broad range of stakeholders with experience and insight to develop sustainable roadmaps for the recovery of these sectors. Both the Tourism and Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforces have reported at this stage and I will continue to work with stakeholders on their implementation.

This broad sectorial engagement has led to the very favourable outcomes achieved for these sectors in the context of both the July Stimulus and Budget 2021.  Some of the key measures have been introduced in 2020 to help the sectors my Department supports, include:

- An additional €25m for the Arts Council;

- A €5m Live Events Pilot Grant Scheme;

- €5m to support the NCI’s and nationwide arts infrastructure;

- A €5m Company Stabilisation Support for Gaeltacht Companies;

- The “Stay and Spend” tax credit initiative;

- A €26m adaptation grant for the tourism sector;

- A €10m grant for coach tourism;

- €40m for the three main field sport bodies, GAA, IRFU and FAI;

- €15m resilience fund for sport governing bodies and clubs;

The universal income supports of PUP and the wage subsidy scheme continue to be key to supporting to all sectors thorough this crisis, the extension of both of these schemes has provided some much needed certainty.

In addition, as part of Budget 2021 I have put in place a number of substantial measures to support and strengthen the sectors through 2021.  I have also worked with colleagues across Government to introduce measures to enhance the competitiveness of sectors under my remit as well as ensuring access to the range of horizontal supports available. These include:

- A new €55m support fund for strategic tourism businesses;

- VAT on the tourism and hospitality sectors has been reduced to 9%, and will improve competitiveness and viability of businesses

- hospitality, accommodation and arts businesses impacted by pandemic can get rebates of up to €5,000 a week under new COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS)

- a new  €50m programme of support for live entertainment

- a record €130m in funding for the Arts Council for 2021

- over €78m funding allocation for Gaeltacht and Irish language sector – up €14.8m on initial 2020 allocation

- funding for TG4 up to €40.733m

- Sport Ireland allocated €104.5m – up €36

I will continue this positive engagement with the sectors and consider the views and recommendations of these taskforces and consultative fora in regard to any further necessary measures or supports required as a consequence of COVID-19.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (155)

Neale Richmond

Question:

155. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the criteria used to allocate recent Covid-19 grants to sporting bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37687/20]

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Written answers

The new Covid-19 grant schemes provide support for the three main field sports organisations (the FAI, GAA and IRFU), a Resilience Fund to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport, a Sports Club Resilience Fund to support clubs, and a Sports Restart and Renewal Fund. 

The funding, which is allocated by Sport Ireland, is being invested through grant schemes with Sport Ireland’s recognised funding partners, i.e. the National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded sporting organisations. 

The funding criteria for each of the grant schemes was established by Sport Ireland and the funding guidelines were issued by Sport Ireland directly to the National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships.

As this is a matter for Sport Ireland, I am arranging for Sport Ireland to provide the Deputy with a detailed reply on the criteria used in the allocation of the Covid-19 grant funding.

Schools Extra Curricular Activities

Questions (156)

Neale Richmond

Question:

156. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the engagements her Department has had with the Department of Education on the recommencement of inter-school sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37689/20]

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Written answers

The organisation and delivery of inter-school sport competition is a matter for the Department of Education and the educational institutions concerned. I have no statutory role to exercise in that context.

School sport is an important part of the overall Irish sporting landscape and makes a positive contribution to the promotion and achievement of more physically active lifestyles by its participants. My Department maintains an ongoing relationship and dialogue with the Department of Education in relation to the pursuit and implementation of respective policy aims. The Department of Education is also represented on the Sports Leadership Group, which I chair. Following discussion at a recent meeting of this Group, I have requested that Department provide an update report on how COVID-19 has impacted on participation in physical activity and sport at school level at the next meeting of the Group, tentatively earmarked for mid-December.

The timescale and manner of recommencement of inter-school sport in the context of the current pandemic is a matter to be considered by Government in the context of the Living with COVID-19 Framework for Restrictive Measures, published in mid-September. This Framework sets out the approach that the Government intends to take in the management of the pandemic over the period to mid-2021.

