Written Answers Nos. 269-291
269. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit meet their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. [24312/22]
View answerThe Civil Service is strongly committed to equality of opportunity for all in terms of its recruitment and employment practices. The provision of reasonable accommodations is a key element in supporting new staff with a disability and existing staff who acquire a disability. In my Department, the provision of reasonable accommodations required to support a staff member with a disability is managed primarily through my Department’s HR Unit and Disability Liaison Officers (DLO). Reasonable accommodations are provided on a case-by-case basis and, depending on the nature of the accommodation and relevant medical advice, may require further input and support from a number of areas and individuals including Health and Safety, facilities management, ICT support, and the individual’s Line Manager.
Where practicable, reasonable accommodations are provided within four weeks of receipt of a request. The provision of a reasonable accommodation typically comprises a number of stages: submission of the request; evaluation of the request; implementation of the reasonable accommodation; ongoing monitoring of the reasonable accommodation. My Department will continue to provide reasonable accommodations to staff who have a disability so they can fully participate and advance in their employment.
The position with regard to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out below.
Public Appointments Service (PAS)
PAS meets its obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, across a number of key areas including Recruitment and Promotion; Training; Organisational Culture, Compliance and Strategy; and Workplace adjustments and ongoing supports. In terms of the latter, PAS provides reasonable accommodations to promote accessibility and high performance across its workforce. Some interventions include:
- The use of assistive technology – assistive listening devices, screen reading software to read aloud, speech to text dictation software;
- Adaptions to the work environment – Wheelchair ramps, lifts, appropriate signage, corridors and office space free from obstacles, accessible website and network systems, colour coding of files, space for staff to rest, ergonomically suitable desks and chairs;
- Flexible working hours – Flexitime, variable start and finish times, paid sick leave, appropriate rest breaks, Workshare scheme, Shorter Working Year scheme, Career break scheme;
- Staff returning to work from sick leave or experiencing medical issues – Referrals to the Civil Service Chief Medical Officer (CMO), implementation of reasonable adjustments proposed by the CMO, accommodation of a phased return to work from long term sick leave; and
- The availability of the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS) to all staff.
Office of Public Works (OPW)
The Office of Public Works meets this obligation through the services of its Disability Liaison Officer who offers support and assistance to staff and their managers in discussing, identifying, agreeing and arranging reasonable accommodations at work.
Office of the Ombudsman
The Office has a DLO whose role includes assisting and supporting staff with disabilities, in confidence, and their line managers by providing information, guidance and support, as well as assisting in the provision of reasonable accommodations should such a case arise.
Accommodations considered can include the offering of flexible working times, providing of training and other supports and/or assigning other tasks if appropriate. In one instance, a staff member was physically relocated in response to a particular disability having been disclosed. It is a matter for the individual staff member to report to the DLO on any disability they may have.
As part of induction training, new entrants are advised in relation to the role of the DLO and the measures available in the office to facilitate staff with disabilities. The building is wheelchair accessible with appropriate facilities should a staff member or visitor require such facilities. The Office also has a loop system to assist staff and/or visitors with hearing difficulties.
National Shared Services Office (NSSO)
The NSSO DLO works with the person to understand their needs and to determine if they can reasonably accommodate the need. Following this review, reasonable arrangements are put in place.
State Laboratory
The State Laboratory consults with the individual and the CMO’s office in relation to reasonable accommodations for employees.
Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery (ORNL)
The ORNL’s staff handbook enshrines its policy that equal opportunity will be accorded to all employees and applicants for employment. Recruitment advertisements emphasise that the ORNL is an equal opportunities employer. The office premises is accessible. Flexibility is provided in working hours for all full time and part time roles. Training and development action plans are devised and tailored to meet the specific needs of the employee (and those of the ORNL). Employees are routinely asked what equipment they require for their health and safety, and to work effectively, and specific equipment has been provided in response.
270. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW plans to extend the opening hours of the Iveagh Gardens during the summer months. [24392/22]
View answerThe Iveagh Gardens close at 7:30 pm. The opening hours were extended in 2020 as they previously closed at 6:00 pm. There are no plans to further extend these hours.
271. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason for the difference in accounting treatment between the expenditure estimates outlined in the Stability Programme Update (details supplied) for 2022. [24838/22]
View answerBudget 2022 set out gross voted expenditure of €87,593 million for 2022. This comprises €80.1 billion of core expenditure along with €7.5 billion in non-core funding to respond to Covid-19 and Brexit. The Revised Estimates in December allocated just under €83 billion of this funding at Departmental level, with €4.6 billion remaining held in reserve in respect of Covid-19 contingency funding, Brexit Adjustment Reserve funding and certain specified core funding areas to be allocated during 2022.
The €87.6 billion in Table 9 of the Stability Programme Update (SPU) refers to this total €87.6 billion gross voted expenditure provision for 2022. This €87.6 billion is also reflected in Table 11 of the SPU, split out into the gross voted current and gross voted capital expenditure lines, however Table 11 also includes €15.6 billion of non-voted expenditure to show overall gross Exchequer spending of €103.16 billion.
General Government Expenditure for 2022 of an estimated €107.7 billion is a broader measure than the Exchequer expenditure figure, and encompasses both central and local government, non commercial State-owned bodies, extra budgetary funds and other bodies classified into the General Government sector, as listed in the ‘Register of Public Sector Bodies' available on the CSO website.
The Where Your Money Goes website shows gross voted and non-voted Government expenditure. It is updated periodically throughout the year, with the ‘About’ section of the website showing what stage of the Estimates process the data is based on. The €97.3 billion of gross expenditure shown on the website comprises the gross voted expenditure allocated in Estimates brought before the Dáil to date in 2022 of €83.2 billion and the estimate of gross non-voted expenditure from the time of Budget 2022 in October 2021 of €13.9 billion. It does not include the remaining funding held in reserve of €4.4 billion as this has not yet been allocated at Departmental level through Dáil votes. The €23.5 billion Social Protection Vote Group figure displayed on Where Your Money Goes contains, at Vote Group level, a double count of the €0.16 billion funding transfer between the Social Insurance Fund and the Department. This will be updated to reflect the €23.3 billion Social Protection Vote Group Estimate figure. This discrepancy, the remaining reserve funding and the updated gross non-voted expenditure figure published in the SPU are the differences between the €90.7 billion and the SPU €103.2 billion Table 11 figure.
272. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 6 April 2016, if the situation has changed since 2016; if so, the status of persons who wish to transfer employment within the public sector; if persons can transfer from the Health Service Executive to similar posts in another geographic area or to new employment in local authorities; the arrangements that are in place for vacancies to be available and filled within the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24878/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 6 April 2016, my Department have introduced Civil Service Mobility which offers an opportunity for permanent Civil Service staff members to apply for mobility through an open and transparent system. The Civil Service Mobility Schemes (staff driven list-based and advertisement-based) have been phased in by grade and mobility opportunities are now in place since mid-2021 for all general Civil Service grades from Clerical Officer to Assistant Secretary (c. 32,000 staff members). Developments are on target to include the Professional and Technical grades (c.10,000) by end 2022.
There is no Mobility Scheme across the Public Service at this time.
My Department does not hold central information in relation to transfers between the different sectors of the public service. Given the broad reach of this question, the Deputy would need to seek this information on such transfer arrangements directly from the Ministers in the Department of Health and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
273. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the protocol that is in place for the re-use of computer hardware when it is replaced or upgraded within her Department and the bodies under the aegis of her Department; her plans to ensure that this complies with the forthcoming Circular Economy and Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24146/22]
View answerThe depreciation, replacement and disposal and replacement of computer equipment in my Department is conducted in line with business needs and Department of Finance Circular 30/03.
My Department seeks to re-use computer hardware where it is viable and efficient to do so, and in those instances where it is necessary to dispose of computer hardware this is done through an approved company who completes the disposal in a secure and environmentally sound manner.
My Department is examining the relevant requirements as laid out in the Circular Economy and Waste Management (Amendment) Bill 2021, with a view to ensuring compliance with these requirements when enacted.
With regard to those bodies under the aegis of my Department, I am advised that the management of these matters in accordance with business needs and relevant statutory requirements is a day-to-day matter for the board and management of each body.
274. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding that is available for a person looking to establish a tennis court in Cork city. [24189/22]
View answerMy Department oversees two capital grant schemes for the development of sports facilities and infrastructure. It should be noted however that neither scheme covers the cost of land purchase.
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 SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,100 applications were submitted. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6 million 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 €143.8 million were announced on Friday 11 February 2022. This represented the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.
Unsuccessful applicants were invited to appeal the Department's decision. The deadline for submission of appeals was Monday 4 April and 146 appeals were received. Of the record €150 million made available for capital projects, €6 million has been kept in reserve for any successful appeals. The preliminary assessment of all appeals has now been completed and it is hoped to announce consequent allocations shortly. Once the appeal process is complete, a full review of the 2020 round of the SCEP will be undertaken. The precise timing of the next round of the Programme will be announced once this review is complete.
The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects with at least €100 million being made available over the period to 2027.The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals.
While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the projects that were allocated funding, as it is now over 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. Once the 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.
275. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way that her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit meet their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. [24316/22]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all staff and strives to create a culture where employees feel comfortable in sharing their disability. This ensures any reasonable accommodations can be met, if required.
All employees are provided with the opportunity to request any reasonable accommodations and/or voluntarily share their disability status to assist them with their work during the recruitment process, upon joining the Department and throughout any stage of their employment.
The Department has a dedicated team of people comprising of HR, Office Services, Health and Safety, ICT, Access Officer, and the Disability Liaison Officer to deal with reasonable accommodation requests. My Department also liaises closely with the Chief Medical Officer’s Office and the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service regarding staff who may require reasonable accommodations on return from long term sick leave.
It should be noted that the declaration of a disability is a voluntary disclosure. If an employee requires an accommodation in order to conduct their work, this will be made available to them upon request.
My Department is obliged to report every year to the National Disability Authority (NDA) on the number of persons with disabilities employed at 31st December. This information is published on the website of the NDA - nda.ie.
In respect of the State Agencies under the Department’s remit, the below table outlines how each are meeting their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015.
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State Bodies |
Outline how obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 are met |
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Arts Council |
The Arts Council have a recently published Equality, Human Rights and Diversity Policy that guides our actions in this area and our internal policies adhere to the Employment Equality Acts. |
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Chester Beatty |
The Chester Beatty building is fully accessible at all levels; and no known disabilities have been declared amongst staff. An accessibility audit is planned for 2022. |
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Crawford Art Gallery |
CAG can confirm that all obligations as per Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 are adhered to, we ensure to make reasonable accommodation as part of our everyday employment policy, recruitment and practice. |
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Fáilte Ireland |
Fáilte Ireland’s obligations under the Employment Equality Acts are met by education and awareness of staff and the implementation of policies such as Equal Status, Equal Opportunities, Dignity in the Workplace and Health & Safety policies. In addition to this, proactive health and well-being initiatives and supports are in place with a dedicated resource available to confidentially discuss reasonable accommodations required which are responded to as part of selection and on-boarding and over the life cycle of an employee. |
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Foras na Gaeilge |
Foras na Gaeilge provides equal opportunities for all those applying for work and as a public service body (a North-South Implementation Body established under the 1999 British-Irish Agreement Act) adheres to all statutory provisions. Appropriate training is available to all employees. Flexible working times are available in certain cases and working from home. The Dublin Headquarters is a recently (2017) refurbished office building in which accessibility was a requirement. |
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Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) |
All new employees to IMMA undergo a space, desk and needs assessment as part of their induction process and steps are taken to accommodate any specific requirements.Any employees returning to work from illness complete a return-to-work form that takes into account any changes that should be accommodated.IMMA uses the services of an Occupational Health professional to assess certain requests for changes that need to be addressed. Any staff member may request changes to work practices to accommodate particular needs and IMMA will take steps to meet those requests.IMMA has a Health & Safety Committee that oversees and monitors a safe working environment for all staff. |
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National Concert Hall |
In situations where an employee may have a disability, or become disabled, the company will manage the case in a fair and sympathetic way. The National Concert Hall does not discriminate against those with disabilities and will take all reasonable steps to make alterations to work, premises, equipment or pattern of work to assist the employee in carrying out normal duties. |
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National Gallery of Ireland |
