Thursday, 15 Sep 2022

Written Answers Nos. 189-209

Tax Data

Questions (189)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

189. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance the amount of excise tax collected in each quarter of 2020 and 2021 and for the first half of 2022, in tabular form. [45298/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by Revenue that the amount of excise tax collected in each quarter of 2020 and 2021 and for the first half of 2022 is shown in the following table.

Excise Receipts by Quarter
Year	Quarter	Excise €m
2020	Q1	1,377.5
	Q2	1,081.8
	Q3	1,479.8
	Q4	1,655.6
2021	Q1	1,282.5
	Q2	1,405.2
	Q3	1,540.4
	Q4	1,762.6
2022	Q1	1,371.5
	Q2	1,322.9

Irish Bank Resolution Corporation

Questions (190)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

190. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the amount expended by a corporation (details supplied) on the use of private investigator companies historically; if he will provide a schedule of the PI companies that were engaged; the fees paid to each of them; and if they produced a report for him and or the management of the corporation. [45302/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised that the Special Liquidators have commenced a review of the matters outlined in the PQ.

However, these issues relate to a period when the Special Liquidators were not involved with IBRC and no corporate knowledge remains available to the Special Liquidators. As this task will require in-depth analysis of historical records, it will be necessary for the SLs to redirect resources to undertake this work over the coming weeks. Therefore, the Special Liquidators are not in a position to finalise this within the given timeframe for response.

As a result, I will provide this information directly to the Deputy once it is available.

Tax Data

Questions (191)

Bríd Smith

Question:

191. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the estimated revenue from an annual levy on the profits in the residential building sector, similar to the proposed levy in the UK in light of the Grenfell disaster, at rates of 5%, 10% and 15% respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45305/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by Revenue that it is not possible to separately identify the profits associated with the residential building sector from other construction industry profits and, therefore, it is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of the potential revenues from a levy on these profits.

Imposing additional taxes on certain economic sectors would involve increased complexity in our corporate tax regime, and could also have other unintended consequences. For example, while it is possible that imposing such a levy could lead to theoretical gains, there is also a risk that it could lead to lower levels of economic activity, or to a pass-through of increased costs to consumers. These are matters requiring careful consideration in light of the housing pressures that we are currently facing, and the more general inflationary pressures in the economy.

Separately, and in line with a Programme for Government commitment, the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD, established a working group to examine defects in housing. The group’s terms of reference are focused on fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The Report of the working group was published in July of this year and is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/97c19-working-group-to-examine-defects-in-housing/

Departmental Staff

Questions (192)

Denis Naughten

Question:

192. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons within his Department who received the special leave with pay for Covid-19 up to 1 July 2022; the number of workers who have availed of this payment for an extended period of 12 weeks or more; the number of persons who availed of the special leave with pay for COVID-19 since 1 July 2022; the number of such persons who have been in receipt of this payment in excess of 14 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45317/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I wish to advise the Deputy of the following details, as requested in respect of employees in my Department in receipt of Special Leave with Pay for Covid-19:

- Number of employees in receipt of this payment up to 1st July 2022 was 77.

- There were no employees in receipt of this payment for an extended period of 12 weeks or more.

- Number of employees in receipt of this payment since 1st July 2022 was nine.

- There were four employees in receipt of this payment for in excess of 14 days.

Budget 2023

Questions (193)

Colm Burke

Question:

193. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to retaining the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality and tourism sector beyond 28 February 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45336/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

As the Deputy will be aware, it is a longstanding practice that the Minister for Finance does not comment, in advance of the Budget, on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decision.

Tax Code

Questions (194)

Marian Harkin

Question:

194. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners have paused the use of the seize and release procedure and section 144 (2) of the Finance Act 2001 as amended to demand and / or offer on-the-spot roadside cash payment of compromise penalties in exchange for the restoration of vehicles seized for alleged VRT offences; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45348/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by Revenue that its approach to enforcement of the law relating to Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) is that in each instance where a failure to comply with the relevant legal requirements is detected, the matter is dealt with in a manner that is fair and proportionate to the circumstances of the particular case.

