Written Answers Nos. 260-279
261. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position in relation to a building (details supplied); if the building has been damaged; if the roof is damaged; if so, the cause of the damage to this property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12640/22]
View answerI can confirm that work is underway to address issues with the roof of the building referred to. These issues are generally leakage and gutter issues and were identified following a recent survey and investigation of the site. I am satisfied that there is no damage to the building itself. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is now working closely with the OPW, who are the experts on such matters, on a remedial works plan to resolve the identified problem and return it to a watertight condition.
262. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if rent pressure zone legislation will be retained for a definitive duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12686/22]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 introduced measures in July 2021 to extend the operation of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) until the end of 2024. The designation of all existing RPZs has also been extended until 31 December 2024. The Act provides that rent reviews outside of RPZs can, until 2025, occur no more frequently than bi-annually. This provides rent certainty for tenants outside of RPZs for a minimum 2 year period at a time.
The Act also introduced measures to better protect tenants with affordability by prohibiting any necessary rent increase in a RPZ from exceeding general inflation, as recorded by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP).
To address the rent affordability challenges building on foot of the unexpectedly fast rising inflation rate, as recorded by HICP (CSO data for January 2022 shows HICP inflation of 5% p.a.), the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021 provides, from 11 December 2021, a cap of 2% per annum pro rata on rent increases in RPZs, where the inflation rate is higher. In effect, this will mean that rents in RPZs may only increase by a maximum of 2% per annum pro rata during times of higher inflation.
In all cases, section 19(1) of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021 prohibits the setting of a rent that exceeds market rent.
The operation of the rental market and the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021 are kept under constant review and any necessary legislation will be introduced.
263. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will release the National Parks and Wildlife Service report into the works carried out in the basement of Emo Court in 2019 and 2020 following an inspection by a person (details supplied) in December 2020; and if a commitment will be given to full publication of recommendations made in the report [12726/22]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department maintains ongoing contact with OPW in regard to its obligations under the Wildlife Acts including obligations under the Wildlife and Birds and Habitats legislation in relation to the important hibernation and breeding roost at Emo Court.
However, I should clarify there is no formal NPWS report into works carried out at Emo Court. The NPWS maintains records, such an internal memoranda and other documents, as part of its normal day to day operations and administration. The Deputy may be referring to one of these. My Department would not, in the normal course of events, publish such records.
My Department is happy to work with the OPW – and indeed with local authorities and any other public authorities - in order to assist them in meeting their obligations. For example, to assist public authorities in meeting their obligation to respect the protection given by EU law to bats and their roosts, the NPWS will shortly publish a series of guidance documents dealing with the practical aspects of bat conservation. A guidance document for public authorities, entitled Strict Protection of Animal Species , is also available on the NPWS website. This guidance is intended to assist in the application of Article 12 and Article 16 of the Habitats Directive to ensure that works are compliant with these articles.
264. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects to sign a licence for a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12862/22]
View answerMy Department received an application in August 2020 from Waterford City and County Council (the Head Lessee) seeking approval to extend the term of an existing consented sub-lease granted to Passage East Ferry Company up until 25 May 2034. The sub-lease, for a slipway and mooring, was granted originally to allow the ferry company to operate from Passage East to Ballyhack, Co. Wexford.
This Application is at an advanced stage of the process with the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO). Officials from my Department have been in contact with the Head Lessee to address clarifications sought from the CSSO and they are available to answer any questions the Lessee may have.
265. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent on Traveller accommodation in 2021 by each local authority. [12928/22]
View answerThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The following table outlines the capital drawdown for each local authority in 2021:
|
Local Authority |
Capital Drawdown 2021 |
|
Carlow |
- |
|
Cavan |
€518 |
|
Clare |
€954,403 |
|
Cork City |
€520,881 |
|
Cork County |
€55,496 |
|
Donegal |
€89,531 |
|
Dublin City |
€351,660 |
|
DLR |
€371,077 |
|
Fingal |
€3,423,475 |
|
South Dublin |
€358,873 |
|
Galway City |
€2,005,132 |
|
Galway County |
€284,443 |
|
Kerry |
€ 80,165 |
|
Kildare |
€32,588 |
|
Kilkenny |
€145,184 |
|
Laois |
€129,826 |
|
Leitrim |
- |
|
Limerick City & Co |
€2,284,555 |
|
Longford |
€406,014 |
|
Louth |
€15,000 |
|
Mayo |
€591,614 |
|
Meath |
€927,111 |
|
Monaghan |
€413,028 |
|
Offaly |
€246,126 |
|
Roscommon |
€96,829 |
|
Sligo |
€86,345 |
|
Tipperary |
€873,547 |
|
Waterford City & Co |
€173,817 |
|
Westmeath |
- |
|
Wexford |
€113,610 |
|
Wicklow |
€469,014 |
|
Overall Capital Spend |
€15,499,862 |
266. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the most up-to-date compulsory purchase order limits for local authorities to purchase vacant housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12969/22]
View answerHousing for All commits to a range of measures to address vacancy and maximise the use of existing housing stock such as plans to introduce a new programme for the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of vacant properties to ensure their use for residential purposes. Such a new programme for CPO of vacant properties is expected to support a broader programme of affordable housing in order to maximise opportunities to return vacant properties to productive use.
The CPO programme is to be supported by a bridging finance facility from the Housing Finance Agency for property acquisitions. In addition, a central advisory service is to be established in The Housing Agency to assist Local Authorities with the process. The objective is for Local Authorities to acquire at least 2,500 vacant units by 2026 and present them to the market for sale which in itself establishes the limits for the CPO.
The detailed arrangements for this CPO programme are currently being developed, with aim of advancing it this year, and it will build on the experience of many Local Authorities that already utilise CPO acquisitions, for example, in their delivery of new social homes through the Buy and Renew scheme.
267. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if assistance will be provided in relation to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13041/22]
View answerIn 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.
It should be noted that, pursuant to Section 9(3) of the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the PRA is independent in the performance of its functions.
268. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if an external contractor has been engaged regarding a protected disclosure over that time period; if so, the cost of same; and the number of protected disclosures that were rejected, accepted and that remain under review for the time period in question. [13055/22]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 67 of 25 March 2021 which sets out the position in this matter for the years 2017 to 2020.
Seven protected disclosures were received in the period 2019-2020, as follows:
|
Year |
Number of Protected Disclosures |
|
2019 |
4 |
|
2020 |
3 |
The annual report for 2021 will be published on or before 30 June 2022, in accordance with the Act. The provisional figures indicate six cases received in 2021 purporting to be protected disclosures. To date, one case purporting to be a protected disclosure has been received this year. The cases are at various stages of processing.
All but one of the cases during the period in question are from workers of other bodies in relation to which I have legislative functions, as provided for under Section 8 of the Act. The assessment and, if necessary, investigation of disclosures by workers from other bodies is particularly complex, requiring considerable work with the discloser and the other bodies concerned, to facilitate an appropriate outcome. My Department has not, to date, referred any of these cases to external third-party contractors.
269. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the detail of the legislation governing strategic policy committees, known as corporate policy groups, within local authorities [13120/22]
View answer270. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are specific legislative or regulatory provisions governing the membership and attendance of strategic policy committees, known as corporate policy groups; and if so, if he will outline the provisions. [13121/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
Local authorities are independent statutory bodies with their own democratically elected councils and management structures. The establishment and operation of strategic policy committees (SPCs) and corporate policy groups (CPGs) are reserved functions of local authorities.
Part 7 and Schedule 10, paragraphs 17, 18 and 19, of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, set out the provisions for the establishment and operation of local authority committees. The provisions for the formation and operation of CPGs are as set out under section 133 of the 2001 Act.
Section 54(2) of the 2001 Act allows me to issue general policy guidelines for the purpose of any provision of Part 7 and states that local authorities shall comply with any such guidelines. Guidelines entitled "Corporate Policy Groups and Strategic Policy Committees: Guidelines for establishment and operation" issued to local authorities on 29 May 2014 under circular LG 07/2014.
