Written Answers Nos. 314-330
314. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide the names and contact information of all special advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33592/23]
View answerThere are four special advisers that work with Ministers or Ministers of State in my Department. The names and contact details for each are outlined in the table below:
|
Name of Minister or Minister of State |
Name of Special Advisor |
|
Address |
|
Minister Catherine Martin |
Juno McEnroe |
Ministers.Office@tcagsm.gov.ie |
23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 D02 TD30 |
|
Minister Catherine Martin |
Tanya Warren |
Ministers.Office@tcagsm.gov.ie |
23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 D02 TD30 |
|
Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne |
Daniel Griffin |
mos.office@tcagsm.gov.ie |
23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 D02 TD30 |
|
Minister of State for the Gaeltacht Patrick O’Donovan |
Michael O’Connor |
Airestait@tcagsm.gov.ie |
23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 D02 TD30 |
315. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the actions being taken by her Department to facilitate female participation in soccer in Ireland, particularly at a young age, given the recent increase in popularity of the female game and the lack of female specific facilitates at many clubs around the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33739/23]
View answerOne of our primary aims under the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 is to increase the levels of participation in sport by women and girls. Soccer is a key sport in contributing to that aim and I am delighted to note the huge growth over recent years in the number of women and girls playing soccer.
The Government and Sport Ireland are continuing to support the FAI in growing the game amongst women and girls.
Last week, Minister Catherine Martin and I announced additional programme funding of up to €500,000 to support women’s and girls’ football. This funding will be provided to the FAI through Sport Ireland and will be invested primarily in the areas of coaching, grassroots and female leadership. Details of the funding will be finalised between Sport Ireland and the FAI in the coming weeks.
This significant investment will help to ensure the further development of women’s football in Ireland and is a fitting legacy of the Irish Women’s National Team’s qualification for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
In accordance with the Government’s Memorandum of Understanding with the FAI, funding of €5.8 million is being allocated to the FAI for football development each year between 2020 and 2023. Of the €5.8 million grant funding allocated to the FAI in 2022 under the Memorandum of Understanding, over €2.9 million was apportioned towards women’s and girls’ football.
In addition, specific Women in Sport funding is allocated to the FAI through Sport Ireland’s Women in Sport funding programme to increase women’s participation and to progress the FAI’s strategic objectives for women in sport. A total of €64,000 was allocated to the FAI under the Women in Sport funding programme for the two years 2021 and 2022. Funding under this programme for 2023 is expected to be announced shortly.
In relation to capital support, the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,106 applications were submitted. The final allocations under the 2020 round were announced on 31 May last year and the total allocation of €166.6 million represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. Details of all allocations can be found on the Department's website. The full scoring system was published in advance of assessment work commencing and additional marks were given to projects that encourage greater female participation. Minister Martin and I will be announcing full details of a new round of the SCEP shortly but can assure the Deputy that projects with a focus on female participation will again be prioritised.
316. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will commit to establishing a sports facilities strategy for the State, identifying gaps in provision for certain geographic areas and in areas where multi-code facilities could be established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33741/23]
View answerThe National Sports Policy 2018-2027 (NSP), approved by Government and launched in mid-2018, outlines the strategic approach to be taken over its 10-year period for the provision of State support for sports facilities. Chapter 4 of the NSP identifies the priorities for Government insofar as sport facilities at local, regional and national levels are concerned, confirming in particular the plan for State capital investment to embrace a broad range of facilities to promote participation across the sports spectrum, such as in clubs, schools and local community organisations. The scoring systems and assessment procedures deployed by my Department for the processing of its capital support schemes, which are kept under ongoing review, are in line with these overall objectives of the NSP.
The NSP also recognises the benefits of having a comprehensive and up-to-date database of sports facilities as the basis for effective and optimal planning of long-term facility investment. To this end, the Deputy will wish to note that the National Digital Database of Sport and Recreation Amenities, currently being developed by Sport Ireland, is on track to be substantially completed by the end of this year. It is a major, multi-annual project involving the integration of multiple datasets from a wide variety of stakeholders that will, inter alia, increase our understanding of gaps or shortfalls in Ireland's sporting infrastructure.In relation to addressing any identified gaps, the need for any policy changes to how capital funding is allocated will be considered further when the work on the National Digital Database is complete. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department provides capital grant assistance for new sporting facilities through the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). It should be noted that both schemes already contain weighting provisions in their grant allocation criteria in favour of the attainment of sports policy objectives such as increased participation amongst the disadvantaged, multi-use facilities and greater facility sharing. All such provisions are kept under ongoing review. A new round of the SCEP will open for applications shortly and the scoring system will be tailored to favour projects which fill identified gaps and adhere to the overall policy objectives of the scheme.
317. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of TV licences sold (excluding social protection free schemes licences) in each of the past six months, in tabular form; the level of compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33932/23]
View answerThe number of licences issued by An Post from January to June 2023 are set out in the table below.
The evasion rate in 2021 was estimated at 13.7%, giving an overall compliance rate of 86.3% for that year. The estimate of the evasion rate for 2022 is currently being finalised by my Department based on new data from the Census 2022, the summary results of which were published by the Central Statistics Office at the end of May.
|
Month 2023 |
Licences issued |
|
Jan |
78,389 |
|
Feb |
71,891 |
|
March |
79,210 |
|
April |
68,795 |
|
May |
73,598 |
|
June |
73,421 |
318. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she has taken to obtain a derogation for the island of Ireland from the World Athletics 1934 political boundary rule so as to allow Irish athletes to represent the island of Ireland at European and World Athletics Championships as they do at the Olympic Games; the engagement her Department has had with Athletics Ireland and World Athletics on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33978/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter, on which I have recently had correspondence from the Friends of Irish Athletics group. I have familiarised myself thoroughly with the extensive series of correspondences and discussions that have already occurred with previous Ministers and Agencies on this same topic over several years, in particular with my immediate predecessor Jack Chambers.
I am happy to confirm that I share the same view as my predecessors in this matter. Athletes and sportspersons from all parts of Ireland should have the choice to represent Ireland at all major international competitions. This is the case at the Olympic Games, where athletes from across the island of Ireland can choose to compete for Team Ireland.
However, as previously advised to the House on the 8th of December, 2020, in response to a similar question on this issue (No. 41889), neither Minister Martin nor I have responsibility for the rules applied for international championships in athletics. Responsibility rests with the international federation concerned, World Athletics, an independent autonomous organisation. The Government recognises Athletics Ireland as the National Governing Body for athletics in Ireland, and this organisation is affiliated to World Athletics. Athletics Ireland is an independent body and the Government respects its autonomy in matters including engagement with its international federation.
I recognise that the proposed derogation would confer additional flexibility of representation to the athletes concerned and Minister Martin and I are accordingly supportive of it. Whilst we will continue to offer our support to Athletics Ireland the principal onus remains on the Irish athletics community to progress the case for a derogation from the 1934 Rule.
It is clear from the engagement and discussion already undertaken on this matter over several years that for a derogation request to be presented convincingly before the world athletic authorities, with a reasonable prospect of a successful outcome being achieved, that case will have to be driven principally by the athletic authorities here in Ireland, in collaboration with their counterparts in the UK.
319. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department or any agency under the aegis of her Department operates a ‘barter account’ for the provision of goods or services; if so, if payments have been directed to be made to a barter account during the period 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34157/23]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. I am advised there are no barter accounts operated by my Department.In relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department, these are operational matters for the bodies themselves and not something for which I have direct, day-to-day responsibility.
For completeness however, I can advise the Deputy that TG4 has informed my Department that while it does not have an internal barter account, like many media companies, it does have “contra transactions.” This refers to arrangements whereby TG4 advertise for certain companies, and in return those companies provide supplies / services to TG4 for the same value. I am further advised by TG4 that all contra arrangements are for supplies / services – there are no cash elements and that there are no hospitality transactions. TG4’s "contra transactions" are audited as part of their annual audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Audit General
320. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has been alerted to any instances where RTÉ may have been compromised editorially by financial transactions or barter accounts. [34262/23]
View answerA trusted public service broadcaster is a vital part of our democracy. Given the recent failings of governance in RTÉ that have come to light, that trust must be restored. This can only be accomplished through a wide-ranging and comprehensive examination of RTÉ and by putting in place new ways of doing business to prevent their recurrence.
