Written Answers Nos. 284-305
284. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a person who has not received compensation from the OPW for the loss of the use of their land can have these works statute barred given that they have been working on the person’s land for five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62579/21]
View answerIt is assumed that the query relates to a Flood Relief Scheme carried out by the Commissioners.
The Commissioners of Public Works carry out Certain Flood Relief Works under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995. These Acts provide that compensation is payable for net damages arising from compulsory interference and acquisition. Compensation provisions are largely guided by sections 14-17 of the 1945 Act and section 11 of the 1995 Act which apply provisions of the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845 and the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919.
Any landowner who feels they have suffered a loss is entitled to claim compensation. Every comprehensive claim should be made in writing, to which the Commissioners must respond. While there is no provision for declaring works as “statute barred” in default of agreement, the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919 provides for the appointment of a statutory arbitrator to rule on compensation payable. Section 5(2) of the 1919 Act provides more detail on what an arbitrator (and by extension the Commissioners) requires by way of a written claim to which the Commissioners must respond.
Speaking in general terms, it should be noted that compensation addresses both losses to land and disturbance. Whilst losses to land are apparent, disturbance losses (e.g. to business activity) are only knowable by the owner (claimant) and if an owner expects to be compensated for such losses they must declare and justify them in their claim.
285. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons placed on the present panel for the position of Irish language executive officer based on a competition announced in 2019; the number of these who have been offered positions; the number remaining on the panel; when this panel will be finished and a new competition held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62607/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the independent, statutory body that provides professional recruitment and selection services to the civil service.
PAS forms panels for general civil service positions that candidates are assigned from as and when vacancies are notified to PAS by civil service employers. All recruitment is demand led and candidates are advised that placement on a particular panel is no guarantee of appointment to a position arising from their participation in a particular competition.
In relation to the 2019 Executive Officer with fluency in Irish Language competition, PAS has advised that a total of 88 candidates were successful at final interview stage and placed on a panel. 35 candidates have subsequently been assigned to civil service employers, with a further 2 undergoing security and clearance checks for assignment in the coming weeks. At this time, there are presently 44 candidates remaining on the panel.
The panels established from this 2019 competition will expire on 31 December 2021 and new competitions will be advertised by PAS in late January 2022 that may be used to fill vacancies arising over the next 2 years.
286. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the competition for Irish language executive officer had two choices for candidate to choose from, interdepartmental and open competition; the difference between them; if applicants could opt to be on both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62608/21]
View answerRecruitment to the civil service may be way of open competition or by confined promotional competitions for existing civil servants on an internal (within one Department/Office) or interdepartmental (across all Departments/Offices) basis. The panels established from each competition are used to fill vacancies as they arise during the lifetime of the panels.
As the Deputy is aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the principal recruiter of the civil service. In 2019, PAS undertook Open and Interdepartmental competitions on behalf of all civil service employers for Executive Officers with fluency in the Irish Language.
Existing civil servants may have applied for both competitions provided they met the eligibility criteria specified for each competition undertaken by PAS. As the competencies to be assessed as part of the selection process were identical, a candidate who opted to apply for both competitions was only permitted to sit the assessment tests/interviews, etc. only once even if applying for both competitions.
The panels established from this 2019 competition will expire on 31 December 2021 and new competitions will be advertised by PAS in late January 2022 that may be used to fill vacancies arising over the next 2 years.
287. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of all the performance bonds currently held for projects within the National Development Plan; the specifics of these bonds; the monetary value of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62716/21]
View answer288. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of all the performance bonds released in 2021; the specifics of these bonds; the monetary value of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62717/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 288 together.
The information sought by the Deputy is not collated centrally and is a matter for individual contracting authorities with responsibility for works projects.
Performance bonds are financial securities taken out by construction clients (public or private sector) to insure the contract performance against a default or breach by the contractor. They are provided by specialist insurance companies (sureties). In the case of a default or a breach of contract, the surety undertakes to cover any additional costs up to the value of the bond incurred by the construction client in completing the project.
The Capital Works Management Framework sets out the current requirements for performance bonds on public works contracts in Section 3.3 of guidance note GN 1.5.1.
