Written Answers Nos. 67-88
67. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to outline her engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communication concerning online trolling and other online abuse targeted at LGBTQ+ young people. [18601/23]
View answerThe Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act was commenced on 15 March 2023 and marks the formal establishment of a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán. The Act provides for a regulatory framework for online safety and An Coimisiún will enforce that framework, primarily through the making of binding online safety codes.
The online safety codes will require designated online services to take measures to tackle the availability of defined categories of harmful online content. This includes online content linked to 42 listed offences, such as offences in relation to harassment and abusive messaging under Coco's Law (the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020) and incitement to hatred under the Incitement to Hatred Act, 1989. It remains the role of An Garda Síochána to investigate suspected criminal activities by individuals.
Coimisiún na Meán has a suite of enforcement powers available to it, including the power to seek the imposition of financial sanctions of up to €20 million or 10% of turnover for contraventions of online safety codes.
In light of the impact that certain kinds of harmful online content has on LGBTI+ people, particularly young people, this legislation and the establishment of An Coimisiún are important steps forward in safeguarding these communities.
In terms of engagement, my Department has not engaged with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on these issues but my Department is co-operating with the Department of Justice to ensure that any forthcoming changes in criminal law in relation to incitement to hatred are reflected in the regulatory framework for online safety.
In addition, I understand the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is planning for legislation in relation to the promotion of conversion therapy practices. When this legislation is put in place, An Coimisiún will develop corresponding online safety codes in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
68. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if, notwithstanding the decision on the basic income scheme for a person (details supplied), there is any recourse that a review can be made on the decision; and if not, if there is an opportunity to reapply for the scheme again in 2023. [18446/23]
View answerOver 9,000 people applied for the basic income pilot scheme (BIA) last year, of which, just over 8,200 were deemed eligible. As this is a pilot scheme the funding available is limited to a maximum of 2,000 recipients. The scheme was significantly oversubscribed and I appreciate that those who were unsuccessful are disappointed.
I note that the applicant referred to by the Deputy was deemed eligible but did not get selected for the pilot. However, eligibility was not a guarantee of a place on the BIA and recipients were chosen through an anonymised random selection process. This process was overseen by EY acting as an independent verifier. All eligible applicants were included in the randomised selection to select the 2,000 BIA recipients and the control group of 1,000 participants. It is not proposed to add any further eligible applicants to the BIA Pilot scheme.
This is a three-year research programme with the intention of providing an evidence base to assess whether or not this type of support works for the arts. The Department will be assessing a wide range of impact data from participants including the effect the payment has on their creativity, the amount of time they devote to the arts, their well-being, and their ability to earn additional income from the arts.
69. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the Government’s strategy to act upon the recommendations of the Biodiversity Loss Citizens Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18432/23]
View answerI welcome the publication of the report of the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss and am grateful to members of the Assembly for their dedication and commitment to the process. Having now received the report of the Assembly, the recommendations therein will be deliberated by the relevant committee in the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Committee will, in turn, bring its conclusions to the Houses for debate.
The Government will prepare a comprehensive response to the full set of recommendations of the Assembly. Further information on the timeline of this response will be provided in due course.
70. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify if Louth County Council has been given instruction from his Department that long-term leases cannot be considered, with consideration to the extreme pressures on housing at this moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18393/23]
View answerUnder Housing for All the Government plans to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 homes per year over the next decade. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes.
Housing for All sets out that there will a managed phasing out of new long term leasing projects over the lifetime of the plan, in favour of delivery models which ensure long-term ownership of social housing homes. This will be achieved by a renewed emphasis on new-build social homes on an unprecedented scale financed by an historic capital commitment. It is envisaged that 3,500 units will be delivered through long term leasing from 2022 to 2025, with targets reducing over the lifetime of the plan; tapering down from a target of 1,300 units in 2022 to 200 units in 2025.
As such, Housing for All long term leasing targets were assigned to 13 Local Authorities to deliver 3,500 social homes nationally through long term leasing from 2022 to 2025. Most of these targets are now almost fully subscribed with agreed proposals.
Louth County Council were assigned a target of 34 units under Housing for All, which I communicated by letter to them on the 21 September 2021. As at the end of Q3 2022 Louth County Council had delivered 11 units of their long term leasing target and the balance of Louth County Council's long term leasing target was fully subscribed but yet to be delivered.
As a necessary measure to accelerate the provision of social homes for homeless households, The Housing Agency in conjunction with my Department has introduced an emergency Targeted Leasing Initiative (TLI), with the aim of delivering approximately 1,000 new homes over 2023 and 2024 in the areas of greatest need. TLI is separate and additional to the current long term leasing scheme.
