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Wednesday, 23 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 54-70

Departmental Contracts

Questions (54)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

54. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has engaged a company (details supplied) in respect of the services it provides from 2011 to date in 2022; the number of times she has engaged this company; the services used; and the total cost of all engagements with this company. [15189/22]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department assumed its current configuration in June 2020. I am advised that no contracts have been entered into with the company referenced by the Deputy since this time.

The Deputy will wish to note that prior to 2020 the then Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht engaged the services of the referenced company in 2015 and 2016 for the provision of Irish language translation services as part of the 2016 Commemoration activities.

Details of the cost of spend on the services provided can be found in the table below:

Year

Total spend

2015

€4,132

2016

€1,995

Total

€6,127

Tourism Funding

Questions (55)

Noel Grealish

Question:

55. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason that independent tourism providers cannot avail of the tour operators business continuity scheme for 2022; the reason that independent operators are excluded from this scheme despite operating successful and professional tourism related businesses for many years; if there is any other mechanism by which these businesses can avail of Covid-19 related tourism supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15257/22]

View answer

Written answers

In Budget 2022, I secured €50m for the Tourism Business Continuity Programme which is designed to support strategic tourism businesses to survive through the pandemic and to help drive the recovery of the Irish tourism industry. The Tourism Business Continuity Schemes for 2022 are managed by Fáilte Ireland.

In addition, in terms of other supports, Fáilte Ireland has designed several businesses supports, training and resources in the following tourism business areas:

- Marketing & Sales

- Finance

- Revenue Management

- Customer Service

- Food & Beverage Service.

I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information on the eligibility criteria for the Strategic Ireland Based Inbound Agents Tourism Business Continuity Scheme 2022 and for further information on the other businesses supports available. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Departmental Contracts

Questions (56)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

56. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of contracts that her Department has with a company (details supplied); the location, nature, value and type of contract in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15416/22]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised that my Department has no contracts with the company referenced by the Deputy.

Pleanáil Teanga

Questions (57)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

57. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le plean teanga Bhearna agus Chnoc na Cathrach atá faofa ag an Aire le tamall fada; agus go háirithe, an ndeimhneoidh sí go bhfuil Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga ceaptha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [15507/22]

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Written answers

Rinne mé plean teanga an Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta: Bearna agus Cnoc na Cathrach a fhaomhadh faoin bpróiseas pleanála teanga i mí Bealtaine 2021.

Tuigtear don Roinn nach bhfuil Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga fostaithe sa cheantar go fóill áfach ach go bhfuil céimeanna idir lámha ag Údarás na Gaeltachta chun dlús a chur le rudaí gan tuilleadh moille i dtreo tús a bheith curtha le feidhmiú an phlean. Cuimseofar sa chur chuige seo earcú Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga.

Mar a bhaineann sé leis na Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta go ginearálta, tá pleananna teanga i leith 25 den 26 limistéar ceadaithe faoin bpróiseas go dtí seo agus tá súil agam go mbeidh siad uile ceadaithe go gairid.

School Facilities

Questions (58)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

58. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter with regard to public access to outdoor facilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15256/22]

View answer

Written answers

For many years the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department ran a very successful education programme at the site mentioned, however, the Memorandum of Understanding with NPWS in that regard has now expired.

I fully support access to our facilities to the greatest extent possible. My officials will establish what is required in relation to the site mentioned within our National Park. In the meantime any queries may be directed to the Parks and Reserves Unit of my Department to pru@housing.gov.ie and we will endeavour to provide whatever supports we can.

Urban Development

Questions (59)

Alan Dillon

Question:

59. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the national town centre first office; when the office will be established; the location of the office; the number of employees; the grades that will be assigned to each; and the level of responsibility the office will have in supporting local authorities, town regeneration officers and technical expertise to assist local town teams in formulating their local responses and accessing regeneration funding. [15172/22]

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Written answers

The Town Centre First (TCF) policy, jointly developed by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development, sets out 33 actions which will provide a co-ordinated framework across established national policy objectives (in particular the National Planning Framework, Housing for All and Our Rural Future) to address the decline in the health of our towns and sets out actions to regenerate and revitalise them.

One of the key actions of the policy is the establishment of a National TCF Office to drive and coordinate the implementation of the policy across the whole Country. The policy also mandates the preparation of an Annual Implementation Plan by the National TCF Office to guide the delivery of the policy including producing regular progress reports.

The Local Government Management Association (LGMA) will play a key role in establishing the National Office and discussions with my Department are at an advanced stage in this regard. On foot of these discussions, it is expected that the post of National TCF Co-ordinator, the key leadership post in the National TCF Office, will be advertised shortly for recruitment via secondment at Director of Services level within the local government sector.