Section 141(1) of the Finance Act 2001, as amended, provides that ‘any goods or vehicles that are liable to forfeiture under the law relating to excise may be seized by an officer ’. Where it is established that a vehicle has been in the State more than 30 days without being registered, the vehicle can be seized. Section 144 of the Finance Act, 2001 (as amended) provides that the Revenue Commissioners have a power to deal with seizures. Section 144 (2) of the Finance Act, 2001 states that the Commissioners, may in their discretion, restore anything seized as liable to forfeiture under the law relating to excise. In exercising their discretionary power to restore a seized vehicle, the Revenue Commissioners may seek such conditions as they deem appropriate including payment of a compromise sum. Answers to PQ No. 204 of 25 May 2021, PQ No. 85 of 30 June 2021, PQs No. 386 to 389 of 27 July 2021 also contain information in relation to this matter. I am advised by Revenue that Officers have utilised and continue to utilise statutory powers as appropriate to the particular circumstances arising.

Living Wage

Questions (195)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

195. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost of bringing all public service workers up to the living wage of €12.17 per hour (details supplied); the estimated cost of bringing the wage to €12.90 per hour as set by the Living Wage Technical Group under the terms of the current Public Service Stability Agreement Building Momentum; and estimated cost under the proposed new pay deal in tabular form. [45203/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The suggested Living Wage at €12.17 per hour based on the Civil Service 35 hour standard net working week equates to an annual salary of approximately €22,226. The suggested Living Wage at €12.90 per hour based on the Civil Service 35 hour standard net working week equates to an annual salary of €23,559. Detailed data on civil service staff indicates that only 0.1% of staff (FTE) in the civil service are on salary points less than the suggested Living Wage.

Those currently on an annual salary of less than €22,226 or €23,559 may be receiving remuneration in excess of the suggested living wage through additional premium payments in respect of shift work or atypical working hours. In addition, these salary scales progress to the suggested Living Wage and above through normal incremental progression.

The current public service agreement is Building Momentum - A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2022. As the deputy will be aware, proposals on an extension of Building Momentum are currently being considered by members of ICTU, other unions and staff representative associations. These proposals amount to an additional 6.5% in pay adjustments above the existing Building Momentum agreement, for total headline adjustments of 9.5% over the lifetime of the Agreement. The extended Agreement is weighted towards those at lower incomes headline increases of approximately 12.5% for the lowest paid public servants. This would include all those earning less than €23,559 per annum.

The public service information sought in this request would require detailed data on the position of staff on each salary scale across the public service and details of the standard working hours per week for each individual grade. This data is not held in my Department.

Office of Public Works

Questions (196)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

196. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the redevelopment of a Garda station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45260/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Patrick O'Donovan)

The refurbishment of the existing Garda Station, Greystones was included in the previous Garda Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021. The current Station is a protected structure consisting of a terrace of eight 2-storey houses and a 3-storey square tower. Planned works included the refurbishment of the existing station and redevelopment of adjacent buildings currently occupied by the Irish Coast Guard.

The new Garda Capital Investment Plan 2022 – 2030 is currently being finalised by An Garda Síochána. It is for An Garda Síochána to decide, when considering their operational requirements, if this station is to be included in the final version of their Capital Investment Plan.

Coast Guard Service

Questions (197)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

197. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on a new station (details supplied); the timeline for its development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45261/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has identified a suitable site at Greystones Harbour for a new Coast Guard Station and planning permission has been granted by Wicklow County Council. Greystones is the number 1 priority project for the Coast Guard and funding approval from the Department of Transport is in place.

The OPW are actively engaged with Wicklow County Council in relation to the formal transfer of the site identified for the new Coast Guard Station in Greystones. Agreement has been reached on revised boundaries, the layout of the site and the parking arrangements for the Coast Guard emergency vehicles. Formal legal documents and maps are at an advanced stage and when finalised the project will move on to the next phase of contract procurement.

The construction of the new facility is currently estimated to take approximately 14 months from commencement to completion.

Departmental Staff

Questions (198)

Denis Naughten

Question:

198. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons within his Department who received the special leave with pay for Covid-19 up to 1 July 2022; the number of workers who have availed of this payment for an extended period of 12 weeks or more; the number of persons who availed of the special leave with pay for COVID-19 since 1 July 2022; the number of such persons who have been in receipt of this payment in excess of 14 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45323/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

103 members of staff within my Department received special leave with pay for Covid-19 up to and including 30 June 2022, including 8 members of staff who availed of this special leave in excess of 14 days. In addition, 1 member of staff availed of this special leave for an extended period of 12 weeks or more.

