Wednesday, 26 May 2021

Written Answers Nos. 109-136

Irish Language

Questions (109)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

109. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to tackle the decline in the Irish language. [28393/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

As the Deputy is aware, the overarching 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and the accompanying Action Plan for the Irish Language (Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022) represents state policy for the Irish language and Gaeltacht regions. The Strategy and supporting action plan have cross-departmental ownership and, accordingly, responsibility for implementation falls on a number of Government Departments, bodies and Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is responsible inter alia, for coordinating its implementation.

The Action Plan and the inaugural annual progress report published in October 2020, represent a clear overview of the 180 or so actions being advanced by c. 60 stakeholders in support of the language and Gaeltacht regions.

Undoubtedly, functioning in the shadow of the pandemic over the last year has proved challenging and this is no less the case in terms of delivery of supports in the domains of Irish language and Gaeltacht affairs.

Nonetheless, significant progress is being made and the forthcoming publication of the second progress report - covering the period from July 2019 to December 2020 - following Government approval, will set out in detail the advances that have been made on a cross-governmental and cross-sectoral basis over the period.

In terms of financial supports for the language insofar as my Department is concerned, I might also point out that an additional exchequer allocation of €14.8m was included in Budget 2021, further enabling support for the language and Gaeltacht regions - particularly in the context of the ongoing implementation of the language planning process and the Policy on Gaeltacht Education, being spearheaded by the Department of Education.

This additional allocation ultimately means that total funding in excess of €78m is being deployed by my Department in support of the Irish language and Gaeltacht regions in the current year.

An overview of measures, schemes and initiatives being undertaken in support of the language can be found on my Department's website as well as those of Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge.

Irish Language

Questions (110)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

110. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider subsidising Gaeltacht trips for students. [28394/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The Deputy may be aware that my Department, via Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, subvents the cost of attending summer college in Gaeltacht regions. Under the terms of the scheme, the Department provides a subsidy, currently worth €10 per day (equivalent to €220 per student for a three week course) which benefits over 26,000 students a year while staying in any of the c.700 Gaeltacht households approved under the scheme.

This represents a State investment of over €4m annually in support of the Irish summer colleges sector. Not only does this annual state investment yield benefits in providing language learning and enrichment opportunities to thousands of young people annually, it also generates economic benefits for Gaeltacht regions.

In addition to providing and administering this practical assistance, the Department also administers a number of further specific measures under the scheme, including: DEIS Gaeltachta . Under this measure which was introduced in 2019, 50 scholarships are made available annually - worth c. €850 each - to qualifying students attending DEIS post-primary schools. The scheme is administered on behalf of the Department by Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board.

Due to COVID-19, it was not possible to provide the scholarships last year nor indeed this year, following the recent decision not to proceed with recognised Irish summer courses, in the interests of protecting public health.

It is envisaged that the provision of scholarships under DEIS Gaeltachta will resume next year or as soon as it is safe to do so. The number of scholarships made available under the measure will of course be kept under consideration in the context of available resources and competing demands. However, it is a stated priority of mine to expand this scheme in order to increase the availability of the Gaeltacht experience to students from all socio-economic backgrounds.

In the interest of completeness, the Deputy may be interested to note that both I and my officials are continuing to engage with the summer colleges sector on foot of the decision to cancel courses this summer. The overall purpose of this engagement - which includes discussions with a representative group of Gaeltacht accommodation providers, is to tailor insofar as possible, suitable stabilisation measures with a view to ensuring the sector is on a sound footing for a full and safe return in 2022.

Tourism Industry

Questions (111)

Alan Dillon

Question:

111. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the organisations or sectors that have been appointed by Fáilte Ireland to the Tourism Recovery Taskforces (details supplied); the organisations and sectors on the Recovery Oversight Group for the tourism sector; if there is an expectation that all of these would include representatives of the restaurant and vintner sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28479/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

In line with the recommendation in the Tourism Recovery Plan, a Recovery Oversight Group was appointed in December 2020. The purpose of the Group is to oversee the implementation of the Recovery Plan produced by the Tourism Recovery Taskforce and monitor the sector’s recovery from the COVID crisis.

