Written Answers Nos. 60-79
60. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he or his predecessor received any notifications under appendix 4, circular 12/2010 (details supplied) since January 2016 in relation to the bodies under his aegis; the bodies under his aegis to which such nominees are placed; if all such civil servants are aware of their obligations under this circular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13724/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to him in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 51B.
61. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the bodies under his aegis operating under the Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies; if all such bodies have a trained access officer; if so, the year they first appointed an access officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13725/21]
View answer63. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the bodies under his aegis have an access team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13727/21]
View answer64. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the bodies under his aegis have an evacuation chair for mobility-impaired persons in cases in which it is required at all their premises; if staff or agents at such premises have formal training with regard to the use of such a chair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13728/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 63 and 64 together.
The information requested by the Deputy relating to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the below table.
|
Body/Agency |
Code of Practice currently in operation? |
Trained Access Officer |
Access Officer appointed |
Access Team available |
Evacuation Chair available |
Staff trained for the use of evacuation chair |
|
Office of Public Works |
Yes |
Yes |
2015 |
Yes |
Yes – multiple locations |
Yes |
|
National Shared Services Office |
Yes |
No (the NSSO works with Access Officers in each PSB. The NSSO also intends to further examine its provision of services in line with the Code of Practice and as part of a programme of continuous improvement generally)In relation to buildings, this role is covered by the facilities team and H&S officers. In addition, the NSSO has a dedicated DLO to assist staff. |
- |
No (while the NSSO does not have a dedicated access team, the NSSO always seeks to make reasonable accommodations and follow National Disability Authority accessibility guidelines where possible, and works with Access Officers in each PSB in the event that any customer/employee of that PSB may require further assistance.The buildings aspect of the role is covered by the facilities team) |
Yes – multiple locations |
Yes |
|
Public Appointments Service |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (Current officer appointed in 2017, previous officer in situ since enactment) |
Yes (ED&I Unit in place with Access Office & Disability Champion; ED&I Staff Forum also in place) |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (current officer appointed in 2018, previous officer in situ since 2006) |
No |
No (not deemed necessary as the Office has have safe refuge areas in the building where staff go in the event of fire) |
- |
|
State Laboratory |
No (the State Laboratory provides an analytical and advisory service to Government Departments and Offices and has no dealings with the public) |
No |
- |
No |
No (visitors and staff with a temporary disability do not have access to the first floor. For visitors with restricted mobility, meetings rooms are located on the ground floor) |
- |
|
National Lottery Regulator |
Yes |
Yes |
2019 |
No |
No |
- |
62. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all bodies under his aegis have a procurement policy that includes consideration of obligations under section 27 of the Disability Act 2005; if such procurement is audited for compliance with section 27; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13726/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the table below.
|
Body |
Is a procurement policy which includes consideration of obligations under Section 27 of the Disability Act 2005 in operation? |
Is such procurement audited for compliance with Section 27? |
|
Office of Public Works (OPW) |
The OPW is compliant with Section 27 of the Disability Act 2005. |
The OPW is not audited for compliance with Section 27. However, an audit process will be introduced. |
|
National Shared Services Office (NSSO) |
The NSSO’s Procurement Policy does not currently include a consideration of obligations under Section 27 of the Disability Act 2005. |
The NSSO is not audited for compliance with Section 27. |
|
Public Appointments Service (PAS) |
PAS is compliant with Section 27 of the Disability Act 2005. PAS follows all OGP guidelines for procurement RFTs / contracts. It also provides additional guidance on the Intranet around procurement in PAS and compliance with the Disability Act. |
PAS is not audited for compliance with Section 27. |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
Section 27 of the Disability Act 2005 is not specifically referenced in the Office's procurement procedures but these procedures are currently under review. |
The Office of the Ombudsman is not audited for compliance with Section 27 but the accessibility of its services is regularly reviewed with a view to ensuring that all services are fully accessible. The Office is very aware of its mandate with regard to the provisions of services in accordance with the Disability Act. |
|
State Laboratory |
The State Laboratory is compliant with Section 27 of the Disability Act 2005. |
The State Laboratory is audited for compliance with Section 27, when relevant. |
|
Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery (ORNL) |
No, as provided for under Section 27(2)(b) of the Act. |
The ORNL is not audited for compliance with Section 27. |
65. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proposals the OPW has to address the recurring flooding problem that happened most recently at a location in Clifden, County Galway in September 2020 (details supplied) given the persons in question will not be able to re-inhabit their house until remedial work is carried out; if remedial flood works at the location are included in the plan for Clifden drawn up by the OPW as part of the flood relief programme nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13764/21]
View answerA potential flood relief scheme was recommended for Clifden as part of the National Flood Risk Management Plans, published in 2018, which identified 118 new projects nationwide to be progressed under the National Development Plan 2018 – 2027. Following this proposal, the Office of Public Works confirmed to Galway County Council (GCC) funding for the costs of developing and implementing a flood relief scheme to alleviate flooding from the Owenglin River in Clifden.
