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Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Written Answers Nos. 363-383

Hen Harriers

Questions (364)

Seán Canney

Question:

364. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the hen harrier threat response plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25517/21]

View answer

Written answers

The final meetings of the inter-departmental group to review the draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan took place last week. A number of revisions are now being made to the draft Plan to reflect the outcome of discussions at these meetings.

Once the final draft Plan has been revised, and agreed by the group, a publication date will be decided on.

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Questions (365)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

365. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of compulsory purchase orders that were initiated in each local authority in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; the number that were completed; the number of units that were brought back into use; the average cost of purchase and renovation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25524/21]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy is not collected by my Department. The approval or confirmation of proposals for the compulsory purchase of land or property by statutory authorities is a matter for An Bord Pleanala.

Local authorities are encouraged to adopt a proactive approach in utilising their available legislative powers for compulsory purchase, where necessary, with the aim of bringing the greatest number of recoverable long term vacant dwellings back into use. In many cases, however, the use of CPO powers is not necessary as agreement to purchase can be reached between the local authority and the property owner.

In the event that the Deputy wishes to obtain further information on CPOs from An Bord Pleanála, arrangements have been put in place by each Agency under the remit of my Department, including An Bord Pleanála, to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála is oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.

Housing Schemes

Questions (366)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

366. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason his Department is not putting pressure on an association (details supplied) to develop or renovate the ground floor of a building in County Donegal to be used for council tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25525/21]

View answer

Written answers

I understand from Donegal County Council that the housing project referred to by the Deputy, was developed by Respond Housing Association and provides 21 apartments for older people.  I also understand that some accommodation that was planned by the Housing Association as a 'Group Home' within the overall development, requires some additional work to make it fit for purpose.

My Department has requested Donegal County Council, which holds the mortgage on the property, to obtain proposals from the Housing Association as to how the available space can be brought into full use for social housing.  I look forward to the Council and the Housing Association identifying a way forward to make full use of the facility over and above the 21 apartments already provided.

The oversight of social housing provision in any area is the responsibility of the relevant local authority which has statutory responsibility for these matters and holds the mortgage for such Housing Associations developments.

Housing Schemes

Questions (367)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

367. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason his Department is not putting pressure on an association (details supplied) to put tenants in a housing development at a location in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25526/21]

View answer

Written answers

The oversight of social housing provision in any area is the responsibility of the relevant local authority which has statutory responsibility for these matters.  This responsibility includes housing provided in the operational area of a local authority by an Approved Housing Body (AHB), as the local authority will hold the mortgage for such AHB housing.  Local authorities have continuous contacts with the AHBs operating in their areas and the tenanting of social homes would be a key focus of those contacts.

I understand from Donegal County Council that the housing project referred to by the Deputy, was developed by Cluid Housing Association and there are 53 social homes involved, 37 houses and a 16 unit apartment block.  I further understand that some of the apartments were leased to the HSE who more recently, have not renewed the lease on a number of the units in the apartment block.

Where an AHB has constructed housing, the responsibility for management and maintenance of the housing is a matter for them in conjunction with the local authority.  I understand that in this case, the AHB has indicated to Donegal County Council that they need to remediate some of the housing units and my Department is very keen to see a proposal from the AHB and the Council in this regard, so the housing units can be returned to use.

Rights of Way

Questions (368)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

368. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide clarification regarding an extension for rights of way in relation to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25562/21]

View answer

Written answers

There appears to be a misapprehension regarding the dates for registering rights of ways acquired by prescription on foot of amendments made by Parts 12 and 13 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 to the provisions relating to acquisition of easements and profits by prescription contained in Part 8 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009.  

I understand from the Property Registration Authority (PRA) that the following is the position: 

1.  The extension of the transitional period originally prescribed by Section 38(b) of the 2009 Act (3 years) by the aforementioned 2011 Act (extending the period to 12 years) relates simply to the period when a claim to a prescriptive right can be made by reliance on the 'old' law replaced by the 2009 Act.  From 2021, reliance must be made on the 'new' law introduced by the 2009 Act; in particular, reliance must be made on the new single and shorter period of 12 years.  There is no question of a cut-off point occurring in 2021 when a claim to a prescriptive right can no longer be made.  All that changes in 2021 is the basis on which the prescriptive right can be claimed.

2.  The new procedure for registration of a prescriptive right introduced by Section 41 of the 2011 Act is not subject to a time limit.  It is a permanent procedure and, in particular, does not cease to be available in 2021.  The only change which occurs in 2021 is the basis on which an application must be made to the PRA.  As pointed out in (1) above, from 2021, the application will have to be grounded on the 'new' law introduced by the 2009 Act and reliance on the 'old' law repealed by that Act will cease to be possible.