Housing for All commits to ending long term leasing by the end of 2025. This policy remains unchanged, however leasing continues to be an important mechanism for expedited delivery to meet social housing needs as build supply ramps up to meet demand.
71. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amounts collected, levied, owed and owed cumulatively under the Derelict Sites Register; and the number of sites on each register by local authority for 2022, in tabular form. [18429/23]
View answerLocal Authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in their functional areas. The table contains the information requested regarding the operation of the derelict sites levy, as per the most recent returns from local authorities relating to the year 2022. Returns are awaited from 4 local authorities - Cork, Mayo, Monaghan and Westmeath County Councils.
|
Local Authority |
No. of sites in respect of which a notice / demand under the Act issued |
No. of Derelict Sites on Register at 1 January 2022 |
No. of Derelict Sites entered onto Register during the year |
No. of Derelict Sites removed from Register during the year |
No. of Derelict Sites on Register at 31 December 2022 |
No. of Derelict Sites acquired by agreement |
No. of Derelict Sites acquired compulsorily |
No. of Derelict Sites levied during the year |
Amount levied during the year |
Amount received in respect of sites levied during 2022 |
Cumulative amount of levies outstanding at 31 December 2022 |
|
Carlow |
45 |
25 |
5 |
6 |
24 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
€ 148,194.00 |
€ 41,430.00 |
€ 328,731.00 |
|
Cavan |
9 |
11 |
1 |
3 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
Clare |
250 |
39 |
18 |
16 |
41 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
Cork County |
|||||||||||
|
Cork City |
106 |
95 |
29 |
15 |
109 |
0 |
6 |
59 |
€ 1,400,000.00 |
€ 281,564.00 |
€ 4,200,000.00 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
18 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
Dublin City |
225 |
76 |
11 |
9 |
78 |
0 |
11 |
60 |
€ 1,545,110.00 |
€ 490,029.00 |
€ 5,800,254.00 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
21 |
10 |
4 |
3 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
€195,760.00 |
€ 17,500.00 |
€ 637,809.00 |
|
Fingal |
20 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ 7,500.00 |
|
Galway City |
28 |
9 |
4 |
4 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
€ 8,400.00 |
€ - |
€ 32,300.00 |
|
Galway County |
20 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
Kerry |
102 |
65 |
11 |
26 |
50 |
0 |
0 |
45 |
€ 437,568.00 |
€ 2,407.00 |
€ 472,372.00 |
|
Kildare |
38 |
26 |
6 |
5 |
27 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
€ 260,079.00 |
€ 3,150.00 |
€ 489,942.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
22 |
13 |
8 |
1 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ 15,250.00 |
|
Laois |
61 |
11 |
8 |
3 |
16 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
€ 7,650.00 |
€ 3,300.00 |
€ 3,300.00 |
|
Leitrim |
15 |
36 |
0 |
15 |
21 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
Limerick City & County |
502 |
288 |
153 |
55 |
386 |
3 |
41 |
137 |
€794,952.00 |
€ 48,382.00 |
€1,510,623.00 |
|
Longford |
11 |
36 |
0 |
0 |
36 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
Louth |
87 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
€ 33,300.00 |
€ 6,600.00 |
€ 59,700.00 |
|
Mayo |
|||||||||||
|
Meath |
60 |
30 |
11 |
4 |
37 |
0 |
1 |
22 |
€ 216,422.00 |
€ - |
€ 403,546.00 |
|
Monaghan |
€ - |
||||||||||
|
Offaly |
0 |
17 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ 5,400.00 |
|
Roscommon |
41 |
3 |
11 |
0 |
14 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
Sligo |
19 |
26 |
6 |
2 |
30 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
South Dublin |
10 |
12 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ 182,050.00 |
|
Tipperary |
29 |
42 |
4 |
5 |
41 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
€ 37,144.00 |
€ - |
€ 131,081.00 |
|
Waterford City & County |
1 |
33 |
0 |
3 |
30 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
Westmeath |
|||||||||||
|
Wexford |
58 |
64 |
9 |
9 |
64 |
0 |
5 |
23 |
€ 117,040.00 |
€ 50,700.00 |
€ 367,460.00 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
€ 19,250.00 |
€ - |
€ 51,350.00 |
|
Total |
1783 |
1000 |
303 |
186 |
1117 |
8 |
75 |
407 |
€ 5,220,869.00 |
€ 945,062.00 |
€ 14,698,668.00 |
72. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amounts collected, levied, owed and owed cumulatively under the Vacant Sites Register; and the number of sites on each register by local authority for 2022, in tabular form. [18430/23]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 710 of 18 April 2023 which sets on the position in this matter.
73. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social and affordable houses built in the Kerry local authority area in each of the years from 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [18434/23]
View answerHousing for All is the Government's plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including Kerry. This data is available to the end of 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department's website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 4 2022. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/.
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis of completions, locations, approvals stage etc at the link below: Social Housing Construction Status Report Q4 2022 - Dataset - Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
A key action of Housing for All required local authorities to develop Housing Delivery Action Plans to include details of social and affordable housing delivery. The Plans set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. A copy of Kerry County Council's Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on its website at the following link: www.kerrycoco.ie/housing-delivery-programme/.
Local authorities with the highest levels of affordable housing need were asked to prepare Affordable Delivery Plans as part of their overall Plans and were set five-year Affordable Delivery Targets. Kerry does not have a specific target as average house price levels in the county are still well below the national median, but I understand that there may be some localised affordability issues in certain areas which the local authority is examining.
Where there are localised challenges, funding can be made available to develop a scheme in line with Affordable Housing Fund criteria. To date, my Department has not received any application for funding under the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) from Kerry. However, assistance has been offered by both my Department and via the Housing Agency and Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office.
In addition, the First Home Scheme which was launched in July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. The scheme is available nationwide, including Co. Kerry. Full information on the scheme is available on the First Home Scheme dedicated website, www.firsthomescheme.ie.
Finally, the new Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is also available in Kerry and it provides for grants for refurbishment of vacant properties of up to €30,000 or €50,000 if the property is derelict. I also announced last year, a new Ready to Build serviced sites scheme under the Fund where local authorities will provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. Information on both of these scheme is available directly from Kerry County Council.
74. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking in response to contract restrictions preventing the sale of properties to local authorities or approved housing bodies for social housing. [18457/23]
View answerUnder Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire up to 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions will be focused on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities in March, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2023. This allocation will be kept under review.
My Department is working closely with the local authorities on the delivery of social housing acquisitions. My Department is not aware of any instances where a local authority or Approved Housing Body has been prevented by from acquiring a property for social housing due to contract restrictions. For example, The Housing Agency has purchased hundreds of apartments over several years, in its own capacity and on trust for local authorities, and the Agency has informed my Department that it not been prevented from acquiring an apartment by a contract restriction preventing the owner from selling their apartment for social housing use. However, I am aware of the recent media coverage of one specific case and my Department will keep this matter under review.
Details of social housing acquisitions will be published as part of the comprehensive programme level statistics published by my Department on a quarterly basis. This data is available for all local authorities to the end of Quarter 4 2022 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
75. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable housing units delivered in County Donegal for the years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [18525/23]
View answer76. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable rental units delivered in County Donegal for the years, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [18526/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together.
The Affordable Housing Fund is available to assist all local authorities in bringing forward affordable housing schemes. Under the Affordable Housing Act of 2021, the Affordable Housing Fund opened for funding applications from all Local Authorities from September 2021.
Following the publication of Housing for All in September 2021, I asked all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. Each local authority was asked to assess the level of housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment Tool and plan their provision accordingly. A copy of Donegal County Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available at the following link: www.donegalcoco.ie/services/housing/publications/donegalshousingdeliveryactionplan20222026/.
Local authorities with the highest levels of affordable housing need were asked to prepare Affordable Delivery Plans as part of their overall Plans and were set five-year Affordable Delivery Targets. Donegal does not have a specific target as average house price levels in the county are still well below the national median, but there may be some localised affordability issues in certain areas which the local authority is examining.
Where there are localised challenges, funding can be made available to develop a scheme in line with Affordable Housing Fund criteria. While, to date, my Department has not received any application for funding under the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) from Donegal, my Department is available to meet with and discuss plans with any local authority who intends to deliver affordable housing.
Circular 06/2023 'Guidance for local authorities making an application for funding under the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) Scheme in the absence of a clearly assessed substantial housing need with affordability constraint' was circulated to all Local Authorities including Donegal on the 21 February 2023. Assistance with developing schemes is available from my Department, The Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office within the Local Government Management Association.
