Tuesday, 17 Oct 2023

Written Answers Nos. 293-322

Sports Organisations

Questions (293)

Alan Kelly

Question:

293. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will provide a list of all sporting groups and clubs she has met since she took office including date of meeting, sporting organisation met, location of meeting and Government/public representatives present, in tabular form. [44892/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Since I was appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for sport and physical education, I have met with a large number of sporting organisations and clubs.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.

The below list, is reflective of pre scheduled meetings. Other meetings have happened in the course of my work as a constituency T.D.

For completeness of reply, I can inform the Deputy that a copy of Minister Catherine Martin's diary is available on the Department's website and details of any meetings she held with sporting organisations are available there.

Date	Club/Organisation	Location	Accompanied by Government / Public Representative
18 January	Federation of Irish Sport	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
20 January	Kells Handball	St. Colmcille School
25 January	Cara Sport	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
25 January	GAA	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
25 January	Ras Tailteann	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
29 January	Dunboyne Boxing Club	Dunboyne

4 February	Geraldines FC	Limerick	Deputy Willie O’Dea
4 February	Fairview Rangers FC	Limerick	Deputy Willie O’Dea
6 February	Laytown United	Seafield
8 February	IRFU	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
8 February	FAI	Department's HQ Kildare Street
13 February	Blackhall Gaels	Batterstown
13 February	Kiltale GAA	Kiltale
13 February	Seneschalstown GAA	Seneschalstown
15 February	Olympic Federation Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
15 February	Swim Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
15 February	Ireland Active	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
15 February	Golf Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
22 February	IABA	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
22 February	Project Long Game	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
23 February	Beggsboro AFC	Beggsboro	Senator Mary Fitzpatrick
23 February	Bohemian FC	Dalymount Park	Senator Mary Fitzpatrick
25 February	Rossin Rovers	Slane
25 February
27 February	Meath County Board	Dunganny

1 March	Ballyfermot Sport Industry Traineeship	Sports Campus
1 March	Rugby League Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
5 March	Dunshaughlin FC	Dunshaughlin
7 March	St. Kevins Boys & Girls FC	Whitehall
8 March	Special Olympics Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
9 March	Lavey GAA	Lavey Sports Ground
10 March	Sport Ireland	Sports Campus
10 March	Meath Sports Partnership	Meath Town Hall
11 March	Boyne Hockey Club
30 March	Cuala GAA	Dalkey	Deputy Cormac Devlin
30 March	Drogheda United	United Park
31 March	Duleek FC	Duleek

14 April	Inver Colpe Rowing Club	Carlow	Deputy Murnane O’Connor
17 April	Hanover Harps FC	Carlow	Deputy Murnane O’Connor
17 April	Dolmen Celtic FC	Carlow	Deputy Murnane O’Connor
17 April	St Laurence O’Toole Athletics	Carlow	Deputy Murnane O’Connor
17 April	Carlow Community Games	Carlow	Deputy Murnane O’Connor
17 April	Cnoc Arda GAA	Carlow	Deputy Murnane O’Connor
17 April	Fenagh GAA	Carlow	Deputy Murnane O’Connor
17 April	Fighting Cox GAA	Carlow	Deputy Murnane O’Connor
17 April	Ballon GAA	Carlow	Deputy Murnane O’Connor
17 April	Nurney Villa FC	Carlow	Deputy Murnane O’Connor
19 April	Motorcycling Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
19 April	Basketball Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
19 April	Camogie Association	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
19 April	Softball Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
19 April	Athletics Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
20 April	GAA	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
26 April	Cricket Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
26 April	Carr Golf	Department's HQ, Kildare Street

9 May	FAI, IRFU, GAA & Sport Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
10 May	Swords Celtic	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
10 May	GPA	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
11 May	Sligo Rovers FC	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
13 May	St. Sylvesters GAA	Malahide
17 May	World Boxing	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
18 May	LGFA	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
22 May	Dunsany GAA	Dunsany
26 May	Drogheda Boxing Club	Drogheda
26 May	Boyne Hockey Club
27 May	Volleyball Ireland	Laytown
27 May	Kells Handball	Kells
30 May	West Cork Jesters Rugby	Department's HQ, Kildare Street

6 June	FAI	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
9 June	Waterford Crystal FC	Waterford	Minister Mary Butler
9 June	Waterford GAA	Walshe Park	Minister Mary Butler
10 June	East Meath United	Meath
10 June	Ratoath Tennis Club	Ratoath Tennis Club
11 June	Irish Junior Archery Team	Sports Campus
12 June	Navan Cosmos	Navan
12 June	OMP United FC	Navan
12 June	Harp Renewables	Navan
12 June	Navan Pitch and Putt	Navan
13 June	Motorsport Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
13 June	Paralympics Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
13 June	Rowing Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
15 June	Canoeing Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
15 June	Student Sport Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
16 June	Ratoath Pitch and Putt	Ratoath
21 June	Sporting Pride	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
24 June	Corrib RFC	Headford
28 June	Federation of Irish Sport	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
29 June	GAA Handball	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
29 June	Dublin Marathon	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
30 June	St. Barry’s GAA	Roscommon	Senator Eugene Murphy
30 June	Kilglass Gaels GAA	Roscommon	Senator Eugene Murphy
30 June	Elphin GAA	Roscommon	Senator Eugene Murphy
30 June	Kilbride GAA	Roscommon	Senator Eugene Murphy

