Written Answers Nos. 299-318
302. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the most recent details of funding awarded to successful applicants of a programme (details supplied) in tabular form; the details of the event descriptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16359/22]
View answer303. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason that a festival (details supplied) was unsuccessful in receiving funding under a programme; the appeal mechanism that is open to the festival or possible alternative funding opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16360/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 303 together.
The all-of-Government Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based programme led by my department to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Its core proposition is that participation in arts, culture and heritage-based activities drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement.
Under the Creative Communities initiative in the Creative Ireland Programme, my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provide funding to each of the 31 local authorities to enable them to implement their individual Culture and Creativity Strategies 2018-2022. These Strategies were developed in 2017 following extensive local public consultation and are unique to each local authority, reflecting the breadth of cultural and creative work being undertaken in each area as well as the strategic priorities identified by the local community.
Each of the local authorities established a Culture and Creativity Team led by a Creative Ireland Coordinator to oversee implementation of their Strategy. The cross-functional Culture and Creativity Teams (including Arts Officers, Heritage & Biodiversity Officers, Librarians, Archivists, Conservation Officers, Irish Language Officers, Local Enterprise Offices) is a unique model, providing local authorities with an agile and adaptable resource to address locally-relevant priorities.
Each local authority through their Culture and Creativity Team is responsible for programming community-led initiatives and administering their delivery as a way of implementing their Culture and Creativity Strategies. This often involves individual local authorities operating public grant funding schemes. Based on all the information available, I understand that the grant scheme referred to may be operated by Mayo County Council. That being the case, any queries concerning the administration of the scheme would need to be directed to Mayo County Council in the first instance. Relevant contacts for their Culture and Creativity Team are available online at www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/mayo/.
Through the Creative Ireland Programme, I welcome the fact that funding of over €790,000 has been provided to support Mayo County Council implement its Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018-2022 and associated community-led projects. I am delighted that Government has recently decided in principle to extend the Creative Ireland Programme for another 5-year period. I look forward to supporting each local authority as they lead the development of a new Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023-2027 in the months ahead.
304. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within her Department in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the costs associated with such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16384/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department engaged the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service to deliver a talk to staff on Harmony at Work in 2021, which included a segment on diversity and inclusion. No cost was incurred.
My Department plans to avail of the diversity and inclusion training which is in development by OneLearning, the Learning and Development centre for the Civil Service, which is due to be launched in Q2 2022
305. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to an ongoing appeals process (details supplied); her views on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16427/22]
View answerAs part of a suite of supports for the live entertainment sector, €5 million was allocated to the Live Performance Support Scheme – Strand II to support pantomime and seasonal musical theatre impacted by the Covid restrictions in place in December and January.
In order to be eligible for this scheme a business must have VAT-exclusive turnover of €100,000 or above as a result of seasonal musical theatre /pantomime for each of at least two of the past 3 years (2018-2020) in order to be considered.
Officials in my Department have engaged with the applicant the Deputy refers to and their application is now being considered under the appeals process for this scheme, further details of which can be found on my departments website here - www.gov.ie/en/publication/c2f62-live-performance-support-scheme-2021-strand-ii-seasonal-musical-theatre-panto-support-scheme-appeals/.
306. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of civil servants in her Department currently on secondment to the private sector; if she will list the entities that they are working for in each instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17158/22]
View answerI am advised that there are no Civil Servants in my Department on secondment to the private sector.
307. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that Ireland is yet to ratify the Nagoya Protocol, a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biodiversity, which 133 parties have ratified including many EU members. [16320/22]
View answerMy Department is currently working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the ratification process for the Nagoya Protocol. I intend for the process to be finalised in advance of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which will take place in China later this year.
308. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the Interim Report on Mortality in Single Homeless Population 2020 including on the proposals for adult safeguarding reviews and trauma informed care. [16444/22]
View answerA review of homeless deaths was undertaken on behalf of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive by Dr Austin O’Carroll. The review analysed the available data concerning deaths in homeless services for 2020 to identify learning for homeless and health services that could help tailor the provision of care to homeless people. This ‘Interim Report on Mortality in Single Homeless Population 2020’ was completed in June 2021.
