Written Answers Nos. 238-262
238. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proportion in percentage and nominal terms of the €1.1 billion additional core capital for 2022 outlined in Summer Economic Statement 2021 allocated to capital measures outlined in the Housing for All Plan recently published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. [45241/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Housing for All strategy was published by my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on 2nd September 2021. The development of the Housing for All Plan has been closely aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) to ensure the capital funding is identified and committed to the delivery of the social and affordable home measures.
As referenced in Housing for All, social housing and affordable homes measures will be backed up by €12 billion in NDP funding over five years. The revised NDP is currently being finalised and it will set out annual expenditure ceilings for the initial 5 years for each Departmental Vote Group, including capital ceilings for 2022. This document is due to be published in the coming weeks, following final Governmental approval.
239. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on a full resumption of the coach tourism business continuity scheme including a subsidy payment of €42.5 million to be made available for a 12 month period for 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45100/21]
View answerMy Department has received the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland pre-Budget 2022 submission and I hope to meet with the Council in the coming weeks to listen to their concerns about tourism-related supports required for their sector.
Funding for 2022 is subject to the annual estimates discussions and details of funding for next year will be confirmed in next month's Budget.
240. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department will review a sports capital scheme application by a club (details supplied) due to the circumstances; if her Department has noted previous issues with the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44519/21]
View answerI understand the club referred to by the Deputy has received a number of grants under past rounds of the Sports Capital Programme and all have been fully drawn down with the exception of a 2018 grant for €52,909. The 2018 grant remains at ‘provisionally allocated’ stage as the required supporting documentation has not been provided to allow the grant to progress to ‘formal approval’ stage.
The club has also submitted an application under the 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. This application will be assessed in accordance with the scoring system and assessment procedures published earlier this year. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications for the 2020 round were for "equipment-only" projects. These applications were assessed first and grants totaling €16.6m were announced on the 6th August.
The remaining applications for capital works, including the application from the club in question, are now being assessed. Given the large number of applications received, this work is likely to take a number of months to complete with allocations expected to be announced before the end of this year.
241. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is funding available through her Department for amateur dramatic societies that have had their income stream significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44533/21]
View answerThe Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based programme led by my department to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Its core proposition is that participation in arts, cultural and heritage-based activities drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement. Under the Creative Communities initiative in the Creative Ireland Programme, my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provide funding to each of the 31 local authorities to enable them to implement their individual Culture and Creativity Strategies 2018-2022. These Strategies were developed in 2017 following extensive local public consultation and are unique to each local authority, reflecting the breadth of cultural and creative work being undertaken in each area as well as the strategic priorities identified by the local community. Within this context, local amateur drama has received support from their local authorities. Further information is available on www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/creative-communities.
The Deputy has made specific reference to community based dramatic societies. In the context of my own Department, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Cultural Capital Scheme 2019-2022 is a €4.7m capital investment scheme for arts and culture centres. Under this a range of capital funding measures is being provided to assist in the re-opening of theatres, arts centres and culture venues under Stream D of the Cultural Capital Scheme 2019-2022 as part of Project Ireland 2040 -Investing in our Culture, Language & Heritage. Stream D is specifically for capital adaptations or equipment necessary to assist arts and culture organisations in re-opening. Further details of this scheme can be accessed here at this link www.gov.ie/en/service/b61b2-stream-d-of-the-cultural-capital-scheme-2019-2022
Primary support for the arts including drama in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council and it is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003. The Arts Council’s strategy recognises the distinctive role of amateur arts practice, its important contribution to the vitality of the arts in Ireland, including music, theatre and musical theatre, and it’s many personal, social and artistic benefits. Earlier this year the Arts Council ran a pilot scheme as a once-off, action-research opportunity, and seeks enhanced engagement, mentorship and advocacy between the amateur and professional theatre, music and musical-theatre sector. Please see link here to the pilot scheme which was designed to enhance engagement between voluntary and professional arts sectors. www.artscouncil.ie/Funds/Amateur-and-Voluntary-Practice-Pilot-Scheme/
The Deputy may wish to note that the Department of Rural and Community Development funds a range of programmes and schemes to assist in rural and community development which are available to eligible community groups and organisations throughout the country. These schemes provide funding, support and assistance to communities at local level and include the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the LEADER programme; the Community Enhancement Programme, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme; the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Community Services Programme. Details of funding allocations under specific schemes provided by that Department are available online at www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-rural-and-community-development/.
242. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department will ensure that the updated guidelines in relation to the safe reopening of indoor performing arts classes will be provided to education and training board management when they have been produced by the Arts Council. [44697/21]
View answerOn 31 August, the Government published a plan - COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting. The Government has agreed that during the period between 1 September and 22 October, we will continue our careful and gradual approach to reopening, while supporting maximum reach of the vaccine programme. The Plan emphasises the importance of personal responsibility in minimising opportunities for virus transmission as we move into the final stages of the reopening of our society and economy.
In terms of arts and culture activities, one to one music, dance and art classes may operate at the moment.
Additionally, at its meeting on 31 August, Government agreed on the return to outdoor and indoor events at the following capacity levels and with maximum available social distancing between groups:
- Indoors – for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 60% capacity
- Outdoors - for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 75% capacity
- Outdoors - for mixed groups of vaccinated/recovered and unvaccinated people – 50% capacity.
The announcement of dates for the lifting of restrictions is a response to a clear call from the sector. In the interim, we will see increased opportunities for live performance both indoors and outdoors from 6 September.
Indoor group activities include sports, arts, culture and dance classes. All indoor group activities should ensure that there are appropriate infection prevention and control measures in place to minimise the risk of virus transmission. The Arts Council has prepared guidance on the reopening of arts, culture and dance activities for children and young people which is available on their website [www.artscouncil.ie/Covid-19/government-guidelines/ ].
As signalled by Government in its reopening plan, there will be a full return to these activities after 22 October 2021 as the vaccination programme progresses and subject to the levels of infections and hospitalisations at that time.
243. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the Report of the Joint Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking Community entitled Tuarascáil an Chomhchoiste ar Thuarascáil an Choimisinéir Teanga: Maidir le cur I bhfeidhm Moltaí Imscrúdaithe a rinneadh faoi Fho-Alt 21(f) d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 – An Garda Síochána; her views on the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44821/21]
View answerThe matter of appointments or assignments of Gardaí to Gaeltacht areas is specifically covered under the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. Section 33(2) of the Act states:
- The Garda Commissioner shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that members of the Garda Síochána stationed in a district that includes a Gaeltacht area are sufficiently competent in the Irish language to enable them to use it with facility in carrying out their duties.
Compliance with this provision is a matter which the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga has been monitoring since 2011, when an investigation by An Coimisinéir Teanga made the following recommendations:
- That the Garda Commissioner take every necessary step to ensure that Gardaí competent in Irish are deployed to Gaeltacht stations.
- That the finding and recommendations of the investigation are not to be used as an excuse to reduce or slow the provision of an appropriate policing service for the area in question.
- That An Garda Síochána implement an appropriate language testing system to assess the Irish language fluency of members when it is proposed that they may be stationed in a district with a Gaeltacht area, and
- That An Garda Síochána examine if there were implications from the decision of this investigation in relation to all the districts of An Garda Síochána with Gaeltacht areas and, if there were, that these be addressed to ensure compliance with the statutory language obligations.
Details of An Coimisinéir Teanga’s ongoing monitoring of the implementation of these recommendations can be found in his most recent Monitoring Report (2019) which was published in August of 2020. A copy of this can be accessed here .
While the responsibility for monitoring the implementation of the Official Languages Act 2003 and other relevant legislation comes under the specific remit of the Office of An Choimisinéara Teanga, I am, as one would expect, keen to see this matter reach a satisfactory conclusion – bearing in mind, in particular, what we are trying to achieve with the proposed Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019 and the introduction of challenging targets for the recruitment of Irish-speakers to the public service.
244. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the locations of all offices and buildings either owned or used by her Department or by public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit which are usually open to the public to access services. [44921/21]
View answerNeither my Department nor any of the bodies under its aegis are involved in the direct provision of services to the public. However, the National Cultural Institutions under the aegis of this Department are open to members of the public. Details of the relevant bodies together with contact / website details are set out in the table below.
|
Body |
Head Office |
Website |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, D02 AD92 |
chesterbeatty.ie/contact/ |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
Emmet Place, Cork, T12 TNE6 |
crawfordartgallery.ie/contact/ |
|
IMMA |
Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31 |
imma.ie/about/overview/contact-us/ |
|
National Archives |
Bishop Street, Dublin 8, D08 DF85 |
www.nationalarchives.ie/visit-us/contact-us/ |
|
National Concert Hall |
Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 N527 |
www.nch.ie/ |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
Merrion Square West, Dublin 2, D02 K303 |
www.nationalgallery.ie/visit-us |
|
National Library |
2/3 Kildare Street, Dublin 2, D02 P638 |
www.nli.ie/en/contact-us.aspx |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
Kildare St, Dublin 2, D02 FH48 |
www.museum.ie/en-IE/Contact |
245. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has deleted text messages or email correspondence related to Government or official communications at any point since January 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45045/21]
View answerI can confirm that I have not deleted text messages or email correspondence related to Government or official communications at any point.
246. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when her Department will announce the successful sports capital grants for 2021. [45197/21]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March 2021. By the closing date, over 3,100 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.
The scoring system and assessment procedures was published earlier this year and all applications are being assessed in accordance with these. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for "equipment only" projects. These applications were assessed first and grants totaling €16.6m were announced on the 6th August.
The remaining applications for capital works are now being assessed. Given the large number of applications received, this work is likely to take a number of months to complete with allocations expected to be announced before the end of this year.
247. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions he is taking to counteract the biodiversity crisis (details supplied); the way in which he is engaging with the International Union for Conservation of Nature Congress given that there is no Irish Governmental representative at same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44734/21]
View answerThe IUCN is a membership union composed of both government and civil society organisations, including many NGOs. It undertakes valuable work for biodiversity, including administering the Red Lists for vulnerable species. Ireland supports the IUCN and is a government agency member, through my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
The IUCN is not a decision making body in the sense of the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) or other multi-lateral environmental agreements (MEAs) that Ireland is party to. Accordingly, our engagement with the IUCN must be considered in the context of the resources available to the NPWS and its other priorities at any given time.
NPWS is the focal point for most MEAs relating to nature and biodiversity and resources available to deal with this wide range of areas are limited. With this in mind, decisions are made within the Department on how best to focus these resources to represent Ireland's concerns and views in this area appropriately. In our capacity as an EU member, Ireland is also part of a much larger, strong and coherent voice for nature and biodiversity on the global stage.
Ireland's priority has long been the CBD - its Conference of the Parties (COP) and its subsidiary meetings SBSTTA and SBI, which deal with scientific and implementation matters of the CBD respectively. It is imperative that Ireland has a presence and a voice at these important UN decision making forums.
On the 12th and 13th of October next, I will participate in the first phase of the delayed CBD COP15, the High Level Segment. Over the past 12 months, I have taken part in several international initiatives addressing the biodiversity crisis, including the One Planet Summit for Biodiversity hosted by France in January. Ireland has also signed up to the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, a global initiative to mobilise political will for a new and transformative biodiversity framework at COP15.
In the meantime, my Department's NPWS has already participated this year in a number of preparatory meetings for COP15, namely SBSTTA-24 and SBI-3. While officials normally attend in person, these meetings have been held virtually to accommodate the restrictions in place as a result of the global pandemic.
The NPWS is also involved in ongoing work at EU level to develop and agree strong positions for the EU and its Member States at the COP through regular meetings of the Working Party on International Environment Issues (Biodiversity).
In order to maximise its reach, within its remit, NPWS directs its resources in this area to servicing the key decision making bodies such as CBD, CITES and EU level working parties and expert groups as well as other more focused but important areas including the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), CMS-Eurobats, Access and Benefit-sharing of genetic resources (ABS), African and Eurasian Waterbirds Agreement (AEWA) and the Council of Europe’s Bern Convention.
248. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of acquiring and refurbishing the 700 social homes delivered under the buy and renew scheme. [44450/21]
View answer249. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of acquiring and refurbishing the social homes delivered under the buy and renew scheme that are in the four Dublin local authority areas. [44451/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.
Since the introduction of the Buy and Renew Scheme, approximately 700 properties have been acquired by local authorities nationally for social housing use, with the estimated cost to deliver these home being c.€135m. In respect of the four Dublin local authority areas, expenditure has been c.€31m to date in respect of 118 properties. It should be noted that some costs are estimated in certain cases pending receipt of final claims from local authorities.
250. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of acquiring and refurbishing the 250 social homes delivered under the repair and lease scheme. [44452/21]
View answerData on delivery under the repair and lease scheme in respect of all local authorities to end Q1 2021, and costs to end 2020, is published on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls
The maximum cost of repairs allowable under this scheme was increased from €40,000 (including VAT) to €60,000 (including VAT) in November 2020. Therefore, should 250 properties be delivered under the repair and lease scheme, the maximum cost of refurbishment (capital costs) would be €15,000,000. The cost of the repairs is offset against the agreed rental payment until the value of the works is repaid.
251. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of acquiring and refurbishing the 250 social homes delivered under the repair and lease scheme that are in the four Dublin local authority areas. [44453/21]
View answerData on delivery and costs under the repair and lease scheme, in respect of all local authorities to end Q1 2021 is published on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls
To end Q1 2021, 31 properties have been delivered under this scheme in the four Dublin local authorities.
The capital cost of the refurbishments under repair and lease in the four Dublin local authorities to end 2020 is €230,346. The current costs to end 2020 are €131,912.
The maximum cost of repairs allowable under this scheme was increased from €40,000 (including VAT) to €60,000 (including VAT) in November 2020. Therefore, should 250 properties be delivered under the repair and lease scheme, the maximum cost of refurbishment (capital costs) would be €15,000,000. The cost of the repairs is offset against the agreed rental payment until the value of the works is repaid.
252. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost in 2021 and 2022 of providing 100% redress to owners of homes with fire safety defects. [44455/21]
View answer307. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce income tax relief for owner-occupiers of homes affected by pyrite and fire defects as well as VAT rebates for social landlords affected by these issues and the resulting costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45146/21]
View answer308. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that any financial solutions afforded to those affected by pyrite and fire defects will be retrospective to ensure that those who have already paid to repair their home will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45147/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 252, 307 and 308 together.
The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area of building defects and provides for an examination of defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing report, "Safe as Houses".
In this context, I established a working group to examine defects in housing. The plenary working group has been meeting monthly since March 2021, in addition to subgroup meetings. The group’s terms of reference were adopted in May 2021 and include:
1. Examine defects in housing having regard to the recommendations in Item 4 “Addressing the legacy of bad building and poor regulation” in Chapter 4 of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government report - ‘Safe as Houses? A Report on Building Standards, Building Controls and Consumer Protection’.
2. Establish the nature of significant, wide-spread fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 – 2013 in Ireland through consultation with affected homeowners, homeowner representative organisations, owners’ management companies, relevant managing agents, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals, industry stakeholders, insurance providers, mortgage providers and other relevant parties. Including such matters as: - Identification and description of defect,
- Nature of defect – design, product, workmanship,
- Non-compliance with building regulations or actual damage,
- Severity/risk to life or serviceability of dwelling,
- Period of construction affected,
- Type of dwelling affected,
- Location of dwellings affected.
3. Establish the scale of the issue – estimate number of dwellings affected by the defects identified including those already remediated.
4. Consider a methodology for the categorisation of defects and the prioritisation of remedial action.
- In the case of defects with fire safety implications, consider how the framework for enhancing fire safety in dwellings can be applied to mitigate the risks arising from fire safety defects pending the remediation of defects and the Code of Practice for Fire Safety Assessment of Premises and Buildings, which is currently being developed by National Directorate of Fire and Emergency Management.