Given the current epidemiological situation with high incidence of disease, widespread community transmission, and considerable numbers of hospitalisations and deaths, it has been necessary to put in place very significant restrictions to arrest the current trajectory of the disease and break transmission chains. This means asking people to stay at home and eliminating as much activity and contacts as is possible to ensure that opportunities for the virus to transmit are minimised, while allowing essential activities to continue. Unfortunately, this means minimising discretionary activities such as non-elite sporting competitions and matches which are not permitted to take place in Levels 3, 4 and 5 of the Framework.

The current Level 5 restrictions will continue until 2 December. The suite of measures to be applied thereafter, including for the sport and education sectors, will be decided by Government on the basis of the prevailing public health situation and in the context of the Framework published in September.

Olympic Games

Questions (157)

Neale Richmond

Question:

157. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the engagements her Department has had with an association (details supplied) as it relates to the preparation and exemptions that may be required by the Irish women's hockey team to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37690/20]

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Written answers

There has been, and will continue to be, a regular, ongoing engagement with the sports sector as a whole, including with the body referred to by the Deputy. Senior players on the Irish women's hockey team are already included within the scope of the limited exemption available in the current public health regulations for professional and elite sport.

In addition to direct engagement with Sport Ireland, the statutory agency for the development of sport in Ireland, sporting organisations including the body referred to by the Deputy, have also contributed to regular meetings of the Sports Monitoring Group, which is chaired at Ministerial level. Moreover, the Expert Group on Return to Sport, which is chaired by my Department, has reviewed and provided, via Sport Ireland, feedback to the body referred to by the Deputy on its return to sport protocols.  Guidance has also been produced by this Expert Group on international travel, which has supported and assisted individual athletes and teams to qualify and prepare for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

My Department and Sport Ireland will continue to work closely and constructively with the sport sector to ensure the most effective preparation possible by all members of Team Ireland, including the Irish women's hockey team, for the Tokyo Games.

Swimming Pool Programme Status

Questions (158)

Neale Richmond

Question:

158. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the swimming pool grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37691/20]

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Written answers

The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP)  provides grant aid towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. To date 52 pools have been completed and three swimming pool projects (Lucan, Buncrana and Edenderry) remain.   Exchequer support for any new swimming pools is now being provided under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).  

The LSSIF was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects including swimming pools with at least €100m being made available over the period to 2027.  Provisional allocations totalling €77.4m for 25 projects under Stream 2 (construction) of the LSSIF were announced on 10 January 2020. On  13th January additional provisional allocations of €5m for a further 7 projects under Stream  1 (design) of the LSSIF were announced. Of these 32 grants, 8 swimming pool projects have been awarded funding. 

The evaluation procedures and guidelines for the LSSIF provide that once provisional allocations are announced, the successful projects will undergo a further process of due diligence. This process includes a further review of projects including economic appraisals and feasibility studies as appropriate to comply with the Public Spending Code. This work is continuing and the priority in the short term is on advancing the projects allocated funding in January. While it is not proposed to open the LSSIF for new applications at present, it is planned to review progress on existing grants in 2021 when the question of whether or not it would be appropriate to seek new applications will be considered. 

In regard to the special fund of €2.5 million announced as part of the July Stimulus to support the reopening of publicly accessible swimming pools, this will be distributed to swimming pools through an open and transparent application process administered by Ireland Active (the association for leisure, health and fitness in Ireland). A Steering Group of Sport Ireland, Swim Ireland and Ireland Active has been established to oversee, assess and monitor the process.

I understand that the COVID-19 Swimming Pool Grant scheme closed for applications on Monday 2 November. It is expected, at this point, to communicate the outcome of the application process in early December, dependent on the volume of applications received.

Planning Issues

Questions (159)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

159. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the investigation carried out by Meath County Council into the rezoning of lands at Liscarton, Navan, County Meath in July 2017 and the granting of planning permission on the land in June 2018 has not been carried out transparently (details supplied). [37482/20]

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Written answers

Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, sets out an ethical framework for local government. This imposes a statutory duty on elected members of local authorities to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest.

