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Tuesday, 22 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 314-333

Departmental Advertising

Questions (314)

Michael Ring

Question:

314. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount her Department has paid for advertising, features and so on in a magazine (details supplied). [9584/22]

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Written answers

I have been advised by my Department that there was no expenditure on the magazine to which the Deputy refers. In addressing this question, my Department examined the period January 1st 2021 to date, as no timeframe was specified by the Deputy.

Sports Funding

Questions (315)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

315. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the available funding for a club (details supplied) for maintenance works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9604/22]

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Written answers

The 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. Any sports club can apply directly for funding up to a value of €150,000 for local projects. In cases where a club does not own a premises, it is still permissible to apply for capital grants up to a value of €50,000. A copy of the latest "Guide to Making an Application" which sets out the terms and conditions of the scheme is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/d13385-sports-capital-programme/#introduction.

The most recent round of the Programme closed for applications on 1 March 2021.  By this date, 3,106 applications had been submitted seeking over €200m in funding.  This is the highest number of applications ever received. 

The scoring system and assessment procedures were finalised and published prior to assessment work commencing and all applications were assessed in accordance with these procedures. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6m were announced on 6 August 2021. The remaining capital applications were then assessed and 1,865 individual grant offers with a total value of over €143.8m were announced on Friday 11 February 2022. The priority in the medium terms is to progress all of these projects to grant drawdown stage.

In relation to any unsuccessful applicants, my Department will be in touch with relevant applicants shortly outlining the procedures which need to be followed to appeal the Department's decision. When the appeals process is complete, a full review of the 2020 round of the SCEP will be undertaken and any recommendations contained therein will be included in the terms and conditions of the next round.  The precise timing of this next round of the Programme will be announced once this review is complete. 

Commemorative Events

Questions (316)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

316. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide funding for an event (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9614/22]

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Written answers

My role as Minister with responsibility for leading the co-ordination of the Decade of Centenaries Programme (2012-2023) is to help ensure that the challenging events of this important and formative period in our history and related themes, are meaningfully, proportionately and sensitively remembered.

I note the proposal referred to by the Deputy for a conference in Spring 2023 titled ‘History, Memory and Legacy’, to mark the centenary of the Irish Civil War. Throughout the Decade of Centenaries, the Government’s approach is informed by the guiding principles and the advice of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations. I have referred the proposal mentioned by the Deputy to the Expert Advisory Group for consideration.

Sports Funding

Questions (317, 320, 327)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

317. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects to have the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund reviewed; if she plans to issue a call for new applications under the scheme; if not, if she will be providing additional funding to previously successful recipients who may be short of funding to complete projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9628/22]

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Seán Sherlock

Question:

320. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund; if the fund is open to new applications; the number of successful applications; the amount disbursed; if she will provide a list of the successful projects; and the number of applications that are currently being assessed in tabular form. [9792/22]

View answer

Seán Sherlock

Question:

327. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the large-scale sport infrastructure fund scheme; if it is open to new applications; the number of successful applications; the amount disbursed; if she will provide a list of those successful projects in tabular form; and the number of applications that are currently being assessed. [10103/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 317, 320 and 327 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 or to provide successful applicants with the full amount that they had sought. Details of all applications made and grants awarded are published in tabular form on the Government's website and can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/.

Two grantees have commenced the implementation of their projects and to date a total of €417,015 has been paid to those applicants. The remaining projects are at various stages of assessment with many at a stage where funding agreements are being finalised.

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, adjusting the level  of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered.

Commemorative Events

Questions (318)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

318. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if plans have been considered to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell, which will occur in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9633/22]

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Written answers

I am aware of the forthcoming 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O'Connell in 2025 and my Department is open to considering how we can help to ensure that the life and legacy of Daniel O'Connell and the 250th anniversary of his birth is marked appropriately. If the Deputy is aware of any specific proposals in this regard, I would be happy to give these due consideration in the context of my Department’s support for commemorative activities.

