Thursday, 24 Jun 2021

Written Answers Nos. 208-222

Tourism Promotion

Questions (208)

Robert Troy

Question:

208. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when a tourist information office will reopen in Mullingar, County Westmeath. [33969/21]

Written answers

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

The management of Tourist Information Offices is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland, for direct reply. 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

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (209)

Duncan Smith

Question:

209. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to issues surrounding the definition of a sporting event during the current Covid-19 measures (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33983/21]

Written answers

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

In line with the Government-approved “Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19” organised outdoor gatherings are limited to 15 participants, with different restrictions applying to organised sporting events. Sporting events are defined in the relevant public health regulations, S.I. No. 217/2021 - Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, as amended. Per section 2 of the regulations, the exemption from restrictions on sporting events only applies to those being held under the auspices of a National Governing Body recognised and supported by Sport Ireland, or a school, university or higher education institution.

Our recognised NGBs have done excellent work to develop and implement protocols for the safe return to training and competition, with guidance from Sport Ireland and the Expert Group on Return to Sport established by my Department. The detailed and comprehensive protocols applied for sports training and competition are aligned with international best practice, and informed by experience. It is regrettable that at this time, it is not possible to permit a broader return to mass events, but the current restrictions are clear that matches and competitive sporting events are not permitted except for those governed and overseen by recognised NGBs.

As the summer goes on and the vaccination rollout continues the restrictions we must operate under will lessen, and I expect that a larger number and range of events will be possible in due course.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (210)

Richard Bruton

Question:

210. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason a company (details supplied) in the events sector has not been able to obtain a grant; and if there will be further opportunities for the company. [34001/21]

Written answers

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

I allocated €50 million in 2021 to a suite of measures to assist the arts and culture sector. As part of that funding, on Tuesday June 15th I announced the allocations for the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021). I was delighted to be in a position to fund 237 successful applications under this scheme, the details of which are available on my Department’s website. There was a very high level of interest in this scheme, with over 400 applications requesting funding in excess of €80 million. Given the available funding of €25 million, difficult decisions had to be made and it was not possible to award grants to everyone who applied. The 237 grants awarded will help support employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public.

Officials in my Department are engaging with applicants in relation to queries regarding the outcome of their Live Performance Support Scheme application. Information in relation to the appeals process for this scheme is available on my Department's website here - www.gov.ie/en/service/ca5d7-live-performance-support-scheme-2021/.

I have also made an allocation of €14m 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. The main features of this new scheme will see support offered by way of three levels of flat payments:

- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €50,000 with minimum business costs of €3,000 incurred from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.

- €4,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €50,001- €100,000 with minimum business costs of €6,000 from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.

- €5,000 for businesses with VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000 with minimum business costs of €7,500 from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.

Under the scheme, self employed businesses including musicians, singers, lighting and sound crew and audio equipment suppliers operating exclusively within the commercial live entertainment sector are eligible to apply. Applications may be made via the MEBAS application portal on my Department’s website.

In addition, I have announced an additional €11.5m for a new Events Sector Covid Support Scheme which I hope to launch soon. This scheme will target SMEs in the events sector which aren’t eligible for the CRSS and for whom MEBAS and the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19 will not make a significant contribution to fixed costs relative to the level of support that that would be available under CRSS, had such SMEs been eligible for that support.

Tourism Funding

Questions (211)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

211. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has been in contact with tourism groups regarding supplementary funding for a scheme (details supplied). [34165/21]

Written answers

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

The Government’s recently announced Economic Recovery Plan sets out a framework for recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular sectors most impacted, such as tourism. Under the Economic Recovery Plan, Government extended the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including the tourism sector. The relevant measures include:

- Extending the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). Revisions will see payments for businesses reopening of up to €30,000; 

- Extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 31 December;

- Extending the Commercial Rates Waiver to end-September 2021;

- Broadening of eligibility criteria for the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19, which opens the scheme up to businesses in non-rated premises; and

- The ERP sets out the intention to introduce a new, additional and more streamlined business support scheme in September 2021, called the Business Resumption Support Scheme.

In addition to benefiting from revised and extended horizontal supports, the Economic Recovery Plan also provides for an extension of the 9% VAT rate to September 2022, which will continue to act as a stimulus for the tourism sector as it moves towards recovery.