If a person considers that an elected member of a local authority may have contravened the requirements of the ethical framework the matter may be reported to the ethics registrar of the local authority in the first instance. The ethics registrar must then bring the matter to the attention of the Cathaoirleach and the Chief Executive who must consider what action should be taken and prepare a report.

If a person is not satisfied with the outcome of the consideration of the matter by the local authority then a complaint may be referred to the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO), which is independent in the performance of its functions.

As Minister, I have no function or role in relation to the investigation of individual complaints made to a local authority or to SIPO concerning an alleged breach of the ethical framework.

Local Authority Funding

Questions (160)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

160. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional funding that has been proposed to assist local authorities manage finances shortfalls in a post-Covid-19 environment and for the fiscal year 2021; when measures will be advised to local authorities; if consideration has been given to the current problems with local authority funding disadvantaging some local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37501/20]

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Written answers

My Department has engaged extensively with representatives of the local government sector and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform over recent months concerning the financial challenges facing local authorities as a consequence of the pandemic.

€600m was allocated by Government to fund the cost of a six-month waiver of rates from 27 March to 27 September 2020, which took the form of a credit in lieu of rates.  To strengthen this support, the Government subsequently announced an extension of the waiver until 27 December 2020, at an additional cost of €300m.  This brings to €900m the financial support to fund the cost of a waiver of commercial rates, which is an unprecedented measure that offers support to both businesses and to local authorities. 

The local authority budget process for 2021 is now underway. In that context, Minister O'Brien and I recently wrote to each local authority to advise that, in light of the fact that the future trajectory of Covid-19 is unclear, it is not currently possible for Government to make open-ended commitments in respect of commercial rates or other income pressures that may arise in 2021. However, as has been the case since the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, my Department will continue to engage regularly and constructively with the local government sector and with individual local authorities on the financial impacts of the pandemic and other matters arising.

Housing Assistance Payment

Questions (161, 163, 164)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

161. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to roll out the discretion in permitting increases in HAP caps in respect of local authorities outside Dublin in circumstances in which no properties within HAP limits are available on the open market and refusals of HAP above the current limits are driving families into homelessness whereby in Dublin families are permitted to exceed caps by 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37502/20]

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Catherine Murphy

Question:

163. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the homeless HAP limit to 50% which is the current rate in Dublin to counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow in circumstances in which there is no affordable accommodation available in the three counties within the HAP limits and families are forced into homelessness by virtue of the caps being so low and in view of the fact that the local authority similarly pays 90% of the market rent in leasing schemes that are unavailable to HAP recipients that are new entrants onto the housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37507/20]

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Catherine Murphy

Question:

164. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider revising the HAP limits which particularly negatively impact frontline workers on low incomes that are single (details supplied); if he has considered a more sustainable way to avoid a local authority being the agent of homelessness and in which other some authorities are permitted to award higher rates to prevent homelessness leading to huge inequality in similar areas; the steps he will take to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37518/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 161, 163 and 164 together.

The management of social housing, including the Housing Assistance Payment, in each area, is a matter for the relevant local authority, taking account of local circumstances and needs. 

Maximum rent limits for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme are set for each housing authority area by the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2017, which are available on the Irish Statute Book website at the following link: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/si/56/made/en/print?q=S.I.+56

The HAP limits were agreed in conjunction with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP). In reviewing rent limits, the Department worked closely with the DEASP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services Centre. The new rent limits set in the Regulations reflected significant increases on previous limits, in the order of 60% in some areas.

Local authorities also have discretion, because of local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum rent limit by up to 20%, or up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of, homelessness. To qualify for specific additional supports available to homeless households, a household must have been determined by the relevant local authority to be homeless within the meaning of section 2 of the Housing Act 1988.

It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.

My Department closely monitors the level of discretion being used by local authorities, taking into account other sources of data, including Residential Tenancies Board rent data published on a quarterly basis. I am satisfied that the current maximum rent limits, together with the additional flexibility available to local authorities, are generally sufficient to support the effective operation of the HAP scheme.

It is worth noting that not all households receiving HAP for the first time are reliant on the availability of properties on the private market. Many tenancies arise from referrals and other forms of communication. Some households receiving HAP for the first time transfer from Rent Supplement in an existing tenancy. Other households who were not in receipt of Rent Supplement and so are receiving financial support for the first time, can also enter the scheme in an existing tenancy.