13 members of staff have availed of this special leave since 01 July 2022. Since 01 July 2022 special leave with pay is available for up to 7 calendar days and as such no member of staff has been in receipt of this payment in excess of 7 days.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (199)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

199. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that a 2% increase for members of the An Post Superannuation Scheme has not been implemented; the timeline that it is working towards for implementation of this rate, which was effective from 1 January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45392/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983, and the rules of the An Post Pension Scheme, pension increases or alterations to the schemes are subject to the authorisation of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications given with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

An Post formally sought Ministerial approval on 4 May 2022 to increase pensions in payment and deferred pensions for members of the An Post Superannuation Scheme by 2% per annum with effect from 1 January 2022 and up to a further 2% per annum with effect from 1 January 2023.

In line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 16 of 2021 the authorisation of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications for the 2% per annum pension increase from 1 January 2022 has been communicated to my Department and a request for my concurrence was received from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on 5 September 2022.

I gave my consent to the request on 8 September and this consent was forwarded to Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on that date.

As the pension increase has now received the requisite Ministerial approvals, any further queries, including queries in relation to when An Post workers will receive the 2% increase, should be directed to the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.

Tourism Policy

Questions (200)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

200. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the regulations surrounding the advertising on a website (details supplied) of stays in campervans parked on public roads; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45268/22]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Under the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2016, Fáilte Ireland has specific powers and functions regarding the registration and grading of tourist accommodations. In accordance with the current legislation, certain categories of accommodations (such as hotels and guesthouses) are statutorily obliged to register with Fáilte Ireland and comply with approved regulations, whereas other accommodation segments (such as motor homes / campervans) are not. These regulations mainly relate to the quality of the product and the level of service.

While my Department is working with Fáilte Ireland on updating the legislation for short term and holiday lets to introduce a regulatory registration requirement, neither my Department nor Fáilte Ireland has any direct role in relation to the advertising on a website of stays in campervans parked on public roads.

Departmental Staff

Questions (201)

Denis Naughten

Question:

201. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of persons within her Department who received the special leave with pay for Covid-19 up to 1 July 2022; the number of workers who have availed of this payment for an extended period of 12 weeks or more; the number of persons who availed of the special leave with pay for COVID-19 since 1 July 2022; the number of such persons who have been in receipt of this payment in excess of 14 days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45326/22]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I am advised that in relation to special leave with pay for Covid-19 in my Department, the following is the case:

- a total of 105 staff have received special leave with pay for Covid-19 since the formation of my Department in September 2020.

- 89 staff in my Department received special leave with pay for Covid-19 up to 1 July 2022. 1 staff member received this payment for a period of 12 weeks or more.

- Since 1 July 2022, 20 staff in my Department have received special leave with pay for COVID-19.

- No staff member was in receipt of this payment in excess of 14 days.

Not all staff who contracted Covid-19 or were required to self-isolate availed of special leave with pay for Covid-19. Some staff who experienced mild symptoms and were well enough continued to work from home.

Rental Sector

Questions (202)

Mark Ward

Question:

202. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role that his Department plays in tackling landlords who are supplying substandard accommodation and whose tenants are in receipt of rent supplement allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45280/22]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Rent Supplement scheme is operated by the Department of Social Protection. It provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation. The scheme ensures that for those who were renting but whose circumstances have changed due to a temporary loss of employment can continue to meet their rental commitments. There were 10,347 people in receipt of Rent Supplement on 10 September 2022.

Local Authorities are responsible for the provision of rental assistance to those with a long-term housing need primarily through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme.

The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.

If a property has been found to be non-compliant with the regulations, it is a matter for the local authority to determine what action is necessary and appropriate. Under sections 18A and 18B of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, a housing authority may serve an Improvement Notice or Prohibition Notice, respectively, where a property is found to be non-compliant.

Under Section 34 of that Act, any person who by act or omission contravenes the Regulations, fails to comply with an improvement notice, or re-lets a house in breach of a prohibition notice, will be guilty of an offence and will be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both. If the contravention, failure to comply or re-letting is continued after conviction, the person will be guilty of a further offence on every day on which the contravention, failure to comply or re-letting continues and for each such offence will be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €400 per day.

To aid increased inspections of properties and ensure greater compliance with the Regulations, increased Exchequer funding has been made available to local authorities since 2018 to enable them to build inspection capacity, with payments based on the number of inspections undertaken. Significant progress was made across the sector. The number of inspections more than doubled from 19,645 in 2017 to 40,728 in 2019. However, given the need for inspectors to enter tenants’ homes, pandemic restrictions greatly impacted on inspection activity since March 2020. The number of inspections undertaken fell to 25,703 in 2020 and 20,240 in 2021. However, figures for the the first half of 2022 show that more than 23,000 inspections have been carried out.