Broadcasting Sector

Questions (319)

Alan Kelly

Question:

319. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to make emergency funding available to the national broadcaster in order to upgrade its streaming and on-demand offering to licence fee payers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9724/22]

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Written answers

Under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ is funded through a combination of licence fee revenues and commercial revenues, the latter being obtained largely from advertising. The Act also sets out the public service objects required to be fulfilled by RTÉ, as well as ensuring RTE's independence in the pursuance of those objects.

In recognition of the financial challenges facing the broadcaster, additional exchequer funding of €8.6m and €9.3m was provided to RTÉ for 2019 and 2020 respectively.

RTÉ had also sought additional funding in early 2020 to address the financial impact of COVID-19. However, as the financial situation for RTÉ improved in the course of the year, additional funding was not required.

Separately, in order to support a number of key strategic initiatives, RTÉ disposed of some land at its Donnybrook campus in 2017. The net proceeds of this disposal are ringfenced for specific purposes including investment in digital.

The financial position of RTÉ is reviewed on an ongoing basis by way of a governance structure which includes my Department and NewERA. My Department has not received any further requests for emergency funding from RTÉ.

The wider question of ensuring that public service broadcasting and media in Ireland is appropriately and sustainably funded, was a key element of the terms of reference of the Future of Media Commission. The Commission, Chaired by Professor Brian McCraith, completed its work in September last year, and the resultant report is being considered at present with a view to it being brought to Government shortly.

Question No. 320 answered with Question No. 317.

Public Services Provision

Questions (321)

Michael Ring

Question:

321. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has won any award from a publication (details supplied); if so, when this award was won; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9841/22]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by my Department that it has not received any award from the publication to which the Deputy refers.

Sports Funding

Questions (322)

Michael Creed

Question:

322. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a list of the unsuccessful and ineligible applications received from County Cork under the sports capital grant scheme. [9897/22]

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Written answers

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.  Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.1 billion.   The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.

The 2020 round of the Programme closed for applications on 1 March 2021.  By this date, 3,106 applications had been submitted seeking over €200m in funding.  This is the highest number of applications ever received.  

The scoring system and assessment procedures were finalised and published prior to assessment work commencing and all applications were assessed in accordance with these procedures. All of the improvements which were introduced for recent rounds of the Programme to make the process as user-friendly as possible were maintained for this round. This included giving applicants a second chance to submit corrected documentation. The full scoring system and assessment procedures can be viewed at the following link: www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie/.

Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6m were announced on 6 August 2021. The remaining capital applications were then assessed and 1,865 individual grant offers with a total value of over €143.8m were announced on Friday 11 February 2022.

Details of all applications submitted under the 2020 round can be viewed at the following location: www.gov.ie/en/collection/991ea-sports-capital-and-equipment-programme-2020-applications/.

All valid capital applications received a grant offer and all allocations can be viewed on a county basis at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/.

In relation to the invalid applications, my Department will be in touch directly with all applicants to notify them of the outcome of their applications. Where relevant, this will include details of why applications were deemed invalid. All such unsuccessful applicants will have the opportunity to appeal the Department's decision and full details of the appeals procedure will issue to these applicants shortly. 

Sports Facilities

Questions (323)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

323. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount provided from the large sport infrastructure grant stream for the redevelopment of a stadium (details supplied); if additional funding has been requested in the context of rising building inflation; and the measures in place to mitigate risk and or liability in instances in which a grant and funding cannot bridge the cost of a project due to inflation. [9931/22]

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Written answers

Dublin City Council's proposal for the development of Dalymount Park was among the successful projects to be awarded funding under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). A grant of €918,750 was awarded under Stream 1 of the LSSIF towards the cost of bringing the project to tender stage and a formal grant agreement has been signed by Dublin City Council and my Department. 

Design work is progressing and my Department made its first payment in respect of this grant towards the end of last year.