As the Deputy has alluded to, Fáilte Ireland ran an Ireland Based Inbound Agents Business Continuity Scheme of €10m in the final quarter of 2020. These measures and supports will provide tourism businesses with much-needed clarity that will enable them to plan longer-term with confidence and accept bookings. The Economic Recovery Plan also commits to continuing to provide business continuity schemes through Fáilte Ireland.

Taking into account the new and revised horizontal supports set out in the ERP, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to examine what supports will be needed for the tourism sector in the coming months. I will discuss these proposed supports with colleagues across Government to ensure that the tourism and hospitality sector is supported in their recovery as we reopen our society and our economy. The Tourism Recovery Oversight Group, which I appointed last December to oversee the implementation of the Recovery Plan and monitor the recovery of the sector, will also continue to be a key input into my thinking with regard to further support for the tourism sector.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (212)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

212. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has been in contact with tourism groups regarding the extension of the emergency wage subsidy scheme for significantly affected sectors. [34166/21]

Written answers

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

The Government’s recently announced Economic Recovery Plan sets out a framework for recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular sectors most impacted, such as tourism. Under the Economic Recovery Plan, Government extended the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including the tourism sector.

Since public health restrictions were introduced last year, the Government has supported businesses through the closure in particular with initiatives such as the CRSS, EWSS and the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Business Continuity Scheme (TBCS) and is now assisting them in their reopening. While CRSS and the TBCS have addressed fixed costs, the EWSS has been crucial in maintaining employment and the link between employer and employee. Its continuation was one of the key asks of the sector and the Government has committed to its maintenance until end-2021 in the Economic Recovery Plan.

Taking into account the new and revised horizontal supports set out in the Economic Recovery Plan, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to examine what supports will be needed for the tourism sector in the coming months. I will discuss these proposed supports with colleagues across Government to ensure that the tourism and hospitality sector is supported in their recovery as we reopen our society and our economy. The Tourism Recovery Oversight Group, which I appointed last December to oversee the implementation of the Recovery Plan and monitor the recovery of the sector, will also continue to be a key input into my thinking with regard to further support for the tourism sector, and I continue to engage directly with tourism stakeholders as we reopen the economy.

Commercial Rates

Questions (213)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

213. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of extending the commercial rates waiver per month. [33975/21]

Written answers

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

As part of the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan on 1 June, Minister O'Brien and I announced an extension of the current commercial rates waiver for an additional 3 months, covering July to September.  The waiver is intended to continue supporting eligible businesses as they adjust to the reopening of the economy and recover from the impact of the pandemic. The businesses eligible for the waiver in quarter 2 that continue to be eligible for the waiver for quarter three include: 

- retail; 

- hospitality including hotels, pubs and restaurants, leisure and entertainment;

- personal services such as hairdressers and barbers; and

- health services. 

It is estimated that the extension of the waiver in the third quarter of 2021 will cost €160 million, approximately €53.3m per month.

Defective Building Materials

Questions (214)

Alan Dillon

Question:

214. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if provisions will be made to extend the pyrite remediation scheme to counties Mayo and Donegal; if his Department has engaged with the Department of Finance on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31757/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency.

The provisions of the Act apply only to dwellings affected by significant damage attributable to pyritic heave consequent on the presence of reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material and not to damage arising in any other circumstance, e.g. such as pyrite in concrete blocks. 

The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” for affected homeowners who have no other practical option to obtain redress and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.

The scheme is applicable to dwellings, which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established, in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2017 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol.  In this regard, it is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a Damage Condition Rating of 2.  Dwellings which do not have a Damage Condition Rating of 2 are not eligible to apply under the scheme.  This ensures that, having regard to the available resources, the focus of the scheme is on dwellings which are most severely damaged by pyritic heave. There are no proposals to provide for further financial assistance outside of the scheme.

Any proposal to amend the scheme is, in the first instance, a matter for the Pyrite Resolution Board and any such proposal would require detailed consideration of the evidence. The recommendations of the Pyrite Panel, which informed the establishment of the pyrite remediation scheme, were premised on a number of pertinent factors.  

As a minimum, in order to consider the appropriateness or otherwise of amending the scheme, I understand that the Board would require a report addressing the following information: -

- the extent and severity of damage to dwellings in the local authority area caused by pyritic heave in the subfloor hardcore;

- verification, if available, that the damage has been caused by pyrite;

- the background to the occurrence of the damage;

- details of any structural warranty policies for the dwellings;

- the history of the estate’s construction, numbers, type of dwellings etc;

- the source of the hardcore supplied to dwellings in the estate; and

- any supporting geological assessments.       