This procedure is only for easements (including rights of way) acquired by prescription.  If all parties agree to the registration of an easement, an application should be made by lodging the appropriate Deed of Grant.

Finally, a Practice Direction Easements and Profits à Prendre Acquired by Prescription under Section 49A and an informational video are available on the PRA’s website (www.prai.ie) that cover the process relating to the registration of prescriptive easements.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (369)

Niall Collins

Question:

369. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review correspondence from a person (details supplied) in view of recent building materials price increases; if further consideration will be given to the request.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25605/21]

View answer

Written answers

Changes in relation to building material costs are monitored and recorded by the Central Statistics Office (Wholesale Price Index for Building & Construction Materials). Issues relating to increases in construction costs generally and measures to address such issues, are matters for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, whose Department convenes the Construction Sector Group to support regular and open dialogue between Government and industry on how best to achieve and maintain a sustainable and innovative construction sector positioned to successfully deliver on the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.

Given my own Department’s role in relation to public housing, we of course are concerned with regard to construction costs and recognise that significant material cost increases can result in increased tender costs. In this regard, we continually monitor tender cost trends through ongoing engagement with colleagues in local authorities and through engagement with other Departments and the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland.  My Department continues to work with each local authority to ensure that projects are developed and progressed in a cost effective manner.

In relation to the specific project mentioned, it is primarily one for resolution between the developer and the local authority concerned. I understand that the Council and the developer are currently in discussions on this matter.

Water Services

Questions (370)

Verona Murphy

Question:

370. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of funding for a sewerage scheme (details supplied) in County Wexford; when works will begin on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25682/21]

View answer

Written answers

The proposed project referred to in the question has been approved for funding under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021.

My Department received a submission from the local authority on the proposed project on 23 April last. The submission will be examined and a reply made to the local authority as quickly as possible.

National Monuments

Questions (371)

Bríd Smith

Question:

371. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his officials along with Dublin City Council officials and representatives of a company (details supplied) have supported a number of proposals for the development of Moore Street; the actions he has taken to support such proposals; the details of meetings between his officials and others in relation to the Moore Street development including those conducted with representatives of the company and with a group; if such proposals are separate to a possible compensation package being discussed by the group in preparation of its recent report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25684/21]

View answer

Written answers

I refer to the reply to Question No. 77 on 5 May 2021.

My Department has provided the administrative and logistical supports required to facilitate the operation and deliberations of the Moore Street Advisory Group and its predecessor. My Department has engaged as necessary with relevant parties in that context and also in the course of its role in relation to the 1916 national monument site and any matters relating to its protection, management, maintenance and development into the future.

As a member of the Moore Street Advisory Group, the Deputy will be aware that its recent final report has recommended the establishment of a compensation fund for street traders on the basis that the Advisory Group has accepted that there is no agreed location where the traders could continue to operate normally while regeneration works were in progress on Moore Street.  Insofar as works to be undertaken by my own Department are concerned, the Group's report also supports the proposals put forward by the Irish Heritage Trust for the conservation and presentation of the national monument buildings at Nos. 14 - 17 Moore Street and the creation of new visitor and reception facilities to the rear. These proposals will be fully considered by my Department and the Office of Public Works in determining the best solution for the national monument site.

Local Authorities

Questions (372)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

372. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views regarding the recent rent increase in council houses in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25704/21]

View answer

Written answers

The right of local authorities to set and collect rents on their dwellings is laid down in section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.  The making or amending of such schemes is an executive function and is subject to broad principles set out by the Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay.

Local discretion and flexibility are inherent in the devolved function of administering rent schemes.  Decisions regarding the increase or decrease in the rent charged to local authority tenants are matters for the individual authority, in this case Limerick City and County Council.

The Programme for Government commits to bringing forward a package of social housing reforms, which includes standardising the differential rents regime across the country to ensure fairness.  Work on the review of the current rent schemes has been ongoing and I have asked my Department to prepare recommendations regarding the potential for a standardised local authority rents system, which I will consider in due course as part of a package of social housing reforms. 

Local Authorities

Questions (373)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

373. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons on local authority housing waiting lists nationally and by local authority. [25706/21]

View answer

Written answers

Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area are provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).

The most recent summary, conducted in November 2020, shows that 61,880 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 6,813 households or 9.9% on the last assessment in June 2019. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 61,880, a reduction of 32.4%.

Below is the link to the summary report for 2020 which includes breakdowns by each local authority across a range of categories. 