The Recovery Oversight Group is made up of an independent chairperson and 8 other members with a broad spectrum of backgrounds who were selected on the basis of each person's capacity to bring his/her personal knowledge, skills, experience, competence, capability, strategic leadership and ideas to the work of the group. I appointed individuals who, together, will work for the good of Irish tourism as a whole. No member of the Group was appointed to represent any particular sector. A recovery in the tourism sector will be beneficial for all businesses which depend on the sector, including pubs and restaurants.

In October 2020, I, together with the Tánaiste, Minister Varadkar, established a Hospitality and Tourism Forum to provide a platform for structured engagement between the Hospitality and Tourism sector, the tourism agencies and relevant Government Departments in light of the COVID crisis. Its purpose is to allow key issues of relevance to the sectors to be discussed, with a view to identifying practical actions which could be taken by government (national or local), or by industry itself, to support the sectors. The Forum enables the Tánaiste and I to engage with a wide spectrum of industry stakeholders in order to assess the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to help improve understanding and responses to the crisis and to discuss ideas for recovery measures, thus assisting the Government in formulating its on-going response to the crisis. The forum has met three times to date i.e. in October 2020, December 2020 and March 2021 and is hugely beneficial in helping me to understand the particular concerns of each sector within tourism and hospitality. The next meeting of this forum is scheduled for 2nd June.

Representatives from the Hospitality and Tourism sectors on the Forum include:

- Irish Hotels Federation

- Restaurants Association of Ireland

- Vintners Federation of Ireland

- Licenced Vintners Association

- Drinks Ireland

- Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers

- B&B Ireland

- Event Industry Ireland

- Irish Self Catering Federation

- Irish Tourism Industry Confederation

- Incoming Tour Operators Association

- Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland

- Association for the Visitor Experience and Attractions

- Irish Congress of Trade Union

With regard to the various local recovery taskforces referenced by the Deputy, the matter of membership/representation is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this aspect of the question to the agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Online Safety

Questions (112)

Neale Richmond

Question:

112. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has considered expanding the definition of harmful content as per the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2020 to include the dissemination of material which is intended to provoke a seizure in those with photosensitive epilepsy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28500/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill will, among other things, establish a regulatory framework for online safety to be overseen by an Online Safety Commissioner as part of a wider Media Commission. The goal of this regulatory framework will be to tackle the availability of defined categories of harmful online content through systemic oversight over how certain online services deliver and moderate the user-generated content on their platforms.

These defined categories of harmful online content include content by which a person commits a criminal offences and a number categories of potentially harmful content, these being:

- Content by which a person engages in serious cyberbullying,

- Content by which a person promotes suicide or self-harm, and,

- Content by which a person promotes behaviour associated with eating disorders.

These categories concerning potentially harmful content are carefully defined in the General Scheme to ensure that they deal with the most egregious content and respect other fundamental rights such as freedom of expression. These definitions are being refined during detailed legal drafting of the Bill by the Office of the Attorney General.

Provision is also made in the Bill for the addition of further categories of harmful online content in the future. This process will involve a proposal by the Media Commission, informed by stakeholder consultation and both Government and Oireachtas approval. The Media Commission will be tasked with keeping a close eye on emerging online harms which may be suitable to be dealt with under the regulatory framework for online safety.

The purpose of this provision is to futureproof the legislation to create a statutory process by which emerging online harms such as the issue raised by the Deputy may be examined for potential inclusion as a further category of harmful online content. This will help to avoid the need for ad-hoc primary legislation to deal with emerging harms in the future.

It's intended that the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill will be enacted this year. The Bill is undergoing detailed drafting by the Office of the Attorney General and is on the Government priority list for publication during the current legislative session, which ends in July 2021. At the same time, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht is conducting pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Bill. The timeline for this is a matter for the Committee.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (113)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

113. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the easing of restrictions on 2 June 2021 contain any provisions for music and entertainment to be permitted at social gatherings, weddings or beer gardens. [28511/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Decisions on COVID-19 public health measures are the responsibility of Government and are made by Cabinet, on foot of advice from NPHET and the Minister for Health. In line with the plan set out in The Path Ahead the Government has been implementing a limited phased easing of some restrictions through the month of May. Later this month, the Government will make further decisions which should allow for the continued phased reopening of the music and entertainment sectors for the critical summer season, as the public health situation permits.