In addition to the above, the Board may also make such further enquiries as it considers necessary in order to assist it in considering the matter.  In this regard, it would be advisable for the residents to confirm the nature of the pyrite problems in the area and that any problems identified stem from reactive pyrite in the subfloor hardcore material which is giving rise to pyritic heave and consequential significant pyritic damage.

In regard to the Deputy's  specific question, my Department has not engaged with the Department of Finance in relation to extending the pyrite remediation scheme to counties Mayo and Donegal.

Defective Building Materials

Questions (215, 216)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

215. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the financial assistance scheme for remediation of damaged dwellings due to the use of defective concrete blocks will be reviewed and increased to 100% redress for those with mica affected homes in the north-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31920/21]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

216. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, underpinned by regulations made under sections 2 and 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1979 will be amended given the 18 months of evidence of the not-for-purpose scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31921/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.

The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme is underpinned by regulations made under Sections 2 and 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1979, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to provide for a grant scheme of financial assistance to support affected homeowners in the counties of Donegal and Mayo to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks. The scheme is targeted at assisting a group of homeowners that have no other practicable options to access redress for their home. 

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. 

I am putting in place a timebound working group, with representatives from my Department, the local authorities and homeowner representative groups, to review and address any outstanding issues in relation to the operation of the Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme, including issues such as grant caps, homeowner contributions, engineering and allowable costs etc.  I expect the review, to be undertaken by the working group, to be completed by 31 July, and will inform any proposed improvements to the Scheme which I will bring forward to Government in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General. 

Question No. 216 answered with Question No. 215.

Housing Provision

Questions (217)

Mark Ward

Question:

217. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority new housing builds that have included a social clause that will encourage local employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29841/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department does not have information on the number of local authority construction projects that have included a social clause as such contracts are negotiated and signed directly by the local authorities; such information may be available from the local authorities. 

Local Authorities

Questions (218, 219)

Mick Barry

Question:

218. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the impact for local authorities of the changes to the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31777/21]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

219. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports that will still be given to the councils that were previously in receipt of moneys from the equalisation fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31407/21]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.

The Government remains committed to ensuring that the local government sector retains a sustainable and stable source of funding from Local Property Tax (LPT), distributed to local authorities via the Local Government Fund, to support the delivery of local authority services.

Local retention of LPT began in 2015 and since then the overall principles and allocation methodology have broadly remained the same. 80% of LPT is retained in the area it is collected, with the other 20% supporting equalisation for local authorities with LPT bases lower than their funding baseline.

The Programme for Government 'Our Shared Future', commits to bringing forward LPT reforms. These reforms will involve bringing new homes, which are currently exempt from LPT, into the taxation system as well as providing for all money collected locally to be retained within the county. This will also be done on the basis that those counties with a lower LPT base are adjusted via an annual national equalisation fund paid from the Exchequer, as is currently the case.

My colleague, the Minister for Finance, recently published the Heads of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021. The Bill will give effect to a package of measures in line with the Programme for Government to address the future of the LPT. Minister Donohue also signalled the Government’s intent to move to 100% local retention from 2023. Any changes to the allocation process may be considered in that context.

As the LPT revaluation process is likely to take a number of months, detailed information on the new yield per local authority will not be available until later in the year. Accordingly, LPT allocations for 2022 will provisionally be based on updated information regarding the 2021 yield, on a no change basis i.e. the 80:20 model. All other elements are also be based on 2021 figures, including the LPT baselines, the equalisation contribution and self-funding of housing and roads from surplus LPT. It is recognised that the yield will change following the revaluation and the matter will be revisited at that point.

My Department last week confirmed provisional LPT allocations to local authorities for 2022 amounting to €528m. These allocations include the Exchequer contribution to equalisation funding of €34.3m. There will be no change to allocations for the 20 local authorities requiring equalisation funding, as their LPT yield is below their funding baseline. When detailed information on the new LPT yield becomes available, my Department will progress work on the planned move to 100% local retention of LPT and the effects on the funding system for local authorities.

As previously, every local authority has the power to vary the basic rate of LPT in their local area by up to 15%; those variation decisions have not yet been made and are not reflected in these allocations. The proposed LPT Amendment Bill referred to above will bring forward the deadline for notifying Revenue of the Local Adjustment Factor (LAF) to 31 August in a revaluation year, such as this year. While I appreciate this timeframe is extremely challenging for local authorities, there is little option. The regulations have already been amended to assist local authorities to meet the earlier deadline.