The National Gallery of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer. This is stated on every job advertisement and reasonable accommodation is actively offered to applicants called for interview. At 8.5%, we currently exceed both current prescribed statutory targets regarding the number of individuals employed by the Gallery with a declared disability (3%) and the proposed revised target (6%) planned by 2024 under the Comprehensive Strategy for People with Disabilities (2015 – 2024). We also have in place the following relevant policies and procedures: - Recruitment Procedure - Employee Handbook - Accessibility Statement - Accessibility Action Plan - Universal Design & Accessibility Policy Health & Safety Risk Assessments for employees are also carried out. In addition, the Gallery has a dedicated Universal Design & Accessibility Working Group and Access Officers are in situ. We also hold ASIAM accreditation and membership of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme. |
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National Library of Ireland |
The NLI remains fully compliant with all of the provisions of the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. Reasonable accommodation is a central aspect of this and is utilised across the NLI for all staff and prospective staff as required. The NLI reasonable accommodation principles include ensuring staff who require RA have: - Equal opportunities when applying for work - be treated the same as co-workers - have equal opportunities for promotion - undertake training. RA requirements are further supplemented by engagement with external groups through our diversity and inclusion committee and provision of staff training. Finally, it should be noted that the NLI in its most recent Part 5 report submitted to the Department in accordance with the Disability Act 2005 was supporting 12% of our workforce who have a disability as defined by this Act through the means of RA. |
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National Museum of Ireland |
NMI takes a number of responsible measures to promote and support the employment of persons with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations where needed. This included Training, Recruitment, Supporting employees with disabilities in the workplace and endeavouring to incorporate principles of Universal Design.Special accommodations have been put in place, where necessary, to enable a staff member with a disability to carry out the full range of duties pertaining to established roles. This includes: modifications to equipment, alterations to working arrangements, flexible working patterns, job restructuring, retraining, relocation of workspaces and redeployment to other tasks or units commensurate with their capabilities. NMI strives to ensure that all staff have the opportunity to attend and access training in an environment that is conductive to their learning needs and abilities.Employees are provided with details of who to contact in order to access further supports/guidance.The NMI’s website and intranet is WCAG AA approved, complying with all priority 1 and 2 guidelines of the W3 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. It includes an Accessibility Option on the home screen and includes many features to help users with disabilities navigate easily.NMI also designates a sufficient number of disability-accessible parking spaces at convenient locations adjacent to places of work. |
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Screen Ireland |
Screen Ireland fulfils its obligations by providing premises that are disability friendly, offering flexible work hours, allowing staff to work from home andproviding other assistance as required. |
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Sport Ireland |
Sport Ireland will make any reasonable modifications which would allow an employee with a disability to take up a position in the organisation to enjoy equal employment opportunities. This could include adaptation of the workplace and workplace equipment to changing working time, hours of work, restricting of tasks and retraining. |
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Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch |
Flexible working requests, reduced working hours, change of working patterns, change of role. Additional equipment as and were required – ie second screens, chairs, wrist supports for desks etc. |
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Tourism Ireland |
Tourism Ireland has a robust Equal Opportunities Policy which ensures that we do not discriminate against anyone with a disability. Likewise, we work closely with the landlords in all of our offices (on the island of Ireland and overseas) to ensure that access to our offices facilitates people with disabilities. Where appropriate, we provide flexible working arrangements – adjusting hours of work or allowing people to work from home. We also provide training or IT equipment where it is required. |
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Údarás na Gaeltachta |
The Organisation recognises its legal obligations including those under the Equality Act 2004, Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act 2003, Protection of Employees (Part-time Work) Act 2001 and Employment Equality Act 1998.The Organisation is an Equal Opportunities Employer and does not discriminate on grounds of, gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, disability, membership of the Traveller community in employment, promotion, practices, or procedures.The Organisation seeks to employ a workforce which reflects the diverse community at large because it values the individual contribution of people irrespective of gender, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, race, religious belief, family status or membership of the Traveller community.The Organisation undertakes to review periodically its selection criteria and procedures to maintain a system where individuals are selected, promoted, and treated solely based on their merits and abilities.If an existing employee becomes disabled, the Organisation will make every effort to retain him or her within the workforce whenever reasonable and practicable.Whenever reasonably practicable to do so the Organisation will install, in existing premises, facilities for people with disabilities. Whenever the business invests capital in new or refurbished premises every practicable effort will be made to provide for the needs of staff and client with disabilities. |
276. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views that many artists with disabilities may not have applied for the basic income for the arts as a result of the lack of assurances that their basic disability supports, including allowances, pensions, medical cards and other material supports would not be taken away as a result of the impact on their means tested income; and if she has plans to provide those artists discouraged from applying with another opportunity to do so following the closure of the scheme’s general application window, given her determination to resolve any outstanding issues with the Department of Social Protection. [24362/22]
View answerThe issues raised by the Deputy relate primarily to the manner in which social welfare schemes assess income from other sources. It is important to emphasise that eligibility for social welfare supports is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection and I do not have any statutory function in that regard.