Inter-authority movement is allowed under the Scheme to facilitate movement of HAP households from one local authority area to another in cases where a HAP tenant, currently on a local authority waiting list, wishes to access rented accommodation with HAP support in another local authority area. Inter authority movement is, however, subject to certain conditions, such as the Social Housing Income Eligibility Bands and confirmation that the applicant's income is below the threshold in the new local authority. 

Given that such flexibility facilitates better utilisation of all private rental stock for social housing purposes and supports the maximum activation potential of HAP households by removing geographical barriers to employment, all local authorities have been requested to give appropriate consideration to these requests. HAP tenants continue to be dealt with by their originating local authority. However, the rent and discretion limits will be those that apply in the local authority where the property is situated.

I am conscious that increasing the current HAP rent limits could have negative inflationary impacts, leading to a detrimental impact on the wider rental market, including for those households who are not receiving HAP support.

My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review and it is a key mechanism in meeting housing need across the Country. However, it should be noted that, at the end of Q2 2020, an average of 301 additional tenancies are supported by HAP each week, with over 56,500 households having their housing needs met under the scheme at that point.

Local Authority Funding

Questions (162)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

162. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to detail the review into funding of local authorities that was due in 2019 and deferred to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37495/20]

View answer

Written answers

I refer to Question number 341 of 6 October 2020, the response to which sets out the position in relation to this matter.

Questions Nos. 163 and 164 answered with Question No. 161.

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Questions (165)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

165. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the new tenant purchase scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37522/20]

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Written answers

The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016.  The Scheme 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.

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. I expect to be in a position to finalise changes to the Scheme once the work on these reform measures is complete.

Commercial Rates

Questions (166)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

166. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total value of the rates waiver provided to businesses in counties Cavan and Monaghan to the end of October 2020. [37549/20]

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Written answers

In recognising the difficulties faced by businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Programme for Government – “Our Shared Future” committed to set out how commercial rates will be treated for the remainder of 2020.  One of the earliest priorities of Minister O'Brien and I was to secure funding to provide a waiver of commercial rates for businesses impacted by the pandemic, while simultaneously supporting local authorities.

€600m was allocated by Government to fund the cost of a six-month waiver of rates from 27 March to 27 September 2020, which took the form of a credit in lieu of rates.  To strengthen this support, the Government subsequently announced a three month extension of the waiver until 27 December 2020, at an additional cost of €300m.  The criteria for the extended waiver remains the same and it is intended that the extended waiver will be automatically applied to rate accounts that benefitted from the six-month waiver.  This brings to €900m the financial support to fund the cost of a waiver of commercial rates, which is an unprecedented measure that offers support to businesses and certainty to local authorities.

Payments in relation to the six month waiver are being made in three stages, two of which are complete.  An initial allocation was paid to local authorities on 21 October 2020.  Following completion of the administration of the six month waiver to eligible businesses, the second payment to local authorities was made on 13 November.  At the end of stage two, almost 118,000 ratepayers had benefited from the six month rates waiver and just under €460m of rates had been waived by local authorities and funded by Government.  The final allocation for the six month waiver will be paid to local authorities in December, on completion of the rates waiver to businesses in excluded categories that demonstrated serious impact from COVID 19 to their relevant local authority.  The funding for the three month extension of the rates waiver will be paid to local authorities in a single payment in December.

On 13 November, on completion of two of three payments for the six month rates waiver, Cavan County Council had waived €3,660,529 of rates for a period of six months for 1,670 ratepayers and Monaghan County Council had waived €3,671,742 of rates for a six month period for 1,761 rate payers.  On completion of the last stage of the six month waiver and the three month waiver extension in December, the value of rates waivers provided will further increase.  Full details of payments to date are available at the following link:

https://www.housing.gov.ie/local-government/covid-19-coronavirus/support-businesses-impacted-covid-19-through-commercial-0

Social and Affordable Housing

Questions (167)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

167. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units delivered in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2020 to date. [37550/20]

View answer

Written answers

My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on all social housing delivery activity. This is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-rovision

The statistical returns process has been completed for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 2020 and the table below provides a detailed breakdown of the delivery in Cavan and Monaghan for this period.  Data for Quarter 3 is being collated and will be published in the coming weeks.