I am committed to supporting culture and tourism through this difficult period and to working towards reopening and recovery. In this regard, the Government will soon be publishing a National Economic Recovery Plan outlining how we will help people return to work and support sectors which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

I allocated €50 million to a suite of measures to assist the live performance sector. €25m has been allocated to Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021) which has now closed for applications. Over 400 applications had been received by the closing date of 14 April. Assessment of applications to the scheme is underway and the results will be announced shortly. LPSS 2021 builds on the successful pilot Live Performance Support Scheme 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.

An allocation of €14m is being made available for the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) 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.

Under the scheme, businesses including 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. This scheme has been developed following wide consultation with the sector. It is hoped that the MEBAS will open for applications shortly.

An allocation of €5 million will 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 continue to prevent live events. This funding will be allocated shortly.

€5 million will also be made available for a scheme of capital supports for the commercial live entertainment sector.

Departmental Funding

Questions (114, 115, 116, 117, 118)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

114. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will reply to an email sent to her office (details supplied) in relation to funding discrimination against artists with disabilities; the reason she has not responded in over a month; and if she will make public her views on the matters raised in the correspondence. [28512/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

115. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will meet with a person (details supplied) to discuss the matters raised in an email of 7 April 2021. [28513/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

116. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has raised with the Minister for Social Protection the way in which the threat of losing the blind pension or disability allowance due to the inclusion of arts grants in means testing of income is preventing artists with disabilities from achieving their potential in the arts and placing them at a further disadvantage compared to artists without disabilities; if not, if she will do so; and her views on the matter. [28514/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

117. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the fact that artists with disabilities are dissuaded from applying for and accepting Arts Council grants or funding as a result of the threat to their means tested blind pension and disability allowance; and the steps she will take to correct this. [28515/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

118. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the policy of her Department to ensure artists with disabilities have full access to and participation in the funded arts and cultural life. [28516/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 to 118, inclusive, together.

I can confirm that my Department has received correspondence on this matter and my officials have made a number of enquiries in relation to the issues involved and will be responding in due course.

I wish to advise the Deputy that matters relating social assistance schemes such as Disability Allowance, are primarily for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. I also wish to advise the Deputy that my colleague, Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection addressed these matters on the 11 May 2021 and the written reply may be accessed at the following link

www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-05-11/535/#pq_535

Access to participation in arts and culture is one of the cornerstones of national cultural policy. Culture 2025 , published in January 2020, sets the direction for Government policy across the cultural sector, including the arts and the creative and audiovisual sectors. A number of key values underpin Culture 2025 including the right of everyone to participate in the cultural and creative life of the nation.

National Cultural Institutions also respond through their programmes to develop wider access including for people with disabilities. My Department will continue to work with the Council of National Cultural Institutions to encourage the development of access to all audiences.

Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts, including arts and disability, throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is independent in relation to its funding and executive decisions. The strategic context for the Arts Council’s support of arts participation and all other artforms and areas of arts practice is set out in Making Great Art Work: Arts Council Strategy (2016 –2025). This strategy describes how the Council will lead the development of the arts in Ireland over this period. This strategy has five priority areas: the artist; public engagement; investment strategy; spatial and demographic planning; and developing capacity.

The Arts Council also has specific supports for artists with disabilities. The Arts Council’s Equality, Human Rights and Diversity [EHRD] Policy builds on a range of existing Arts Council work areas, developments and policies including an Arts & Disability policy , a Cultural Diversity and the Arts policy , and a Dignity at Work policy . The policy is published on the Arts Council website and can be accessed at the following link

www.artscouncil.ie/uploadedFiles/EHRD%20Policy%20English%20version%20Final.pdf

The Deputy may wish to note that all awards and schemes operated by the Arts Council are informed by the Arts Council’s ten-year strategy (2016–25), Making Great Art Work as well as the Arts Council‘s Equality, Human Rights & Diversity Policy & Strategy and Paying the Artist .