Mortgage Resolution Processes

Questions (203, 204)

Noel Grealish

Question:

203. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether the target of exceeding the 678 mortgage to rent cases completed in 2021 will be met in 2022; if not, if there are plans to initiate the previously mentioned consumer awareness campaign to target the 20,000+ homeowners still in long-term arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45227/22]

Noel Grealish

Question:

204. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the impact of the changes made to the eligibility criteria for the mortgage to rent scheme in January 2022 regarding the volume of applications to date; if the State-owned banks re-examined their long-term arrears cases following the changes to the eligibility criteria; if he will provide a breakdown on which lenders have made the greatest use of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45228/22]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.

The Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme was introduced in 2012 for borrowers of commercial lending institutions and is targeted at those households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), who agree to the voluntary surrender of their home and who have very limited options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs themselves. In addition, the household must be deemed eligible for social housing support. The concept of the scheme is that a household with an unsustainable mortgage goes from being a homeowner to being a social housing tenant.

To the end of June 2022, 1,905 households with unsustainable private mortgages have completed the MTR process and 635 cases are being actively progressed. A total of 5,602 individuals are benefitting from the scheme, which comprises of 2,892 adults and 2,373 children. The Housing Agency publishes, on a quarterly basis, detailed statistical information on the operation of the MTR scheme which also shows a breakdown of the number of active, completed, ineligible and terminated cases by lender. This information is available on the Housing Agency's website at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/housing-information/mortgage-rent-statistics

In 2020, 363 Mortgage to Rent cases were completed and in 2021, 678 cases were completed. Between January and June 2022, 223 cases were completed. The Mortgage to Rent scheme is a demand led scheme and is driven by lenders following active engagement by borrowers. Therefore, case completions are dependent on the level of borrower engagement that can be achieved by lenders, with the support of advisory services such as MABS and Abhaile, as well as the Department and Housing Agency's awareness raising initiatives. It is not envisaged that the number of completed cases for 2022 will exceed the number completed in 2021.

Both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commits to strengthening the Mortgage to Rent scheme and ensuring that it is helping those who need it. Building on the significant amendments already made to the scheme in 2017, the 2021 Review, which was published on the 24 January 2022, examined the impact of these changes and what further changes would benefit those in need of the scheme. While the scheme is performing well, it was assessed that some further enhancements were needed to enable more households in need of State support with their long-term housing needs to avail of this scheme.

One key priority action was to broaden the eligibility criteria of the scheme. This was implemented under the scheme on 14 February 2022. These include changes to the following aspects of the scheme, which will enable more borrowers to apply:

Positive Equity: Three new limits varying from €25,000 to €35,000 apply depending on the location of the property.

Property Acquisition Limits: Increases of up to 14% on the previous limits have been implemented across two threshold areas. These limits take account of current market conditions and the recent research by the Central Bank.

Flexibility on over accommodation: The scheme now allows flexibility on the over accommodation rule where a member of the household is aged 65 or over, or has a disability.

Approximately 8% of eligible cases submitted to The Housing Agency between 14/02/2022 and 30/06/2022 were deemed eligible as a result of the broadened eligibility criteria for property acquisition limits and over accommodation. My Department does not have sight of an individual borrower’s positive equity and so cannot statistically track the impact of this change.

My Department wrote to all the lenders involved in the MTR scheme and notified them of the changes to the eligibility criteria in advance of the effective date of 14th February 2022. In that letter, the Department requested that they take account of these changes when assessing borrowers for MTR.

Another action area within the 2021 Review is 'Communication and awareness raising'. There is continued engagement with Abhaile, the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) and Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) to disseminate information on the MTR scheme. Initiatives to increase the awareness of the Mortgage to Rent scheme are currently ongoing.

Full details of the recommendations and associated actions are outlined within the 2021 Review of the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme for people who have borrowed from commercial private lending institutions and this review is available on my Department's website under Publications: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed57b-2021-review-of-the-mortgage-to-rent-scheme-for-borrowers-of-commercial-private-lending-institutions/

Question No. 204 answered with Question No. 203.