With regard to future construction costs, the management of these costs will be a matter for Dublin City Council in the first instance. In relation to grant assistance for future construction work on projects that have been granted design funding under Stream 1 of LSSIF, my Department is currently finalising a review of all projects in receipt of LSSIF funding. Once that review is complete the scope for awarding any additional grants, adjusting the level of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered.  

An Teanga Gaeilge

Questions (324)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

324. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an ndéanfaidh oifigigh na Roinne athbhreithniú ar an tsraith taighde, Céard é an Scéal, a foilsíodh le gairid (sonraí tugtha) agus ina leagtar amach cén machnamh a dhéanfar ar mholtaí na ngrúpaí fócais; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [9951/22]

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Written answers

Tá cóip den taighde atá luaite ag an Teachta faighte agam féin agus ag mo chuid oifigigh ó Chonradh na Gaeilge. 

Cuirim fáilte roimh an taighde a léiríonn go bhfuil an pobal i gcoitinne, fiú iad siúd nach bhfuil an Ghaeilge ar a dtoil acu, báúil don teanga. Dár ndóigh, is ag teacht le polasaí an Rialtais seo maidir leis an Ghaeilge, mar atá leagtha amach sa Straitéis 20-Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030, atá go leor de na conclúidí atá déanta sa taighde.

Léiríonn an Stráitéis, agus an Plean Gníomhaíochta don Ghaeilge 2018-2022 atá bainteach léi, polasaí an stáit don Ghaeilge agus do na ceantair Ghaeltachta. Tá úinéireacht trasrialtais ag an Stráitéis agus an Plean Gníomhaíochta agus, dá réir sin, tá de chúram ar Ranna Rialtais, ar fhorais Stáit agus ar eagraíochtaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta an plean a chur i bhfeidhm.

Léiríonn an Plean Gníomhaíochta, agus an dara tuairisc bhliantúil ar a dhul chun cinn a foilsíodh i 2021, na 180 gníomh atá á bhforbairt ag thart ar 60 páirtí leasmhar chun tacú leis an teanga agus leis na ceantair Ghaeltachta. 

Comhthreomhar leis an bplean sin, agus ag teacht le moltaí thaighde Chonradh na Gaeilge, chuir an Rialtas seo leithdháileadh breise arbh fhiú €14.8m san áireamh i mBuiséad 2021 d’earnálacha na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta, chun tacú leis an teanga agus na ceantair Ghaeltachta - go mór mór i gcomhthéacs chur i bhfeidhm leanúnach an phróiseas pleanála teanga agus an pholasaithe maidir le hOideachas Gaeltachta. Mar thoradh ar an leithdháileadh breise sin, bhí níos mó ná €78m san iomlán curtha ar fáil i 2021 chun tacú leis an nGaeilge trí mo Roinnse amháin - suim atá méadaithe arís go €85m don bhliain reatha agus a chuirfidh ar chumas mo Roinne dlús a chur le cur i bhfeidhm Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021 ar mhaithe le soláthar seirbhísí Stáit do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge a fheabhsú.

Departmental Communications

Questions (325)

John Brady

Question:

325. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she uses an application on her official Government telephone; if so, if she has the disappearing messages setting activated on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9968/22]

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Written answers

While communication applications, such as that to which the Deputy refers is used on occasion for reasons of expediency or general communication purposes, official business in my Department is conducted through Departmental email accounts and bespoke applications such as ePQs, eSubmissions and eCabinet. I do not have the disappearing messages function activated on my official Government phone.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (326)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

326. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of board vacancies on State boards under the remit of her Department. [9981/22]

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Written answers

I can advise the Deputy that there are 20 State Boards under my Department’s remit, eight of which currently have vacancies. These vacancies are outlined in the table below and I can confirm that processes are in place to fill these vacancies, some of which are close to conclusion:

Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

State Board

Current Vacancies

Arts Council

6 Board Member vacancies

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

1 Board Member vacancy

Fáilte Ireland

4 Board Member vacancies

IMMA

3 Board Member vacancies

National Concert Hall

2 Board Member vacancies

National Gallery of Ireland

4 Board Member vacancies

National Museum of Ireland

3 Board Member vacancies

RTÉ

1 Board Member vacancy

Question No. 327 answered with Question No. 317.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Questions (328)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

328. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention and the attention of the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been drawn to the fact that a policy (details supplied) addresses the serious public health and safety risks posed by high density gull colonies in communities; his views on whether the conclusions and actions set out in the policy should apply in Dublin specifically across north County Dublin in Balbriggan, Skerries, and Howth given the results of the National Survey of Urban Gulls September 2021 by his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service; if not, his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service policy on urban gulls in the interests of public health and safety; if he will provide the evidence and expert advices that he is relying on to support his position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9039/22]

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Written answers

As previously advised, the management and control of protected wild birds in Ireland is carried out under the Wildlife Acts 1976 through the licencing system that is available e.g. Section 42 and Section 22(9)(d) of the Wildlife Acts. In addition the State-wide Wild Bird Declaration also allows for the control of certain protected wild birds by removal of the nest or eggs of those species in a particular area of North Dublin without going through the licence application process. The results of the National Gulls Survey 2021 will inform the new iteration of the Wild Birds Declaration.

As outlined previously, my officials have engaged with a number of bodies in order to move the recommendations of the first interim report of the Consultative Committee on urban gulls forward. My Department is awaiting a response to these communications. My Department is aware of a number of policies developed in other countries to address a range of bird related issues.

Property Registration

Questions (329)

James Lawless

Question:

329. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of an application by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9045/22]

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Written answers

In relation to any specific cases with the Property Registration Authority (PRA), arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. Further information in relation to the specific case referred to may be obtained by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of the PRA at reps@prai.ie.

Flood Risk Management

Questions (330)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

330. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the powers county councils and the CEO of each have in relation to carrying out emergency works to prevent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9080/22]

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Written answers

In September 2004, Government approved a national flood risk policy which assigned OPW the lead role for flood risk management and mitigation. The OPW is responsible for overseeing Ireland’s approach to flood risk management across three strategic and policy areas, i.e. prevention, protection and preparedness.

The 2004 report also acknowledged that the primary concern of my Department in relation to flooding, is to ensure that when adverse conditions arise, local authorities (including the fire services) are able to respond promptly and effectively to help offset the worst effects in relation to those aspects for which they have direct responsibility.

There are three main flooding threats:

- Fluvial (river)

- Tidal

- Pluvial (rainfall)

My Department is designated as the Lead Government Department for response to flooding with the Office of Public Works (OPW) having responsibility for flood prevention and mitigation. The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) of my Department, working with Met Éireann and OPW, monitor weather conditions on an on-going basis. NDFEM staff co-ordinate the response to flooding at national level, when required, supporting local authorities.

Local authorities are designated as a principal response agency as well as being 'lead agency' for coordinating the local response to flooding emergencies as per the Government decision relating to the “Framework for Major Emergency Management” (2006). Local authorities prioritise life safety when responding to flooding emergencies. Protection of critical infrastructure, property and transport routes are also key objectives in any response to flooding.

My Department works with relevant stakeholders as appropriate, including Met Éireann, OPW, local authorities, relevant Departments and ESB to ensure a co-ordinated response to each flooding event. This response mechanism has been evidenced in recent flooding events.

Since 2009, my Department has made financial support, amounting to over €94million available to assist local authorities in meeting the un-budgeted costs of clean-up and necessary immediate works, such as staff overtime and hire of plant and contractors, associated with significant severe weather emergency events, including flooding. This is in recognition of the exceptional nature of activities carried out by local authorities in responding to these types of emergencies and the fact that the costs of these un-programmed activities cannot be met from within existing resources. This practice is considered a vital enabler of local authority response, providing the assurance that availability of resources is not a limiting factor in providing effective local response.