On Tuesday last week, the Government agreed to proposals I brought forward to initiate a root and branch examination of RTÉ comprising two elements:
• an independent review to examine the governance structures and organisational culture of RTÉ overseen by an Expert Governance Advisory Committee; and,
• an independent review to examine the mechanisms by which external contractors are engaged, the fees paid, the use of agents, and other HR matters in RTÉ, overseen by an Expert Advisory Committee on Contractor Fees and HR matters
The purpose of this Examination is to support the restoration of public trust in RTÉ:
• firstly, by identifying any corporate governance and cultural weaknesses that have led to the current failings and recommending actions to remediate identified weaknesses; and,
• secondly, by reviewing issues and making recommendations in relation to how RTÉ engages presenters and contractors and the fees paid to them, particularly for high earning contractors. The review will also examine issues in relation to the use of short-term employment contracts and the impact of current practices on gender, equality, and diversity.
In addition, I am exercising powers under Section 109(7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act to appoint a forensic accountant who will focus in the first instance on the barter accounts and any other off-balance sheet accounts that may be identified. The procurement process is at an advanced stage is expected to be completed shortly.
As the reviews progress, findings may prompt, at my discretion, a widening of the scope, including those findings arising from subsequent Grant Thornton reports, the work of the Public Accounts Committee and Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport & Media, and issues arising from their deliberations.
The terms of reference of the Review of Governance and Culture of RTÉ provides for, inter alia , an assessment of the impact of RTÉ's commercial income activities on its public service remit. The General Commercial Communications Code currently enforced by Coimisiún na Méan provides that advertisers, sponsors and providers of placed products and services and providers of other commercial communications shall not exercise any editorial influence over the content or scheduling of programmes.
If any findings of the review indicate any such editorial influence was exercised they will be referred to Coimisiún na Meán for investigation.
321. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the investigation into matters in RTÉ will seek to determine if RTÉ has been compromised editorially by financial transactions or barter accounts. [34263/23]
View answerA trusted public service broadcaster is a vital part of our democracy. Given the recent governance failings in RTÉ that have come to light, that trust must be restored. This can only be accomplished through a wide-ranging and comprehensive examination of RTÉ and by putting in place new ways of doing business to prevent their recurrence .
On Tuesday last week, the Government agreed to proposals I brought forward to initiate a root and branch examination of RTÉ comprising two elements:
• an independent review to examine the governance structures and organisational culture of RTÉ overseen by an Expert Governance Advisory Committee; and,
• an independent review to examine the mechanisms by which external contractors are engaged, the fees paid, the use of agents, and other HR matters in RTÉ, overseen by an Expert Advisory Committee on Contractor Fees and HR matters
The purpose of this Examination is to support the restoration of public trust in RTÉ:
• firstly, by identifying any corporate governance and cultural weaknesses that have led to the current failings and recommending actions to remediate identified weaknesses; and,
• secondly, by reviewing issues and making recommendations in relation to how RTÉ engages presenters and contractors and the fees paid to them, particularly for high earning contractors. The review will also examine issues in relation to the use of short-term employment contracts and the impact of current practices on gender, equality, and diversity.
In addition, I am exercising powers under Section 109(7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act to appoint a forensic accountant who will focus in the first instance on the barter accounts and any other off-balance sheet accounts that may be identified. The procurement process for this is at an advanced stage with a view to making an appointment this week.
As the reviews progress, findings may prompt, at my discretion, a widening of the scope, including those findings arising from subsequent Grant Thornton reports, the work of the Public Accounts Committee and Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport & Media, and issues arising from their deliberations.
The terms of reference of the Review of Governance and Culture of RTÉ provides for, inter alia , an assessment of the impact of RTÉ's commercial income activities on its public service remit. The General Commercial Communications Code currently enforced by Coimisiún na Méan provides that advertisers, sponsors and providers of placed products and services and providers of other commercial communications shall not exercise any editorial influence over the content or scheduling of programmes.
If any findings of the review indicate any such editorial influence was exercised they will be referred to Coimisiún na Meán for investigation.
322. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware of any commercial arrangement RTÉ had with any other car manufacturer other than a company (details supplied) which resulted in payments to a barter account, and or an increase in salary for any RTÉ employee or board member. [34264/23]
View answerOn Tuesday last week, the Government approved proposals I brought forward to initiate a root and branch examination of RTÉ comprising two elements:
• an independent review to examine the governance structures and organisational culture of RTÉ overseen by an Expert Governance Advisory Committee; and,
• an independent review to examine the mechanisms by which external contractors are engaged, the fees paid, the use of agents, and other HR matters in RTÉ, overseen by an Expert Advisory Committee on Contractor Fees and HR matters
The purpose of this Examination is to support the restoration of public trust in RTÉ:
• firstly, by identifying any corporate governance and cultural weaknesses that have led to the current failings and recommending actions to remediate identified weaknesses; and,
• secondly, by reviewing issues and making recommendations in relation to how RTÉ engages presenters and contractors and the fees paid to them, particularly for high earning contractors. The review will also examine issues in relation to the use of short-term employment contracts and the impact of current practices on gender, equality, and diversity.