However, I can assure the Deputy that the issue of disabled artists participating in the basic income scheme it is a matter which I take seriously.
The pilot scheme is a three-year research programme to examine the impact a basic income style payment could have on artists and creative arts workers and their creative practice. A key research question will be the impact such a payment could have on artists with disabilities.
I was determined since the outset of the BIA pilot scheme that artists with disabilities would be in a position to participate in the scheme to the greatest extent possible within the legislative framework to ensure the research captured the experience of disabled artists. To that end bilateral engagement has been ongoing between my Department and the Department of Social Protection, to get agreement that the payment will be treated as earnings from self-employment and can be taken into account in earnings disregards that applies to many social welfare payments including Disability Allowance. That means that the basic income for the arts will be treated like any other income a person on social welfare earns from employment.
The actual impact of the Basic Income on a person's welfare entitlements will depend on each individual’s circumstances, applicants will need to engage with the Department of Social Protection on the matter.
The Department of Social Protection published a guide to the Interaction of the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme with DSP Payments (www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd818-interaction-of-the-basic-income-for-the-arts-pilot-scheme-with-dsp-payments/) on Gov.ie on 13 April to assist all applicants for BIA in receipt of DSP supports including those with disabilities.
The Department of Social Protection has also undertaken to engage directly with disabled artists who are selected for the pilot to help them understand the impact accepting the payment would have in their individual circumstances.
277. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way that the extra €35 million funding for tourism marketing fund will be spent in 2022. [24406/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the tourism sector has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic so I was pleased to secure a record level of funding for tourism in Budget 2022 of €288.5 million in total, an increase of €67.5 million over the 2021 allocation. The allocation includes a €35 million increase to the Tourism Marketing Fund to support the delivery of a marketing strategy to help restore inbound tourism to Ireland.
€5 million of the €35 million was secured to begin preparations for a themed year project aimed at attracting overseas visitors to Ireland to celebrate our authentic arts, culture and heritage. This project will provide an excellent opportunity to aid the recovery in multiple sectors that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Officials in the Department, in consultation with the tourism agencies, are currently considering what type of project would best meet this Programme for Government commitment as well as the most opportune time for delivery of such an initiative.
The remaining €30 million will enable Tourism Ireland to significantly increase investment in its overseas marketing programmes and will enable Fáilte Ireland to increase investment in its domestic marketing campaigns.
As part of its marketing strategy, Tourism Ireland has established a recovery framework which will be underpinned by an extensive programme of promotional activity throughout 2022. The organisation has a flexible, three-phase plan to RESTART, REBUILD and ultimately REDESIGN demand. Over €80 million will be invested in the programme in 2022, which will allow Tourism Ireland to ramp up its campaigns in key international markets.
Tourism Ireland’s Green Button campaign will continue to drive demand throughout 2022, with it’s largest-ever TV campaign running in our top four markets, namely Great Britain, the United States, Germany and France. This campaign will also be expanded in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Nordic countries, Switzerland, Austria, Canada and the UAE.