As part of Housing for All, the Government has implemented a new, more affordable, and more secure form of long-term rental housing in Ireland, through the introduction of Cost Rental, in 2021. Cost Rental schemes will be focused initially in densely populated urban areas where rental affordability pressures are particularly acute and where State resources can have the biggest impact. It is important that the State targets its affordability measures towards the parts of the country that are experiencing the most extreme affordability challenges.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, which was launched in July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. Full information on the scheme is available on the First Home Scheme dedicated website, www.firsthomescheme.ie. Statistical data on delivery across all affordable housing streams during 2022 as published on my Department's website earlier this week shows that activity has begun to take place under this scheme for Donegal and is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery.
Finally, the new Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is also available in Donegal and it provides for grants for refurbishment of vacant properties of up to €30,000 or €50,000 if the property is derelict. I also announced last year, a new Ready to Build serviced sites scheme under the Fund where local authorities will provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. Information on both of these scheme is available directly from Donegal County Council.
77. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units delivered in County Donegal for the years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [18527/23]
View answerHousing for All is the Government's plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including Donegal. This data is available to the end of 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department's website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 4 2022. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/. A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis at the link below: Social Housing Construction Status Report Q4 2022 - Dataset - Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
78. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the updating of the planning guidelines for short-term lettings will be announced (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18550/23]
View answer81. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 513 of 21 March 2023, if he will engage with self-catering accommodation providers in rural areas concerning the impact of the Short-term Lettings Enforcement Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18609/23]
View answerOn 7 December 2022 the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and the priority drafting of the Bill which provides for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All, the Government's housing policy and action plan. This work is being led by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM).
DTCAGSM provided briefings on the Bill to key stakeholders on 7 December 2022 and further briefings have been provided to stakeholders since then. On 16 February 2023, DTCAGSM held further discussions with stakeholders and my Department participated in this. My Department continues to be open to further engagement with relevant stakeholders and will be meeting with one of the representative bodies in the coming week in relation to planning aspects associated with the measure.
Updated Planning Guidelines on short-term letting, which are aimed at providing clarity on the planning permission and exemption requirements for properties operating in this area in both rent pressure zones and more rural areas are currently being prepared by my Department to supplement the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill. It is intended that the updated guidelines, which will also take account of the recent communication from the EU Commission on this matter, will be published on the enactment of the Bill.
79. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units to be retrofitted in County Clare in 2023, by municipal district, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18591/23]
View answerMy Department launched the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme (EERP) in 2013 with the aim of funding retrofit of social homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Since the programme commenced in 2013 to the end of 2022, over 77,500 local authority social housing dwellings have been retrofitted with a total exchequer spend of over €251 million. A breakdown of the funding provided and the output per local authority, including Clare County Council, can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the programme, designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls 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, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.
The programme has been devised in a way to give local authorities a level of flexibility when selecting properties to retrofit ranging from those requiring minor levels of works to properties needing the maximum level of retrofitting required to bring them to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent standard. Works eligible under my Department's revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. Works are typically carried out in this order. The installation of gas/oil boilers or solid fuel/inset stoves including wood pellet stoves are not supported by the Department under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme.
My Department issues a full year allocation and target to local authorities with the selection of properties for inclusion in the programme and the eligible measures to achieve the B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent a matter for each individual local authority.
The 2023 EERP budget provides an increase in funding support from €85 million allocated in 2022 to €87 million in 2023 and details of this year’s programme, including target allocations, are presently being finalised.
80. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grants currently available through his Department, excluding the housing adaptation grant for the replacement of windows and doors in private houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18592/23]
View answerIn addition to the funding provided by my Department for the Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability scheme, in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability, my Department also oversees a number of schemes, which may include repairs to windows and doors.
These include the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund, which assist in the conservation of protected and other eligible structures, and may include repairs to windows and doors. The schemes are administered through the local authorities and details are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/32ae3-financial-assistance-for-architectural-heritage/.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, launched as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence.
A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or if the property is on the Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.
The replacement of windows and doors are included in the categories of works which are eligible for grant assistance.
82. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice the number of inspections carried out by the Private Security Authority on company records, and events, where registered companies were operative, in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17226/23]
View answer83. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice the number of sanctions/prosecutions imposed on security companies arising out of these inspections by the Private Security Authority in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17227/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together.
I can advise the Deputy, that the Private Security Authority, an independent body under the aegis of my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for licensing and regulating the private security industry in Ireland.
The Private Security Authority regulates both contractors and employees across a range of sectors in the security industry.
I am advised that between 2021 and 2022, the Private Security Authority commenced over 1,700 enforcement cases of which 192 related to the inspection of contractor records to ensure compliance with licensing requirements. As a result of this inspection work, five contractors were prosecuted during the period and a further seven had their licence revoked.