On 1st March of this year, GCC, as the Contracting Authority, went to tender for consultants, to further develop the scheme for Clifden. While it is not possible to confirm at this stage when flood relief works will be carried out, both the Council and the OPW are committed to ensuring that progress will be made as quickly as possible to develop and implement a flood relief scheme.
The area in question forms part of the study area of the scheme and will be examined during the course of the development of the scheme.
66. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a waiver will be put in place for television licences for holiday homes in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13644/21]
View answerThe Covid-19 crisis highlights more than ever the importance of public service broadcasting to our society. It is vital that the Irish public have a readily available, reliable source of information on Covid-19 and the measures being put in place to tackle the crisis.
Equally as important are the sources of funding that make it possible for public service broadcasting to operate. At a time when advertising revenues are falling, the Covid-19 crisis is putting considerable strain on the resources of all broadcasters. Licence fee receipts are therefore essential to maintaining the service provided by RTÉ. The Sound and Vision Fund is also financed from the TV licence fee which provided funding for a special Covid-19 round of €2.5m for commercial radio in 2020. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) also ran a special round under Sound and Vision for community radio of €750,000. Similar rounds are being run in 2021 to support the independent production sector and maintain jobs in the industry.
Given the importance of these services at the present time, it is not my intention to introduce waivers on TV licence payments on holiday homes.
67. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status and findings of a pilot study conducted by organisations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13609/21]
View answerI am informed by Sport Ireland that the aim of the research study mentioned by the Deputy is to evaluate the pilot One Good Coach online workshop.
One Good Coach is an evidence-informed mental health promotion workshop designed specifically for coaches and adult club members who coach young people in sport settings. The aim of the workshop is to provide adults with the knowledge and confidence to promote and support young people’s mental health in their coaching role.
To date, Jigsaw has delivered 120 One Good Coach workshops to a wide breadth of coaches in communities across Ireland. Given the success of the workshop in communities, One Good Coach was converted to an online workshop in 2018 to reach a wider national audience. Jigsaw partnered with the GAA’s Healthy Club Project to pilot the online workshop in 2019 and to date over 300 GAA coaches have completed the workshop.
One Good Coach is currently being rolled out with a range of sporting bodies, including the IRFU, Swim Ireland, Basketball Ireland and the FAI, reaching thousands of coaches across the country
A small group of registered coaches from Swim Ireland and the IRFU have been invited to take part in the research study. The study assesses whether the online workshop increases participants' understanding of mental health promotion and their confidence and intention to engage in mental health promoting behaviours with the young athletes they coach, as needed. Participants in the study are required to complete a short online questionnaire before they begin the workshop, one week after completing the workshop, and again twelve weeks later. Alongside this, a subset of participants are also invited to take part in a follow-up interview to gather further information as to the acceptability of the workshop to coaches.
The research study is underway with both National Governing Bodies until the end of March. To date, a number of coaches from both organisations have agreed to take part in the study and have completed the online questionnaires. As of 3rd March 2021, 30 coaches have completed the first two stages, i.e., at the beginning of the workshop and one week after completion.
Coaches are being invited to take part in follow-up interviews in the coming weeks.
68. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to extend supports to those in the public relations, marketing and communications industry that could not avail of the live performance support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13640/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the challenges facing those who rely on live performance to sustain their livelihoods on foot of necessary public health restrictions. The Government's response to the impact of the pandemic on the sector and the economy generally is comprised of a broad range of supports delivered across a range of Departments. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme form the principle elements of the Government's response. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment recently announced the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS) as a further horizontal support across all sectors of the economy. SMEs and Businesses in the non-funded live entertainment sector are eligible to apply under this scheme.
This week I was pleased to announce a new €50 million suite of additional measures to further support those in the Live Entertainment Sector. As part of this suite, an allocation of €25 million is being made available under the Live Performance Support Scheme 2021. This scheme builds on the successful outcomes of the pilot Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS) in 2020, which provided thousands of days of employment to hundreds of musicians, actors, crew and technicians in tandem with a pipeline of high quality on-line much needed entertainment for Irish audiences.