In the report, Dr O’Carroll notes that the most important step in reducing mortality amongst the homeless population is the reduction of long-term homelessness. The report notes that the Housing First model is “the optimum approach to achieve this objective”. Housing First enables homeless individuals with high levels of complex needs to obtain permanent secure accommodation with the provision of intensive housing and health supports to help them maintain their tenancies. Housing for All commits to the continued expansion of Housing First, with more than 1,300 additional Housing First tenancies planned over the next five years. This will ensure that Housing First continues to operate and expand in every county of Ireland. It will involve an average of 264 new tenancies per annum, with the specific annual targets for each region now set out in the plan. This comes on the heels of the first Housing First National Implementation, which completed in December 2021, exceeding its four-year target by over 90 additional tenancies.
The report makes recommendations in the areas of data collection and analysis, and a pilot study on data collection of homeless deaths nationally is being undertaken by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department of Health. The research is applying the methodology used to compile the National Drug Related Deaths Index, which is a census of drug-related deaths and deaths among drug users and those who are alcohol dependent in Ireland. The data collection for 2019 deaths, including deaths among people who were homeless, involves the review of approximately 17,000 files from all Coroner districts. My Department continues to engage with the Department of Health and the Health Research Board on this study.
Dr. O’Carroll’s report also identifies that co-operation between different agencies and service providers is of critical importance. Under Housing for All, a new National Homeless Action Committee has been established. All of the key Government departments, agencies and stakeholders are involved. The overarching objective of the Committee is to ensure that a renewed emphasis is brought to collaborating across Government to implement actions in Housing for All, along with bringing better coherence and coordination of homeless-related services in delivering policy measures and actions to address homelessness. Beyond this, the Committee will also have a role in addressing emerging homeless-related issues and in developing further responses.
The improvement of health outcomes for socially excluded groups in society is a key priority for Government. The HSE, through its National Service Plan 2022, has identified priority action areas with regard to healthcare services for people who are homeless. Among these are:
- the development of a single integrated homeless case management team for Dublin that will provide integrated individual assessment, case management, care planning and co-ordination;
- the implementation of the health actions in Housing for All for people who are homeless including those in addiction, in order to provide the most appropriate primary care and specialist addiction / mental health services for their needs;
- continued support of the roll-out of specific harm reduction approaches such as opioid substitution treatment and increased naloxone provision;
- the development of a stepped model of mental healthcare for homeless population in Dublin in collaboration with mental health services.
It is important to note Dr O'Carroll's report was interim pending the examination of Coroner's files, and it has been agreed that the DRHE and Dr O'Carroll should liaise with the Health Research Board to examine these files. The Health Research Board will be the first point of contact for future research in this area.
My Department is working closely with the Department of Health, the HSE and local authorities to continue to deliver the appropriate measures to support all individuals experiencing homelessness including those with complex needs.
309. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration can be given to providing emergency modular homes for Ukrainian families on donated private land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16534/22]
View answer337. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to provide support funding for households that are hosting Ukrainian refugees; if he will provide access to HAP or an equivalent payment to individuals pledging rooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16432/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 337 together.
The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland as part of the EU response.
As part of its response, Government is providing accommodation through the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and is working closely with Local Authorities to provide accommodation for Ukrainian arrivals in a variety of settings including:
- Hotels, guest houses and B&Bs;
- Accommodation pledged by the general public, which is being assessed for suitability;
- State-owned or private properties, which may be suitable for short-term accommodation;
- Religious properties; and
- Local authority community facilities.
Regarding pledged accommodation, the Red Cross is the centre point for offers of assistance for accommodation coming in through local authorities or the public and will liaise directly with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on same. The Housing Assistance Payment or HAP is not available for accommodation pledged to the Red Cross.
The Government is continuing to develop its humanitarian response to address the accommodation issues arising in the short, medium and long-term.
Government is also working to ensure that local capacity, resources and knowledge are brought to bear on the overall humanitarian response and will work closely with Local Authorities to ensure a well coordinated approach.
310. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a foreshore licence will issue to a club (details supplied) in County Kerry; if the licence will commence from date of issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16578/22]
View answerWhile the State Property Act 1954 is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I understand that the Minister has approved the granting of a State Property Lease pursuant to that Act to this club for a term of 35 years.
The Chief State Solicitors Office and legal representatives acting on behalf of the club are currently finalising the conveyancing and legal drafting required.
311. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if those availing of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme are required to take out mortgage protection with one company; and if so, if they are able to change this after a period of time. [15773/22]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. It is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan.
The local authority mortgage protection insurance (MPI) scheme has applied to all house purchase loans approved by local authorities after 1 July 1986, including the Local Authority Home Loan.