The circular and guidelines are available on Gov.ie at the link below: www.gov.ie/en/circular/1d064-circular-lg-072014-establishment-of-new-strategic-policy-committees-spcs-and-corporate-policy-group-strategic-policy-committee-guidance/.
271. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures that a peace commissioner can take to establish the reason that their signature was refused by a Government body (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12415/22]
View answerIn order to verify the identity of a passport applicant and, in the case of children, the consent of their guardians, the Passport Service requires certain forms to be witnessed.
While Peace Commissioners are included on the list of approved witnesses accepted by the Passport Service, there are certain applications for applicants resident in Ireland that must be witnessed by a member of an Garda Síochána. These include:
- All Passport Express applications - Section 9 Certificate of Identity
- First time adult online applications - Identity Verification Form
- First time child online applications - Child Passport Identity and Consent Form (Guardian A)
Peace Commissioners in Ireland can witness the following:
- Child Passport Express applications - Section 7 Consent of Guardians (only)
- Child online renewal applications - Child Identity and Consent Form
In the absence of any details about the application in question, the Passport Service is unable to confirm why the witness was rejected. However, if the Peace Commissioner referred to by the Deputy signed a form that is required to be signed by a Garda as outlined above, the Passport Service would request a new form witnessed by a Garda.
272. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of citizenship applications by persons (details supplied); the progress of same since they were lodged in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12933/22]
View answerMy Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
The processing of Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of Foreign Birth Registration staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the Foreign Birth Registration Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.
The applications referenced were registered on 28 February 2020, and are due to be processed in the near future. The FBR team will be in contact with the applicants shortly in this regard. My Department is fully committed to the continued allocation of additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand and the high volume of new applications anticipated this year.
273. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details enclosed) will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12329/22]
View answer275. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a family (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and the status of the application. [12344/22]
View answer281. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12421/22]
View answer286. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12534/22]
View answer302. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited as a matter of urgency. [13007/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 273, 275, 281, 286 and 302 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
274. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12337/22]
View answer276. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12371/22]
View answer277. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if passport applications by persons (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12376/22]
View answer280. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12401/22]
View answer288. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12572/22]
View answer294. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12930/22]
View answer301. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of passport applications by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13006/22]
View answer303. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13025/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 274, 276, 277, 280, 288, 294, 301 and 303 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport applications to the applicants.
278. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that can be taken to facilitate Ukrainians fleeing Ukraine and who are not in possession of an international passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12385/22]
View answerI am extremely concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked attack is causing immense suffering for the people of Ukraine. Russia’s war is illegal and immoral, and Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering. Ireland will do all it can to support the humanitarian response both in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.
As an Taoiseach announced last week, a €10 million Irish Aid Ukraine humanitarian package has been put together to enable organisations on the ground, including the UN and the Red Cross Movement, to provide life-saving assistance to the people of Ukraine. Ireland is also sending urgent medical supplies, including protective suits and masks and disinfectants, in response to a request from Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).
In addition, Ireland contributes to global funds and core funding to key agencies that are allocating funding to Ukraine, including WHO, OCHA, UNHCR, IFRC, ICRC and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Ireland was the 9th largest donor to the CERF in 2021. Last week, the CERF allocated more than €17.8 million to Ukraine. This year we will increase our annual contribution to the CERF from €10m to €11.5m, as I announced at the CERF pledging conference in December.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is the competent Department on refugees and works with relevant international bodies, including the Red Cross, on assisted refuge, including for those without documents. It would be for immigration officials to determine whether any given individual can access the State.
The EU agreed on the 4 March 2022, to activate the Temporary Protection Directive, which allows a form of temporary protection aimed at offering immediate help by granting large groups of people collective protection status. Such people would have protection status for up to a year (with a possibility of extension of up to three years), without going through individual asylum claims, and allowing access to housing and other benefits (e.g. education, health, social welfare, residency permits).
279. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will contact the Passport Office to have a passport application cancelled (details supplied) and the documents and fee returned to the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12396/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly and advised that the application has been cancelled and that a refund will issue in due course.