The 2021 scheme is aimed at supporting employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public. This scheme has been developed following consultation with the sector and will be managed directly by my Department. The Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 will be open for applications on 19 March 2021 and further information can be found on my Department's website.
An allocation of €5 million has be made available to local authorities for live performances in summer 2021 to animate town centres, should public health considerations permit. This will allow for the procurement by local authorities of performances by local performers. Performances can be recorded or streamed if health restrictions prevent live events. Local authorities will be encouraged to engage events companies to develop and deliver a programme of performances.
As a further support measure for those in the live entertainment industry, an allocation of €14m will be made available for a new scheme to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses, specifically musicians and related crew, that have been significantly negatively affected by COVID-19 and that do not qualify for other business supports. The main features of this new Music Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) will see support offered by way of two levels of flat payments:
- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €100,000;
- €5,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000.
Under the scheme, musicians, singers, lighting and sound crew and audio equipment suppliers - whether sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities - operating exclusively within the commercial live entertainment sector will be eligible to apply. The scheme will open when the necessary administrative and IT systems are in place.
€5 million will also be made available for a scheme of capital supports for the commercial live entertainment sector. This will be applied to supporting the installation of high quality recording and streaming facilities in venues through a competitive grant application process.
Additionally, up to €1 million has been allocated to the St Patrick's Festival 2021 for programming to support the employment of performers, producers, artists, technicians, creatives and support staff. With gatherings still restricted, SPF 2021 has curated a rich and dynamic programme of events involving hundreds of artists, musicians, performers, creators, and community organisations that will be broadcast on the St. Patrick’s Festival TV online channel over six days and nights, marking the national day.
My Department has no specific responsibility for the public relations, marketing or communications sectors. Further information on the business and financial supports my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has in place to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis can be viewed at the following link https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
69. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the proposed Fáilte Ireland outdoor dining scheme; if this vital support will be made available to all counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13765/21]
View answerI understand that Fáilte Ireland is currently considering how best it could support outdoor dining experiences, including scoping out a proposed Outdoor Dining Scheme which has not yet been finalised or launched. I am advised that no final decisions have been made as to the parameters of the proposed scheme.
As the development of supports for outdoor dining experiences is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for further information. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
70. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a pathway back out of level 5 restrictions for sports groups. [13807/21]
View answerThe Government recently agreed that the current public health restrictions on sport and exercise will be extended until 5 April. The current epidemiological situation is such that it does not permit Government consideration at this time of the resumption of sporting activity by sports groups. The Government's clear message at the present time is for people to stay in their homes, unless necessary for those essential reasons set out in the public health regulations.
In the context of the recent publication of the COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery Plan 2021 – The Path Ahead, the Government has agreed that the public health restrictions will be subject to ongoing review taking account of the evolving epidemiological situation and available evidence in relation to vaccine deployment, uptake and effectiveness. The public health advice is that it is too early to say how and when other restrictions should be eased given current uncertainties. Government will meet in advance of the 5th of April to review the level of restrictions. The focus of the assessment, based on the public health advice, will be on achieving the following before any significant easing of measures is contemplated:
1. Disease prevalence (case numbers/incidence) is brought to much lower levels that can be managed and controlled by public health and that the reproduction number (“R” number) is such that we can be confident that we can continue to suppress the disease e.g., at or below 1.
2. Hospital and critical care occupancy are reduced to low levels to protect the health service and allow for the safe resumption of non-COVID-19 care.
3. Ongoing and steady progress on the vaccination programme such that the most vulnerable are protected through vaccination.
4. Emerging information on variants of concern.
Any easing of measures should be slow and gradual with sufficient time between phases to assess impact and to respond if the epidemiological situation was to deteriorate. It will take account of emerging international and national evidence and experience and with a specific focus on supporting mental health and wellbeing. The Government has agreed that the following areas may be considered if the situation improves sufficiently:
- Some easing of restrictions on outdoor activities and meetings beyond 1 other household.
- Consideration of extending the current 5km limit.
- Staggered start of easing of other areas of activity with a focus on outdoor activities including sport and some areas of construction.
Minister Martin and I will continue our engagement with Sport Ireland and the sporting bodies with a view to bringing proposals at the appropriate time for consideration by Government, in consultation with NPHET and the public health authorities.
71. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider supports for sports organisations that have facilities such as clubhouses given that they have overheads such as electricity, insurance, ongoing maintenance and so on and most have not had income in the past 12 months. [13808/21]
View answerA Covid-19 funding package of €85 million was provided last year to support the sport sector. This significant investment benefited all levels of the sport sector, including thousands of grassroots clubs across the country, and provided some certainty for sporting organisations in their planning for 2021.
I fully recognise that the financial and operational challenges associated with Covid-19 will continue well into 2021 and that many sporting organisations and clubs will find themselves in financial difficulty again this year. Additional funding of €26 million was allocated for Sport Ireland in Budget 2021 which will ensure that we can continue to support our valued sport sector. This includes funding to provide for supports to the sector to meet the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Decisions in relation to how funding will be allocated and the criteria to be applied will be made by Sport Ireland in due course.
In that regard, Sport Ireland is in ongoing communication with the National Governing Bodies of Sport and is assessing the financial needs of the sector for the year ahead. In addition. I am engaging with the National Governing Bodies both bilaterally and through the Covid-19 Sports Monitoring Group with regard to any supports which may be required in the period ahead.
72. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if further consideration will be given to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) concerning the horticulture and nursery sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13705/21]
View answerI have established a working group under an independent chairman, Dr. Munoo Prasad, to examine the issues which had been identified during the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. It is comprised of representatives of the relevant Government Departments, State Bodies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and of various sectors within the horticultural industry.
It is envisaged that the recommendations of the chairman will be issued to me within 6 months of the establishment of the working group. However, an interim recommendation or recommendations may be issued within a shorter period.
The first meeting of the working group took place on 4 March last. At this meeting, the legislative provisions in relation to horticultural peat extraction were discussed as well as the potential for alternatives to the use of peat moss in the horticultural industry. I am advised that the next meeting of the working group is scheduled to take place within the next two weeks.
73. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter in relation to HAP (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13584/21]
View answerTenants in the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme are required to sign a rent contribution agreement to pay a weekly rental contribution to the relevant local authority, in line with the local authority’s differential rent scheme. As set out in the rent contribution agreement, this weekly rental contribution must be paid by them so that they remain eligible for the HAP scheme.
The HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages the collection of all HAP tenants’ differential rents, on behalf of the relevant local authority, and the payment of all HAP rents to landlords on behalf of tenants supported by the HAP scheme. The HAP SSC follows a clear communication policy if rental arrears issues arise. This policy includes regular and early written communication with tenants, landlords and the relevant local authority.
HAP tenants in arrears should contact their local authority and the HAP SSC to discuss all options that are available, one of which includes a payment plan, to ensure the continuation of their HAP support.
74. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary, who has been approved for a Rebuilding Ireland home loan, was refused mortgage protection insurance from the insurance underwriters for the home loan; the options available to the person in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13592/21]
View answerThe local authority mortgage protection insurance (MPI) scheme applies to all house purchase loans approved by local authorities since 1 July 1986, including the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan introduced on 1 February 2018. It is an important safeguard for both applicants and lenders.
One of the conditions of the MPI scheme, which is a group policy, is that it is obligatory for all local authority borrowers who meet the eligibility criteria to join the scheme. Altering any conditions of the MPI Scheme could have negative impacts and increase the cost for all existing borrowers. A local authority housing loan applicant who is not eligible for the local authority MPI scheme must source a suitable comparable individual MPI policy from the market.
75. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will accredit architectural technologists as assigned certifiers as per the Building Control Amendment Regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13623/21]
View answer80. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the progress on the process to implement the architectural technologists register on a statutory footing as agreed in principle in 2018 (details supplied). [13646/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 80 together.
In general, the regulation of professions is in the first instance a matter for industry representatives working in consultation with relevant industry stakeholders. My Department has been engaging with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) in relation to the registration of Architectural Technologists. In this regard, CIAT has identified that its preferred route is to set up a stand-alone register for Architectural Technologists. As such, it is now a matter for CIAT to set up a register on an administrative basis in keeping with registers already in place for other professional groupings under the Building Control Act 2007 and in consultation with the relevant industry stakeholders. CIAT have been advised that the register should be in place for a sufficient period of time to demonstrate that it operates effectively in accordance with the provisions of the act.
Following this process, my Department will review the register and subject to this review, will then consider bringing forward legislative proposals to place it on a statutory basis. CIAT have been advised of the process required to publish primary legislation.