Heritage Sites

Questions (205)

Denis Naughten

Question:

205. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Rinn Dúin Town and Castle, County Roscommon will be reopened; the engagement that has taken place with the local landowner; the funding that has been allocated and drawn down to secure the walls and buildings of the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45232/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Rinn Dúin deserted medieval settlement and Castle is not in my ownership, nor in the care of my Department or the OPW. It is a Recorded Monument protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014, and is in private ownership. Reopening of the Castle is therefore a matter for the private owner.

I understand that the site has received funding through the Heritage Council in recent years. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Heritage Council is [e-mail].

Vacant Properties

Questions (206)

Neale Richmond

Question:

206. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict buildings that have been brought back into circulation in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, broken down by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45244/22]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department does not have access to data on the number of derelict buildings which have been brought back into circulation during this period.

The preliminary findings of Census 2022 provided a figure of 166,752 vacant homes nationwide. This represents 7.8% of the housing stock. Studies suggest a properly functioning housing market will have a base vacancy rate for this reason and it is suggested that this rate is around 6%. The Census 2022 figures represent a 9% reduction overall on the Census 2016 vacant homes figure of approximately 183,000.

A survey methodology was previously developed by my Department in relation to locating vacant housing and carried out a pilot field-based survey across six local authorities in order to more accurately determine the levels of long-term, vacant but recoverable dwellings that could be re-introduced into the liveable housing stock. The pilot field-based survey indicated an average vacancy rate of 2.9% in the local authority areas surveyed.

My Department is currently reviewing opportunities to harness vacancy data. This will include working with the Vacant Homes Officer in each local authority to assess and monitor vacancy data locally, including potentially through field based surveys. This will add to the recent data provided through the preliminary analysis of the Local Property Tax (LPT) 2022 and Census 2022 data on vacancy in informing policy and scheme development to address vacancy.

Under the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, a Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched on 14 July 2002 that provides grant funding to support the refurbishment of vacant properties in towns and villages where the level of vacancy/dereliction is high. There are two levels of grants being provided, a grant of up to €30,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and an additional top-up grant of up to €20,000 where a property is derelict. The operation of this scheme, which will be kept under review, will also provide the opportunity to gather data on vacant and derelict properties which are being brought back into use.

Departmental Data

Questions (207)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

207. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of allotments, community gardens and urban orchards provided as of September 2022, as detailed in the Programme for Government. [45263/22]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I have no function in relation to allotments, community gardens or urban orchards and my Department does not hold the information requested. The locus of responsibility or accountability at central level is determined by the nature of the particular issue or activity involved, not by the fact that it involves a local authority role per se.

In addition, local authorities are entirely independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities.

Housing Policy

Questions (208)

Sean Fleming

Question:

208. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Working Group established in 2020 to examine issues in relation to unsold affordable properties is expected to report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45286/22]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The working group convened in September 2020 to examine the issues relating to unsold affordable properties is continuing to consider a number of options and met most recently on 14th September 2022.

Any solutions put forward will consider all relevant parties including the tenants, the approved housing bodies, the local authorities and achieve good value for the Exchequer. These will be contained in recommendations from the group which I trust will assist in resolving this complex legacy issue.

Heritage Schemes

Questions (209)

Denis Naughten

Question:

209. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Shannon Callows farm plan scheme from the National Parks and Wildlife Service will be advertised in local papers circulating in the area concerned; the reason that the scheme was not advertised in 2021; when the scheme will open and close for applications; the number of potential eligible landowners in the Callows; the number who applied in 2021; the number that were approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45301/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

While there is no scheme specifically for the Shannon Callows, my Department's National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) operates an agri-environmental scheme, on a national basis, referred to as the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. This scheme exists to support landowners who farm for nature, both financially and by way of expert advice.

An Expression of Interest form for the Farm Plan Scheme is available on the NPWS website (www.npws.ie), and any interested parties will be directly notified when any call for applications is open.

The call for applications to the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme in 2021 was widely advertised, including extensive coverage in the farming media and directly to various farming organisations, as well as the Agricultural Consultants Association. There is no plan to advertise a scheme limited only to the Shannon Callows.

All landowners are eligible to apply to the Farm Plan Scheme. The number of landowners that can be accepted into the scheme is limited by the available budget. All applications made for the Scheme which have come from the Shannon Callows have been accepted to go forward to have farm plans prepared. In 2021, a total of 8 applications were made landowners managing land in the Shannon Callows.