Written Answers Nos. 309-328
309. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is grant funding available for authors to help cover the cost of graphic design for an instructional book prior to publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4490/22]
View answerI understand that this is a technical instructional book for teachers. My Department does not have any funding schemes that provide assistance of this kind for publications or publishing.
310. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if Tourism Ireland plans to launch major tourism advertisement campaign on billboards in major subway stations, train stations and bus stations in the United States of America; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4551/22]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days
311. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the post of Online Safety Commissioner is being advertised within the State only; if the role is also being advertised outside of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4552/22]
View answerThe Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill will, when enacted, formally dissolve the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and establish a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, which will be responsible for overseeing the regulation of broadcasting and video on-demand services and the new regulatory framework for online safety set out in the Bill..
It is essential from both an operational and reputational standpoint that Coimisiún na Meán has sufficient staff with experience and skills at the appropriate level in order to effectively carry out its regulatory functions. Given the importance of Coimisiún na Meán, Government has approved its establishment on an administrative basis prior to the enactment of the Bill. Work is underway between my officials and officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Appointments Service to start recruitment of key staff of the Commission, including an Online Safety Commissioner, through open public competitions.
Advertisements for the Online Safety Commissioner role will be published on publicjobs.ie and in national media. It is intended that the role will also be advertised outside the State through appropriate channels.
312. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason that the sum of €353,784 in Covid-19 cultural support grants was returned to her Department since the pandemic began; and the way that this funding was subsequently used by her Department. [4748/22]
View answerOver €55.5m was paid out in grants in 2021 to the Live Performance Sector under a number of schemes including:
- Live Performance Support Scheme
- Events Sector Covid Support Scheme
- Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme
- Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme
- Cultural Capital Scheme – stream D
A small number of grants totalling €353,784 (as per table below) under those schemes were not taken up or not fully drawn down, no grants were returned. Some applicants opted not to drawdown the grants offered, either partly or in full, for a variety of reasons related to their own circumstances. For example, under the LPSS, 6 applicants decided not to go ahead with the events as originally planned.
|
Name of COVID-19 related grant |
Value of grant offers not taken up by applicants |
|
Name of COVID-19 related grant |
Value of grant offers not taken up by applicants |
|
Pilot Live Performance Support Scheme |
€106,564 |
|
Cultural Capital Scheme Stream D |
€10,949 |
|
Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 |
€236,271 |
|
Total |
€353,784
|
313. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a list of Acts or sections or other provisions of Acts for which a commencement order has yet to be signed in her Department; the reason for the delay; when commencement orders will be signed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4769/22]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy in respect of those Acts for which I have lead responsibility is set out in the table below.
|
Act No/Year |
Act Title |
Section/Provision |
Comments |
Likely date of signature |
|
1957 |
Tourist Traffic Act |
5(1)(iii) |
Unauthorised use of titles protected by Tourist Traffic Act. |
There are currently no plans to commence this provision. |
|
1970 |
Tourist Traffic Act |
6(d) |
Unauthorised use of titles protected by Tourist Traffic Act. |
There are currently no plans to commence this provision. |
|
1983 |
Tourist Traffic Act |
7(4) |
Unauthorised Use of titles protected by Tourist Traffic Act. |
There are currently no plans to commence this provision. |
|
1997 |
National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 |
Section 4(1) |
Section 4(1) insofar as it relates to sections 16 or 65 of the Act, or section 25 of National Monuments Act 1930. Elements of Section 49 and Part V have not yet been commenced and are being examined by the Department. |
314. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the next round of funding applications for the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund; the closing date for the next round of applications; and if third parties can make amendments to applications. [4799/22]
View answer317. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of a fund (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5133/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 317 together.
The 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 two years since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants. My Department has now met with all successful grantees and work is at an advanced stage in drafting the Review. I expect this work to be finalised shortly.
Once that Review is complete the scope for awarding any additional grants and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered.
The question of making amendments to applications can only be considered with the agreement, in the first instance, of the original applicants who can then seek the Department's approval to the proposed change.
315. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the pilot basic income scheme for artists will be eligible for comedians and comedy writers to apply for; if comedians and comedy writers are included in the definition of arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4836/22]
View answerEligibility for the scheme will be underpinned by the definition of the arts set out in the Arts Act 2003, in which Arts is defined as:
“any creative or interpretative expression (whether traditional or contemporary) in whatever form, and includes, in particular, visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus and architecture, and includes any medium when used for those purposes”.
Arising out of the definition in the Arts act, eligible participants are considered to be artists or creative arts workers who are actively pursuing a career in creative or interpretive expression of an art form, in particular those identified under the Arts Act i.e. visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus or architecture.