One of the conditions of the MPI scheme, which is a group policy, is that it is obligatory for all local authority borrowers who meet the eligibility criteria to join, and remain in, the scheme. A local authority housing loan applicant, who is not eligible for the local authority MPI scheme, must source a suitable comparable individual MPI policy from the market.
It is important to note that there are a number of differences between the local authority MPI scheme and standard MPI products available on the market. Most notably, the current local authority MPI covers mortgage repayments in case of borrower disability, which is not part of standard MPI. In addition, the local authority MPI scheme offers a single group rate per €1,000 sum assured to all participants in the scheme as opposed to standard MPI products that are individually priced based on a member’s age, amongst other factors.
In summary, the local authority scheme provides benefits not typically available under standard MP products;
- Mortgage repayments are paid if there is a valid claim as a result of disability;
- Separate to life cover, an additional €3,000 is payable in the event of a member’s death;
- Members are covered for death up to age 75, where as standard MPI cover usually ceases at the age of 65.
The scheme is subject to periodic review and competitive tendering in accordance with the terms of EU Directives relating to the award of public service contracts. This is to ensure that the most appropriate cover at the best value for money is secured for local authority borrowers over the entire life of their mortgages.
The most recent public procurement competition for the provision and administration of this MPI scheme was conducted by the Local Government Management Agency. The contract resulting from this open tender competition came into effect from 1 January 2022 and is due to expire on 31 December 2022. My Department will review the provision and administration of the MPI scheme prior to that date.
312. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an application was submitted by Cork City Council for full retrofitting of the entire Churchfield area; and if this was only partially granted. [15850/22]
View answerIn 2021, a newly revised ten year Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) was launched which was designed around the Programme for Government commitment to retrofit 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal BER standard by 2030. It is expected that approximately 36,500 of those homes will be local authority owned homes. The EERP is the programme specifically designed for retrofitting local authority housing stock.
The 2021 Programme saw a significant increase in the maximum grant available per property from €38,900 for mid-terrace and apartment type properties to €45,400 for end of terrace/detached/semi-detached properties. Local authorities were made aware however of the requirement to ensure that the average property cost does not exceed €27,000 in order to ensure that the delivery target was met. This figure is exclusive of project management fees which were recoupable from the Department and provided additional funding of up to €3,000 per dwelling over and above the €27,000 average.
The Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme is grant funded at 100% of costs where local authorities take a pragmatic approach to the selection of properties for retrofitting and the design specification applied and operate within the limits of the line item caps as outlined in Circular 8/2021.
As part of the 2021 process Cork City Council were provided a target of 123 properties for retrofitting. It is the responsibility of the local authority to choose the properties to be retrofitted based on their targets. Local authorities were urged to choose a mix of properties, requiring varying levels of retrofit, when setting out their works programme. Properties in the Churchfield area were selected and submitted to the Department for consideration as part of their 2021 energy efficiency programme and these were approved by my Department. Unfortunately Cork City Council did not complete work on the targeted properties in 2021. I understand that Cork City Council has tendered for and selected a supplier for 110 of the 123 properties approved under the 2021 programme and these will be re-approved under the 2022 programme.
Budget 2022 has provided a significantly increased budget of €85 million for the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme this year which will allow for 2,400 local authority homes to be targeted for upgrade to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or cost optimal equivalent level.
313. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the discussions his Department has had with regard to a proposed compensation scheme for street traders on Moore Street in relation to the current planning applications by a company (details supplied) such compensation being payable if permission is granted; the proposed sums of money that would be allocated to this scheme by his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Moore Street Advisory Group recommended a compensation scheme involving the traders and the developer only; if he regards such discussion as appropriate given that the planning applications referred to are live and under consideration by An Bórd Pleanála and Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15878/22]
View answerThe Moore Street Advisory Group (MSAG) presented its final report in May of 2021 to Minister O’Brien and myself. In this report, the MSAG recommended that an adequate and appropriately structured compensation package should be put in place for the traders as soon as possible, in the context of forthcoming disturbance due to development works.
It also recommended that the process should commence immediately involving the traders and the developers. Development works at the National Monument at 14-17 Moore Street will be carried out on behalf of the National Monuments Service and the State and therefore the recommendation referred to the State also in so far as works at that National Monument are concerned. There are currently no open discussions with traders or their representatives.
314. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has considered a compulsory sales order as part of measures to tackle vacancy as an issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15879/22]
View answerHousing for All provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.