In addition to this, one contractor had their licence suspended for a period, two were issued with a reprimand and two received a warning notice.
84. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice his plans in the area of sentencing reform and incarceration rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18408/23]
View answerMy Department is progressing a range of policy options to ensure that the courts have a suitably wide range of appropriate options for dealing with people who have committed minor offences.
The Programme for Government contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more just and safe society, with a specific commitment to review policy options for prison and penal reform. In respect of delivering on this commitment, the Government approved the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 in August 2022.
This review seeks to find the balance between ensuring that people who commit serious crimes receive a punishment and a period of incarceration proportionate to that crime, while at the same time acknowledging that in many instances, community-based sanctions are more appropriate in diverting offenders away from future criminal activity and that they have a role to play in addressing criminality, reducing reoffending and providing protection to the public, while holding the individual accountable.
In this regard, the Deputy will also be aware that my Department has commenced a policy review of the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014. As part of this policy review, due consideration is being given to facilitating the effective and efficient use of community sanctions by the courts, and to ensuring the courts have a range of appropriate options for dealing with people who have committed minor offences. Consideration of this matter is ongoing.
That said, I am sure that the Deputy appreciates that sentencing is a matter solely within the discretion of the trial judge, having regard to the circumstances of the case and of the accused and subject to any limits as may be prescribed by law for a particular offence. The role of the Oireachtas is to set the appropriate maximum sentence for a particular offence. There are also a number of presumptive minimum sentences established in law, and these are currently subject to a review which is required under the Judicial Council Act 2019.
The intention of the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform is to strengthen the options available to judges when they are considering cases, to facilitate the effective and efficient use of community sanctions by the courts, and to ensure that the courts have a wide range of appropriate options for dealing with those who have committed minor offences and who might otherwise receive a sentence of 12 months or less.
The Deputy will also be aware that the relationship between substance misuse and offending behaviour is well understood and that a history of substance misuse is a strong predictor for reoffending.
In this regard, the final report and recommendations of the High Level Task Force to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of those who come into contact with the criminal justice sector was published by Minister McEntee and the Minister for Health in September 2022.
The recommendations made by the Task Force aim to ensure better support for people at the earliest point at which they come into contact with the criminal justice system. They seek to divert people away from the criminal justice system where possible, while supporting them in their rehabilitation from addiction and in the recovery and management of their illness. Further, when justice requires that a prison sentence be imposed on an individual, the recommendations of the Task Force seek to address the question of better rehabilitative support while in custody and to put in place the right structures to ensure the progress made in prison is not lost after release.
85. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the number of slop-out cases and in-cell sanitation cases taken by prisoners and former prisoners. [18420/23]
View answer86. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the number of slop out cases and in cell sanitation cases taken by prisoners and former prisoners where they were legally represented. [18421/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service, however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
87. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the number of firms instructed by the State to defend slop-out and in-cell sanitation cases; the amount in fees paid to such firms for their services; and the number of such cases assigned to each firm, in tabular form. [18422/23]
View answerI have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service, however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
88. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 15 February 2023, the total number of category ‘A’ complaints made by female prisoners in 2022 and their outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18561/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware all prisoners may make a complaint at any time and the Irish Prison Service treats all complaints with the utmost seriousness.
Complaints received by the Irish Prison Service vary in nature and gravity. For example, some may relate to conditions of accommodation, quality of food or access to services while other complaints can be more serious such as allegations of assault, mistreatment or intimidation.
The current system categorises complaints according to their nature and severity, ranging from the most serious 'Category A' complaint through to a 'Category F' complaint. Further information on the Prisoner Complaints System, including these categories, is available on the on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie - Prisoner Services – Prisoner Complaints.
The most serious 'Category A' complaints are those alleging assault or use of excessive force against a prisoner, ill-treatment, racial abuse, discrimination, intimidation, threats or any other conduct against a prisoner of a nature and gravity likely to bring discredit on the Irish Prison Service. I am advised that 'Category A' complaints are assigned for investigation to independent investigators outside of the Irish Prison Service.
The Irish Prison Service has a dedicated Prisoner Complaints Unit that coordinates the complaints mechanism and ensures confidentiality. Communication of the outcome of complaints is managed in accordance with the legislation as set out in Rule 57B of the Prison Rules 2007.
I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that five Category A complaints were made by women in 2022. To date, two of the external independent investigations of these complaints have concluded which deemed there were no reasonable ground for sustaining the complaints, two complaints are currently under investigation and one complaint is awaiting assignment to an Investigator.