The Arts Council also fund a number of key agencies, who have a central role in supporting these areas of work including Arts and Disability Ireland as well as Create; Age & Opportunity and Waterford Healing Arts Trust.

Question No. 115 answered with Question No. 114.

Question No. 116 answered with Question No. 114.

Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 114.

Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 114.

Swimming Pools

Questions (119)

Patrick Costello

Question:

119. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when children’s swimming lessons will resume in line with public health advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28548/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The resumption of group children's swimming lessons is a matter for consideration and decision by the Government. No decision has yet been taken in that regard.

The Government recognises the important well-being and water safety benefits of swimming generally for people of all ages. Subject to final decision and the prevailing public health situation, the Government has already indicated that individual indoor training for all age groups, for all sports and at all levels may resume from the 7th of June.

Consistent with the public health advice to adopt a cautious and gradual phased reopening over May and June, with an emphasis on outdoor activity and a moderate increase in social contact, the Government will give further consideration later this week to these matters and will make further decisions in regard to the possible further lifting of restrictions on activity indoors.

Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Questions (120)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

120. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a bhéas cinneadh déanta ag a Roinn maidir le iarratas a chur coiste tuismitheoirí scoil i Dhún na nGall isteach (sonraí tugtha) ar maoiniú faoin gClár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [28605/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Is tríd an Clár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga a chuireann mo Roinn tacaíocht airgead caiptil ar fáil chun áiseanna pobail, teanga agus caitheamh aimsire a thógáil nó a uasghrádú, nó chun trealamh áirithe a cheannach sna ceantair Ghaeltachta.

Tuigtear dom go bhfuil iarratas ón scoil atá luaite ag an Teachta i leith trealaimh á mheas faoin gClár faoi láthair i dtreo moladh ina leith a bheith curtha faoi mo bhráid go luath.

Cybersecurity Policy

Questions (121)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to upgrade the IT system in her Department and bodies under her aegis with a view to maximising the protection against hackers. [28695/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

For reasons of operational and national security it would not be appropriate to disclose details, including costs, of my Department’s cyber security arrangements, or those of the State Agencies under my remit.

Any information in relation to cyber security tools and services could assist criminals in identifying potential vulnerabilities in cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore, it is not considered appropriate to disclose any such information or make comment which could in any way compromise my Department’s cyber security.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Cybersecurity Policy

Questions (122)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if additional security measures will be taken to impede and prevent the intrusion of hackers in her Department’s IT system and to ensure an early warning system is in place which will trigger an ultimate defence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28713/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

For reasons of operational and national security it would not be appropriate to disclose details, including costs, of my Department’s cyber security arrangements, or those of the State Agencies under my remit.

Any information in relation to cyber security tools and services could assist criminals in identifying potential vulnerabilities in cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore, it is not considered appropriate to disclose any such information or make comment which could in any way compromise my Department’s cyber security.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Sports Funding

Questions (123)

Gary Gannon

Question:

123. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide the necessary funds to resurface the soccer astroturf pitch at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28779/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Under the 2018 Sports Capital Programme [SCP] conducted by my Department, Dublin City Council has been provisionally allocated a grant of €126,015 for the refurbishment of surfaces at Clontarf All Weather Sports Pitches.

Once Dublin City Council has completed its procurement process it can apply to the Department to seek formal approval for the drawdown of this grant in accordance with the terms of the programme.

Turf Cutting

Questions (124)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

124. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the planed measures being taken to prevent turf cutting on raised bogs in 2021 which are designated as special areas of conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28439/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

As the Deputy will appreciate, for reasons of operational security, my Department would not usually provide specific details in respect of planned enforcement activities. In general terms, officials of my Department routinely carry out scientific research, survey work and monitor compliance with national and European law in relation to nature conservation across the country. They conduct patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of national and EU legislation, as required, and many of these officers carry out work in more than one county. They also investigate reports of breaches of legislation including those related to turf cutting.

Ireland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. These Directives aim to ensure the protection of habitats and species which have been selected for conservation within special areas of conservation and special protection areas. Ireland's approach is to recognise the traditional right to cut turf for domestic purposes, while balancing this with our obligations under the Habitats Directive. This balanced approach is based on a respect for and understanding of that tradition, and has been carefully nurtured to build trust and work with stakeholders to save the natural heritage of Ireland's bogs.