Total

 LA New Build (detail available on the   Construction Status Report)

AHB New Build (detail available on the Construction Status Report)

Part V -New   Build (All delivery streams)

Total New Build

 LA Acquisition

AHB Acquisition

Acquisition   Total

Leasing Total

RAS

 HAP

Total 2020   Output

Cavan County   Council

0

0

0

0

10

0

10

1

6

101

118

Monaghan   County Council

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

1

1

104

107

Taking the impact of Covid-19 into account all efforts are now on maximising output in the second half of 2020. The Department is working with local authorities, the Housing Delivery Co-Ordination Office, Approved Housing Bodies and the Housing Agency, through the High Level Housing Delivery Group, chaired by the Minister, to this end.   

The Programme for Government commits to increasing the social housing stock by more than 50,000, with an emphasis on new builds. In 2021, the total funding being made available for the delivery of housing programmes is €3.3bn.  This includes funding to deliver 12,750 social homes through build, acquisition and leasing.  A major focus of this investment is the delivery of new build, with an overall target of 9,500 new homes. The build target includes the delivery of 5,250 new homes by local authorities, 2,950 by Approved Housing Bodies and 1,300 new homes through Part V.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (168)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

168. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the third-party contracts entered into by agencies under the remit of his Department for the operation of community and voluntary organisations; the number of staff employed by the third party; and the cost of the contract in 2019 and 2020. [37565/20]

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Written answers

My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the State bodies under its aegis.  These State bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the table below.

State Body

Contact E-mail Address

An Bord Pleanála

oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie

An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum)

info@nationalwaterforum.ie

Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum

infodocklands@dublincity.ie

Ervia

oireachtas@ervia.ie

Gas Networks Ireland

oireachtas@ervia.ie

Heritage Council

oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie

Housing Finance Agency

oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie

Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency

publicreps@housingagency.ie

Irish Water

oireachtasmembers@water.ie

Land Development Agency

oireachtas@lda.ie

Local Government Management Agency

corporate@lgma.ie

National Oversight and Audit Commission

info@noac.ie

National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee

ntacc@housing.gov.ie

Office of the Planning Regulator

oireachtas@opr.ie

Ordnance Survey Ireland

Oireachtas@osi.ie

Property Registration Authority

reps@prai.ie

Pyrite Resolution Board

oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie  

Residential Tenancies Board

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Valuation Tribunal

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Waterways Ireland

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Private Rented Accommodation

Questions (169)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of inspections of private rented accommodation carried out by Dublin City Council in 2019 and to date in 2020; the findings of those inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37573/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. With very limited exemptions, these apply to all private rented residential accommodation.  

All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties, regardless of tenancy type, comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.

Data in respect of inspections undertaken by Dublin City Council in 2019 and to the end of September 2020 is set out in the table below.

Year

Inspections Undertaken

Dwellings

Inspected

Dwellings   Deemed Compliant on 1st Inspection 

Dwellings   Deemed Non-compliant on 1st Inspection

Dwellings   Deemed   Compliant by Year-end *

2019

 9,099

5,606

633

4,973

4,189

2020 to Sept 30th

 1,693

1,480

272

1,208

2,524

* Includes those non-compliant upon first inspection in previous year but subsequently deemed compliant

Given the need for inspectors to enter tenant’s homes, the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions have greatly reduced the number of inspections carried out this year. 

In response some local authorities have been piloting virtual inspections, to supplement their on-site inspection processes. Dublin City Council have led this initiative which entails landlords receiving a checklist for self-assessment and being required to submit photographic evidence of compliance by email, tenants being invited to raise any standards related complaints they may have and being asked to confirm that any required works have been completed, and the Council reserving the right to conduct a physical inspection at a later stage.  My Department is being updated on this process with a view, if appropriate, to wider adoption.

