Written Answers Nos. 333-358
333. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will respond to matters raised in a correspondence (details supplied) regarding the public sector transfer network agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39416/22]
View answerThe rules governing transfer of service in pre-existing schemes are primarily set out in Department of Finance Letter to Personnel Officers 24 April 1979 ‘Draft Transfer Scheme’ and Letter to Personnel Officers 30 January 1981. That scheme has its origins in section 4 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act 1963, which, in short, provides that a person who is employed in a pensionable capacity in an “approved organisation”, may transfer pensionable service from one approved organisation to another.
The transfer scheme rules do also provide a mechanism by which an individual may reckon (i.e. have service deemed pensionable) and transfer prior non-pensionable service, subject to certain eligibility criteria. Part 1, paragraph 2(2) of the 1979 letter allows for an individual to reckon such service, stating that the person must have belonged to a category of employees which was not covered by a pension scheme at the time and:
the organisation subsequently introduced a pension scheme for the category of employee concerned,
or
the organisation’s pension scheme allows for the reckoning of such service in the event of the member being appointed to a post covered by the scheme (for example, a temporary employee appointed to a permanent post).
Service will not be transferable where the person has opted out of the first organisation's pension scheme. However, where, subsequent to the date on which the person left the organisation, that organisation's employees were allowed to change any such option, the person may, if he so chooses, be deemed to have changed his option. ( Letter to Personnel Officers 30 January 1981, par. 2(d))
In any such cases the employee will be required to make an appropriate payment to the second employer in respect of any contribution (including interest) which they would have been required to pay, or would have had an option to pay, in respect of the service now becoming reckonable, if they had remained in the first group. Any retained benefits paid in respect of the prior service would also be required to be refunded plus interest.
In the first instance, it is a matter for the original employing body to determine whether the prior service given could be deemed pensionable subject to the criteria set out in the transfer scheme. Should the body require assistance in that regard, they can contact the pensions policy section of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
334. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the provision of funding for supporting the 225th commemorations of the 1798 Rebellion in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38825/22]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for co-ordinating the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023 and has no current plans to mark this anniversary. However if the Deputy is aware of any specific proposals in this regard, I would be happy to give these due consideration in the context of my Department’s support for commemorative activities.
335. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has plans to mark the 225th anniversary of the 1798 French landings in Mayo and Wexford; if she agrees that it is important that the occasion would be acknowledged given that it offers an opportunity to commemorate but also to signify the current importance of Franco-Irish relations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38855/22]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for co-ordinating the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023 and has no current plans to mark this anniversary. However if the Deputy is aware of any specific proposals in this regard, I would be happy to give these due consideration in the context of my Department’s support for commemorative activities.
336. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of staff who are abated under her Department in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, in tabular form. [38960/22]
View answerI am advised by my Department that there are currently three people for whom abatement is applied in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.
337. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason that a club (details supplied) in County Tipperary has not yet received any correspondence or decision concerning its appeal to the sports capital grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39127/22]
View answerThe 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 €1.11 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 3,106 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.
Unsuccessful applicants were able to appeal the Department's decision. The deadline for submission of capital appeals was Monday 4 April and 146 appeals were received. The assessment of all appeals is complete and the consequent allocations amounting to €6.14 million were announced on Tuesday 31 May.
Of the appeals submitted, a small proportion were unsuccessful, including the organisation referenced by the Deputy. The club in question has already been advised of this and the relevant notification issued on the 7th June to the registered contact address for the club. If any further clarification in relation to the appeal is required, the club should contact the Sports Capital Division of my Department who will be pleased to assist.
338. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has spoken directly with the chairperson of an organisation (details supplied) in the past three months. [39270/22]
View answerWhile I have not been in direct contact recently with the Chairperson of the organisation to which the Deputy refers, officials from my Department have spoken with him on a number of occasions during this time.
I had the opportunity to meet with the Director of the organisation in question last week to launch Xenogenesis, a major new exhibition by The Otolith Group, an internationally-renowned artist collective. This remarkable exhibition, which has toured Australia, the U.S., Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Slovenia before arriving with us here in Ireland for its final stop, is a testament to the outstanding programme at of this organisation.
My Department is committed to providing ongoing support to the National Cultural Institutions, maintaining regular contact with all NCI senior management to ensure that any matters that arise are dealt with expeditiously.
339. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of persons who are actively working in the film and television industry at the moment. [39298/22]
View answerAn Economic Analysis of the Audiovisual Sector in the Republic of Ireland by Olsberg SPI with Nordicity Report in 2017 showed that there were a total of 11,960 employed in the category of Film, TV and animation. Screen Ireland is the national development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise with a mission to support and promote Irish film, television and animation through fostering Irish artistic vision and our diverse creative and production talent, growing audiences, and attracting filmmakers and investment into the country.Screen Ireland compiles statistics on the numbers of cast, crew, trainees and extras employed on Screen Ireland funded projects. This data is available at www.screenireland.ie/industry-insights/screenireland-data My Department is engaging with the Central Statistics Office to deepen the statistical information collected on employment and activity in the arts and culture sectors and this has the potential to add to research and statistical analysis about the levels of employment and unemployment in the audiovisual, sector and the various occupational categories within the industry.
340. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the actions that are being taken to address the high levels of unemployment, low levels of job security and low levels of pay within the film and television industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39299/22]
View answerFigures for the levels of production of animation, film and TV announced earlier this year by Screen Ireland, the national development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry, show that 2021 was a record year for production in Ireland. Production continued throughout 2021 despite the very great challenges of COVID-19. Levels of employment across the industry have been particularly high.
The Government has a range of measures to encourage activity in the audiovisual industry including the Section 481 tax relief and direct grant to projects from Screen Ireland and the Sound and Vision fund.
The Government's Audiovisual Action Plan aims to provide the necessary environment for Ireland to become a global hub for the production of Film, TV drama and animation. The Plan recognises Section 481 as a vital part of the financial infrastructure of the audio-visual industry in Ireland and underlines the need to ensure that it remains fit for purpose and achieves its objectives. My Department is in ongoing collaboration with the Department of Finance to ensure that the tax relief is kept up to date and in line with international incentives.
Screen Ireland's mission is to support and promote Irish film, television and animation through fostering Irish artistic vision and our diverse creative and production talent, growing audiences, and attracting filmmakers and investment into the country. The funding allocation for Screen Ireland increased in 2022 by €6.65m compared to 2021. The total allocation for 2022 is €36.743 million - an increase of 22.1%. Screen Ireland’s 3-year strategic Plan ‘Building for a Creative Future 2024’ sets out how it plans to support this important sector including championing development that is national and sustainable, supporting Irish companies and an expanded workforce. Screen Ireland also wants to ensure large-scale mobile productions are enabled to complete their full project in Ireland, including valuable animation, post-production and Visual Effects (VFX) work.
In addition, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) continues to develop and implement the broadcasting funding schemes that support an increase in the production and availability of diverse, innovative and culturally relevant Irish audio-visual content. In 2020, €15,769m was allocated by BAI to Sound and Vision projects. In 2021, the equivalent figure was approximately €16m.
In December 2020, the trade union SIPTU and Screen Producers Ireland (SPI) announced a new Shooting Crew agreement. The agreement covers pay rates for live-action films and TV production as well as working conditions. The new agreement, came into effect on 1 January 2021 and is reported to be working well and being observed by all parties. The recent passing of the ballot on a national Construction Agreement for the Irish Film and Television industry is welcomed and will act as an important framework for the industry in setting consistent standards and enhancing work practices. The Construction Agreement covers several important measures and these agreements will help provide a level of certainty and stability for workers in the Irish Film and Television industry.
My Department is engaging with the Central Statistics Office to deepen the statistical information collected on employment and activity in the Arts & Culture sectors and this has the potential to add to research and statistical analysis about the levels of employment and unemployment in the audiovisual sector and the various occupational categories within the industry.
341. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are any developments under Housing For All on rightsizing and incentives for those wanting to make these moves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38811/22]
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 Housing for All policy objective to make more efficient use of existing housing stock includes the development of a national policy on rightsizing and to explore options to support and incentivise rightsizing on a voluntary basis. Work is underway through my Department to inform and progress the development of national policy on rightsizing this year.
342. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that he will take to ensure that Irish Water has the necessary resources to ensure a sufficient interim supply for the Ardfert, County Kerry, area while the connection to the central regional water supply scheme is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38857/22]
View answerMy Department funds Irish Water through the annual estimates and budgetary process, which are published in the Revised Estimates each year. As part of Budget 2022, I secured funding of €1.57 billion to support water services. This includes €1.459 billion for domestic water services provision by Irish Water. Of which, €830 million in capital has been allocated, to allow them to continue their capital investment programme to modernise and expand the capacity of Irelands water and wastewater infrastructure, which will raise network capacities, increase water quality and bring us closer to compliance with European Directives.
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 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.
343. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of retrofits delivered in local authority homes in each retrofitting scheme for each county to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39516/22]
View answer390. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of retrofits delivered in local authority homes in each retrofitting scheme in each county to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39517/22]
View answer391. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of council homes that have been retrofitted under the midlands retrofit programme 2020, by county; the associated funding cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39518/22]
View answer392. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes that have been retrofitted in 2021 and to date in 2022, by county through the 2021 energy efficiency retrofitting programme; the funding allocated to each local authority for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39519/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 390 to 392, inclusive, together.
My Department introduced an Energy Efficiency Programme that commenced in 2013, with the ambition to fund retrofit on all social homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works, this programme has seen improved energy efficiency and comfort levels in over 75,000 Local Authority homes over the period 2013 to the end of 2021 at a total cost to the exchequer of some €183 million.
For the period 2013 – 2020 Energy Efficiency Works were carried out in two phases:
Phase 1 aimed to ensure that the entire social housing stock would have, as a minimum, wall insulation and attic insulation (300mm). To this end, funding was initially targeted at the less intrusive cavity wall insulation as well as attic/roof insulation.
Phase 2 focused on the fabric upgrade works to those remaining dwellings with solid/hollow block wall construction and includes the provision of heating upgrades.
The previous programme was withdrawn in 2021 with the introduction of a new holistic Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme that focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided. The programme will see a significant upscaling on what has been completed by local authorities in previous years.
This new enhanced ten year energy efficiency programme was launched in response to a commitment made under the Programme for Government, which called for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent BER standard by 2030, of which approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes.
The 2022 Energy Efficiency Retrofitting programme has seen a significant increase in funding support to local authorities to €85 million, allowing approximately 2,400 homes nationally to be upgraded to a B2 or Cost Optimal Equivalent Standard.
A breakdown of the funding provided and the output per local authority since 2013 to 2021 can be found on the Department website:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
My Department also introduced a pilot Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme in 2020-2022, the details of which are at the link. A further 146 properties were retrofitted to a BER of B2/ Cost Optimal Equivalent and these figures are in addition to the National Retrofit Programme.
gov.ie - Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme - Expenditure and Units (www.gov.ie)
Work in relation to the 2022 programme is underway but it will be later this year before significant recoupment claims are lodged with my Department. Full details in relation to the 2022 EERP will be available early in 2023.
344. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if each local authority is required to have a complaints officer or department; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38807/22]
View answerSection 7 of the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012 places a statutory duty on public bodies (agencies) reviewable by the Ombudsman to put in place arrangements and resources for handling complaints.
The Ombudsman gives guidance to service providers for developing systems for dealing with complaints - www.ombudsman.ie/guidance-for-service-providers/
Any person who is dissatisfied with the quality of service provided by a local authority may make a complaint directly to that local authority. All local authorities have formal complaints mechanisms in place for handling complaints.
Having engaged with a local authority's Complaints and Appeals Procedure, if an individual continues to deem the response from the local authority to be unsatisfactory, the matter may be pursued further through the Office of the Ombudsman.
One of the functions of the Office of the Ombudsman is to investigate complaints that arise when members of the public have tried to access local government services and an unsatisfactory response to complaints has issued. The Ombudsman’s website details the sort of complaints concerning local authorities that it can investigate. There is a requirement for complainants to engage first with the relevant local authorities and exhaust local channels before escalating the complaint to the Ombudsman.
345. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is any other scheme to help farmers to carry out work on their land that is overgrown with rhododendrons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38818/22]
View answerMy Department does not provide specific funding for landowners to manage invasive alien species on their land. Under the current legislative framework, responsibility for dealing with invasive alien species (IAS) rests with the landowner. While a good deal of work dealing with rhododendron is carried out by my Department in its National Parks, it does not have the resources to extend this work into the wider countryside.
The Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) is a stream of grants administered by my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service to assist local authorities with projects in their areas that engage with and fulfil actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Each year, projects that target invasive alien species are a priority in this funding stream. In 2021, funding totaling €407,184 was provided through this scheme to local authorities for IAS projects and a further €328,361 has been awarded to IAS projects in 2022 to date.
However, the LBAF is not open to individuals or private landowners and is specifically targeted at local authorities.
346. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that invasive plant species are readily available to buy in garden centres without warnings; the efforts that are being carried out by his Department to engage in biosecurity; if biosecurity legislation is being considered in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38838/22]
View answerRegulation 49(2) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (SI 477/2011) makes it an offence to disperse, allow or cause to disperse, spread or otherwise cause to grow any plant which is included in Part 1 of the Third Schedule to those Regulations.