I have not been alerted to any commercial arrangement RTÉ had with any other car manufacturer other than the company to which the Deputy refers, which resulted in payments to a barter account, and or an increase in salary for any RTÉ employee or board member. This would be a matter for the Board of RTÉ in the first instance.
In addition, I am exercising powers under Section 109(7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to appoint a forensic accountant who will focus in the first instance on the barter account and any other off-balance sheet accounts that may be identified. The procurement process is at an advanced stage is expected to be completed shortly.
I do not wish to pre-empt any findings that may be made by the forensic accountant in relation to the barter account, whether in relation to the company set out in the details supplied or any other matter.
323. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a full list of the individual projects/schemes funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund spend of €7.75 million by her Department; the amount of funding allocated in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34368/23]
View answerThe European Commission’s Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) fund aims to provide financial support to the Member States, regions and sectors most affected by Brexit in order to deal with the adverse economic, social, territorial and, where appropriate, environmental consequences. Ireland, as the Member State most affected, has received a significant allocation of over €1 billion, or just over 20% of the entire Reserve.As a result of the adverse impact of Brexit on Irish tourism, €7.75 million has been allocated to Tourism Ireland in 2023 to put in place a marketing strategy to stem the decline and subsequently grow tourist numbers and associated revenues from Great Britain and Northern Ireland and also to grow tourism from other markets.The marketing strategy will reflect the short-term need to both retain GB business and win more EU visitors and, in parallel, to help to drive greater market diversification. Tourism Ireland has a comprehensive programme of marketing activity underway throughout 2023, targeting both Great Britain and key European markets.
324. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the scoping maps for the residential zoned land tax, what is the total area of land, in hectares, currently scoped to which the residential zoned land tax may apply; and if a breakdown can be provided by these areas, by planning authority area. [34195/23]
View answer325. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what percentage of the lands, nationally the residential zoned land tax ‘scoped lands’ occupies. [34196/23]
View answer326. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what percentage of the lands, by local authority/ planning authority area, the residential zoned land tax scoped lands occupies. [34197/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 324, 325 and 326 together.
Finance Act 2021 introduced Part 22A Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The RZLT is designed to prompt residential development by landowners, including farmers, of land that is zoned for residential or mixed-use (including residential) purposes and that is serviced.
The tax applies to land that is:
• zoned suitable for residential development whether it be solely or primarily for residential use, or for a mixture of uses, including residential use, and
• serviced (that is: reasonable to consider may have access, or be connected, to public infrastructure and facilities, including roads and footpaths, public lighting, foul sewer drainage, surface water drainage and water supply, necessary for dwellings to be developed and with sufficient service capacity available for such development)
In order to be liable for the tax the land must meet both criteria.
While land occupied by existing dwellings will be included on the map(s) where the relevant land is in scope (i.e. zoned and serviced), permanently occupied residential premises which are liable for Local Property Tax will not be liable for the tax.
The total area contained on the draft and supplemental maps nationally is c.56,000 ha. This includes existing developed lands which meet the criteria. The area of the State is 7,063,245ha. The area of land within the scope of RZLT as indicated on the draft and supplemental maps to date is c0.79% of the land in the state. It should be noted that the data is based on draft and supplemental maps, and the final maps will be published by each local authority by 01 December 2023.
Approximate figures for lands in scope for RZLT within each local authority area are provided below. This includes existing residential developments which will not be liable to the tax where they are LPT -liable. Further detail on these figures should be sought from individual local authorities.