Significant efforts have been made by the State and by turf-cutters to resolve the issue of the protection of Ireland’s raised bog special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas within the framework of the Habitats Directive. This has included the establishment of the Peatlands Council, intensive and on-going engagement with turf cutting interests, the farming community, non-governmental organisations and with the European Commission, as well as the establishment of a long-term compensation scheme for affected turf cutters.

The National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017–2022 sets out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed, conserved and restored and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed. This plan, as well as the National Peatlands Strategy, recognizes that domestic turf cutters have a traditional right to cut turf and that this right is balanced with the conservation objectives for designated raised bogs and the legal obligations on the State.

Planning Issues

Questions (125)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

125. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the May 2021 Regulation of Commercial Institutional Investment in Housing guidelines for Planning Authorities only apply to houses and duplexes in low density developments; if so, the level at which the density is set; if houses and duplexes in high density densities will be covered by these guidelines; and the way units of accommodation will be treated in cases in which houses, duplexes and apartments are all part of the one physical structure. [28441/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department last week issued guidelines to planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), in relation to the Restriction of Commercial Institutional Investment in Housing.

The guidelines define what is meant by a house or duplex unit, for the purposes of the guidance:

a. A house, defined as not including a building designed for use or used as two or more dwellings or a flat, an apartment or other dwelling within such a building,

and,

b. A duplex unit, defined as a dwelling within a building designed for use as two individual dwellings and/or on one shared plot, with separate entrances.

These guidelines apply to all developments with 5 or more houses and/or duplexes, irrespective of density. In the normal course of events, houses, duplexes and apartments are identified at planning application stage as part of any planning application for residential development. This must set out on the application form and all drawings and public notices. The application is then considered by the planning authority and/or An Bord Pleanála and assessed on the merits of the proposal.

Homeless Persons Supports

Questions (126, 127, 128, 140)

Alan Kelly

Question:

126. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a report on the large increase in the number of deaths of persons that are either sleeping rough or are in contact with homeless services which was being compiled in conjunction with the HSE and which was due for publication in March 2021 has still not been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28464/21]

Alan Kelly

Question:

127. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons that were either sleeping rough or in contact with homeless services that have died in each of the past five years. [28465/21]

Alan Kelly

Question:

128. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the fact that the number of deaths of persons that were either sleeping rough or in contact with homeless services increased from 38 in 2018 to 79 in 2020; the measures he has taken to improve the health and welfare of those that are homeless and sleeping rough; his plans to address this very serious issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28466/21]

Duncan Smith

Question:

140. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address matters relating to the 45 homeless deaths that have occurred to date in 2021; his plans to address shortcomings in the homeless service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28754/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

There have been a number of deaths, in recent months, of people who had been sleeping rough or accessing homeless services. Each of these deaths is a tragedy and I extend my sympathies to the families concerned. The deaths of people availing of homeless services are a concern and are being taken very seriously. It is important that we establish the facts concerning the circumstances involved, and that we base our response on the best knowledge and evidence available. In order to better understand the issue, two separate pieces of research are being undertaken, each with a different focus.

A review of homeless deaths is being undertaken on behalf of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) by Dr Austin O’Carroll, the HSE appointed Clinical Lead for Covid-19 and Homelessness in Dublin. The review, which the DRHE has indicated is due for completion imminently, aims to analyse the data concerning deaths in homeless services for 2020 to aid our understanding and identify learning for homeless and health services that could help tailor the provision of care to homeless people.

While the information requested in respect of the number of deaths of homeless service users is not compiled in my Department, a separate feasibility study on data collection of homeless deaths nationally is being undertaken by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department of Health. This is due to be completed by the end of 2021. The research is applying the methodology used to compile the National Drug Related Deaths Index, which is a census of drug-related deaths and deaths among drug users and those who are alcohol dependent in Ireland. The data collection for 2019 deaths, including deaths among people who were homeless, is reviewing approximately 17,000 files from all Coroner districts.