I am aware of occasional reports of the presence of invasive alien species in garden centres.
My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) does not monitor trade in garden centres. However, the NPWS does undertake awareness raising around invasive alien species to help the public and business owners understand the threats posed to our native biodiversity. Furthermore, where the NPWS is made aware of trade of invasive alien species, immediate action is taken to minimise any potential harm of such trade.
New legislation dealing with invasive alien species is at an advanced stage. This legislation will strengthen the legislative framework dealing with invasive alien species, particularly with regard to those listed species identified as being in trade.
Finally, in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to develop and implement a National Management Plan for Invasive Alien Species. Work is currently underway on the Plan and although at an early stage of development, it will incorporate measures to increase awareness of invasive alien species among the public and also to put a range of biosecurity measures in place to tackle the introduction and spread of such species.
347. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the national coastal change management strategy steering group; the number of times that the group has met since its formation; the current membership of the group; the issues that it has considered; when the group’s findings will be presented to Government and published; if coastal communities affected by coastal erosion and flooding will be engaged with by the group as key stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38858/22]
View answerThe Government established the Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The purpose of the steering group is to set out a high level scoping report for tackling the issue of sea level change. The membership of the Inter-Departmental Group is set out in the table. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the OPW and will bring forward options and recommendations for the Government to consider. The Inter-Departmental Group has met on three occasions to date and is also supported by a Technical Working Group.
The Technical Working Group most recently met in May 2022 to consider the range of data, information and research available across State organisations and that which is needed in the short, medium and longer terms to monitor the projected impact of coastal change associated with sea level rise.
The role of the steering group is to prepare a high level scoping report, which Government will consider. While the views of coastal communities are important, it is likely that they will be engaged with to ascertain their practical views as part of policy responses emerging on foot of the scoping report.
The Inter-Departmental Group Steering Group last met in June 2022 and has now advanced the drafting and finalising of its report considerably. This Report will be finalised in the coming months and will then be presented to Government for their consideration.
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National Coastal Change Zone Management Steering Group |
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Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
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Office of Public Works |
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Department of Transport |
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Met Éireann |
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SRA (Southern Regional Authority) |
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GSI (Geological Survey Ireland) |
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Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine |
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The County and City Management Association |
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Local Government Management Authority |
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Climate Action Regional Office |
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Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications |
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National Parks and Wildlife Service |
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Department of Public Expenditure and Reform |
348. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that have been put in place to assist local authorities and approved housing bodies to deal with construction sector inflation for contracts signed pre-2022, since 1 January 2022 and for contracts not yet signed but under consideration whether for construction or turnkey under the social housing investment programme, the capital assistance scheme, the capital advance leasing facility and the cost-rental equity loan programme. [38870/22]
View answer349. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new affordable purchase units that have been delivered in quarter 1 of 2022; the number of affordable purchase units currently in delivery; the projected total delivery of affordable purchase units in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38888/22]
View answer350. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the details of the new affordable purchase units that have been delivered in quarter 1 of 2022 including the location of delivery; the number of affordable purchase units provided at each location; the average purchase price; and the delivery provider in tabular form. [38889/22]
View answer351. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the details of the new affordable purchase units provided in quarter 1 of 2022; the number of new builds, acquisitions, turnkeys and other delivery mechanisms in tabular form. [38890/22]
View answer352. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of the new affordable purchase units that have been delivered in the four Dublin local authority areas in quarter 1 of 2022, in tabular form. [38891/22]
View answer353. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authorities that have a full-time vacant homes officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38892/22]
View answerIn January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that it is increasing the funding made available since 2018 from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum from mid-2022 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office, including a vacant homes officer (VHO) to support the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that vacant homes officers are full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of vacant homes officers, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.
Local authorities were requested to arrange for the vacant homes officer position to become full-time by the end of Q2 2022 and to notify my Department accordingly. My Department understands that a total of 17 local authorities have confirmed that at least 1 fulltime VHO is now in place and the Department is continuing the ongoing engagement with the remaining local authorities on the process underway to put in place fulltime VHOs.
354. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount in fines that has been paid to the European Commission for planning failures at the Derrybrien wind farm to date; when the daily fines will end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38893/22]
View answerOn 12 November 2019, the Court of Justice of the European Union issued its judgment in case C-261/18 relating to the Derrybrien wind farm in Galway, which followed on from the Court's judgment in case C-215/06. The 2019 judgment ruled against Ireland and imposed a lump sum fine of €5m and a daily fine of €15,000 until compliance is achieved, plus legal costs.