Whether a comedian or comedy writer would be eligible under the scheme will depend on their ability to demonstrate that they have a creative practice i.e. interpreting or expressing an art form.
A creative arts worker is someone who’s work is in intrinsic to and makes a key contribution to the production or exhibition/display of artwork that is an original and creative work and whether it has, or is generally recognised as having, cultural or artistic merit. The input provided by workers in this category is intrinsically creative. This differentiates creative art workers from other supporting workers, whose input is better categorised as administrative, organisational, security, hospitality and so on.
316. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way that well-being measurements will be included in the pilot basic income scheme for artists. [4838/22]
View answerThe Basic Income for the Arts pilot project will be underpinned by a robust evaluation and research programme. Well-being will be a critical aspect to the Basic Income for the Arts proposal, and I am particularly interested in the impact of a steady and regular basic income on the wellbeing of artists and creative arts workers.
This initiative is being developed by my Department as a research project, and the monitoring and evaluation of the pilot will be a key part of the implementation of the intervention over the next three years. My Department is currently drafting an evaluation plan, which will be finalised once the online consultation that is ending tonight at midnight has closed and the responses have been analysed.
The evaluation plan will seek to collect data to monitor the achievement of all of the scheme objectives, and the consideration of well-being is an important element of this research. Well-being is a multi-dimensional concept and it is intended that the monitoring and evaluation of the pilot will be aligned with the holistic approach to wellbeing dimensions set out in the Government’s Well-being Framework for Ireland, which looks at 11 different wellbeing dimensions, including, for example, Mental and Physical Health, Community, Social Connection and Cultural Participation, Civic Engagement and Cultural Expression, Income and Wealth, and a measure of Subjective Wellbeing.
I believe that this BIA will be a significant support for the wellbeing of those participating in the scheme and the collection of data on wellbeing indicators will provide the evidence base on this issue.
318. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress to date with the proposed Irish Sea way along the east and south-east coast to boost tourism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5153/22]
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.
319. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans for the location of a cultural centre or sections of cultural institutions in the historic Moore Street area of Dublin, as was recommended by the Moore Street Advisory Committee reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5155/22]
View answerThe proposals in respect of the establishment of a cultural centre or the location of sections of a cultural institution in the Moore Street area remain under consideration in the context of the development plans for the area which include the houses (14-17 Moore St) designated as a national monument, the commercial developments in prospect and the intentions of Dublin City Council to develop and support a cultural quarter at Parnell Square.
My Department encourages initiatives towards wider public access and the distribution nationwide of items from the national collections, however, this is more likely to be achieved through lending of items to suitable centres than the establishment of secondary centres of the National Cultural Institutions. With specific regard to the proximity of Moore St to the national cultural institutions, it is not envisaged that sections relocate to the area, although close co-operation arrangements and the lending of objects to a suitable body there for exhibition purposes could be considered.
Having regard to the still emerging pattern of development in the area, my Department will continue to engage with Dublin City Council and interested parties to identify opportunities to support the development of cultural amenities and to contribute to the development strategy for the area.
320. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he can take with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to address the large-scale bureaucracy required to be completed by local authorities when they are looking to carry out necessary dredging works at piers and harbours under their control. [4403/22]
View answerThe responsibility for the development on Ireland’s foreshore is regulated under the provisions of the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended. As the Minister of State with responsibility for Planning and Local Government I am the ‘appropriate Minister’ for the purposes of the Act and have responsibility for all development types covered by the Act with the exception of a number of specific areas of responsibility for which the Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine is the appropriate Minister.
I wish to clarify that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has sector-specific responsibilities related to aquaculture and sea fisheries and owns, operates and maintains 6 designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres and any activity (marinas, dredging, pontoon, pier and so on) within these centres are the responsibility of that Minister. In addition, dredging campaigns within a busy local authority harbour or berthing pocket for fishing vessels within a local authority harbour would also be a matter for that Minister.
As the Minister of State with responsibility for Planning and Local Government my current responsibilities are not sector-specific and cover a wide range of development types including other dredging works which do not fall under the remit of the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Marine.
The Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, requires that a lease or licence must be obtained from the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government for the carrying out of works or placing structures or material on, or for the occupation of or removal of material from, State-owned foreshore, which represents the greater part of the foreshore. The Act provides for the issuing of licences or leases which are in the public interest and provides for the removal of any material within the foreshore and not more than thirty feet below the surface thereof
The Department’s website (see: www.gov.ie/en/service/a5994-how-to-apply-for-foreshore-consent ) provides guidance on how to apply for Foreshore Consent, the first step of which is to meet with Department officials to discuss the proposal. At this pre-application phase, applicants are advised to ensure they are aware of the relevant planning, environmental impact assessment and appropriate assessment rules, including public participation requirements where applicable.