Tourism Ireland will continue to work with airlines and ferry companies through a programme of jointly funded marketing initiatives to support the restoration of air and sea access routes which are so vital for tourism’s return to growth.
Fáilte Ireland are doubling their domestic marketing investment in 2020 to €10 million to drive domestic demand including short breaks all year round. In that regard, they have embarked on extensive marketing and communications campaigns, including their "Keep Discovering" campaign, which continues to encourage domestic holidaymakers to take vacations in Ireland, particularly during quieter shoulder seasons. The campaign is designed to both inspire visitors to travel and then offer world-class tourism regions and destinations in Ireland to visit and experience.
Fáilte Ireland is also using its sponsorship of RTÉ Weather as a platform to promote its Keep Discovering campaign. This platform serves as a means to remind viewers of opportunities to take short breaks, such as bank holidays, festivals and events.
278. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the Natural History Museum, Merrion Street, Dublin 2 will reopen. [24422/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Natural History Museum was built in the 19th century. While this means that the building has wonderful character, it also brings with it structural and environmental issues that do not arise in contemporary buildings. The museum has hardly changed in the last 166 years and is now showing its age. Under the National Development Plan, Government has committed to the first significant refurbishment of the museum since its founding.
The museum is currently closed to allow for investigative works to be carried out ahead of the full scale refurbishment of the building that will take place under the National Development Plan. This is a time consuming process which requires a careful approach because of the exceedingly delicate nature of the building and its collections. This initial phase of work is nearly concluded and the National Museum are aiming to reopen the ground floor to visitors by September.
It is vital that we protect this beloved institution to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the museum for years to come.
279. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 257 of 7 April 2022, the details of the effluent, sewage and discharge systems permitted specifically catering for the new cell and gene therapy and clean room facilities at the hi-tech health laboratories for which construction commenced in recent months at the Údarás na Gaeltachta Eastát Tionscail na Tulaigh, An Tulaigh, Baile na hAbhann, Co. na Gaillimhe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24443/22]
View answerI am informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that the existing light industrial unit which is being refurbished for Déantúsaíocht Sláinte HiTech is currently discharging into An Tulaigh Treatment plant.
I understand from an tÚdarás that there is no additional domestic loading in this factory other than that previously permitted and that there is no process waste to be discharged to the treatment plant.
I hope this serves to clarify matters.
280. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding is available from her Department under any programme for a centre (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24471/22]
View answerMy Department provides current and capital funding for Gaeltacht organisations through its Community and Language Supports Scheme (Clár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga). Further details of the programme as well as guidelines can be accessed via the Department’s website via the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/d02ef-community-and-language-support-programme/.
This funding is targeted at community based organisations / committees that function through Irish in the Gaeltacht to help build or renovate community facilities and to help with the provision of equipment or furniture - subject to the terms of the programme, including the following:
- the applicant must satisfy the Department that they are a self-governed group based in the Gaeltacht, working for the overall benefit of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. The group should be democratically directed, functioning on a voluntary and not for profit basis and be made up of people who come together by way of a written agreement (such as a constitution) to benefit their community (e.g. Community Committee, Sport’s / Drama club);
- that officers have been appointed to ensure good governance of the committee/club including: Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.
It is important to note that any property in respect of which an application for funding is being submitted is in the ownership of a committee/trust and not in private ownership.
The prospective applicant to which the Deputy refers would be best advised to contact the Community and Language Supports Programme section in my Department's offices in Na Forbacha who can advise directly.
281. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the engagements that she has had with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and the steamer groups regarding the impact of a proposed ban on the sale of coal on the use of steam engine vehicles on tourism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24661/22]
View answerWhile I have had no engagements with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on this topic, my officials have made enquiries and have been advised that the new regulations on the use of solid fuels in Ireland are to apply to solid fuels that are placed on the market for heating in residential and licensed premises. Minister Ryan has further confirmed that this will not impact on fuels supplied for the purposes of powering vintage machinery.
282. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the timeline for the introduction of the proposed short-term letting regulations as outlined in section 20.4 of the Housing for All plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24917/22]
View answerAction 20.4 of Housing for All, the Government's housing plan to 2030, commits to the development of "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”.