As the Deputy is aware, in accordance with Section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
However, with regard to the payment of fines in this case I can confirm that to date the State has paid €13,220,000 in fines to the European Commission in relation to this case. All payments have been made by my Department.
Details of the payments are as follows:
The lump sum fine of €5m was paid in January 2020.
The Commission advised that compliance with the judgment would be assessed on a six monthly basis, with a payment demand notice to issue in respect of each assessment period. Three installments of daily fines have been paid to date totaling €8,220,000, broken down as follows:
- €2,745,000 was paid in October 2020 covering the period of November 2019 to May 2020.
- €2,745,000, was paid in June 2021 covering the period of May 2020 to November 2020.
- €2,730,000 paid in December 2021 covering the period of November 2020 to May 2021.
The European Commission recently sent a payment demand notice for the sum of €2,760,000, which covers the fourth assessment period i.e. 13 May 2021 to 12 November 2021. Officials in my Department are presently processing this payment.
In relation to the closure of this case, I can advise that a decision on the substitute consent application by ESB for their Derrybrien Wind Farm in County Galway was signed by An Bord Pleanála (the Board) on Friday 4 February 2022.
In their decision, the Board refused to grant substitute consent for ESB’s wind farm, which ends the statutory process seeking to retrospectively regularise the environmental impact assessment status of the wind farm, (the subject matter of the EU court judgment in case C-261/18).
On 16 March 2022, ESB decided to cease operations at the Derrybrien wind farm permanently, and it is understood that ESB is preparing to decommission the wind farm in line with regulatory and legal requirements.
Planning legislation specifies that a development that has been refused substitute consent is deemed to be an ‘unauthorised development’ development by primary legislation. Galway County Council, the relevant planning authority, is required to issue a planning enforcement notice in accordance with sections 154 and 177O(5) of the Planning and Development Act, which among other things shall require the cessation of activity on site.
On 30 May 2022, officials in my Department wrote to the Commission, to seek to close out the related infringement case against Ireland on the basis of the Board’s decision to refuse permission for the wind farm, which unauthorised development is now an enforcement matter for the relevant planning authority. Discussions with the Commission in this regard are ongoing.
355. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of departmental reports that are pending publication; the titles of these reports; the expected publication dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38894/22]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
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Title of Departmental Report |
Expected Publication Date |
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Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Annual Report 2021 |
Q3 2022 |
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Tara Conservation Management Plan |
Q3 2022 |
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European Peatlands Initiative- Exploratory Study Report |
Q3 2022 |
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National Peatlands Strategy Mid Term Review and Annual Progress Reports |
Q3 2022 |
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Youth Homelessness Strategy |
Q3 2022 |
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Amalgamated Audited Annual Financial Statements for the 31 Local Authorities for year ending 31st December 2020. |
Q3 2022 |
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2022 Review of the CALF Funding Model |
Q3 2022 |
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Review of the Housing Agency Acquisitions Fund |
Q3 2022 |
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Third Cycle Draft River Basin Management Plan 2022-2027 Consultation Report |
Q3 2022 |
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Review of implementation of 3rd National Biodiversity Action Plan |
Q4 2022 |
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Residential Construction Cost Study |
Q4 2022 |
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Marine Strategy Framework Directive - Cycle 2 Revised Programme of Measures |
Q4 2022 |
356. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of serviced sites fund, affordable housing funding and affordable purchase homes that have been completed and offered for sale since January 2022; the details of their location, unit size and sale price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38895/22]
View answer357. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the proposed construction of a community centre at King’s Island, Limerick, as committed to in the Limerick regeneration plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38905/22]
View answerThe advancement of housing and other works under the Limerick Regeneration Programme is a matter in the first instance for Limerick City and County Council.
The Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan provides a roadmap for the regeneration of Limerick and includes plans for a community centre in St Mary's Park. There are no proposals currently with my Department in respect of this project and any such proposals advanced by the Council will be considered, in line with standard practice.
358. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the creation of extended playground facilities at the site adjacent to the King’s Island community crèche, Limerick, as committed to in the Limerick regeneration plan, and if he will make a statement on the matter.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38906/22]
View answerThe Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan provides a roadmap for the regeneration of Limerick. The advancement of housing and other works under the Limerick Regeneration Programme is a matter in the first instance for Limerick City and County Council.
My Department provided funding under the Regeneration Programme for a new children’s playground and adult outdoor fitness area in King’s Island. The new playground, which opened in 2020, is located close to the Community Centre, in front of the Crèche.