Figures regarding the proportion of land within each local authority administrative area covered by the RZLT mapping process are not held by DHLGH and should be sought from those local authorities.
|
County Council |
|
|
Carlow County Council |
c.725ha |
|
Cavan County Council |
c.450ha |
|
Clare County Council |
c.1525ha |
|
Cork city Council |
c.3775ha |
|
Cork County Council |
c.3750ha |
|
Donegal County Council |
c.2150ha |
|
Dublin City Council |
c.4700ha |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
c.3450ha |
|
Fingal County Council |
c.3850ha |
|
Galway City Council |
c.1175ha |
|
Galway County Council |
c.1275ha |
|
Kerry County Council |
c.1450ha |
|
Kildare County Council |
c.2925ha |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
c.650ha |
|
Laois County Council |
c.1250ha |
|
Leitrim County Council |
c.650ha |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
c.2125ha |
|
Longford County Council |
c.450ha |
|
Louth County Council |
c.1825ha |
|
Mayo County Council |
c.1200ha |
|
Meath County Council |
c.2175ha |
|
Monaghan County Council |
c.875ha |
|
Offaly County Council |
c.1125ha |
|
Roscommon County Council |
c.800ha |
|
Sligo County Council |
c.975ha |
|
South Dublin County Council |
c.2725ha |
|
Tipperary County Council |
c.2025ha |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
c.1775ha |
|
Westmeath County Council |
c.1200ha |
|
Wexford County Council |
c.450ha |
|
Wicklow County Council |
c.2150ha |
327. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the reason the ‘Housing Lands Availability Survey (HLAS) was not updated to accommodate the most recent residential lands identified. [34202/23]
View answer328. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to what degree it can be demonstrated that the ‘broad-brush’ approach of the residential zoned land tax scoping maps is going to contribute to the provision of additional housing, over and above that which would or could be achieved by a more forensic and detailed approach, (along the lines of the ‘Housing Lands Availability Survey’ HLAS approach), which would identify the actual developable sites, which are currently laying fallow or being hoarded. [34204/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 328 together.
In conjunction with local authorities, a study to identify zoned land for residential development in statutory local authority development plans and local area plans across Ireland was undertaken in 2014. The study identified the location and quantity of such undeveloped housing lands at 31st March 2014 and also where such lands were prioritised or phased for development as indicated under the relevant Development or Local Area Plan.
The ‘Residential Land Availability Survey’ (RLAS) was published in February 2015 and identified that there were c. 17,434 hectares of zoned residential land which could theoretically enable the construction of over 414,000 dwellings nationally. However, the RLAS was strategic in nature and was not based on a sufficiently comprehensive or detailed assessment of the infrastructural capacity of residentially zoned lands to support housing development, which is a critical factor in the activation of housing lands for residential delivery. In addition the RLAS did not take into account mixed use zoned land or other residential zonings that might not have been identified as ‘undeveloped’.
The Finance Act 2021 introduced Part, 22A Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The RZLT is a land activation measure identified in Housing for All (HfA) and is aimed at increasing housing supply by prompting residential development by landowners, of land that is zoned for residential or mixed-use (including residential) purposes and that is serviced. HfA sets out that 33,000 units are required per annum to respond to housing need across the State.
Under the RZLT legislation, all residential zonings fall into scope, subject to certain exceptions, and land identified as ‘vacant or idle’ within mixed use zonings where residential development is permitted in principle also falls into scope.
The residential and mixed use (including residential) zonings are considered to reflect the housing need set out within the core strategy of the development plan for the relevant local authority area. Furthermore, in addition to activating greenfield land banks, RZLT will encourage development of infill lands or undeveloped land which could be used for housing within existing settlements in line with the NPF objective for residential development to take place on brownfield lands or within existing development boundaries.
The zoning of land for particular purposes such as residential or mixed uses within a development plan to meet housing need is solely a matter for each local authority.
All 31 local authorities are responsible for the publication of maps to identify lands in scope for the RZLT and have accordingly undertaken specific infrastructural assessments of their zoned lands in conjunction with infrastructural providers such as Uisce Éireann. The publication of the finalised RZLT maps in December 2023 will provide a robust dataset of lands that are both zoned for residential development and which have the required supporting infrastructure to enable housing to come forward.
329. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many submissions have been received from landowners since the publication of the scoping maps in relation to the residential zoned land tax; if a breakdown on this figure can be provided per planning authority area; how many submissions, if any, were deemed invalid, as having been received outside the notified timeframe; and if a breakdown can be provided on this figure, by planning authority area. [34205/23]
View answerIn relation to the Residential Zoned Land Tax, only land that has been zoned for residential use or for a mixture of uses including residential within a local authority development plan or local area plan, as adopted by the elected members of the local authority, and that is serviced, will potentially fall into scope for the tax. Zoned land that is within the scope of RZLT will be identified on a map prepared by the relevant local authority. Draft and supplemental maps have been prepared and published by local authorities during 2022 and 2023. Each local authority will prepare and publish a final map by 1 December 2023.