The process times for foreshore licenses may vary from application to application depending on the nature of the works proposed, the complexity of the environmental reports to be considered and the nature of the engagement of the applicant with the process overall.
The enactment of the Marine Area Planning (MAP) Act in December 2021 has delivered a new legislative basis – allowing for the regulation of Ireland’s maritime area usage outside the 12 nautical mile coastal zone for the first time. The comprehensive and coherent marine planning regime, laid out in the MAP Act, aims to streamline the application process making it more efficient.
The legislation provides for the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), a dedicated maritime area agency. This is a priority for government. This work is being led my Department and will be in place by Q1 2023.
321. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department sought legal advice in relation to section 34 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 before the publication of reports (details supplied) in which three county councillors were publicly named; and if he is satisfied that section 34 was fully complied with. [4252/22]
View answerThe reports referred to by the Deputy were non-statutory reports. The reviews were not established under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 and as such the provisions of that Act do not apply.
The terms of reference for the reviews were agreed in consultation with all relevant parties, including the three Wicklow public representatives in question. The terms of reference note that the matters raised in representations to the then Minister by a number of Wicklow public representatives had been the subject of public and media comment during 2011.
322. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 372 of 9 September 2021, his plans to review the tenant incremental purchase scheme to allow those who were tenants of Part V houses prior to the introduction of the regulations to proceed with the purchase of their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4260/22]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. The scheme is governed by the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015. These regulations provide for specified classes of houses to be excluded from sale, including those provided to local authorities under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
The Part V provisions seek to promote social integration and secure mixed tenure, sustainable communities. Accordingly, Part V properties are excluded from the scheme to ensure the original policy goals of the legislation are not eroded over time and the properties remain available for people most in need of social housing support.
In line with commitments in Housing for All, A New Housing Plan for Ireland, I recently introduced changes to the Tenant Purchase Scheme. These included inter alia revising the minimum income criteria for applicants downwards from €15,000 to €12,500, thereby allowing older tenants in particular (whose only income might be the contributory or non-contributory State pension) to buy their homes if they have the means.
323. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 518 of 19 January 2022, the amount made available in respect of each local authority to bring the 319 unsold affordable housing units fully into use in each local authority’s housing stock; the number of these houses per local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4290/22]
View answerIn 2009 the Department issued guidance to local authorities on the use of unsold affordable properties (USAs) to provide social housing. Whilst the original intention was that these properties would be sold on as affordable homes once demand increased to a level that would stimulate a sale, following the financial crash, developments in the housing market resulted in significantly reduced demand for affordable housing and a build-up of unsold affordable housing units in a number of localauthrity areas.
A data collection exercise in 2020 identified over 2,000 USAs across 19 local authorities with outstanding loans to the Housing Finance Agency (HFA). These units are currently occupied by social housing tenants.
Following discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, €54,918,210 voted capital funding was used in December 2021 to bring 319 of these unsold affordable units fully into local authority stock by repaying the HFA debt on those units. Details of these units are as follows:
|
Local Authority |
Housing Units |
Loan Repayment |
|
Carlow County Council |
17 |
€2,795,392.00 |
|
Cork City |
29 |
€5,295,623.00 |
|
Cork County |
20 |
€2,800,592.00 |
|
Donegal County Council |
2 |
€211,220.00 |
|
Dublin City Council |
37 |
€7,154,231.00 |
|
Fingal County Council |
31 |
€7,181,196.00 |
|
Galway City Council |
27 |
€3,229,807.00 |
|
Kerry County Council |
5 |
€857,664.00 |
|
Kildare County Council |
19 |
€2,905,580.00 |
|
Laois County Council |
21 |
€3,080,006.00 |
|
Louth County Council |
16 |
€2,859,788.00 |
|
Mayo County Council |
2 |
€558,448.00 |
|
Meath County Council |
25 |
€2,596,046.00 |
|
Offaly County Council |
6 |
€989,847.00 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
6 |
€695,939.00 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
31 |
€6,891,895.00 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
2 |
€282,609.00 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
5 |
€878,116.00 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
18 |
€3,654,211.00 |
324. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff that have been assigned to the recently established wildlife crime unit in the National Parks; the number of additional rangers that have been employed on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4293/22]
View answerSince December 2020, conservation ranger numbers have increased by 18%. There are currently 86 conservation rangers stationed around the country to enforce wildlife laws; and they are supported by District Conservation Officers, Regional Managers and Divisional Managers. It is my intention to further increase ranger numbers up to 120 and my Department is working towards this goal. For operational reasons, my Department does not release information on where rangers are based. In any event, many rangers work in more than one county.