While pandemic restrictions have reduced the number of inspections carried out this year, the number of inspections conducted by Dublin City Council almost tripled in the period from 2017 to 2019, increasing from 3,550 in 2017 to 5,830 in 2018 and 9,099 in 2019. My Department provided a subvention of just over €2.05m in this period to assist the Council meet its inspection obligations. 

My Department has made significant Exchequer funding available to all local authorities in recent years, with the result that the number of inspections undertaken nationally more than doubled from 19,645 in 2017 to 40,998 in 2019, with a similar increase in the number of properties becoming compliant from 3,329 to 7,206. In order to assist local authorities increase inspection rates further and strengthen compliance, an increased budget of €10m has been approved for 2021. 

Detailed information in relation to inspections carried out by each local authority since 2005 is available on my Department's website at the following link:

http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-building-and-private-rented/private-housing-market-statistics

Inland Waterways

Questions (170)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

170. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made to date with the restoration of the Ulster Canal; the discussions that have taken place to date between his Department and the shared island unit of the Department of the Taoiseach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37621/20]

View answer

Written answers

There has been extensive engagement in recent weeks at a very senior level between my Department and officials in the Department of the Taoiseach in this matter. 

The Deputy will recall that in July 2007, the North South Ministerial Council agreed to a proposal to restore a 13km section of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones. This project is important for the border region with potential to stimulate economic activity, giving a much needed boost to job creation and with the growth in water based tourism helping to attract significant numbers of visitors to the area

In relation to Phase 1, work was completed in 2019 on dredging works to the River Finn, construction of a new navigation arch at Derrykerrib Bridge and the installation of a new mooring facility at Castlesaunderson.

Under Phase 2 of the restoration works, Waterways Ireland was successful in 2019 in securing €325,000 of Category 2 funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for additional engineering studies for a section of the restoration between Clones and Clonfad in County Monaghan.  A further 25% of match funding is being provided by my Department.

During 2020 Waterways Ireland has utilised this investment to carry out preliminary engineering studies to progress the restoration of an 800m reach of canal between Clones and Clonfad in County Monaghan, including a canal basin and amenity area in Clones as part of Phase 2 of the restoration. These studies have included the following;

- A commission to investigate sourcing a sustainable water supply,

- Site investigation work in order to facilitate the development of design proposals and  associated project estimates,

- An economic appraisal focusing on the Phase 2 proposal,

- A tourism and recreation study to assess the opportunity to develop water-sports and leisure facilities adjacent to the Ulster Canal Stores Visitor Centre in Clones.

 Work relating to land requirements and purchase arrangements for this section of the restoration has also commenced.

 Discussions between the Departments concern the next phase of linking Clones to the Shannon Erne system and, in addition, to progress of the greenway components of the project from Clones, going east to Middletown, through Smithborough and Monaghan Town.

Programme for Government

Questions (171)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

171. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the programme for Government commitment to introduce a social housing passport to allow certain categories of persons to move from one council list to another without losing their time on list. [37648/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Programme for Government provides for a package of social housing reforms, including the introduction of a social housing passport to allow households move from one local authority list to another.   

It should be noted that the four Dublin local authorities already co-operate in arrangements that enable social housing applicants to apply for housing in one or two of the other Dublin authorities simultaneously.  Similar arrangements apply in the two Cork and two Galway local authorities.  It is also already possible for households to move and relocate between housing authority areas under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme where the household income is within the appropriate income limits. 

The issue of providing for wider tenancy movements is being examined and I will examine proposals in relation to such wider movement along with the other reform package measures.

Local Authority Housing

Questions (172)

Neale Richmond

Question:

172. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures used to fast track a local authority social housing transfer for a tenant who may be in a life-threatening situation due to location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37715/20]

View answer

Written answers

The oversight and practical management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations.

Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.

It is the local authority which assesses housing applicants, taking into account factors such as the condition and affordability of existing accommodation, medical and compassionate grounds, etc. The authority then prioritises the needs of approved applicants in accordance with its allocation scheme. Allocation schemes may also contain provisions for exceptional or emergency cases, allowing immediate housing outside of normal waiting list priorities, should circumstances warrant it. Ultimately, it is a matter for the local authority to decide the conditions to be met in relation to transfer applications.

