Joe Flaherty
Question:771. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects a biodiversity officer to be appointed in County Longford. [28255/23]
View answerLocal Authorities
Questions (771)
Written answers
Under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible. My Department may sanction the recruitment for new posts as requested by individual local authorities.
I understand that the recruitment process for this position has commenced. However, the Heritage Council manage this programme centrally and so may have additional information in this regard. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department, which includes the Heritage Council, 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 relevant contact email address for the Heritage Council is oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie.
Local Authorities
Questions (772)
Joe Flaherty
Question:772. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role the new biodiversity officers will play in the policing of turf cutting. [28256/23]
View answerWritten answers
The local authority biodiversity officer programme is coordinated by the Heritage Council, utilising funding provided by my Department. The Heritage Council manages this programme centrally and would therefore hold more detailed information regarding the job specifications of these posts, subject to implementation within each individual local authority.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department, which includes the Heritage Council, 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 relevant contact email address for the Heritage Council is oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie.
Defective Building Materials
Questions (773)
Marian Harkin
Question:773. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, given the recent final report submitted by Sligo County Council, Sligo will be included in the defective concrete blocks grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28260/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department received correspondence from Sligo County Council on 11 May 2023 requesting inclusion in the scheme, and this will be considered upon commencement of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022.
Once the 2022 Act is commenced, Section 5 contains details on the process for the inclusion of additional local authority areas into the enhanced DCB Grant Scheme. This statutory designation process can commence upon a request by a local authority or by me, as Minister to The Housing Agency, and whereby The Housing Agency thereafter carries out technical testing of dwellings in a given local authority administrative area. As soon as practicable after the completion of any testing, The Housing Agency shall make a recommendation to me whether an order to designate the whole or part of a local authority's administrative area should or should not be made by the Government. Local authorities seeking to formally apply to be designated in the enhanced grant scheme, by making a request to The Housing Agency pursuant to Section 5 of the 2022 Act, may do so upon it's commencement.
I aim to commence the 2022 Act and adopt the relevant Regulations in the coming weeks.
Housing Schemes
Questions (774, 775)
Claire Kerrane
Question:774. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on plans for a 'right-sizing' scheme; if this will support older people who own their own homes and are not on the local authority social housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28276/23]
View answerClaire Kerrane
Question:775. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans he has to develop housing for older persons to allow them to downsize their own larger home where said older persons own their own home and are not on the local authority social housing list, to support this cohort to live independently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28277/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 774 and 775 together.
Housing for All provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy commits to increasing the housing options available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence, including the development of a national policy on right-sizing.
My Department is advancing work on the development of this policy and exploration of the options to support and incentivise right-sizing on a voluntary basis with the objective of optimising the potential for more efficient use of under occupied existing private and social housing stock. The development of a national right-sizing policy is having regard to a focused stakeholder consultation undertaken in the latter part of 2022 and existing local authority approaches to right-sizing for social housing. My Department is working on bringing forward a draft national policy in the coming months.
Question No. 775 answered with Question No. 774.
Housing Provision
Questions (776)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:776. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the most up-to-date housing needs assessment for counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and the number on each of the local authority housing waiting lists for these counties. [28281/23]
View answerWritten answers
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recently conducted summary for all counties, conducted in November 2022, shows that 57,842 households qualified for social housing whose need has not yet been met. Of these, 486 households were in Carlow and 681 households were in Kilkenny.
A copy of the summary report for 2022, which includes breakdowns by each local authority, across a range of categories, can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/62486-summary-of-social-housing-assessments/.
Septic Tanks
Questions (777)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:777. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the infrastructure fees waiver that has been announced includes septic tanks. [28282/23]
View answerWritten answers
On 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and waste water connection charges.
My Department is currently working on the detailed arrangements in relation to the operation and administration of the development contribution waiver scheme and the Uisce Éireann connection charge refund scheme. However, charges for private waste water treatment systems (septic tanks) do not fall within the scope of the measures recently approved by Government. The connection charge refund scheme will only apply to water and waste water connection charges payable to Uisce Éireann.
State Bodies
Questions (778)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:778. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the outcome of the review commissioned by Uisce Éireann to be carried out by a company (details supplied) on Uisce Éireann's internal processes; the progress being made on implementation of recommendations made in this review; the role these changes will deliver in the future of capital works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28368/23]
View answerWritten answers
Scottish Water International (SWI) undertook an independent review in 2020 of Uisce Éireann’s (then Irish Water) investment and delivery capabilities.
Uisce Éireann developed an Implementation Plan for the SWI recommendations, which was agreed with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The implementation measures covered a broad range of areas across Governance and Change Management, Estimating, Uncertainty & Contingency, and Visibility, (Data and Reporting). The CRU required that the implementation plan be delivered by the end of 2022, with quarterly updates to be provided. The implementation plan was successfully completed by Uisce Éireann across all agreed recommendations, with the final quarterly (Q4-2022) report completed in February 2023 and published on the CRU website - www.cru.ie/publications/27265/.