Other posts within the National TCF Office will be established further to the finalisation of the key national implementation structures and establishing of the office, but it is expected that the National Office will comprise of a team of 5-6 people with a range of skills appropriate to the responsibilities of the National Office.

Appropriate governance and oversight structures to support the work of the National TCF Office will be developed through the National Oversight and Advisory Group. It is intended that this group will set the agenda, prepare a high level action plan and ultimately oversee the implementation of the overall TCF programme. This group will be made up with representation from local government/government departments, agencies and wider expert representation. It is intended that recruitment to this group will take place once the National TCF Office is established.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (60)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

60. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged a company (details supplied) in respect of the services it provides from 2011 to date in 2022; the number of times he has engaged this company; the services used; and the total cost of all engagements with this company. [15184/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has engaged the services of this company since 2018, primarily for the provision of the translation of material to Irish and occasionally for translation services in other languages.

The attached table sets out the number of engagements and the total costs. Note that an engagement, in this context, represents a distinct translation service.

Year

Number of Engagements

Total Cost (incl. VAT)

2018

3

€3,003.53

2019

17

€8,331.14

2020

143

€37,689.86

2021

279

€58,753.79

2022

121

€16,407.09

Total

563

€124,185.41

Vacant Sites

Questions (61)

Pa Daly

Question:

61. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of the vacant site levy that was collected in 2021 compared to demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15249/22]

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Written answers

Under the vacant site levy provisions in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 (the Act), planning authorities were empowered to apply a vacant site levy of 3% of the market valuation of relevant properties which were listed on local authority vacant site registers in 2018, which relevant owners were liable to pay in January 2019. The rate of the levy increased to 7% for sites listed on local authority vacant sites registers from 2019 onwards which site owners became liable to pay in January of the following year.

The most recent data available in relation to the collection of the levy is based on returns submitted to my Department further to the issuing of Circular Letter PL 03/2021 on 8 March 2021 requesting the submission of a progress report on the implementation and collection of the levy by each local authority in respect of the previous year, 2020.

The returns received further to that request indicated that local authorities issued levy demands totalling €11,883,200 in respect of 2020. The final amount collected in respect of 2020 will not be available until local authorities submit final returns for that year, which will be requested shortly in association with an initial data request in respect of 2021.

For information, the returns submitted by local authorities in 2020 indicated that levy demands totalling €13,296,481 were issued in respect of the previous year (2019) and that the amount of levy collected in that year was €1,183,700. It should be noted that under section 19 of the Act, unpaid levies due remain a charge on the land in question until they are paid. My Department will continue to engage proactively with local authorities to ensure that all vacant site levies due are paid and that the measure can achieve its full potential.

Rail Network

Questions (62)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

62. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding approved under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund for the upgrade of the railway line from Athenry to Galway; the purposes for which this funding was approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15270/22]

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Written answers

Under Call 2 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), €9,281,250 has been provisionally allocated for Galway County Council’s successful Call 2 project - Oranmore Railway Station.

This project involves three distinct but related projects to promote sustainable growth around Oranmore Train Station. The projects will maximise the benefit of the rail infrastructure in particular and facilitate the future expansion of Oranmore as a compact development with high quality public transport as part of the emerging urban framework plan.

The project consists of three sub-projects:

- Railway Infrastructure Upgrades - to include a 1km passing railway loop at existing Oranmore Train Station; including additional platform and associated infrastructure.

- Detailed design of the local centre and associated car park structure and Landscaping Plan for the lands south of the train station to ensure the appropriate integration of the infrastructural works within the existing landscape, and in a manner that will also be integrated with the future built development and amenities.

- A Study on the Design Development of Typologies to implement the Urban Framework Plan.

While my Department works closely with the successful applicants in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency, in this case Galway County Council.

In this regard, it should be noted that all URDF supported projects must be carefully developed and managed by the Sponsoring Agency in accordance with the normal conditions and arrangements that apply to public sector managed projects including, exercising appropriate cost control and delivering projects as approved, and in full compliance with the Public Spending Code.

Water Quality

Questions (63)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

63. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Irish Water’s plan to eliminate trihalomethanes in public drinking water supplies by the end of 2021 has been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15293/22]

View answer

Written answers

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels, including the delivery of water services capital infrastructure, while the local authorities remain responsible for private water supplies.

Under the Drinking Water Regulations 2014, as amended, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the supervisory authority for water supplied by Irish Water. The EPA produces an annual Public Supply Drinking Water Report and Private Supply Drinking Water Report, which provides an overview of the quality of drinking water in public and private supplies. The EPA’s Remedial Action List is a register of public water supplies that are in need of corrective action, usually at the water treatment plant. The most recent update relates to Q4 2021. The reports are based on the assessment of monitoring results reported to the EPA by Irish Water and the Local Authorities, and on EPA and Local Authority enforcement activities.