It is vital that we continue to deliver the appropriate measures to ensure that all individuals experiencing homelessness are supported to exit into permanent housing solutions and that those with complex health and mental health needs are provided with the supports they need. My Department is working closely with the Department of Health, the HSE and local authorities in respect of these issues.

The Programme for Government includes measures targeted specifically at those experiencing homelessness with complex needs. It commits to the continued expansion of Housing First, and, importantly, ensuring that health and mental health supports are provided. The provision of addiction and mental health supports has featured prominently in meetings of the High Level Homelessness Task Force that I established and in my regular interactions with the Minister for Health. The issue of deaths in homeless services has also been discussed at the Task Force.

Engaging with rough sleepers is vital. This engagement is first and foremost to encourage those rough sleeping to avail of shelter. But critically, it also allows their health needs to be assessed and provided for.

Disability Services

Questions (129)

Seán Fleming

Question:

129. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a person (details supplied) will receive access to Granstown Lake, County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28484/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department has already accommodated access for this individual, in so far as is practicable. The paths and fishing stands in Grantstown are designed to Universal Access Standards. The site in question is also, as far as practicable, physically accessible to all. In addition my Department has offered access to the lake via the vehicular gate on an appointment basis to this individual.

Defective Building Materials

Questions (130)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

130. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter regarding the Mayo pyrite and Donegal MICA issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28546/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 came in to operation on 31 January 2020 and the resulting Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme has only been open for applications since the end of June last year.

The scheme design was informed by the comprehensive work of an Expert Panel and the current maximum grant amounts payable under the various options in the scheme were finalised in close consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This process was also informed by extensive engagement between my Department and both Donegal and Mayo County Councils.

The scheme needs time to work and it is premature to consider making changes at this point. I am keeping progress under the scheme under review and engaging directly with both local authorities and local action groups on the matter.

Insurance Industry

Questions (131)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

131. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address borrowers availing of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan paying over the odds for mortgage protection insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28560/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The local authority mortgage protection insurance (MPI) scheme has applied to all house purchase loans approved by local authorities after 1 July 1986, including the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan introduced on 1 February 2018.

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 this condition would have a negative impact on the scheme 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.

The scheme is subject to periodic review and competitive tendering in accordance with the terms of EU Directives relating to the award of public service contracts. This is to ensure that the most appropriate cover at the best value for money is secured for local authority borrowers over the entire life of their mortgages.

The most recent public procurement competition for the provision and administration of this MPI scheme was conducted by the Office of Government Procurement. The contract resulting from this open tender competition came into effect from 1 January 2017 and is due to expire on 31 December 2021.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (132, 133)

Denis Naughten

Question:

132. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the membership of the Advisory Group on Town Centres First; the dates of meetings to date and planned; the way the membership of the group was selected; if minutes of the meetings of the group will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28564/21]

Denis Naughten

Question:

133. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the membership of the Interdepartmental Group on Town Centres First; the section in each Department that is represented on the Group; the date of meetings held to date; the Cabinet committee the group reports to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28565/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.

Our towns and villages require specific policy supports to ensure that they continue to function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live and work, to raise families, to act as the service, cultural and recreational hub for the surrounding areas, and to facilitate social and community interaction. In this context, the Programme for Government (PFG) committed to the development of a Town Centre First (TCF) policy. With a view to giving effect to this commitment and the actions outlined in the PFG, a TCF Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) was established in November 2020 to consider the regeneration of our towns and villages. The IDG is jointly chaired by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD). The IDG has met three times since its inaugural meeting in November and will meet again later this week. The aim is that the IDG will provide recommendations for consideration by Government in June. It is envisaged that recommendations will cover the short, medium and longer-term out to 2040, to align with Project Ireland 2040. It would be premature for the IDG to report to any sub-committee pending further development and finalisation of their work.

The Departments represented on the IDG are attached in Appendix 1, with members having been nominated by the relevant Secretaries General and notified to DRCD in their capacity as secretariat to the group.

Appendix A

In parallel with the IDG, a Town Centre First Advisory Group was also established to enable the experiences of a broader group of stakeholders to be brought to bear in informing the process of policy development, and to support the work of the IDG. The Group comprises individual representatives from a broad range of sectors to ensure effective and diverse representation with the capacity and experience to contribute in a meaningful way to the preparation and implementation of a practical TCF framework.