It should be noted that the SSHA is a point in time snapshot of the demand for social housing support in each local authority area and does not necessarily reflect the dynamic nature of entry to and exit from the housing waiting lists.

2020 Report

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/970ea-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2020-key-findings/ 

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (374, 375)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

374. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount paid out by local authorities in HAP in each of the years 2015 to 2020, nationally and by local authority. [25707/21]

View answer

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

375. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of HAP tenancies in each of the years 2015 to 2020, nationally and by local authority. [25708/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is available to all eligible households throughout the State. At end Q4 2020 there were nearly 60,000 households in receipt of HAP and over 33,520 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.

In respect of the provision of HAP funding, Limerick City and County Council provides a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities.  This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord.  Accordingly, my Department does not recoup individual local authorities in respect of HAP rental payments in their administrative areas but, rather, recoups all landlord costs via the HAP SSC.

Data in relation to the number of active HAP tenancies and funding provided by the State in 2019 and 2020, broken down by local authority area, can be found on my Department's website at this link:

https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#housing-assistance-payment

This funding represents the portion paid by my Department after receipt of the differential rent which is paid by the tenant to the local authority. It does not include administration costs related to the Scheme.

The overall cost of supporting the HAP Scheme to the Exchequer for the period 2015-2020 is outlined in the table below:

Year

Additional   Households supported at end of year

No. of LAs   operating HAP Scheme

Outturn €M

2015

5,680

18

15.64

2016

12,075

28

57.69

2017

17,916

31

152.69

2018

17,926

31

276.6

2019

17,025

31

382.4

2020

15,885

31

464.6

The table below shows the number of households who were in receipt of HAP support from 2015 to 2018, broken down by local authority.

Local   Authority

Active HAP   Tenancies @ Q4 2015

Active HAP   Tenancies @ Q4 2016

Active HAP   Tenancies @ Q4 2017

Active HAP   Tenancies @ Q4 2018

Carlow County   Council

                             106

                             435

                             581

                             706

Cavan County   Council

 

 

                             131

                             275

Clare County   Council

                             236

                             955

                          1,193

                          1,335

Cork City   Council

                             111

                             984

                          1,625

                          2,063

Cork County   Council

                             900

                          1,774

                          2,647

                          3,339

Donegal County   Council

                             492

                          1,317

                          1,627

                          1,729

Dublin City   Council

                               56

                             831

                          3,429

                          6,331

Dun   Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council

 

 

                             165

                             388

Fingal County   Council

 

 

                             488

                          1,286

Galway City   Council

 

                             332

                             919

                          1,351

Galway County   Council

                                 7

                             379

                             728

                             981

Kerry County   Council

 

                                 7

                             427

                             898

Kildare County   Council

                               32

                             786

                          1,436

                          1,892

Kilkenny   County Council

                             498

                             717

                             836

                             869

Laois County   Council

 

 

                             316

                             657

Leitrim County   Council

 

                                 3

                                95

                             208

Limerick City   & County Council

                          1,056

                          1,526

                          1,948

                          2,175

Longford   County Council

 

                                 1

                             128

                             291

Louth County   Council

                             641

                          1,232

                          1,969

                          2,643

Mayo County   Council

                               18

                             402

                             817

                          1,120

Meath County   Council

                               14

                             485

                          1,220

                          1,740

Monaghan   County Council

                             176

                             305

                             437

                             530

Offaly County   Council

                               95

                             302

                             684

                             845

Roscommon   County Council

 

 

                             171

                             354

Sligo County   Council

                                 9

                             203

                             467

                             648

Sth Dublin   County Council

                             563

                          1,468

                          2,180

                          2,605

Tipperary   County Council

                             188

                          1,018

                          1,633

                          1,767

Waterford City   & County Council

                             655

                          1,027

                          1,605

                          1,833

Westmeath   County Council

 

 

                             366

                             656

Wexford County   Council

 

                                 1

                             536

                          1,020

Wicklow County   Council

 

                                 3

                             424

                             908

Total

                          5,853

                       16,493

                        31,228

                        43,443

Question No. 375 answered with Question No. 374.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (376)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

376. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households in receipt of private rent subsidies including HAP nationally and by county. [25709/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. In order for a household to qualify for HAP, they must first be assessed as eligible for social housing support by their local authority. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP and those households must source their own accommodation in the private rental sector.

The table below shows the number of households at the end of 2020, broken down by local authority, who are in receipt of HAP support.