In May 2023, the CRU commenced its independent review of the Uisce Éireann implementation process, which is due to be completed by the end of July 2023.
Invasive Species Policy
Questions (779)
Claire Kerrane
Question:779. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide update on efforts to reduce and eliminate rhododendron ponticum; if he will introduce incentives to eradicate the plant on moorland that pays house owners in moorland areas to replace rhododendron ponticum hedges with non-invasive species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28408/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which prohibit activities to introduce or spread invasive species.
My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) continues to invest heavily in and is committed to tackling the spread of invasive species across our network of National Parks, most particularly Rhododendron ponticum, the control of which is difficult, costly, and labour intensive. The NPWS carries out an annual targeted programme of works to manage the spread of Rhododendron ponticum. The multifaceted programme includes, monitoring, surveillance, clearance, investigation, review, volunteer and contractor work groups and programmes.
However, my Department does not provide specific funding for homeowners or landowners to manage invasive alien species on their land. Under the current legislative framework, responsibility for managing invasive alien species rests with the landowner.
Wind Energy Guidelines
Questions (780)
Ged Nash
Question:780. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the revised guidelines on wind energy development will be published as part of Q2 targets for the 2023 Climate Action Plan; when the Planning and Development Act 2000 will be amended to reflect the proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28464/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
Guidance on the noise aspect, which is highly technical in nature, is currently being finalised by my Department in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters. Both Departments are engaging on proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines to ensure they are robust and fit for purpose having regard to, inter alia, the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources.
In this connection, DECC has recently appointed an acoustic expert, who has commenced work to inform any amendments to the noise aspect of the Guidelines. My Department in conjunction with DECC will make any further changes to the draft Guidelines which are deemed necessary or appropriate in the wake of this work, with a view to bringing the review of the Guidelines to a conclusion. My Department will be in a better position to provide an update on the expected publication date of the revised Guidelines once this process has concluded.
It should be noted that Action EL/23/4 of the Climate Action Plan 2023 Annex of Actions contains a commitment to having new draft Guidelines prepared by the end of Q4 2023, with revised Guidelines to be published in 2024.
When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála, must have regard to guidelines issued under section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
Foreshore Issues
Questions (781)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:781. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all foreshore licence applications in County Dublin submitted in each year from 2000 to 2010, including those refused and those granted; and the current status of each granted application, in tabular form. [28469/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, requires that a lease or licence must be obtained for any activity on State-owned foreshore, which represents the greater part of the foreshore. The Act provides for the issuing of licences or leases which are in the public interest. Details of applications and determinations made by the Minister under the Act can be accessed on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/f2196-foreshore-applications-and-determinations/
It should be noted that my Department took responsibility for the functions of the Act (in so far as they relate to the regulation of non-aquaculture activity) in 2010 from the Department of the Marine.
Section 3 of the Foreshore Act 1933 provides the Minister with the authority to grant a license. A licence is generally issued for an activity or development that does not require exclusive occupation of the foreshore. Examples would include repair work, some coastal protection work, undersea pipelines, cables, site investigation works and dredging works. Once the Minister has determined and granted an application under this section, the Chief State's Solicitors Office (CSSO) is then instructed by my Department to prepare the relevant legal instrument or licence and liaise with the applicant's own legal representatives. Arrangements are also made for the payment of the relevant licence fee. Once these matters are complete the licence is then signed by both parties and executed as a Deed.
A lease is generally issued for a development that requires exclusive occupation of the foreshore. Developments requiring a lease would include for example: jetties, bridges, piers, marinas, offshore windfarms and reclamation of any foreshore.
Each application must be assessed appropriately in accordance with the applicable requirements of domestic and EU law including the EIA Directive, Birds and Habitats Regulations and the Foreshore Act. In addition, the provisions of the Public Participation Directive are applied to consent applications under the Foreshore Acts which require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement by the European Communities (Foreshore) Regulations 2009 and the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Foreshore) Regulations 2012.
