Written Answers Nos. 101-125
101. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will review an application under the teacher refund scheme and advise why it was not paid in light of course conditions being met (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44277/23]
View answerThe purpose of the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme is to provide funding towards the cost of course participation and examination fees on successful completion of teacher professional learning courses. Courses which qualify should be directly relevant and of benefit to schools, school management, or teachers and should ultimately positively impact on teaching and learning.
Clare Education Centre administers the scheme on behalf of my Department. Each application is considered on a case by case basis. Appeals on decisions are reviewed by an appeals committee. I am satisfied that the process has been completed as outlined in the annual Circular (currently 0005/2023) governing the scheme in relation to this, and all applications.
The course undertaken in this case is a Masters in Psychotherapy specialising in Play Therapy. A qualification in psychotherapy is not a requirement for a primary school teacher. My Department has put in place a pilot programme of counselling and mental health supports for primary schools which commenced in September 2023.
102. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure NEPS psychologist and SENO positions are filled without further delay (details supplied). [44320/23]
View answerMy Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary and special schools.
The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:
• Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
• A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
Where a school does not have an assigned psychologist due to a vacancy as in the case of the school referred to by the Deputy, a psychologist from the local NEPS team undertakes the role of advisory psychologist to respond to queries that the school may have. The schools continue to have access to support and development work delivered by the local team, critical incident response, advisory support and pupil casework via the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
Officials in my Department have been examining the matter of how NEPS can continue to recruit adequate numbers of suitably qualified staff and continue to respond to the educational psychological needs of children in recognised primary and post-primary schools across the country.
Since January of this year, NEPS is supporting bursaries for students who are enrolled in the University College Dublin (UCD) Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology and the Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick’s Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology for Trainee Educational Psychologists. Those in receipt of a bursary commit to joining NEPS upon graduation. As of September 2023 there are 62 Trainee Educational Psychologists in receipt of a bursary from NEPS who are expected will fill a vacancy in NEPS upon graduation, over the next three years.
The Department is also engaging at a Cross-Departmental Level on workforce planning for psychologists in general in Ireland. This work is being coordinated by the Department of Health.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) commenced a recruitment campaign for Educational Psychologists for NEPS earlier this year. Interviews have taken place, and panels of psychologists have been created. My Department is actively engaging with PAS to maximise the numbers of psychologists being recruited.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the Council within a designated area in relation to the identification of and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities. The Council employs SENOs to provide a nationwide system of local services. Locally based SENOs consult widely with parents/guardians, teachers, health care professionals, school authorities, HSE and other relevant government agencies. It is a priority that the NCSE is properly resourced to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and to guide and support our parents and children on their educational journey.
NCSE SENOs are assigned on a regional basis as opposed to a county basis. Westmeath comes under North Team 1 and there are currently 6 SENOs assigned to this team with no vacancies. Where a SENO vacancy arises, a SENO point of contact is assigned to the area to assist schools, parents and local services until the position is filed. Essential services are maintained through cover provided from available staff resources. If parents are unsure of the SENO for their area, they can contact the team manager for the region, who will be able to inform them of the SENO’s details providing interim cover. A list of Regional Manager, Team Manager, and SENO contact details can be found on the regional contact list on the NCSE website.
On the 6th October 2023, the NCSE announced a new recruitment competition for the role of SENO, this will increase the pool of suitably qualified candidates with the competencies and values to carry out the critical role which children, parents and staff need. Notwithstanding the above, it is important to note that there has been ongoing recruitment of theses grades since the start of 2023.
103. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education the NEP’s psychologist and SENO positions which are currently vacant in County Westmeath; and the measures that are being taken to fill these positions without further delay. [44321/23]
View answerMy Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary and special schools.
The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:
• Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
• A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
Where a school does not have an assigned psychologist due to a vacancy, a psychologist from the local NEPS team undertakes the role of advisory psychologist to respond to queries that the school may have. The schools continue to have access to support and development work delivered by the local team, critical incident response, advisory support and pupil casework via the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA). There are currently three NEPS vacancies in the Westmeath area.