Housing for All commits to a range of measures to address vacancy and maximise the use of existing housing stock including plans to introduce a new programme for the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of vacant properties to ensure their use for residential purposes. While the concept of a Compulsory Sales Order is not included in Housing for All, it may be considered in the context of a wider review of CPO legislation. In the meantime, the detailed arrangements for the 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.
315. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of the waiting times in each local authority for the processing of a housing application by a member of the public in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15924/22]
View answerMy Department does not hold the information requested by the Deputy.
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.The regulations prescribe the timeframes for the processing of applications by local authorities including, subject to conditions, that they deal with applications within 12 weeks.
Local authorities will prioritise housing needs assessments for those in greatest need and seek to process their applications well within the prescribed maximum timeframes. That said, it may take longer than 12 weeks to process applications in some instances, for example, if additional information is required from an applicant to complete the application process.
316. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of registrations, inspections and permissions of short-term lettings that have taken place in each local authority in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the number of inspectors allocated to carry out inspections of short-term lettings in each local authority; if those inspectors are employed full-time or part-time in each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15925/22]
View answerLegislative reforms to regulate the short-term letting sector through the planning code, in areas designated as “rent pressure zones” (RPZs), were introduced under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 which came into effect on 1 July 2019.
In essence, the legislation requires home-sharers letting rooms in their principal private residence located within a RPZ, or letting the entire property subject to a maximum of 90 days per annum within such an area, to register with their local authority. Persons letting properties in an RPZ which are not their principal private residence are required to apply for change of use planning permission unless the property already has a specific planning permission to be used for tourism or short-term letting purposes.
Notwithstanding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, significant work on the implementation and enforcement of the Regulations has been undertaken by planning authorities since they came into effect.
Local planning authorities are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the short-term letting planning arrangements and submit quarterly data returns to my Department. The attached spreadsheet provides the number of Investigations, registrations, applications for planning permission and enforcement action for 2019, 2020 and 2021. In the initial two year period, local authorities were not requested to identify and report on the number of enforcement cases that were satisfactorily resolved. However, this has been provided for 2021. Information is also provided in relation to the dedicated staffing resources in each local authority on a quarterly basis. Data in respect of Q1 2022 is not yet available.
My Department does not maintain data regarding the number of properties engaged in short-term letting activity outside of RPZs and/or further to a specific planning permission enabling it to engage in such activity.
The Government's new housing plan, Housing for All, contains a specific action (Action 20.4) - to “develop new regulatory controls requiring short-term and holiday lets to register with Fáilte Ireland with a view to ensuring that houses are used to best effect in areas of housing need”. Minister O’Brien has engaged with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media to progress this action and a number of meetings have been held between officials of the two Departments, and with Fáilte Ireland, and further engagement is expected to take place in the near future.
Funding was allocated in Budget 2022 to Fáilte Ireland which has been tasked with the design and implementation of a new short term letting registration system. The agency is currently recruiting staff to work on this project. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is also presently scoping out the legislative provisions that will be required to underpin the new registration system with a view to these provisions being enacted in 2022.
317. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects his Department to issue approval on outstanding applications for thermal upgrades for houses in Moyross, Limerick City; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15943/22]
View answerMy Department has received funding applications from Limerick City and County Council in respect of Thermal Upgrades under the Limerick Regeneration Programme. The applications are being actively reviewed and a response will issue to the Council on completion of this process, in due course.
My Department has held regular meetings with Limerick City and County Council and they are fully aware of the current position.
318. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if clarity will be given to homeowners under the current MICA scheme with respect to continuing with the process; the way that homeowners will merge into the new scheme during transition; if the applicants will be eligible to apply under the current scheme prior to the enactment of the new legislation; the timeframe for publishing, enactment and implementation of the new MICA scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15957/22]
View answerLocal authorities have responsibility for the administration of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme. This includes the assessment of applications for eligibility and payment of grants to successful applicants under the specific remediation option approved.
Applications can continue to be made to local authorities and processed under the current Defective Concrete Block grant scheme, underpinned by the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations, 2020 and the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, until the measures announced as a result of the Government decision on 30 November are legislated for and the enhanced scheme has been rolled out. Appropriate transitional provisions will be included in the new legislation to provide a mechanism to move applications that are received in the meantime to the revised scheme once it commences.
I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the Oireachtas as soon as possible with Spring 2022 being the indicative target timeline. Arrangements for the implementation of the scheme will be finalised in parallel with the development of the legislation.