The table below identifies the number of licences and leases executed from 2000-2010.
|
File Reference Number |
Deed Number |
Foreshore Consent Type |
Status |
|
MS51/4/81 |
6/1952 |
Lease |
Active |
|
MS54/5 |
50/1999 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS54/17 |
33/2000 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS54/17 |
34/2000 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS53/7 |
45/2000 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/332 |
58/2000 |
Lease |
Expired |
|
MS54/19 |
65/2000 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS56/5 |
68/2000 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/297 |
72/2000 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS52/240 |
3/2001 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS51/4/301 |
5/2001 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS51/4/366 |
6/2001 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS54/23 |
25/2001 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS51/4/397 |
29/2001 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS51/4P/38 and MS 51/4/215 |
30/2001 |
Lease |
Active |
|
MS51/4/398 |
2/2002 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS51/4/323 |
4/2002 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS51/4/369 |
32/2002 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS51/4/341 |
4/2003 |
Lease |
Active |
|
MS51/4/420 |
19/2003 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/399 FS005661 |
9/2006 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS51/4/362 |
29/2003 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/420 |
32/2003 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/425 |
4/2004 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/409 |
24/2004 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS51/4/335 |
41/2003 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS59/9 |
3/2005 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/445 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
|
MS51/4/431A |
8/2006 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/399 |
9/2006 |
Lease |
Active |
|
MS51/4/462A |
28/2006 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/112 |
29/2006 |
Lease |
Active |
|
MS51/4/480A |
6/2007 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/462A |
7/2007 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS52/264 |
30/2007 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/430A |
1/2008 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/505 |
15/2008 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS52/264A |
16/2008 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS51/4/450 |
39/2008 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS51/4/519 |
50/2009 |
Licence |
Expired |
|
MS 51/4/495 |
2/2010 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS 51/4/516 |
7/2010 |
Licence |
Active |
|
MS 51/4/534 |
10/2010 |
Licence |
Expired |
Housing Schemes
Questions (782)
Alan Kelly
Question:782. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will look at amending the criteria with regards to the croí cónaithe grant to allow someone who is the only company director on a company's return to be able to qualify for the grant, given that the current criteria excludes them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28474/23]
View answerWritten answers
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residential heretofore, subject to appropriate planning permission being in place. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas. A maximum of two grants are available to any applicant, of which one must be in respect of a home they intend to occupy as their principal private residence and the other may be in respect of a property which will be made available for rent.
The grant is not available to registered companies or developers. Applications can only be made by named individuals.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. A comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024.
Wastewater Treatment
Questions (783, 784)
Matt Carthy
Question:783. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Uisce Éireann will take charge of the wastewater system at Sliabh Dubh, Corduff, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, to facilitate Monaghan County Council's taking-in-charge of the estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28515/23]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:784. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Uisce Éireann will take charge of the waste water system at Drumakelly, Annyalla, County Monaghan, to facilitate Monaghan County Council's taking-in-charge of the estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28516/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 783 and 784 together.
The questions refer to Sliabh Dubh and Drumakelly in County Monaghan specifically but I understand it to relate more generally to housing estates that are not taken in charge and are dependent on developer provided water services infrastructure (DPI) for the provision of their water services. These estates do not have their water services connected to the public (Uisce Éireann) network.
I can confirm that €68.5 million has been allocated under the National Development Plan, for the period 2021-2025, to fund the resolution of legacy water services issues including DPI issues. Through my Department’s Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme, funding is being provided for the progressive resolution of DPI.
The focus of the first tranches of funding under the programme is on estates where the solution is to connect their water services to the public networks. A study completed by Uisce Éireann in 2022, is assisting in developing appropriate solutions for estates such as Drumakelly and Sliabh Dubh, that due to distance, it may not be viable to connect them to the public network.
Although it will take a number of funding programmes, my Department is committed to progressively resolving all DPI issues to enable the taking in charge of these estates.
Question No. 784 answered with Question No. 783.
Water Services
Questions (785)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:785. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is intended to announce the rural water programme for 2023; the reason for the delay with this in view of the fact that nearly half the year has elapsed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28541/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that my Department is in the final stages of completing comprehensive Framework documentation to support the application process of the upcoming Multi-annual Rural Water Programme. Extensive engagement with stakeholders, including a Rural Water Working Group made up of key stakeholders in the Sector, was a valuable and necessary requirement to allow my Department finalise this work.
I expect to receive a submission soon for my consideration setting out the details of each of the funding measures of the programme. Subject to approval, local authorities will then be invited to submit applications for funding for specific priority projects in their areas. An independent Expert Panel, set up for the task, will consider each valid application and make recommendations for funding.
Housing Policy
Questions (786)
Michael Lowry
Question:786. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the Government's approach to addressing Ireland's housing crisis; the measures being taken to increase affordable housing options, alleviate homelessness and ensure sustainable urban development; the progress in these areas; the upcoming initiatives aimed at addressing the housing challenges faced by individuals and communities across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28547/23]
View answerWritten answers
Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland, published on 2 September 2021, is the Government’s housing plan to 2030. It is a multi-annual, multibillion euro plan, which commits to increasing the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year. 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. The Plan contains a suite of initiatives focused on increasing affordable housing options, alleviating homelessness and ensuring the houses built, are sustainable and support the objectives and key principles set out in the National Planning Framework, namely promoting compact, livable settlements.