Officials in my Department have been examining the matter of how NEPS can continue to recruit adequate numbers of suitably qualified staff and continue to respond to the educational psychological needs of children in recognised primary and post-primary schools across the country.
Since January of this year, NEPS is supporting bursaries for students who are enrolled in the University College Dublin (UCD) Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology and the Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick’s Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology for Trainee Educational Psychologists. Those in receipt of a bursary commit to joining NEPS upon graduation. As of September 2023 there are 62 Trainee Educational Psychologists in receipt of a bursary from NEPS who are expected will fill a vacancy in NEPS upon graduation, over the next three years.
The Department is also engaging at a Cross-Departmental Level on workforce planning for psychologists in general in Ireland. This work is being coordinated by the Department of Health.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) commenced a recruitment campaign for Educational Psychologists for NEPS earlier this year. Interviews have taken place, and panels of psychologists have been created. My Department is actively engaging with PAS to maximise the numbers of psychologists being recruited.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the Council within a designated area in relation to the identification of and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities. The Council employs SENOs to provide a nationwide system of local services. Locally based SENOs consult widely with parents/guardians, teachers, health care professionals, school authorities, HSE and other relevant government agencies. It is a priority that the NCSE is properly resourced to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and to guide and support our parents and children on their educational journey.
NCSE SENOs are assigned on a regional basis as opposed to a county basis. Westmeath comes under North Team 1 and there are currently 6 SENOs assigned to this team with no vacancies. Where a SENO vacancy arises, a SENO point of contact is assigned to the area to assist schools, parents and local services until the position is filed. Essential services are maintained through cover provided from available staff resources. If parents are unsure of the SENO for their area, they can contact the team manager for the region, who will be able to inform them of the SENO’s details providing interim cover. A list of Regional Manager, Team Manager, and SENO contact details can be found on the regional contact list on the NCSE website.
On the 6th October 2023, the NCSE announced a new recruitment competition for the role of SENO, this will increase the pool of suitably qualified candidates with the competencies and values to carry out the critical role which children, parents and staff need. Notwithstanding the above, it is important to note that there has been ongoing recruitment of theses grades since the start of 2023.
104. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details of the judgements made against Ireland in the Court of Justice of the European Union in each of the past five years in respect of matters which are the responsibility of her Department; the nature of the cases and judgements in question; the total amount in euro of fines and/or penalties paid to date associated with each adverse finding broken down by amount paid by day, week, month and so on, as per the judgement; the remedial procedures, if any, that have been undertaken by the State to address each of the judgements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44327/23]
View answerThere have been no judgements made against Ireland in the Court of Justice of the European Union in the past five years in respect of matters which are under the responsibility of my Department.
105. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of school transport for school pupils (details supplied). [44350/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that a new service for the pupil to whom the Deputy refers, has been tendered as part of the procurement process. However, to date no contractor has been sourced to operate the route.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services, but who experience a delay with accessing them, may therefore apply for the Special Transport Grant (STG). This is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised. The family can contact school_transport@education.gov.ie with their child's details if they wish to apply for this interim STG until transport is in place.
Bus Éireann are continuing to work to source a contractor at present and will provide an update to the family as soon as possible.
106. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of school transport for school pupils (details supplied). [44352/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that a new service for the pupil to whom the Deputy refers, has been tendered as part of the procurement process. However, to date no contractor has been sourced to operate the route.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services, but who experience a delay with accessing them, may therefore apply for the Special Transport Grant (STG). This is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised. The family can contact school_transport@education.gov.ie with their child's details if they wish to apply for this interim STG until transport is in place.
Bus Éireann are continuing to work to source a contractor at present and will provide an update to the family as soon as possible.
107. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of school transport for school pupils (details supplied). [44355/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that a new service for the pupil to whom the Deputy refers, has been tendered as part of the procurement process. However, to date no contractor has been sourced to operate the route.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services, but who experience a delay with accessing them, may therefore apply for the Special Transport Grant (STG). This is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised. The family can contact school_transport@education.gov.ie with their child's details if they wish to apply for this interim STG until transport is in place.
Bus Éireann are continuing to work to source a contractor at present and will provide an update to the family as soon as possible.
108. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of school transport for school pupils (details supplied). [44356/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that a new service for the pupil to whom the Deputy refers, has been tendered as part of the procurement process. However, to date no contractor has been sourced to operate the route.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services, but who experience a delay with accessing them, may therefore apply for the Special Transport Grant (STG). This is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised. The family can contact school_transport@education.gov.ie with their child's details if they wish to apply for this interim STG until transport is in place.
Bus Éireann are continuing to work to source a contractor at present and will provide an update to the family as soon as possible.
109. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will support a school (details supplied) in securing the neighbouring plot of land for the purposes of parking and other activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44369/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy, that my Department has no record of receiving a proposal from the school in question with regard to the provision of additional land.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision.
It is open to the school to submit a proposal for the acquisition of land. This will be considered by my officials and a decision will issue to the school authorities directly.
110. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the reason a primary school (details supplied) is still awaiting broadband connection; the timeline for when the matter will be completed; if the matter can be escalated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44398/23]
View answerThe delivery of high quality internet connectivity for all schools is a key objective of my Department. It is accepted that good connectivity is essential to ensure that schools are facilitated to progress the embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning and for the implementation of new and revised curriculum.
The school referred to by the Deputy is currently on 30mbs dedicated wireless broadband connection. In the first instance, should the school be experiencing issues with this connection contact should be made by the school with the schools broadband service desk on 1800334466 to log a fault on the loss or degradation of the broadband service to the school, which will be investigated immediately by the service desk team.
Additionally, as you may be aware, the school in question is in the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area, for which implementation is underway. My Department is engaging with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on this implementation to prioritise school connectivity, with all schools in the NBP to be provided with high speed broadband infrastructure by the end of 2023. In line with procurement requirements, the school referred to has been awarded through a tender process under the Schools Broadband Programme to a retail service provider of high speed broadband to connect the school to the NBP infrastructure. This provider will be in contact with the school in due course to organise the installation of the new service under the NBP.
The Department operates the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m, providing connectivity to schools through a range of technologies at the best level of connectivity available based on local infrastructure. The Department is obliged to adhere to procurement regulations and must engage with the selected providers on the DOE framework of providers of broadband services through a tender process to award services. This is the basis on which all state-funding is utilised to ensure transparency and equal treatment for all schools and providers, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
111. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a detailed update on the grant funding scheme available to primary schools for ICT, including the provision of whiteboards, under the digital strategy for schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44414/23]
View answerThe Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
The previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
My Department intends to issue the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023 to 2024 school year. The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.
112. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify when construction of a modular building for the ASD unit at a school (details supplied) will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44439/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme issued to the school in question for the provision of a 1 x 100m SEN classroom.
Although this project is devolved for delivery to the school authority, the Department arranged a project manager under its procurement framework to assist the school authority in the delivery of its building project. This is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. The use of the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of this modern method of construction are minimised to the greatest extent possible. To date, this has worked very well in the education sector and has seen delivery of large scale, high quality modular accommodation to meet the needs of children, particularly those with special educational needs.
However, the wider context in relation to the overall modular market at present is challenging with modular accommodation suppliers being very busy across commercial, housing and other sectors. The Department is working closely with the Project Management teams and the modular accommodation suppliers to ensure additional capacity for the schools sector is delivered as quickly as possible. The Department has been assured by the relevant project manager for the school in question that regular communication with the school authority is ongoing . Expected start date on-site for this project is 4-6 weeks.
The School Authority has devolved responsibility for delivery of this project.
113. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide details of the judgements made against Ireland in the Court of Justice of the European Union in each of the past five years in respect of matters which are the responsibility of her Department; the nature of the cases and judgements in question; the total amount in euro of fines and/or penalties paid to date associated with each adverse finding broken down by amount paid by day, week, month and so on, as per the judgement; the remedial procedures, if any, that have been undertaken by the State to address each of the judgements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44340/23]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. I am advised that there have been no judgements made against Ireland in the Court of Justice of the European Union in respect of matters which are the responsibility of my Department since September 2020.
114. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht le bean tí (sonraí tugtha) as ábhar oidí a chothaigh sí ar chúrsa i lár Mí Lúnasa; údar na moille lena híocaíocht; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44380/23]
View answerBa mhaith liom a chur in iúl duit go bhfuil an íocaíocht a bhaineann le cúrsa Ábhar Oidí do mhí Lúnasa don té atá luaite ag an Teachta próiseáilte ag Rannóg na gColáistí Gaeilge agus seolta chuig Rannóg Airgeadais ar an 5ú Deireadh Fómhair. Bheifí ag súil go mbeadh an t-airgead ina cuntas bainc taobh istigh de 10 lá oibre ar a dhéanaí.
115. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén céatadán de na teaghlaigh a chothaigh scoláirí faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge an samhradh seo a fuair íocaíocht iomlán as gach cúrsa; cén uair atáthar ag súil go n-íocfar an chuid eile; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44381/23]
View answerFaoin tráth seo, tá 80% de na héileamh íocaíochtaí i leith na gcúrsaí a reáchtáil na Coláistí Gaeilge i samhraidh 2023 próiseáilte ag Rannóg na gColáistí Gaeilge agus seolta chuig Rannóg Airgeadais de chuid na Roinne. Tá 14% le próiseáil go fóill agus 6% nach bhfuil páipéarchas iomlán/críochnúil seolta isteach ag na Coláistí Gaeilge go fóill. Táthar ag obair ar na héileamh seo ar feadh an ama agus súil iad a bheith próiseáilte gan mhoill.
116. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Section 12(2) of the British-Irish Agreement applies to Waterways Ireland; if this provision includes lease agreements and encroachment licenses, on foreshore or Waterways Ireland property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44407/23]
View answer117. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Waterways Ireland is a State authority to which Section 13(1)(b) of the Statute of Limitations 1957 would apply. [44408/23]
View answer118. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if negotiations regarding any disposal of assets by Waterways Ireland are subject to full transparency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44409/23]
View answer119. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Waterways Ireland has or would consider issuing a commercial operating licence to operators for developments before they are regularised and legalised; and the checks that are currently in place before issuance. [44410/23]
View answer120. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Waterways Ireland has utilised any unauthorised developments for the purpose of boat storage, repair or maintenance in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44411/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 to 120, inclusive, together.
Waterways Ireland is a North-South body under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999, overseen by the North South Ministerial Council and sponsored jointly by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
Section 12(2) of the British Irish Agreement Act 1999, applies to Waterways Ireland and includes the acquisition or disposal by means of lease of an inland waterway. Waterways Ireland cannot dispose of assets without the prior consent of its Sponsor Departments, or of an inland waterway without the consent of the North South Ministerial Council.
Waterways Ireland is a State authority within the meaning of Section 13(1)(b) of the Statute of Limitations 1957, which provides that an action to recover foreshore may be brought by a State authority at any time before the expiration of sixty years from the date on which the right of action accrued to a State authority. The vast majority of the navigations in respect of which Waterways Ireland has responsibility are inland non-tidal waterways which do not include foreshore as defined in Section 2 of the 1957 Act.
Waterways Ireland enters into commercial operation licence agreements with successful applicants who apply to to conduct commercial activity on the navigations and property they manage. A valid commercial operation licence agreement with Waterways Ireland is required prior to the commencement of any commercial activity. Waterways Ireland is not a planning authority. Responsibility for planning enforcement relating to breaches of planning legislation and unauthorised developments rests with the relevant Local Authority.