Performance bonds should generally only be provided for contracts with an estimated value in excess of €500,000 (including VAT). For contract values up to €10m, a performance bond of 12.5% of the contract sum should be sought. For contract values in excess of €10m, a performance bond of 10% of the contract sum should be sought.
289. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the up-to-date position on OPW-owned lands being made available for the provision of a community facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62903/21]
View answerFollowing a recent positive meeting between Minister O’Donovan and the Comharchumann, the OPW made an offer in principle of a site for the community facility in question.
A location adjacent to the Ionad on OPW lands, but not on the immediate footprint of the Ionad site, has been provisionally identified. OPW is assured that this site would be acceptable to the Comharchumann.
To progress the project, the next step is for the Comharchumann to seek planning permission and design assistance from Kerry County Council. The OPW is happy to assist the Comharchumann as required throughout this process.
290. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has investigated whether the OPW has a role to play in preventing flooding at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62904/21]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and catchment drainage schemes designated under the Arterial Drainage Acts of 1945 and 1995. The Gweestin River does not form part of an Arterial Drainage Scheme. Therefore, the OPW has no responsibilities for the maintenance of this channel. Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. All Local Authorities may carry out flood mitigation works, using either their own resources, or by applying for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, the details of which are available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/0e3b3d-minor-flood-mitigation-works-and-coastal-protection-scheme/
291. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an improved and safer landing facility will be provided on An Blascaod Mór; if the preferred solution has been costed; if there is an indicative timeframe in relation to the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62905/21]
View answerThe provision of improved landing facilities at An Blascaod Mór has been an objective of the Office of Public Works for many years. This matter was the subject of PQ 45698/21 and PQ 40407/21, the responses to which the Deputy may find of assistance.
Planning permission was granted to Kerry County Council in 2003 for a pier at An Blascaod Mór but this project did not proceed at the time. The OPW has been advised by Kerry County Council that a fresh process of securing planning for a pier would now be required given changed circumstances concerning environmental protection in the interim.
The OPW has engaged with key stakeholders including Failte Ireland, Kerry County Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in recent years to agree a way to progress the planning of a revised project for An Blascaod Mór. The OPW also made a funding application to the Rural Regeneration Development Fund in 2019 to secure funds to bring to planning a suitable proposal for a new pier at An Blascaod More but this application was not successful. The OPW has also sought to reconvene a steering group established several years ago, comprising representatives from Kerry County Council, the OPW, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Failte Ireland. It is intended that this group will meet early in 2022.
The Great Blasket Island is located in the Blasket Islands Special Area of Conservation, with the highest level of environmental protection. Identifying and costing a preferred solution in order to proceed to planning will require specialist input from professionals in the field of maritime conservation, for which the OPW intends to invite tenders in 2022.
I assure the Deputy that this project continues to be one of great importance to the OPW in order to secure safe access for visitors and to protect the unique landscape of the Island into the future.
292. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of public service clerical officer positions recently recruited in the Cahersiveen, County Kerry area under competition ID. 20210604; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62926/21]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to the 2021 Temporary Clerical Officer in the Civil and Public Service competition that was advertised in October 2020 by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) as the principal recruiter for the civil and public service.
Civil and public service employers may draw upon panels established form this competition to fill temporary Clerical Officer vacancies that may arise up to 31 December 2021, subject to adherence to their pay and numbers allocations.
PAS has advised that one such assignment has been made from this panel in the Cahersiveen area to the Department of Social Protection
A 2022 Temporary Clerical Officer in the Civil and Public Service competition was advertised by PAS in October 2021 and the panels established from this recent competition may be used to fill future temporary Clerical Officer vacancies that arise during 2022.
293. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of organisations that were awarded equipment-only funding under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme earlier in 2021; when they will be contacted in relation to drawing down funding; if an organisation (details supplied) can proceed and purchase equipment using its own resources; if not, if organisations should wait to make purchases until after the drawdown of their funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62500/21]
View answerThe club referred to by the Deputy applied for funding for sports equipment under the 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and was awarded a grant in August of this year. The letter of provisional allocation issued to all successful applicants, including the club in question, on 18 August and this correspondence set out the steps necessary to obtain formal approval and draw down the grant. I understand the club may not have been aware of this letter of provisional allocation due to a change in the relevant club contact point but it is a matter for relevant grantees to ensure that contact details on the Department's online application system are kept up to date.