Funding was allocated in Budget 2022 to Fáilte Ireland which has been tasked with the design and implementation of a short term lettings registration system. The agency is currently recruiting staff to work on this project, with the project lead now in place. My officials are also working in consultation with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on scoping out the legislative provisions that will be required to underpin such a system with a view to bringing forward legislative provisions in this regard later in 2022.
283. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rules, procedures and regulations regarding the capturing of wild hares for coursing. [24574/22]
View answer284. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rules, procedures and regulations regarding the release of wild hares after coursing has concluded for example, if hares are released in the exact location in which they were captured; and the measures that are taken to distinguish which hare was captured from which location. [24577/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together.
My Department issues a conditional licence to the Irish Coursing Club under Section 34 of the Wildlife Acts (as amended) to capture live hares.
Conditions 13 and 14 of this licence to net hares relate to the release of hares and state:
13. All hares must be released back into the wild during daylight hours at the conclusion of the meeting or the day after the coursing meeting has concluded, unless otherwise agreed with the relevant National Parks and Wildlife Service staff beforehand. Any hares released at any stage during the meetings and/or prior to the end of the meeting should be noted and reasons given on the Control Stewards Report.
14. The same numbers of hares must be released back into the wild as far as possible at the same locations from which such numbers were captured, unless otherwise agreed beforehand with the relevant National Parks and Wildlife Service staff.
A copy of the licences relating to coursing are available on my Department's website at the link below.
www.npws.ie/licencesandconsents/hare-coursing
285. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the protocol that is in place for the re-use of computer hardware when it is replaced or upgraded within his Department and the bodies under the aegis of his Department; his plans to ensure that this complies with the forthcoming Circular Economy and Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24146/22]
View answerMy Department fully supports the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Act 2022 and will comply with all necessary policies and protocols resulting from this legislation. My Department currently utilises computer hardware until it reaches end of life in line with financial policies. End of life computer hardware is disposed of in line with WEEE directive and regulations. My Department has an Energy Management Team which conforms to all waste protocols as per IS0 14001. Any actions arising from the Circular Economy and Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2022 will be actioned as part of our existing waste management controls. My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the State bodies under its aegis in line with legislation and governance policies. These State bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the attached table.
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
info@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
286. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of housing developments that have been postponed due to Irish Water being unable to deliver water connections to the developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24115/22]
View answerMy Department does not hold information along the lines set out in the question. 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. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Irish Water, and is approved through its own internal governance structures.
Irish Water is committed to supporting the delivery of housing including under ‘Housing for All and are providing my Department with updates containing key information on how they are supporting the housing plan by providing water services to new homes, key public services and businesses. Irish Water are supporting the delivery of ‘Housing for All’ through a number of actions, including the timely delivery of housing connections.
However, to be of assistance, I have provided the Deputy with the following for 2021:
- Pre-connection enquiries: Irish Water gave positive responses to 2,962 pre-connection enquiries associated with 125,914 housing units. 115 enquiries associated with 252 housing units did not meet the criteria for approval.
- Connection offers: Irish Water issued 4,515 connection offers in 2021, associated with 32,404 housing units. 170 connection offers, associated with 271 housing units, did not meet the criteria for approval.
- Connection agreements: Customers executed connection agreements for 3,365 offers, associated with 26,446 housing units.
- Connections: Irish Water completed 3,046 connections to water infrastructure associated with 18,417 housing units.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
287. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he requested that front line homeless services staff funded through his Department would be included in the Department of Health’s special Covid-19 payment; and if not, if he will raise the matter with the Minister for Health. [24158/22]
View answer331. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); his views on same; the engagements, if any, he has had with the Minister for Health regarding the inclusion of homeless frontline workers in the Covid-19 recognition scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24882/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 331 together.
The decision regarding to whom the COVID-19 payment should be made does not rest with my Department.
In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government made decisions earlier this year in relation to recognition of these efforts. A national day of recognition and commemoration to mark the contribution of all workers across the economy was held on the 18 March this year. Furthermore, an additional permanent public holiday will be in place from next year.