In relation to whether Waterways Ireland has utilised certain developments for the purpose of boat storage, repair or maintenance in the past five years, that information is not held in my Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for Waterways Ireland is ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org
Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 116.
Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 116.
Question No. 119 answered with Question No. 116.
Question No. 120 answered with Question No. 116.
121. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when drafting of the Planning and Development Bill 2023 first commenced; when it was completed before submission to Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44229/23]
View answerA comprehensive review of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) was initiated in May 2021, led by the Office of the Attorney General. This process included extensive stakeholder engagement, particularly with the Planning Advisory Forum established in December 2021. The review culminated in the publication of the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 in January 2023.
The draft Bill subsequently underwent a very extensive pre-legislative scrutiny process over a three month period, undertaken by the Joint Oireachtas Commitee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Taking consideration of the same and further stakeholder engagement, the Bill was further updated and on 3 October the Cabinet agreed the publication of the Planning and Development Bill 2023.
The Bill, which is the third largest in the history of the State, will be published shortly and will then commence in the Oireachtas, subject to its timetable.
122. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when call four of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund will be open to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44234/23]
View answerFollowing the review of the National Development Plan, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) has been extended to 2030 with an associated level of additional investment. To date there have been two Calls for proposals under the URDF with more than €1.6 billion provisionally allocated so far in respect of 132 proposals, comprising of almost 400 projects.
In January of this year, my Department announced a third round of funding support under the URDF. Supporting key objectives of Housing for All and Town Centre First, this round of URDF support specifically addresses long term vacancy and dereliction across URDF eligible cities and towns.
My Department intends to launch a fourth round of URDF funding during 2024, which will revert to the wider scope of URDF projects. This further round of funding will provide an opportunity for a number of the ‘pipeline’ projects which have or will emerge from master planning exercises carried out under Calls 1 and 2 to be considered for funding.
The URDF is an innovative programme which is improving the liveability of our cities and towns and making a real difference to their social and economic sustainability and development. For the first time local authorities have the opportunity to coordinate their planned regeneration and rejuvenation of our large towns and cities with a stream of tailored Exchequer capital investment, ensuring that the right project is happening in the right place.
123. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of tenancies registered with the Residential Tenancies Board in each local authority area in 2022. [44252/23]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Acts to operate national tenancy registration system and as such, the RTB registration figures are an operational matter for the RTB.
My Department does not have the information sought. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The RTB may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.
124. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the difference in the figures contained on his Department's website in relation to housing market statistics (details supplied) in the columns entitled dwellings inspected and total inspections carried out; and if he will provide more details on the different inspections referred to under each of the said headings in the annual data in respect of the level of inspections and enforcement carried out by each local authority available on his Department's website. [44253/23]
View answerThe minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in the regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
Last year local authorities conducted an all-time high of over 49,000 inspections of private rented dwellings, up from circa 25,000 in 2020 and 20,000 in 2021, when pandemic restrictions had impacted on inspections. Figures for the first half of 2023 show that more than 32,000 inspections were conducted.
The 'Total Inspections Carried Out' figures quoted on the Department website include re-inspections of dwellings that were deemed non-compliant on initial inspection. Local authorities may need to carry out more than one inspection of a dwelling before it can be deemed compliant with the regulations.