To support the work of the regional staff, a dedicated Wildlife Crime Unit has been established. As this new Unit grows and settles into its role, it will support the law enforcement work done in the regions - by providing guidance, advice and training. To date, one member of staff has been formally assigned to the new unit, supported by a number of staff across other units. It is planned to formally assign additional members of staff to the Unit this year.
325. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a final report was furnished to him with regard to an archaeological excavation (details supplied); if so, if a copy of the report will be provided to this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4299/22]
View answerI can confirm that a full report has been received in my Department in relation to this particular site and that a copy of this report will be provided as requested.
326. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of consultations and the name of each consultation that has commenced or is ongoing in his portfolio; the timeline for each consultation; when they will be incorporated into public policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4304/22]
View answerInformation in relation to my Department's consultations is available at: www.gov.ie/en/search/?type=consultations&organisation=department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage
There are currently two open consultations, the details of which are set out in the attached table. Submissions received in response to consultations are reviewed and inform public policy or development activity, as approriate.
|
Open Public Consultations |
Start & Finish Date |
|
Online survey in relation to defects in apartment and duplex buildings |
31 January to 14 March 2022 |
|
Public Consultation on the draft River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2022-2027 |
27 September 2021 to 31 March 2022 |
327. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the national coastal change management strategy is expected to be published which is now overdue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4321/22]
View answerThe Government established the Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the OPW and will bring forward options and recommendations for the Government to consider. The Inter-Departmental Group has met on three occasions to date and is also supported by a Technical Working Group.
During 2021, to assist and support the work of the Group, my Department and the OPW also engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with relevant Departments and key stakeholders to discuss the emerging work of the Group and for issues relating to coastal change management to be identified and explored in the context of the particular operations of the participating organisations. The Inter-Departmental Group is due to meet again shortly to further advance the drafting and finalising of its report which will be presented to Government for their consideration.
328. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units delivered by each local authority under the buy and renew scheme in each of the years 2017 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4333/22]
View answerThe Buy & Renew scheme supports local authorities in purchasing and renewing housing units in need of repair, which can then be made available for social housing use. Details of the number of Buy & Renew units acquired by local authorities in each of the years 2017 to 2021 are set out below.
|
LA |
Buy & Renew Units in 2017 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
|
Clare |
3 |
|
DLR |
12 |
|
Dublin City |
6 |
|
Fingal |
11 |
|
Kerry |
12 |
|
Kildare |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Laois |
3 |
|
Limerick |
14 |
|
Louth |
29 |
|
Meath |
11 |
|
Monaghan |
16 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
|
Waterford |
19 |
|
LA |
Buy & Renew Units in 2018 |
|
Carlow |
15 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
Clare |
17 |
|
Cork City |
27 |
|
Cork County |
5 |
|
Dublin City |
28 |
|
Fingal |
21 |
|
Kerry |
21 |
|
Kildare |
3 |
|
Laois |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
5 |
|
Limerick |
32 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Louth |
23 |
|
Mayo |
2 |
|
Meath |
20 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
10 |
|
Waterford |
4 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
|
Wexford |
8 |
|
LA |
Buy & Renew Units in 2019 |
|
Carlow |
19 |
|
Clare |
6 |
|
Cork City |
14 |
|
Cork County |
23 |
|
DLR |
1 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Dublin City |
21 |
|
Fingal |
1 |
|
Kerry |
8 |
|
Kildare |
3 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
|
Laois |
11 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
|
Limerick |
12 |
|
Longford |
8 |
|
Louth |
26 |
|
Meath |
20 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
|
Waterford |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
|
Wexford |
7 |
|
LA |
Buy & Renew Units in 2020 |
|
Clare |
1 |
|
Cork City |
2 |
|
Cork County |
18 |
|
Dublin City |
8 |
|
Fingal |
7 |
|
Galway City |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
|
Laois |
6 |
|
Limerick |
9 |
|
Longford |
2 |
|
Louth |
7 |
|
Mayo |
2 |
|
Meath |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
|
Waterford |
10 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
|
LA |
Buy & Renew Units in 2021 |
|
Carlow |
2 |
|
Clare |
5 |
|
Cork County |
4 |
|
Fingal |
2 |
|
Galway City |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Laois |
3 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
2 |
|
Waterford |
21 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