My Department works closely with the local government sector on a range of financial issues, to ensure that any additional resources that may be available are appropriately targeted. The funding for all local authorities will be kept under review as part of the normal Estimates process and in the context of the aforementioned LPT revaluation process.

Question No. 219 answered with Question No. 218.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (220)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

220. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether the high level of current expenditure in his Department via the housing assistance payment, the rental accommodation scheme and leasing needs to be replaced by capital expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31411/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Increasing the supply of public, social and affordable homes is priority for this Government and the Programme for Government includes a commitment to deliver 50,000 new social homes with a specific focus on new build.

The Government’s commitment to increase the supply of public housing is further underpinned by the 2021 Budget which provides €3.3 billion to deliver housing programmes this year, and includes over €2 billion in capital funding.  Subject to the impact of COVID-19 on delivery, this funding will support the delivery of 12,750 new social homes, of which 9,500 are new build homes. 

While the primary focus continues to be new build social homes, it is also important that local authorities have a range of accommodation types in all areas where social housing need arises.  The provision of additional HAP and RAS supported tenancies, along with homes delivered through leasing, do not undermine other delivery schemes, it simply acknowledges the demand that is there and confirms the readiness to respond in an immediate way to households who find themselves in need of support for housing.

The Government’s new housing strategy, Housing for All, will be published shortly and will set out the policy for the next five years and include annual targets for the delivery of social and affordable homes.

Rental Sector

Questions (221)

Bríd Smith

Question:

221. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he will take to prevent tenants facing double yearly rent increases in the coming period as a result of previous Covid-19 measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33804/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 provided that a rent increase was not permitted to take effect during the relevant emergency period from 27 March 2020 to 1 August 2020. From 1 August 2020, the blanket ban on rent increases inside or outside of a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) was lifted. The standardised average rent rose by 2.5% to €1,256 from Q2 2020 to Q3 2020 and remained at that level in Q4 2020.

The Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 (RTVA) provided that rent increases were not permitted to take effect during an emergency period, from 1 August 2020 until 10 January 2021, for tenants with rent arrears due to Covid-19 and at risk of losing their tenancy who make the necessary declaration.  This ban on rent increases was targeted at the most vulnerable of tenants inside and outside of RPZs.

The Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020 (PDRTA) provides that a rent increase is not permitted to take effect during an emergency period from 11 January 2021 until 12 July 2021, for tenants with rent arrears due to Covid-19 and at risk of losing their tenancy who make the necessary declaration. This ban on rent increases is also targeted at the most vulnerable of tenants inside and outside of RPZs. The delimiting of landlords’ constitutionally protected property rights has been carefully and effectively targeted in this regard.

Rent reviews could be carried out at all times during the pandemic and rent decreases could, and can, take effect. A rent increase is not payable by relevant tenants in respect of the emergency periods identified above. It is payable by relevant tenants from the end of the given emergency period.

The maximum rent increase is 4% per annum in RPZs, irrespective of the emergency legislation.  Where a rent increase cannot be given effect for certain tenants during an emergency period, a total increase of greater than 4% can apply where the necessary rent review notice(s) have been served. In all cases, a tenant must be given 90 days’ notice before a rent increase takes effect.

The targeted ban on rent increases under the PDRTA is due to expire on 12 July 2021. The Government published the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021 on 17 June 2021 which, if passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas on or before 12 July 2021, will extend the targeted protections of the PDRTA until 12 January 2022, to afford more time to the most vulnerable tenants to recover their financial stability.

The emergency protections against rent increases and evictions for the most vulnerable tenants has meant that they could remain in their home and not face higher rent during the pandemic. 

My Department, the Housing Agency and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) keep the operation of the rental market and the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021 under constant review and any necessary legislation will be progressed without delay to help provide long term security of tenure for tenants at affordable rents.

Local Authorities

Questions (222)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

222. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will seek an update from Louth County Council in respect of the appointment of the two senior executive officers in Drogheda and Dundalk, both positions which have been funded through his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33995/21]

Written answers

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

The detailed arrangements for the recruitment campaign and appointment to these posts fall under the responsibility of Louth County Council in accordance with section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, which provides that each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.

The information requested is available from Louth County Council.