Further inspection details for 2022 are set out in the table below:
|
Local Authority |
RAS* Inspections carried out 2022 |
HAP* Inspections carried out 2022 |
Complaint-based Inspections carried out 2022 |
Other** Inspections carried out 2022 |
Total Inspections carried out 2022 |
Total Dwellings Inspected 2022 |
|
Carlow |
21 |
17 |
198 |
174 |
410 |
410 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
30 |
12 |
317 |
361 |
342 |
|
Clare |
137 |
360 |
37 |
524 |
1058 |
996 |
|
Cork City |
50 |
4082 |
47 |
3868 |
8047 |
5936 |
|
Cork |
8 |
1404 |
45 |
241 |
1698 |
1679 |
|
Donegal |
79 |
710 |
0 |
916 |
1705 |
1651 |
|
Dublin City |
268 |
2433 |
632 |
3199 |
6532 |
5909 |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
102 |
768 |
48 |
1238 |
2156 |
1323 |
|
Fingal |
39 |
1706 |
9 |
5927 |
7681 |
6113 |
|
Galway City |
10 |
106 |
0 |
17 |
133 |
133 |
|
Galway County |
33 |
1704 |
19 |
123 |
1879 |
1106 |
|
Kerry |
88 |
570 |
6 |
431 |
1095 |
902 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
644 |
67 |
23 |
738 |
710 |
|
Kilkenny |
51 |
322 |
7 |
68 |
448 |
365 |
|
Laois |
13 |
540 |
13 |
594 |
1160 |
1098 |
|
Leitrim |
62 |
157 |
2 |
200 |
421 |
309 |
|
Limerick City & County |
185 |
653 |
44 |
11 |
893 |
731 |
|
Longford |
81 |
179 |
5 |
0 |
265 |
202 |
|
Louth |
3 |
710 |
23 |
169 |
905 |
846 |
|
Mayo |
274 |
570 |
33 |
6 |
883 |
701 |
|
Meath |
1 |
1558 |
1 |
0 |
1560 |
1560 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
76 |
1 |
387 |
466 |
459 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
319 |
0 |
66 |
389 |
331 |
|
Roscommon |
64 |
436 |
58 |
70 |
628 |
457 |
|
Sligo |
148 |
397 |
8 |
389 |
942 |
612 |
|
South Dublin |
199 |
2541 |
41 |
848 |
3629 |
2787 |
|
Tipperary |
91 |
424 |
20 |
66 |
601 |
578 |
|
Waterford City & County |
53 |
256 |
5 |
1 |
315 |
277 |
|
Westmeath |
60 |
395 |
23 |
246 |
724 |
603 |
|
Wexford |
18 |
518 |
58 |
101 |
695 |
654 |
|
Wicklow |
73 |
713 |
21 |
84 |
891 |
502 |
|
TOTALS |
2223 |
25298 |
1483 |
20304 |
49308 |
40282 |
* It is a requirement of both the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme that the property meets the minimum standards for rental accommodation.
** 'Other' inspections includes inspections conducted as a result of random selection from tenancy databases and of proactive targeting.
125. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes built in Cork city and county in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44262/23]
View answer127. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social and cost rental homes planned for delivery in 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44264/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 127 together.
Housing 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.
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. Cork City Council's and Cork County Council's Plans are available on their respective websites at these links: www.corkcity.ie/en/media-folder/housing/cork-city-council-housing-delivery-action-plan.pdf and www.corkcoco.ie/en/resident/housing/housing-delivery-action-plan-2022-2026.
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 Cork City and Cork County. This data is available to Quarter 2 2023, 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 2 2023. 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 is available for analysis at the following link: data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q2-2023#:~:text=The%20latest%20Construction%20Status%20Report,were%20added%20to%20the%20pipeline.
The Housing for All strategy commits to delivering a total of 18,000 Cost Rental homes over the period to 2030, and significant funding is being made available to support provision by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), local authorities, the Land Development Agency (LDA), and now also private providers under the new Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental (STAR) investment scheme.
Delivery will increase incrementally to an average of 2,000 Cost Rental homes per year, with 10,000 Cost Rental homes targeted for delivery by 2026. The very first Cost Rental homes in Ireland were delivered in late 2021, and 2022 saw significant acceleration of delivery. An initial group of 65 Cost Rental homes were delivered in late 2021, and 684 new homes were delivered in 2022. Cost Rental delivery is continuing this year, with a pipeline of housing delivery which is being progressively developed by local authorities, AHBs, and the LDA.