As Minister, I am precluded by law from becoming involved in individual cases.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Questions (173)

Verona Murphy

Question:

173. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the NPWS for the past number of years has published the details of the released locations of hares on their website contrary to a press release issued by his Department on 12 November 2020; if his attention has been further drawn to the distress which the subsequent illegal hunting causes to farmers, livestock and bloodstock; if the NPWS will be instructed not to publish such details in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37742/20]

View answer

Written answers

Details of locations where hares have been released by coursing clubs have not in fact been published on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) of my Department since the beginning of the 2018/19 coursing season.  Not only did my Department not make public the locations where hares were released by coursing clubs over the weekend of 7th and 8th November, it was not made aware of those locations until Friday last, November 13th, I understand.   Historic data and material which had been available online previously, on the basis of reports from the Irish Coursing Club, has now had all historic hare release location information redacted from it, in response to recent concerns raised in this regard.

I would like to make it clear that the issue of wildlife crime is a priority one for my Department.   The NPWS continues to pursue this matter as resources allow and has achieved a number of successful prosecutions on wildlife crime over recent years including in respect of illegal hare hunting.  I recently announced my commitment to the establishment of a dedicated Wildlife Crime Unit in my Department in 2021 which will be a significant step forward in addressing this issue.

Citizenship Applications

Questions (174)

Joe Carey

Question:

174. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37513/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Passport Service has paused the processing of Foreign Births Registration applications as Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19.

Applications that have been sent to the FBR team are being held securely and will be processed when normal services resume at Level 3. Foreign Births Registration, by its nature, can be a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation related to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. The expected processing time for FBR applications is between 12 and 18 months.

With regard to the specific application the Deputy has enquired about, I can confirm that a member of the  Foreign Birth Registration team acknowledged receipt of this application on 7 May 2020 and it will be processed in due course.

Human Rights

Questions (175)

John Brady

Question:

175. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions that he has taken and plans to take in the future in response to the ongoing persecution of gay persons in Russia and Chechnya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37448/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Government closely follows developments in relation to the treatment of members of the LGBTI+ community in Russia and, in particular, is well aware of the widespread reports of the persecution of gay men in Chechnya.

When the reports first emerged in 2017, senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs met with the Russian Ambassador to convey the grave concerns of the Government, and of the Irish public, at these reports. During the meeting, officials urged the Russian authorities to fully investigate the allegations, to ensure that any such persecution be ended immediately, to provide all affected persons with the assistance they require, and to ensure the safety of activists and journalists investigating the reports of abuse in Chechnya.

In November 2018, Ireland, along with 15 other participating States of the OSCE, invoked the Moscow Mechanism to establish a mission of experts to investigate the reports. The report, published in December 2018, concluded that the evidence confirms the allegations of very serious human rights violations and abuses in the Chechen Republic. The invoking participating States, including Ireland, welcomed the report and its comprehensive list of specific recommendations that could be used by both Russia, including the Chechen Republic, and other participating States moving forward. We further urged Russia to heed the recommendations and work with relevant international institutions – including with the OSCE - to constructively address the issues raised.

During my visit to Moscow in July 2019, where I met with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, I conveyed Ireland’s deep concern at the targeting of LGBTI+ individuals in Chechnya, urging that Russia engage constructively with the Moscow Mechanism report and recommendations. In addition to diplomatic and political dialogue with the Russian Government, Ireland continues to prioritise direct engagement with Russian Civil Society through our Embassy in Moscow, and all official and political travel to Russia includes meetings with local organisations and human rights defenders.

Ireland regularly makes recommendations on issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council. In May 2018, as part of the UPR of the Russian Federation, Ireland recommended that Russia adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation on the grounds of sexual orientation, including measures to allow LGBTI+ persons to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, without fear of harassment.

Ireland continues to raise its concerns over the treatment of the LGBTI+ community in Russia, and especially in Chechnya, through international fora such as the Council of Europe and the OSCE. On the occasion of the 2020 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia, along with our EU partners at the OSCE, we criticised the ongoing persecution of the LGBTI+ community, and called on Russia to uphold its international commitments to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

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