The Government also announced the payment of a COVID-19 recognition payment of €1,000 for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The HSE has published details on this payment, including full eligibility criteria, particulars, and terms and conditions that apply to HSE and Section 38 organisations' employees. This information is available at www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html.
The detailed administrative arrangements and terms and conditions associated with this measure are matters for my colleague the Minister for Health.
288. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grants are available for a person to replace an existing stove in their home with a new stove thus increasing energy and heat efficiency; if there is also a grant available to assist with the relining of a chimney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24177/22]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist eligible people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (max grant €30,000), the Mobility Aids Grant (max grant €6,000) and the Housing Aid for Older People (max grant €8,000). A means test applies to each grant scheme. The detailed administration of the schemes is the responsibility of the local authorities.
The Housing Aid for Older People scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant eligible works include structural repairs or improvements, upgrade to electrical wiring, repair or replacement of windows and doors, provision of heating (where there is no central heating or it is broken beyond repair), etc. The question of replacement of a stove or relining of a chimney would be a matter for decision by the Local Authority in individual cases within the scope of the grant scheme.
Further details on these schemes is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/.
In addition, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has a number of schemes which focus on providing energy upgrades to homes.
289. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the affordable housing element of the planned housing provision in Dublin 11 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24204/22]
View answerDublin City Council is currently progressing plans for the redevelopment of the 6.1 hectare site at the location referred to which includes the Abigail Women’s Centre and Tús Núa facility with a view to constructing 166 homes, a Men’s Shed and a Crèche.
On receipt of a Stage 1 Capital Appraisal my Department issued Stage 1 Approval-in-Principle in May 2020 for the construction of the 75 Social Housing units under Phase 1 of this project.
Dublin City Council have advised that they are working on a revised phasing strategy for this site. The initial phase is expected to prioritise the delivery of general social housing units and units for older persons. Existing and additional services are expected to be included in subsequent phases.
No applications have been received by my Department in relation to affordable housing delivery including cost rental and affordable purchase. My Department will consider any such applications from the Council or any Approved Housing Body when received.
290. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the updated position in relation to housing at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; the plans for this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24249/22]
View answerThe options in relation to vacant or derelict housing are addressed in Pathway 4 of Housing for All which notes that at a time of such high housing need, we have to ensure that the houses we already have are being fully used.
Under Housing For All, there are a suite of measures to address vacancy and dereliction through efficient use of existing stock including the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund which will be delivered by local authorities to support the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties, enabling people to live in small towns and villages, in a sustainable way.
Details in relation to the operation of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund are at an advanced stage, including the scope and appropriate timeframes, and it will be launched shortly.
With respect to social housing, the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, responsive repairs and implementing planned maintenance programmes, is a matter for each individual local authority, under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966.
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to supplement the local authority funding available for the preparation of vacant properties for re-letting. The funding was introduced originally to tackle long term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authority's to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock.
From 2014 to 2021, expenditure of some €261 million was recouped to local authorities under the Voids Programme which funded the return to productive use of 18,527 properties nationwide. Local authorities also provide significant funding from their own resources to address the level of vacancy within the social housing stock.
My Department will continue to support local authorities in their work in this area. My Department will provide €25 million in funding to support the return of 2,273 vacant local authority homes. With regard to the properties which are selected to be remediated through the Voids programme, this would be a matter for each individual local authority, which would be Kildare County Council in this case.
Given the very significant investment into the Voids Programme over recent years, particularly in 2020 and in 2021, local authorities should now be in a strong position to begin the transition to a strategic and informed planned maintenance approach to stock management and maintenance.
To that end, my Department and local authorities are working to transition from a largely response and voids based approach to housing stock management and maintenance, to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response. My Department will support these work programmes by ensuring that the funding available under stock improvement programmes are aligned with this approach.
291. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans that he has put in place or will put in place to facilitate those who may wish to downsize from their current housing accommodation to a smaller local authority owned home; the consequences of same for the homeowner; the criteria for such a transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24250/22]
View answerHousing for All (published in September 2021) 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.
The strategy commits to increasing the housing options available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence, including the development of a national policy on rightsizing. Work is underway in my Department to inform and progress the development of national policy on rightsizing this year.