The Advisory Group has met twice to date and a further meeting is anticipated, following the next IDG scheduled later this week. The work of the Advisory Group has been advanced primarily through written submissions and bi-lateral meetings with the co-chairs of the IDG and also the chairs of three IDG working groups that were also established to further inform and underpin the work of the Advisory Group and the IDG. A list of the bodies represented on the Advisory Group is also attached in Appendix 1 and the minutes of the meetings of the Advisory Group are provided in Appendix 2.

Appendix B

There is general consensus among all the groups that there is no one solution or issue that can or should be addressed in isolation but rather that a TCF framework should be holistic and capable of being tailored to address the individual needs, size and characteristics of a town. Until such time as this work is further progressed and measures developed and agreed, it would be premature to comment further on specific proposals being considered.

Question No. 133 answered with Question No. 132.

Local Authorities

Questions (134)

Denis Naughten

Question:

134. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the gender breakdown of the senior officials responsible for planning in all local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28566/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organization arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. In this regard, the assignment of local authority staff to a particular function, such as planning, is a matter for the Chief Executive.

My Department is responsible for workforce planning for the local government sector, including monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers quarterly data on staff numbers in local authorities; however, the data gathered does not provide details in terms of the number and gender of officers with responsibility for planning employed nationally by local authorities. Accordingly, the information requested is not available in my Department.

Building Regulations

Questions (135)

Duncan Smith

Question:

135. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position with regard to the provision of so-called changing place toilet facilities in Ireland; the number of times the group set up by him has met; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28619/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Building Regulations 1997-2019 set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around such buildings. They are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation.

Part M of the Building Regulations deals with Access and Use. The associated Technical Guidance Document M provides guidance indicating how the requirements of Part M can be achieved in practice. Where works are carried out in accordance with TGD M, this will, prima facie , indicate compliance with Part M of the Second Schedule of the Building Regulations.

Part M of the Building Regulations aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. While the Part M requirements may be regarded as a statutory minimum level of provision, the accompanying technical guidance encourages building owners and designers to have regard to the design philosophy of universal design and to consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate.

In December 2020, my Department established a Working Group to examine the provision for a changing places toilet in certain buildings. A changing places toilet offers larger supported facilities that address the needs of people for whom current accessible sanitary accommodation is inadequate. These facilities enable people with complex care needs to take part in everyday activities such as travel, shopping, family days out or attending a sporting event.

The plenary Working Group has met four times to date, in addition to a number of sub-group meetings. Draft documentation, which includes Draft Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2021, Draft Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use 2021 and a Regulatory Impact Analysis, is currently being prepared to support a public consultation in the matter later this year.

Housing Issues

Questions (136)

Duncan Smith

Question:

136. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to voluntary housing bodies which have sold their stock on to their former tenants once all statutory obligations including mortgage repayments were completed; the details of these transactions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28625/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

To date my Department has not been made aware of voluntary housing bodies, also known as an Approved Housing Bodies (AHB), selling units to their former tenants once all statutory obligations have been completed.

My Department cannot unilaterally make provision for the sale of AHB homes to their tenants as the ownership of these properties remains with the AHB. If an AHB is in receipt of funding under a scheme for the provision of social housing, they must comply with the terms and conditions of that scheme. Under such schemes, the AHB is required to make the property available for social renting for the duration of the mortgage or, as the case may be, the availability agreement.

On expiry of the mortgage period and subject to compliance with the terms of the funding agreement, the AHB becomes the owner of the property. In accordance with Departmental Circular 19/2014, local authorities are requested to notify my Department on release of all mortgage charges to AHBs within their area.

If a property is owned outright by an AHB and it is not subject to public funding, the AHB may choose to sell that property, once this is allowed for in their constitution. It should be noted that AHBs must have, as their primary objectives, the relief of housing needs, and the provision and management of housing included within their memorandum of association or registered rules, as the case may be. The vast majority of AHBs are registered charities and, as such, they must also comply with the provisions of the Charities Acts in relation to the sale of charitable assets.