According to the figures provided to my Department by local authorities, 1,687 submissions, including approximately 210 requests to amend zoning, were made to local authorities by the end of the public display period for the draft maps on 1 January 2023. A breakdown of this data by planning authority is presented in Table 1.
A total of 85 additional submissions were received on foot of the publication of the supplemental maps. Of these submissions, 39 related to sites that had been previously published on draft maps and as such were not eligible for consideration. Of the 46 eligible submissions received, 6 were requests to local authorities to amend zoning. A breakdown of this data by planning authority is presented in Table 2.
It should also be noted that some submissions may relate to more than one site.
With regard to submissions received outside of the notified timeline, this data is not held by my Department. Such information should be sought directly from the relevant planning authority.
Table 1: Draft Map Submissions
|
Local Authority |
Total Submissions Draft Maps |
Rezoning submissions Draft Maps |
|
Carlow Co. Co. |
24 |
5 |
|
Cavan Co. Co. |
12 |
3 |
|
Clare Co. Co. |
63 |
26 |
|
Cork City Co. |
89 |
7 |
|
Cork Co. Co. |
115 |
4 |
|
Donegal Co. Co. |
132 |
4 |
|
Dublin City Co. |
148 |
9 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Co. Co. |
82 |
3 |
|
Fingal Co. Co. |
121 |
3 |
|
Galway Co. Co. |
52 |
12 |
|
Galway City Co. |
13 |
1 |
|
Kerry Co. Co. |
52 |
12 |
|
Kildare Co. Co. |
60 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny Co. Co. |
25 |
4 |
|
Laois Co. Co. |
20 |
2 |
|
Leitrim Co. Co. |
40 |
6 |
|
Limerick City & County Co. |
51 |
7 |
|
Longford Co. Co. |
15 |
3 |
|
Louth Co. Co. |
29 |
5 |
|
Mayo Co. Co. |
45 |
5 |
|
Meath Co. Co. |
33 |
1 |
|
Monaghan Co. Co. |
80 |
48 |
|
Offaly Co. Co. |
17 |
2 |
|
Roscommon Co. Co. |
18 |
6 |
|
Sligo Co. Co. |
46 |
0 |
|
South Dublin Co. Co. |
30 |
0 |
|
Tipperary Co. Co. |
90 |
12 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
61 |
8 |
|
Westmeath Co. Co |
32 |
9 |
|
Wexford Co. Co |
17 |
2 |
|
Wicklow Co. Co |
75 |
0 |
|
Total |
1,687 |
210 |
Table 2: Supplemental Map Submissions
|
Local Authority |
Submissions on Supplemental map sites |
Rezoning submissions |
Submissions on draft map sites (cannot be considered) |
Total number of submissions received |
|
Carlow Co. Co. |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Cavan Co. Co. |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Clare Co. Co. |
3 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Cork City Co. |
2 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
|
Dublin City Co. |
20 |
2 |
19 |
39 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Co. Co. |
1 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
|
Galway City Co. |
4 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
|
Kerry Co. Co. |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Kildare Co. Co. |
1 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
|
Leitrim Co. Co. |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick City & County Co. |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo Co. Co. |
8 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
|
Meath Co. Co. |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
South Dublin Co. Co. |
6 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
|
Tipperary Co.Co. |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Westmeath Co. Co |
||||
|
Total |
46 |
6 |
39 |
85 |
330. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to explain the reason the scoping of the residential zoned land tax extended to the smallest towns and villages, where demand for housing is not prevalent, nor likely to exist in the near future, unlike the housing requirements necessitated by the spatial strategy utilised in the National Planning Framework that promotes the concentration of growth in the five major cities (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford) and five of the larger towns (Letterkenny, Sligo, Athlone, Dundalk and Drogheda), wherein the greatest need for housing, both exists and is likely to continue. [34206/23]
View answerThe Finance Act 2021 introduced Part, 22A Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The RZLT is a land activation measure identified in Housing for All and is aimed at increasing housing supply by prompting residential development by landowners, of land that is zoned for residential or mixed-use (including residential) purposes in a development plan or local area plan, and that is serviced.
Development plans and local area plans are adopted by elected members following public consultation, and are considered to reflect the housing need for the city/county set out within the core strategy, across its range of settlements, over the period of the plan.
The zoning of land for particular purposes such as residential or mixed uses within a development plan to meet housing need is solely a matter for each local authority.