It is also worth noting that, depending on their personal background and experience, it may be open to persons who are Architectural Technologists, and who possess the requisite experience and competence in the design of buildings, to seek inclusion on either of the statutory registers in respect of Architects or Building Surveyors. A number of Architectural Technologists have already succeeded in gaining inclusion on the statutory registers to date and are thus in a position to act as Design Certifiers and Assigned Certifiers.
76. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has been in communication with Dublin City Council or an approved housing body regarding the provision of social housing in respect of a new privately constructed apartment development at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 5 under the capital assistance scheme or the capital advance leasing facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13627/21]
View answerApproved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are making an important contribution to social housing delivery, as envisaged under current Government policy. My Department operates a number of funding programmes that assist local authorities to work in partnership with AHBs to construct, purchase and lease new homes and make them available for social housing. One such programme that AHBs progress construction projects through is the Capital Advance Loan Facility (CALF)
CALF funding is capital support provided to AHBs by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction, acquisition or refurbishment of new social housing units. This loan facility can support up to 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project, with the housing units provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreements. A nominal interest rate of 2% fixed per annum is charged by the local authority on the initial capital amount. Repayments on either the capital or interest are not required during the term of the loan (between 10 and 30 years), although where an AHB chooses to, repayments can be made during the term. At the end of the term, the outstanding capital amount plus the interest accrued, is owed and repayable to the local authority. The local authority issues the CALF monies to the AHB and the local authority, in turn, recoups same from my Department.
There is a housing project comprising 40 high-quality homes for social housing use, that is being progressed by the AHB, Cluid Housing, in the location referred to, working in partnership with Dublin City Council. I can confirm that my Department issued a CALF approval for this Turnkey project in January 2021. This project is nearing completion and has an indicative completion date April 2021. As with all turnkey construction projects in the current COVID 19 climate, delivery programmes and timelines are under constant review.
My Department publishes a quarterly Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report, which sets out the continuing progress being made in advancing the national local authority and AHB new-build pipeline. The latest report, setting out the position at end Q3 2020, can be accessed at the following weblink:
https://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-obrien-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-for-q3-2020-2/.
77. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected timeline for the beginning of construction on the Oscar Traynor Road site in north Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13631/21]
View answerBoth I and my Department are supportive of Dublin City Council’s (DCC) efforts to advance proposals for the Oscar Traynor Road site including funding the social homes and supporting the affordable purchase homes on the site through the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF). Officials in my Department are in ongoing engagement with the officials in the Council in this regard. However, as the Deputy is aware, ultimately it is a matter for the Council to bring forward agreed proposals and develop the site.
Exchequer funding is available from my Department through various programmes such as the Social Housing Investment Programme and SSF for any new or revised proposal, subject to submission of business cases, including design and cost plans, for review in line with the Public Spending Code and the Capital Works Management Framework.
DCC has highlighted that given the complexity and scale of the site it could take some time to develop a new agreed approach and timelines including construction commencement will not be known until that process is complete.
I am sure that the Deputy will agree that protracted delays in delivering housing on the site is a disservice to the community.
78. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when legislation relating to directly elected mayors will be published. [13633/21]
View answerFollowing Government approval at the end of January, work is being advanced as a priority in my Department to draft a general scheme which will provide for a directly elected mayor with executive functions for Limerick city and county. The general scheme will include an electoral code to facilitate the holding of mayoral elections in Limerick and provisions to allow for the holding of plebiscites in other jurisdictions in 2024 as outlined in the Programme For Government.
I intend to submit the draft general scheme to Government shortly, requesting approval to forward the general scheme to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for pre legislative scrutiny and to begin drafting a bill.
79. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the Moorhead report. [13634/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government Our Shared Future has a commitment to "implement the Moorhead Report on the Role and Remuneration of Elected Members within 12 months", with the aim of providing improved supports for councillors in fulfilling the demands of their role, thus facilitating the retention of existing councillors while also maximising the accessibility of local government to future candidates.
Over the past number of months, I have met several times with councillor representatives to listen to their views on the recommendations of the Moorhead Report.
Their feedback has been taken into consideration in the development of proposals for a reform of councillor pay. These proposals have been the subject of discussion between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the proposals agreed will be brought shortly to Govenment for approval. Changes to councillors' remuneration will then require new regulations to be given effect under section 142 of the Local Government Act 2001 with the consent of my colleague Mr Michael McGrath, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
In parallel, a working group of key stakeholders has also been established to examine the non-pay related recommendations of the Moorhead Report, to explore options for their implementation and to prepare an action plan for their delivery. The Group has met twice since February and is urgently progressing its work.