Under Housing for All, the supply of new homes is increasing. In 2022, almost 30,000 homes were built, the most since 2008. A further 6,716 new homes were added to the national housing stock in the first quarter of 2023. 10,263 social homes were delivered in 2022. This represents the highest annual output of social homes in decades and the highest level of delivery of new-build social housing since 1975. The pipeline for continued social housing delivery is strong, with over 19,000 social homes either on site or at design and tender stage.
2022 represented the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. 1,757 affordable homes were delivered in 2022 through Cost Rental, the First Home Scheme and the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. This momentum will continue with delivery increasing significantly this year. A strong pipeline of affordable housing delivery is in place and under continuous development by local authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies, and by the Land Development Agency.
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. Full information on the scheme, including the Q1 2023 Update Report, is available on the First Home Scheme dedicated website, www.firsthomescheme.ie.
Other measures, such as the Help to Buy Scheme and the Local Authority Home Loan, are also nationally available to eligible first-time purchasers to make home ownership more affordable.
In addition, new Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is also available nationwide and it provides for grants for refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties. 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 schemes is available directly from local authorities.
Housing for All Progress Reports are published quarterly. The seventh of these reports, covering progress in Q1 2023, was published on 25 April. These reports can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/9d2ee-housing-for-all-quarterly-progress-reports/
The Government and I remain focused on delivering Housing for All, which contains the right mix of ambition, guaranteed funding, reform, new initiatives and stability of policy to support the delivery of social and affordable housing at scale. Housing for All is a living plan with an in-built flexibility to review with the inclusion of new initiatives as needed to address the housing challenges. A copy of Housing for All and the Housing for All Action Plan Update (November 2022) can be accessed on my Department’s website at the respective links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef5ec-housing-for-all-a-new-housing-plan-for-ireland/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da0d1-action-plan-update-and-q3-2022-progress-report/
Water Services
Questions (787)
Paul Kehoe
Question:787. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether there is any grant funding available to support the cost of works to a private group water scheme where a total upgrade is required and the cost is beyond the affordability of the members of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28568/23]
View answerWritten answers
Through my Department’s Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP), funding is provided to group water schemes to improve private domestic water and waste water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public water services
I can confirm that my Department is in the final stages of completing comprehensive Framework documentation setting out the details of a range of funding measures that will be available under a new Multi-annual Rural Water Programme. The grant funding available will provide support to group water schemes including the costs that may be unaffordable to its members to upgrade existing inadequate water treatment facilities. I expect to receive a submission soon for my consideration.
Subject to my approval, local authorities will then be invited to submit applications for funding for specific priority projects in their areas. An independent Expert Panel, set up for the task, will consider each valid application received and make recommendations for funding.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (788)
Holly Cairns
Question:788. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Implementation Plan for the National Housing Strategy for People with Disabilities 2022-2027 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28595/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department jointly published the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 with the Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) in January 2022. It may be accessed on the on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/1c6c5-new-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027-launched/
The Strategy sets out the vision for the cooperation and collaboration of Government Departments, state agencies and others in delivering housing and the related supports for disabled people over the next five years. The Strategy operates within the framework of Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which is committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing with an appropriate mix of housing design types provided within social housing, including universally designed units, is available to everyone in Irish society, including those with disabilities and older people.
My Department has been developing the draft Implementation Plan further to ensure its up to date robustness in advance of providing it to me, having very recently assumed responsibility in this area including overseeing implementation. The finalisation of the Plan is a key priority and an urgent matter for me as Minister. My Department has engaged further with the DoH and DCEDIY, with the objective of publishing it in conjunction with the launch of an awareness campaign shortly. In parallel, The Housing Agency is developing a communication strategy on the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People and its accompanying Implementation Plan and is progressing much of the work contemplated in the Implementation Plan in advance of its finalisation.
Fisheries Protection
Questions (789)
Holly Cairns
Question:789. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking in response to the significant decline in the salmon population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28596/23]
View answerWritten answers
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, was established under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 and is the agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department (NPWS) is the lead national authority on nature conservation. Under the Habitats Directive, each Member State is obliged to undertake surveillance of the conservation status of the natural habitats and species in the Annexes and report to the European Commission every six years on their status and on the implementation of the measures taken under the Directive. IFI undertakes monitoring on salmon rivers to assess the population status. The overall status of Atlantic salmon was assessed as Inadequate in 2019. The legal protections enacted by the Habitats Directive are focused on the freshwater phase of the salmon’s life cycle.
The survival of Atlantic salmon during the marine phase of its life cycle has been identified as the key determinant of trends in population size in natal rivers. Known pressures include exploitation at sea in commercial fisheries, interceptory fisheries in coastal waters, aquaculture and predation. In addition, the negative influence of climate change on food prey structure and abundance has increasingly been attributed to the declines observed in stocks at sea.
There are a number of activities undertaken by IFI to improve habitat for salmon, including habitat enhancement, barrier mitigation, stream maintenance and stock management.