The arrangements for emergency management have evolved and, when called upon, are seen as having worked well, in particular the responses to flooding and other severe weather emergencies led by local authorities. All local authorities have Severe Weather/ Flood Plans in place to support the response to weather emergencies as part of their individual Major Emergency Plans. Local authorities also have a Severe Weather Assessment Team in place, monitoring Met Éireann weather warnings and OPW and EFAS flood advisory/ warnings and High Tide Advisories.

My Department's Lead Government Department role includes the preparation of review reports into the response to flooding emergencies where national level coordination is activated. The most recent is the Review Report on Severe Weather Events 2017-2018, published in December 2019. The 2019 report was considered by the Government Task Force for Emergency Management. My Department has implemented the recommendations relating to the Local Government sector fully.

As outlined above, my Department’s role in relation to flooding has been designated as coordinating the response when flooding does occur, with OPW as the lead organisation for flood risk management in Ireland.

Property Registration

Questions (331)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

331. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average time to update folios on the landdirect.ie website in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9093/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Property Registration Authority (PRA) continued to maintain a high level of service to support a robust property market throughout the period of COVID-19 restrictions.

As set out in the PRA Customer Charter, completion times are measured in respect of cases that are in order (that is, that are not rejected or queried) and do not involve a change to map. In 2019, 87 per cent of applications were completed within 10 working days and 90 per cent within 20 working days. The 10-day and 20-day completion rates dropped to 49 per cent and 56 per cent, respectively, in 2020, and to 35 per cent and 43 per cent, respectively, in 2021, due to the impact of the pandemic and reduced staff resources. The year to date in 2022 shows 35 per cent of cases have been completed within 10 working days.

The PRA are developing a customer-centric and targeted programme to make the best use of available resources to deliver improved quality customer service. Customers are at the centre of all PRA decisions and actions, and they will continue to engage with all stakeholders on how to improve service delivery times.

The PRA is always willing to act on requests from lodging parties to expedite an application pending in the Land Registry, and every effort is made to expedite cases where valid grounds for urgency exist, such as a pending sale or financial hardship.

Heritage Projects

Questions (332)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

332. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding opportunities that are available for the built heritage project in County Wicklow (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9081/22]

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Written answers

My Department provides financial support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings, historic structures and archaeological monuments through three grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Community Monuments Fund (CMF).

The HSF is for conservation and enhancement to heritage structures and historic buildings, in both private and public ownership, for the benefit of communities and the public. The BHIS is a scheme for the repair and conservation of structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures (RPS). It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small-scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals. The CMF is for investment in archaeological heritage and helps owners and custodians of archaeological monuments to safeguard them into the future for the benefit of communities and the public.

On 5 November 2021, I launched the 2022 BHIS and HSF schemes which will have funding of €8m - an increase of €2 million from 2021. Full details of both schemes are available on my Department’s website as well as on the websites of the local authorities; it should be noted, however, that the deadline for applications to the local authorities for the 2022 schemes has now passed. On 17 November 2021, I launched the 2022 CMF scheme with funding of €5m – an increase of almost €1m from that awarded in 2021. The deadline for applications to my Department from the local authorities for this scheme is 1 March 2022. It is intended to run all three schemes again in 2023 and full details will be available on my Department's website, and from the local authorities, from November onwards. An application in relation to the structure mentioned would be welcome.

In the context of a particular building or historic structure, such as the boundary wall to the Church of Ireland in Glendalough, the best advice is generally to contact the Architectural Conservation Officer or Heritage Officer in the local authority who is very well placed to advise on the various types of funding available to assist with renovation. The relevant official in Wicklow County Council is Deirdre Burns, who can be contacted at (0404) 20100, dburns@wicklowcoco.ie.

Housing Policy

Questions (333)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

333. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of PRSI contributions that are required for eligibility for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9105/22]

View answer

Written answers

To qualify for social housing support a household must meet all of the eligibility criteria, which primarily relate to income, availability of alternative accommodation, and previous rent arrears.

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).

The 2011 Regulations prescribe the maximum net income permissible for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The Policy defines net income as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy also provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to disregard temporary, short-term or once-off income.

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