Local Authority

Total Active HAP Tenancies

Carlow  County Council

743

Cavan County Council

429

Clare County Council

1,423

Cork City Council

3,133

Cork County Council

3,722

Donegal County Council

1,833

Dublin City Council

4,863

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

735

Fingal County Council

2,089

Galway City Council

1,951

Galway County Council

1,428

Kerry County Council

1,623

Kildare County Council

2,398

Kilkenny County Council

854

Laois County Council

982

Leitrim   County Council

293

Limerick City & County Council

2,442

Longford County Council

379

Louth County Council

3,280

Mayo County Council

1,356

Meath County Council

2,275

Monaghan County Council

628

Offaly County Council

877

Roscommon County Council

468

Sligo County Council

831

South Dublin County Council

2,936

Tipperary County Council

1,868

Waterford City & County Council

2,127

Westmeath County Council

1,014

Wexford County Council

1,613

Wicklow County Council

1,668

Subtotal

52,261

 

 

Dublin Regional Homeless Executive*

7,560

Grand Total

59,821

*The DRHE is operating the HAP Homeless Place Finder Service on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities.  

The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) has been an important contributor to social housing supply since its introduction in 2005 and has placed responsibility on local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of people in receipt of Rent Supplement for 18 months or longer, and who are assessed as having a long-term housing need.  RAS has provided a more structured, accommodation-based approach to the use of the private rented sector to meet long-term housing need, thereby eliminating dependence on temporary income support payments through Rent Supplement. The scheme is delivered by local authorities who source accommodation from both the private market and Approved Housing Bodies. 

Details of the number of households in the private market in receipt of the RAS scheme at end 2020, broken down by local authority, is set out in the table below:

Local Authority

Private RAS Tenancies

Carlow County Council

389

Cavan County Council

410

Clare County Council

216

Cork City Council

590

Cork County Council

428

Donegal County Council

209

Dublin City Council

872

Dublin South County Council

859

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

269

Fingal County Council

531

Galway City Council

186

Galway County Council

165

Kerry County Council

747

Kildare County Council

357

Kilkenny County Council

443

Laois County Council

96

Leitrim County Council

77

Limerick City and County Council

792

Longford County Council

150

Louth County Council

27

Mayo County Council

558

Meath County Council

255

Monaghan County Council

81

Offaly County Council

105

Roscommon County Council

282

Sligo County Council

348

Tipperary County Council

833

Waterford City & County Council

347

Westmeath County Council

523

Wexford County Council

432

Wicklow County Council

280

 Total

11,857

RAS and HAP continue to be effective and secure forms of social housing support, and remain a significant part of the suite of social housing options currently available to those who are assessed as being in need of housing support.

Responsibility for the Rent Supplement Scheme falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.

Housing Provision

Questions (377)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

377. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of restrictions and lockdowns in terms of social housing not built and private properties not built since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25710/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Government’s public health response to COVID has involved restrictions on construction activity in both 2020 and 2021.

In 2020, construction activity ceased for a seven-week period from 28 March to 18 May, although certain designated social housing projects were allowed to continue.  In 2021, public health restrictions required most residential construction to stop from 8 January to 12 April, again with provision for certain designated social housing projects to continue.

The restrictions on construction activity has naturally impacted on output.  In 2020, CSO data shows that there were 20,676 new dwelling completions, which represented a reduction of 2% on 2019 output.  Social housing delivery was also impacted with a total of 7,827 social homes delivered in 2020, approximately 70% of the target.  In 2021, there was a longer period of restrictions, which will impact on housing delivery. However, it is too early to say what the overall impact will be. In respect of social housing, I have asked local authorities to engage with developers, contractors and their AHB delivery partners to take all possible measures to maximise delivery in 2021.

Housing Provision

Questions (378)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

378. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social houses built in Ireland in each of the years 2010 to 2020, nationally and by county. [25711/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on social housing delivery activity. This data includes details on the number of social houses built between 2010 - 2020 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/

Since 2016, in addition to the statistical overview of activity in each local authority, the Social Housing Construction Status Report is published each quarter which provides scheme level detail on new build activity in each local authority. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Q4 2020 and is available at the following link: https://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-obrien-publishes-2020-social-housing-statistics/

Sustainable Development Goals

Questions (379, 380)

Holly Cairns

Question:

379. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made to include reference in all new statements of strategy to all sustainable development goal targets for which his Department has lead responsibility as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25752/21]

View answer

Holly Cairns

Question:

380. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific sustainable development goal targets his Department is responsible for implementing; the progress made in implementing those targets since 26 April 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25770/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together.

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments.

Overall political oversight for national SDG implementation is provided through the Cabinet, with each Minister having specific responsibility for implementing individual SDG targets related to their Ministerial functions. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) has responsibility for promoting the SDGs, and for overseeing their coherent implementation across Government.