My Department was recently approached by the new club contact and the previous correspondence with the club has been forwarded to the new contact address. Once the relevant documentation is received from the club there will be no undue delay from my Department's perspective in formally approving the grant and allowing the grant to be paid.
294. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of State boards under the remit of her Department or its agencies, in tabular form; the number of members of each board; the number of persons with a declared disability on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of persons with a declared disability. [62534/21]
View answerAs Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I have responsibility for twenty-one varied and diverse State Boards. Information in relation to the membership and number of Board members on each Board is summarised in the table below. Recruitment processes are ongoing with respect to the filling of vacancies on a number of these boards.
Information on the number of Board members with a declared disability is not collated due to reasons of confidentiality and therefore it is not possible to provide the Deputy with a percentage.
|
State Board |
Max. number of posts |
Current number of members |
|
Arts Council |
13 |
7 |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland |
9 |
8 |
|
BAI Compliance Committee |
8 |
7 |
|
BAI Contract Awards Committee |
8 |
6 |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
12 |
12 |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
13 |
10 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
16 |
16 |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
20 |
20 |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
12 |
9 |
|
National Archives Advisory Council |
12 |
12 |
|
National Concert Hall |
9 |
7 |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
17 |
13 |
|
National Library of Ireland |
12 |
12 |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
16 |
13 |
|
RTE |
12 |
11 |
|
Screen Ireland |
7 |
7 |
|
Sport Ireland |
13 |
13 |
|
TG4 |
12 |
12 |
|
Tourism Ireland |
13 |
13 |
|
Údarás Na Gaeltachta |
12 |
12 |
|
Ulster Scots Agency |
8 |
8 |
|
Totals |
254 |
228 |
295. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total sum in staggered payments that will be made to the organisers of a golf tournament (details supplied) between now and 2027; if she has conducted a-cost benefit analysis in respect of using public funds for the event; and if she will publish a full review of the event in the context economic benefits and shortcomings and lessons learned to assist with hosting other world events in the future. [62583/21]
View answer296. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of occasions that she and her officials have met with the organisers and venue owners of a golf tournament (details supplied) in the past two years to date; and if she will provide a schedule of same by location or meeting and the costs incurred by her Department arising from same. [62584/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together.
To date I have met with the venue owners for the golf tournament to which the Deputy refers on one occasion on 7th September last but I have not met the event organisers. Minister Martin attended the Ryder Cup in 2021 in the U.S. and while there met with the venue owner and the organisers on the 24th of September 2021. This was part of a visit to the US promoting Ireland as a tourism destination organised by Tourism Ireland. My officials last met with the venue owners on 19th December 2019 and are in frequent dialogue with the event organisers, calls or e-mails are exchanged on at least a monthly basis. The last in-person meeting with the event organisers took place prior to the pandemic in London on 17th January 2020. The costs for these meetings are being compiled and I will forward the details to the Deputy in accordance with the timelines set out in standing orders. The Department is also working with and regularly meets stakeholders including Sport Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Limerick City and County Council and other public sector bodies in planning for the event.
In July 2019, after an extended period of consideration and negotiation, including an assessment of the costs and benefits, the Government approved a package of financial support for the hosting of the event to which the Deputy refers. The main payment to the event organisers, to host the event is an event licence fee. The first year of payment was in 2020 and, on foot of a payment agreement drafted by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office, €3.2 million of the licence fee was paid to the event organisers. A similar agreement was put in place for 2021. Allowing for the fact that the event was rescheduled to 2027 from 2026, the payment for 2021 encompassed a licence fee instalment of €2.755m. Payment levels similar to 2021 are envisaged for each year between 2022 and 2027 for the licence fee. The licence fee in total is scheduled to cost €22.5 million, not including VAT which is paid to the Irish Exchequer.