5. Suggest mechanisms for resolving defects, in the context of the legal rights, duties and obligations of developers, builders, building professionals, insurers, mortgage providers, building control authorities, fire authorities, owners’ management companies, owner occupiers, renters and landlords, including:
- Technical options for the remediation of dwellings,
- Efficient means of carrying out work,
- individual dwellings or whole building approach,
- routine maintenance/refurbishment or remediation,
- Structures or delivery channels needed to facilitate resolution – advice and support.
6. Evaluate the potential cost of technical remediation options.
7. Pursue options on possible financial solutions to effect a resolution, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to identify options for those impacted by defects to access low-cost, long-term finance.
8. To report to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the Examination of Defects in Housing.
In regard to the working group’s deliberations, the group will seek to engage with a range of interested parties, including homeowners, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals and industry stakeholders, among others to examine the issue of defects in housing and report to me on the matter. Consultation with the relevant parties has commenced and further arrangements in this regard are currently being put in place by the working group.
I am satisfied that the group is working effectively and efficiently on this complex matter and I look forward to a report in due course following completion of their deliberation. Once I receive the report I will give full consideration to its contents.
Any further speculation or discussion on the output of the working group, including speculation with regard to the scale of the issue or the potential cost, is premature at this stage.
Finally, in regard to income tax relief and Vat, taxation issues are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
253. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated amount it would cost in 2022 to increase Part V from 20% to a statutory minimum of 30%. [44456/21]
View answer287. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected national average cost per unit of Part V social housing acquisitions planned in Housing for All for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. [44924/21]
View answer288. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected national total cost of Part V social housing acquisitions planned in Housing for All for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. [44925/21]
View answer289. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected national average cost per unit of Part V affordable housing acquisitions planned in Housing for All for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. [44926/21]
View answer290. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected total cost of Part V affordable housing acquisitions planned in Housing for All for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. [44927/21]
View answer291. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected cost per unit of Part V social housing acquisitions planned in Housing for All for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 in the four Dublin local authority areas. [44928/21]
View answer292. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected total cost of Part V social housing acquisitions planned in Housing for All for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 in the four Dublin local authority areas. [44929/21]
View answer293. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected cost per unit of Part V affordable housing acquisitions planned in Housing for All for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 in the four Dublin local authority areas. [44930/21]
View answer294. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected total cost of Part V affordable housing acquisitions planned in Housing for All for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 in the four Dublin local authority areas. [44931/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 287 to 294, inclusive, together.
It is not possible to provide details of average unit costs or the total cost of future social or affordable homes delivered through Part V due to a number of factors. These factors include variables such as unit type, land cost, development and construction costs, costs and source of finance, together with ongoing maintenance and management fees, etc. Further details of the cost of units delivered through Part V will be available following the completion of projects.
My Department publishes statistics of housing delivered through Part V on a quarterly basis. This data is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/fd048-affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics/#part-v-scheme
My Department does not hold any information relating to the cost of increasing the Part V contribution from 20% to a statutory minimum of 30% and due to the range of issues outlined above, it is not possible to provide such an estimate.
254. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated amount it would cost to reverse the cuts in spending on Traveller accommodation since 2007 and to force local authorities to utilise funds in full. [44457/21]
View answerThe total drawdown of funding for Traveller-specific accommodation in 2007 was €35m. To-date in 2021, local authorities have drawndown almost €6.5m of the €15.5m available.
In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
Following a review of the arrangements for the disbursement of funding for the provision and related supports of Traveller specific accommodation a new allocation process was implemented for 2020. My Department has ceased the practice of allocating specific budgets to individual local authorities. Instead, it is open to all local authorities to apply for and drawdown funds at any time throughout the year and this is actively encouraged by my Department.
My Department’s capital budget of €14.5m for Traveller Accommodation was drawn down in full in 2020. The budget for 2021 is €15.5m and officials from my Department make regular contact with each local authority throughout the year to support and facilitate the development of effective Traveller accommodation projects. Under 'Housing for All' there is a specific commitment to fund the ambition of local authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes in order to grow the traveller specific accommodation pipeline and this funding commitment will be met by my Department.
255. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding European Natura 2000 sites in Northern Ireland following Brexit; if he has had any engagement with his EU and UK counterparts on this matter; if he will engage with the Northern Ireland Executive on this matter on an all-island basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44460/21]
View answerI have no statutory function in this matter. I would note, however, that as the UK and Northern Ireland are outside the EU, that the acquis in question do not apply, and neither we nor the EU are competent authorities for the matters raised.
256. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to fund additional resources for local authorities to cope with the additional workload as a result of the planning and development (amendment) (LSRD) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44555/21]
View answerMinister O'Brien brought a Memorandum to Government on 13 July 2021, accompanied by a General Scheme of a Planning and Development (Amendment) (LSRD) Bill 2021 (the LSRD Bill), outlining proposals for the replacement of the current planning arrangements in respect of Strategic Housing Developments (SHDs) with new streamlined arrangements for large-scale residential developments (LSRDs). The proposed new arrangements will effectively restore decision-making on such large-scale developments to local authorities in the first instance.
My Department is preparing fee regulations alongside the development of the LSRD Bill which will cover the pre-application consultation and planning application stages of the LSRD arrangements. It is proposed to set the fees at a similar scale to those under SHD and these fees will be retained in full by the relevant planning authority.
Housing for All also commits to ensuring that local authorities are sufficiently resourced to meet the increasing demands of the planning system and considering the applications to deliver some 33,000 homes per annum many of which will be considered under the LSRD process.
257. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to publish the new guidelines on rural housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44557/21]
View answerUnder the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing 2005, issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing. The Guidelines are available on the Government’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/23809-sustainable-rural-housing-development-guidelines/.
Since 2018, the National Planning Framework (NPF) is the national planning policy document providing overall strategic policy for the future development of Ireland through specific National Policy Objectives (NPOs) that aim to support the overall rural and small town pattern of development in Ireland and deliver strengthened and diversified rural communities. National Planning Objective (NPO) 19 aims to ensure that a policy distinction is made between areas experiencing significant ‘overspill’ development pressure from urban areas within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment, on the one hand, and remoter rural areas where population levels may be low and or declining, on the other.
NPO 19 is aligned with the established planning approach whereby considerations of social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part-time) need may be applied by planning authorities in certain rural areas under urban influence in order to prevent urban sprawl.
Updated Rural Housing Planning Guidelines are currently being prepared by my Department to ensure consistency with new requirements and legislation at national and EU level introduced in respect of areas related to rural housing such as environmental protection, the Gaeltacht and climate action. The new guidelines will ensure a more consistent approach between counties and alignment with NPF objectives, and will be published in draft before the end of 2021.
258. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the hen harrier threat response plan will be published; the reason for the long delay in the publication of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44563/21]
View answerFollowing final meetings of the inter-departmental group to review the draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan revisions have been made to the draft Plan to reflect the outcome of that and earlier meetings.
A draft of the Threat Response Plan was also brought to the Consultative Committee, to seek their views, with the intention of then proceeding to public consultation. The Consultative Committee raised a number of matters that my Department is now working to address. These include the finalisation of site-specific conservation objectives for the six breeding Hen Harrier SPAs.
Following the conclusion of discussions with the Consultative Committee, the Plan will move to a stage of public consultation, as well as a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, if required.
The process has taken longer than expected due to the complexity of the issues to be addressed and widespread consultation with stakeholders on these issues.
In the interim the EIP Hen Harrier Project operated by the Department of Agriculture has been extremely effective and has been availed of by high numbers of farmers.
259. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a review of the grant schemes implemented by local authorities to ensure their alignment with policy objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44580/21]
View answer303. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the review of the housing adaption and housing aid grants from local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45094/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 303 together.
Funding of €75 million is available nationally in 2021 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. This funding has increased year on year since 2014. As part of the annual budgetary process, consideration will be given to this funding in future years in line with the Programme for Government commitments and the Policy Statement on Housing Options for Our Ageing Population, which is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea33c1-housing-options-for-our-ageing-population-policy-statement/
As detailed in Housing for All, housing policy objectives 6 and 7 give a commitment to undertaking a review of the range of housing grants available to assist with meeting specific housing needs both for our ageing population and people with a disability. Officials from my Department will begin a review of the existing grant limits and income thresholds applicable to the grant schemes later this year.
260. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure all public-funded housing is converted to more sustainable heating systems. [44598/21]
View answerSince 2007 it has been a requirement that all new dwellings install renewable energy systems. In 2019 SEAI introduced Building Regulations requiring all new dwellings to achieve Nearly Zero Energy building performance requirements. In 2020 the Programme for Government included a commitment to retrofit approximately 500,000 homes by 2030 to a B2/cost optimal BER standard, and it is expected that approximately 36,500 of those homes will be owned by the local authority sector.
My Department launched a newly revised Energy Efficiency Programme in 2021 in response to the Programme for Government commitment for local authority owned housing. This new ten year programme set a BER performance requirement of “B2” or cost optimal level. It is planned to retrofit 36,500 Local Authority homes to this performance requirement by 2030. Renewable energy heat pumps are the replacement heating system supported by this programme.
261. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the finding in the IHREC and ESRI Monitoring Adequate Housing in Ireland report that lone parents are significantly disadvantaged in the housing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44599/21]
View answerAs you will be aware, local authorities are independent in the exercise of their functions and, as such, applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended. Lone parents are entitled to access all of the housing support delivery mechanisms on an equal basis with all other citizens.
As the Minister responsible for housing, I, and my Department, have ongoing and extensive engagement with all local authorities across all delivery streams to ensure maximum delivery of homes for those who need them. I meet regularly with local authorities in relation to the advancement of social housing and I know that they are deeply committed to ensuring that housing is provided to all eligible applicants as speedily as possible and that the support needs of applicants are appropriately assessed. In addition to these meetings, targeted sessions have been held between my Department and local authority senior management to specifically discuss all aspects of social housing delivery.
The Government is determined to ensure that housing policy must address the needs of those who experience social exclusion in our society by taking firm action to prevent entry into homelessness in the first instance and to help those experiencing homelessness to exit into secure and sustained tenancies. Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which was launched earlier this month expresses particular concern about family homelessness, especially it's effects on children, and commits to enhancing existing supports and early intervention methods for such families through multiagency coordination. I am confident these additional supports will be of great benefit to all families including lone parents.
262. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the finding in the IHREC and ESRI Monitoring Adequate Housing in Ireland report that ethnic minority groups had a significantly higher risk of overcrowding in housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44600/21]
View answerEthnic minorities may apply to local authorities for social housing and are assessed in like manner with other applicants in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended. An assessment carried out by the local authority will take account of the accommodation in which the family is currently living, and if that accommodation is overcrowded, the household may be deemed eligible for social housing supports if they qualify in other respects.
In the context of housing for the Travelling community, in particular, in accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
In 2021 my Department has continued to address the specific housing needs of Traveller communities, as follows:
- The Capital Budget for Traveller-specific accommodation for 2021 is €15.5 million, an increase of €1m on the 2020 budget and the Current Budget for Traveller-specific accommodation is €5.8 million which is an increase of €1.1 million on the 2021 budget.
- An expert review on Traveller Accommodation was published in 2019 and a Programme Board has now put a work programme to drive the implementation of the recommendations.
As the Minister responsible for housing, I, and my Department, have ongoing and extensive engagement with all local authorities across all delivery streams to ensure maximum delivery of homes for those who need them. I meet regularly with local authorities in relation to the advancement of social housing and I know that they are deeply committed to ensuring that housing is provided to all eligible applicants as speedily as possible and that the support needs of applicants are appropriately assessed. In addition to these meetings, targeted sessions have been held between my Department and local authority senior management to specifically discuss all aspects of social housing delivery.
The Government is determined to ensure that housing policy must address the needs of those who experience social exclusion in our society and continues to support the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.
Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which was launched earlier this month expresses particular concern about the effects of family homelessness which affects many travellers and other ethnic minorities. The Plan commits to enhancing existing supports and early intervention methods for such families through multiagency coordination. I am confident these additional supports will be of great benefit to all families.