The EPA report on Irish Water’s performance in relation to Drinking Water Quality and the most report Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2020 was published in December 2021 and is available at the following link: www.epa.ie/publications/compliance--enforcement/drinking-water/annual-drinking-water-reports/drinking-water-quality-in-public-supplies-2020-.php

Departmental Contracts

Questions (64)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

64. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of contracts that his Department has with a company (details supplied); the location, nature, value and type of contract in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15411/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has no contracts with the company in question.

Housing Schemes

Questions (65)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

65. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the financial supports that are available for a family that is in inappropriate accommodation which it owns and which is no longer suitable for their child who is a wheelchair user in cases in which the financial circumstances do not allow for the family to purchase a new house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15444/22]

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Written answers

The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability facilitates older people and people with a disability to remain living independently in their own homes. These schemes assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs.

The grants available operate on a sliding scale with the highest percentage grants available to those with the lowest incomes and vice versa. The schemes are means tested. Grant assistance is not available to applicants whose household income exceeds €60,000 per annum.

The administration of the grants scheme, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of grant applications under the various measures, is the responsibility of each local authority. Having considered all of the circumstances in any particular case, it is a matter for the local authority to determine grant eligibility.

Housing for All commits to undertaking a review of the range of housing grants available to assist with meeting specific housing needs both for our ageing population and people with a disability which includes a review of the existing grant limits and income thresholds applicable to the grant schemes. The review is being undertaken this year.

Separately, housing supports are provided by local authorities to eligible applicants in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

Planning Issues

Questions (66)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

66. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the membership of the Planning Advisory Forum. [15490/22]

View answer

Written answers

Housing for All sets out a number of objectives with the aim of improving the functioning of the planning system including the comprehensive review and consolidation of planning legislation. The review forms one of the actions in Housing for All and is set in the context of the broad policy outlined therein. The review is being overseen by the Attorney General and he has appointed a working group of professionals with planning law expertise to assist him in this work. It is intended that the review will be complete and the revised legislation enacted by December 2022.

A Planning Advisory Forum has been established, consisting of a wide stakeholder membership with representatives from a broad range of sectors, including representation from the public sector, business, environmental, social and knowledge based sectors. The first role of this Forum will be to engage on themes to input into the planning legislation review.

The next meeting of the Forum will take place on 24 March and once the the terms of reference for the Forum have been formally agreed I will publish these, along with the membership, on my Department's website along with any other relevant documentation.

Planning Issues

Questions (67)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

67. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the membership of the working group to review Irish planning law led by the Attorney General. [15491/22]

View answer

Written answers

Housing for All sets out a number of objectives with the aim of improving the functioning of the planning system including the comprehensive review and consolidation of planning legislation. The review forms one of the actions in Housing for All and is set in the context of the broad policy outlined therein.

The review is being overseen by the Attorney General and he has appointed a working group of professionals with planning law expertise to assist him in this work, funded by his Office. My Department has established a dedicated unit headed at Principal Officer level to liaise with the Attorney General on the review.

Passport Services

Questions (68, 74)

Michael Ring

Question:

68. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport card can be posted to a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the passport card is printing and that they have imminent travel plans and do not have access to their full passport at this time. [15120/22]

View answer

Michael McNamara

Question:

74. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15241/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 74 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Foreign Birth Registration

Questions (69)

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

69. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign birth registration application by a person (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15162/22]

View answer

Written answers

My 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 FBR 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 FBR applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of FBR staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the FBR Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.

The application referenced was registered on 27 October 2020, and is being stored in a secure environment.

The FBR service operates a transparent general policy of processing applications in order of receipt. FBR staff continue to provide an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. Such applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly.

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.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (70)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

70. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has engaged a company (details supplied) in respect of the services it provides from 2011 to date in 2022; the number of times he has engaged this company; the services used; and the total cost of all engagements with this company. [15181/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has engaged the services of the company referred to by the Deputy from 2011 to date in 2022.

All contracts in my Department for these services were carried out in accordance with the Office of Government Procurement’s (OGP) Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services which promote competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement in order to deliver the best value for money.

Details associated with the costs of the engagements are set out in the table below:

Year

Number of times engaged

Services Used

Cost

2011

NIL

NIL

NIL

2012

4

Translation

€2643.00

2013

1

3

Translation

Interpretation

€1467.44

€442.80

2014

2

Translation

€64.76

2015

8

6

Translation

Interpretation

€2457.78

€283.63

2016

4

Translation

€359.89

2017

8

1

Translation

Interpretation

€350.54

€1500.00

2018

2

Translation

€140.82

2019

4

1

Translations

Interpretation

€854

€56.58

2020

4

Translation

€8690.17

2021

3

Translation

€4027.76

2022

3

Translation

€242.36

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