To strengthen the professional game in Ireland in the run up to the event, additional financial support of €8.5million is also being provided for professional golf events i.e. the Irish Open, the Challenge and Legends Tour Events scheduled to take place in Ireland up and including 2027. Marketing of the event will also form a key part of the preparations for the hosting and a budget of €8m will be provided for marketing through and with the European Tour.
Separate to this an operational budget will be required to support the staging of the event to cover matters such as policing, local authority support, transport provision as well as an opening ceremony and fanzone. These supports will ensure that Ireland can maximise the opportunity which this tournament affords Ireland, the Mid-West and Limerick city and county.
It is best practice to draw lessons learned from all major events and this event will be no different. In that regard, a review of the event including the delivery, costs, operation and impacts will be conducted after the event.
297. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to increase the level of girls and women participating in sport and structural inequities regarding the treatment of female sports players; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62829/21]
View answerEquality in sport is a key priority for Government. Our overall vision is for women to have an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential while enjoying a lifelong involvement in sport. Both the Programme for Government and the National Sports Policy are unequivocal in their commitment to making this a reality.
The aim in the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 is to eliminate the gender participation gap entirely by 2027. The Programme for Government commits to prioritise increasing female participation in sport as participants, coaches, referees, and administrators as well as to increase funding year on year for the Sport Ireland's Women in Sports Programme.
The 2019 Irish Sports Monitor Report, which is the most recent full year report, showed that the gender gap in sports participation was 3.4%, narrower than at any point over the past ten years. However, recent quarterly figures show that a gender gap is beginning to re-emerge as COVID 19 restrictions are lifted. Addressing this will be a priority in the coming months.
Last month I launched the Sports Action Plan 2021-2023. The Plan outlines over 40 specific initiatives intended to ensure the sports sector's continued recovery from the impact of COVID-19, its development over the next three years and the actions required to achieve the target of 60pc of the population participating in sport and physical activity. The plan focuses on inclusion, diversity and equality and includes targets for active participation, social participation, governance and high performance sport. A copy of the plan can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/93232-sports-action-plan-2021-2023/
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. This includes the allocation of funding to sporting organisations for the implementation of a range of programmes and measures to increase the level of girls and women participating in sport and to address inequalities in sports participation.
Many National Governing Bodies will begin to deliver Women in Sport and Dormant Accounts Funded Programmes this winter which will actively target populations that have been disproportionately impacted by the Pandemic including females, economically and socially disadvantaged communities, people with a disability and ethnic minorities.
The Women in Sport Funding Programme was established in 2005 and to date over €20 million has been invested through the National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships.
Sport Ireland launched a revised Women in Sport investment programme in 2019 following publication of its new Women in Sport Policy. Recognising that effective and sustainable programmes require a long-term approach, Women in Sport funding is now issues on a two year cycle to the National Governing Bodies. €4m is being allocated for the two years 2021/2022 representing a 33% increase on the 2019-2020 funding of €3m. The investment aims to support NGBs and enhance all aspects of female involvement across the Women in Sport policy target areas namely, Coaching & Officiating, Active Participation, Leadership & Governance and Visibility.
A priority this year was to eliminate the funding gap that existed in grand funding for male and female Gaelic players and I am very pleased to have achieved that aim and ensured that we have now parity in terms of that grant funding. Additional funding of €1.7m has been provided this year and for future years for enhanced support of female inter-county Gaelic games players on an equivalent basis to that being provided for their male counterparts. This additional provision brings the total amount available for female players in this context to €2.4m. This is a very important development for women's sport and demonstrates the Government's commitment to equality in sport.
The Deputy will be aware that Minister Catherine Martin and I received a letter on Friday from 59 female international rugby players, both currently active and retired, regarding issues they have with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). We have responded to the group to advise that a meeting will be sought with the IRFU and that Sport Ireland will meet with the players to discuss the issues raised. Both Minister Martin and I indicated that we were also happy to meeting with the players should that be needed, and we plan to do so before Christmas.
298. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress that has been made on the commitment in the programme for Government to establish a wild Atlantic walkway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62879/21]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to them for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
299. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of overseas visitors to Ireland for 2020; the projected number of overseas visitors to Ireland in the entirety of 2021 in the context of available data; the targeted number of visitors for 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62899/21]
View answerThe collection of official national tourism statistics is the responsibility of the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CSO has not been in a position to collect and publish such statistics, including data on overseas visitors to Ireland, since March 2020. Officials in my Department have been engaging with the CSO on this issue with a view to reinstating such data collection as soon as circumstances allow. Given the current uncertain nature of the international travel environment, as a result of the impact of the pandemic, it is not possible to provide a target for tourist visitor numbers in 2022 at this point with any degree of accuracy. I can assure the Deputy that I am continuing to work closely with the sector and with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, to ensure a sustainable recovery for the sector in the context of the pandemic.
300. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the up-to-date position regarding a potential bid by Ireland and other nations to host the 2030 World Cup; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62900/21]
View answerOfficials from my Department along with the football associations and government partners of the UK and Ireland continue to undertake feasibility work to assess the viability of a bid before FIFA formally open the bidding process in 2022.
A wide range of factors will be examined during this feasibility study prior to any final decision to bid.
A bid company is being established to help direct and oversee this work. Both the Irish Government and the Football Association of Ireland will make nominations to the board of this bid company.
If a decision is taken to bid, the opportunity to stage a FIFA World Cup would provide an incredible opportunity to deliver tangible benefits for our countries.
301. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding her review of the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62901/21]
View answerThe Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, including swimming pools, with at least €100m being made available over the period to 2027.
The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, thus far, approximately €86.4m has been awarded to 33 different proposals. The total funding applied for under the scheme significantly exceeded the amount available to allocate and it was not possible to allocate grants to many worthy projects.
While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the successful projects, as it is now well over 18 months since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants. My Department met with all grantees in this regard and this process is now nearing completion.
Once that review is complete the scope for awarding new grants to projects which missed out under the first set of allocations and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered. It is expected that the review will be completed early in the new year.
302. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering applications from other private providers interested in providing the mortgage-to-rent scheme. [62514/21]
View answerThe Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme introduced in 2012 is targeted at supporting households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP); agree to the voluntary surrender of their home and are deemed eligible for social housing support. The property in question must also meet certain eligibility criteria.
A Review of the MTR scheme for borrowers of commercial private lending institutions published in February 2017 explored the avenues and impediments to participation in the scheme and identified a number of actions to make the scheme work better for borrowers. As a result of the improvements implemented, an upward trend in case completions has been evident since 2018.
In the 2017 Review it was acknowledged that consideration needed to be given to the capacity of AHBs to intensify their involvement in the MTR scheme given the ambitious targets for the AHB sector around delivering new social housing supply. The 2017 Review committed to exploring the potential of private institutional investment in MTR in order to allow the MTR scheme to deliver at scale.
An Expressions of Interest (EOI) Request issued in 2017 inviting parties from the private sectors to express their interest in participating in a new alternatively funded long-term MTR lease model. The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) acted as financial advisor during the process, undertaking due diligence on the financial capacity of the proposers to commit to the long-term undertaking of the scheme. It was critical that the entity (or entities selected) were capable of purchasing the required number of MTR cases, demonstrated the appropriate understanding of the MTR process and the position of borrowers in long-term mortgage arrears, as well as the capacity to undertake the management and structural maintenance of properties over the lifetime of the lease agreement. The outcome from the EOI process is that a new MTR alternatively funded lease model was announced in 2018 with Home for Life Ltd as the participant from the private sector.
At the present time there are no plans to run another Expressions of Interest process for further private MTR providers.
303. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of requests from Irish Water for additional public funding to address the need for capital investment in wastewater treatment plants; and his response to such requests between 1 December 2020 and 30 November 2021, in tabular form. [62813/21]
View answerMy Department funds Irish Water through the annual estimates and budgetary process and are published in the Revised Estimates each year. In turn, funding for Irish Water is set within the framework of the Programme for Government, the National Development Plan 2021-2030 under Project Ireland 2040, the Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025 and funding determinations by its independent economic regulator the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
The Programme for Government commits to funding Irish Water's capital investment plan for drinking water and waste water infrastructure on a multi-annual basis and delivery of the funding package committed to in Project Ireland 2040.
The Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025 outlines the Government’s expectations for the delivery and development of water and waste water services in the years ahead against the strategic objective themes of Quality, Conservation and Future Proofing. In its Strategic Funding Plan, Irish Water has identified its business planning priorities for capital investment in line with the Water Services Policy Statement. The Plan sets out expected expenditure, income and funding requirements over a multi-annual period, while also meeting environmental requirements such as obligations under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, the Drinking Water Directive and the EU Water Framework Directive mandated River Basin Management Plans.
The National Development Plan 2021-2030 commits to almost €6bn capital investment to be undertaken by Irish Water in the period from 2021-2025 of which over €4.5 billion will be Voted Exchequer funded in respect of domestic water services. This investment includes the projects and programmes committed to in Irish Water’s Capital Investment Plan 2020-2024 approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities under Revenue Control 3.5.
Finally, as part of Budget 2022, I secured funding of €1.459 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Irish Water, which includes €830 million in capital funding.
304. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the locations of defective apartments, by county and local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62445/21]
View answerThe 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". These commitments are further supported by actions contained in Housing For All.
In this context, I established a working group to examine defects in housing. The plenary working group has been meeting monthly since March 2021 (except for August), in addition to subgroup meetings.
The group’s terms of reference were adopted in May 2021 and are focused on purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013 in Ireland. Part of the work of the group is to establish the scale of the issue, including estimating the number of dwellings affected and their location. The full terms of reference of the Working Group are to:
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 is engaging 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 look forward to receiving the report of the Working Group when it has concluded its deliberations.
305. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the new mica redress proposals; if there will be assurances regarding the integrity of independence in relation to the SCSI figures in February 2022; if he will affirm his commitment to review the current sliding scale which is presently unacceptable to the homeowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62446/21]
View answerI brought a Memorandum on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme to Government on the 30 November 2021 and it included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enchanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn. The comprehensive changes include:
- The current 90% maximum grant will be increased to a 100% grant for all remediation options 1-5
- The maximum grant cap for option 1 (demolition and rebuild) will be increased from €247,500 to €420,000
- The grant calculation methodology in resepct of option 1 remediation will be based on a cost per square foot with costings to be set by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in consultation with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). An indicative rate of €145 per square foot for the first 1,000 sq foot with a sliding scale thereafter has been announced by my Department and this will be subject to review as required in line with construction cost changes. In the case of remediation options 2-5 a similar but necessarily different approach will be taken to inform the appropriate rate for blockwork removal and replacement following consultation with SCSI
- A revised application process will be introduced which will only require the homeowner to submit an initial ‘Building Condition Assessment’ at minimal cost recoupable on entry to the Scheme. The Housing Agency will take over testing, sampling and categorisation of homes on behalf of homeowners and local authorities and will thereafter recommend the appropriate remediation option and grant amount for each home.
- Alternative accommodation and storage costs are to be included, subject to a maximum of €20,000
- In relation to works carried out under remediation options 2-5, a second grant option, will be available for such a home in the future if blockwork which was not removed as part of the initial remediation work subsequently proves defective in accordance with the IS;465 standard
- A new independent appeals process will be introduced
- The Scheme will be extended beyond the current scope of Principal Private Residences only, to also cover Residential Tenancies Board registered rental properties, subject to the introduction of a clawback mechanism upon re-sale within a set time period depending on the remediation option used. Opportunities for the State to acquire such rental properties for social housing purposes will also be examined.
Full details in relation to the changes announced are available at the following link;
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e365e-minister-obrien-announces-enhancements-to-the-defective-concrete-block-scheme/
In determining the indicative cost per square foot to be used, my Department consulted with the SCSI in relation to their re-build calculator. The purpose of those discussions was to gain a full understanding of the methodology behind the SCSI rebuild guide and whether in fact it was a suitable benchmark for the scheme. The discussions also involved consideration of what role SCSI could play in assisting my Department with up to date information on construction costs.
Following the Government decision on the enhanced scheme, I and officials from my Department met with the SCSI on the 3 December 2021 to work on terms of reference for further engagement on the issue of costs. The SCSI will be completely independent in any engagement on this issue. I aim to bring forward final proposals and legislation in respect of the enhanced scheme in early 2022.