The first National Implementation Plan (2018-2020), published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs both domestically and internationally. The Goals are mainstreamed in domestic policy and the governance structure reflects a whole-of-government approach and ensures coordination and coherence, in particular where goals cover areas of shared responsibility.

19 Actions were included in the first National Implementation Plan. Action 4 of the plan set out a commitment to include reference in all new Statements of Strategy to the SDG targets for which a Department has lead responsibility.

The development of the next SDG Implementation Plan has commenced, with the intention of publication later this year. A National Progress report will be incorporated into the Plan and will assess progress on the 19 Actions, including the commitment set out under Action 4.

My Department recently published its Statement of Strategy 2021-2025 and in addition to including relevant actions in the body of the document, it also provided a clear link to the SDG goals by making explicit reference to them in the context-setting section dedicated to the Department's Mission, Values and Goals.

The Statement of Strategy is available on the Department's website at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/9a047-statement-of-strategy-2021-2025/ 

An important element of the first National Implementation Plan is the SDG Policy Map and Matrix, which identified the lead and stakeholder Departments for each of the Goals and targets and also mapped national sectoral policies against the 17 SDGs and all 169 related targets, in order to identify which policies were most relevant to which SDGs and their associated targets.

The SDG Policy Map and Matrix enhances the ability of stakeholders to track Ireland’s implementation of specific SDGs and associated targets, and to assess Ireland’s response to the SDGs for potential policy gaps. It also supports and enhances cross-Government engagement in implementing each of the Goals and Targets. This policy map has recently been updated and is available online at gov.ie.

My Department has responsibility for leading implementation on:

- SDG 6 'Clean Water and Sanitation' with input from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; 

- SDG 14 ‘Life Below Water’, with input from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Foreign Affairs;

- SDG 15 ‘Life on Land’, with input from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Progress on these Goals is provided in Table 1 attached.

My Department has input into SDG 1 ‘No Poverty’ and SDG 11 ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities’, and SDG 17 ‘Partnerships for the Goals’; however does not lead on the implementation of these goals.

Table

Question No. 380 answered with Question No. 379.

Social Media

Questions (381, 382, 402)

Holly Cairns

Question:

381. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged a third-party company to date in 2021 to conduct online and or social media monitoring and or provide reports on social media coverage of his Department; if so, the cost of same; and the name of the social media platforms being monitored. [25788/21]

View answer

Holly Cairns

Question:

382. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if officials in his Department are tasked with conducting online and social media monitoring and completing reports on social media coverage of his Department and his Ministerial activities; if so, the number of staff involved; the respective grades of each; the estimated working hours committed to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25806/21]

View answer

Holly Cairns

Question:

402. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the percentage of posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts and platforms that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; the percentage of posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts and platforms that featured bilingual translations in Irish and English between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26584/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 381, 382 and 402 together.

My Department has not engaged a third-party company to conduct online and/or social media monitoring or to provide reports on social media coverage. My Department's social media channels are managed by officials within the Communications Unit. Content posted on those channels is monitored in order to measure its efficacy in terms of reach and public engagement. 

My Department’s Communications Unit produces reports for senior management which highlight the departmental social media content that achieved the largest reach. These reports are compiled by an official, who could be at EO, HEO or AO grade, depending on other work on hand, as part of their normal duties and are estimated to represent approximately 2-3 days of work per annum. Met Éireann, which is a division of my Department, provide social media reports as part of this process. This involves 1 staff member at Senior Met Officer / Higher Executive Grade and estimated working hours is approximately one day per annum.

My Department does not monitor or compile reports on general social media coverage of Department or Ministerial activities. 

The primary means used by my Department’s for communicating information to the public is through press releases with social media largely used as a means of directing people to the news updates on our website.

Under its Irish Language Scheme 2020-2023, my Department will increase to 30% the number of press releases published bilingually during the lifetime of the Scheme. The percentage of social media posts in Irish on my Department’s channels will also increase from its current level of approximately 1%. The number of social media posts featuring bilingual translations on Met Éireann’s channels is approximately 5%, increasing to around 30% during Seachtain na Gaeilge.  

Question No. 382 answered with Question No. 381.

Departmental Investigations

Questions (383)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

383. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he and bodies under his aegis have engaged private investigation companies or persons in the past three years to date; and if so, the cost, duration and purpose of these engagements of this type of contractor. [25828/21]

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Written answers

My Department has engaged one private investigation company in the past three years.

In July 2019, a contract was put in place with a company for the provision of services related to the receipt and investigation of protected disclosures.  In the event, the services were not required and were never drawn down so no costs were incurred.

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

Bodies

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