4 July	Paddle Tennis	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
5 July	Camogie Association	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
12 July	IABA	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
12 July	Sport Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
14 July	Wolfe Tones GAA

1 August	Duleek FC	Duleek
1 August	St. Colmcilles GAA	Meath
3 August	Drogheda United	United Park
5 August	Boyne Rugby Club	Meath
5 August	Donoghmore Ashbourne	Ashbourne
30 August	Dona Carney Celtic	Meath
31 August	Ashbourne Cricket Club	Ashbourne
31 August	Ashbourne Bowls	Ashbourne

14 September	Cloneen Sports and Social Club	Cloneen	Deputy Jackie Cahill
14 September	St. Patricks GAA	Cloneen	Deputy Jackie Cahill
14 September	Killenaule GAA	Tipperary	Deputy Jackie Cahill
20 September	Leader Kicking	Department's HQ, Kildare Street
28 September	Tennis Ireland	Department's HQ, Kildare Street

4 October	St. Waleran’s Sporting Centre, Gorey	Department's HQ, Kildare Street	Senator Malcolm Byrne
6 October	O’Raghallaigh’s GAA	Drogheda
12 October	Longford Slashers	Longford	Deputy Joe Flaherty
12 October	Longford Phoenix Basketball Club	Longford	Deputy Joe Flaherty
12 October	Carrickedmond GAA/LGFA	Longford	Deputy Joe Flaherty
12 October	Ardagh/Moydow GAA	Longford	Deputy Joe Flaherty
12 October	Cashel GAA	Longford	Deputy Joe Flaherty
12 October	Gratten Óg GAA	Longford	Deputy Joe Flaherty
12 October	Emmet Óg GAA	Longford	Deputy Joe Flaherty
12 October	Longford Golf Club	Longford	Deputy Joe Flaherty
12 October	St. Brigids Killashee GAA	Longford	Deputy Joe Flaherty
12 October	Rathcline GAA	Longford	Deputy Joe Flaherty
12 October	Longford Rugby Club	Longford	Deputy Joe Flaherty

16 October

GAA, LGFA, Camogie Association

Leinster House, Dublin

Minister Catherine Martin and Minister of State Thomas Byrne

Sports Funding

Questions (294)

Robert Troy

Question:

294. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on sports capital applications (details supplied). [45148/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

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 2023 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Friday 8 September 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications is now underway but it is clear that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications, including applications from the organisations referenced by the Deputy.

Work is now underway on drafting the "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round and it is hoped to have this finalised and published shortly. It is planned to publish details of all applications at this stage also. Once published, the detailed assessment work can commence.  In this regard, it is planned to assess the "Equipment-only" applications first with a view to announcing these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on the assessment of the capital applications with the allocations likely to be announced later in 2024.

Sports Funding

Questions (295)

Alan Dillon

Question:

295. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a breakdown of funding provided to an organisation (details supplied) from 2013 to 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45246/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes.

I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Scéimeanna Teanga

Questions (296)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

296. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán céard iad na riachtanais bhreise ó thaobh saoráidí tithíochta a gcaithfear cloí leo sa bhreis ar na rialacha tógála le bheith cáilithe chun scoláirí a choinneáil faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45261/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Faoi iamh, mar áis don Teachta, tá cóip de na coinníollacha a bhaineann le Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge de chuid mo Roinne.  

Scéim

Data Protection

Questions (297)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

297. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 345 of 3 October 2023, if she will provide detail on the nature of the data breaches suffered by her Department; the severity of the breaches; if all individuals whose information was compromised were notified of the breach; if the Data Protection Commission was notified of all data breaches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45345/23]

Written answers

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

Further to my previous response to Parliamentary Question No. 345 of 3 October 2023, the additional information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.

As previously stated, I am advised that the majority of breaches were deemed to be of zero or low risk, and were therefore not required to be notified to the affected data subjects or the Data Protection Commission in accordance with the Data Protection Commission Guidance on Breach Notifications, which is available at the link below. 

www.dataprotection.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/2019-08/190812%20GDPR%20Breach%20Notification%20Quick%20Guide.pdf.

There was one data breach which was deemed by my Department to meet the threshold for notification to the data subjects and referral to the Data Protection Commission. The notifications for that breach were carried out promptly and the case was resolved quickly to the satisfaction of the data subjects and the Data Protection Commission.

Year	Detail on nature of breaches	Severity of Breach	Have individuals been notified?	Was Breach reported to the Data Protection Commission?
2023	Premature release of board appointees to incoming Chairperson of Údarás na Gaeltachta, which is now in public domain	Zero risk	N/A	N/A
	Inadvertent release of personal data relating to 17 households, to each of those households.	Medium risk	Yes	Yes
	Supplier and staff data sent in error to individual in the Government's National Shared Service Office (NSSO).	Low risk	N/A	N/A
	Interview board schedule issued to incorrect interview board	Low risk	N/A	N/A
2022	Stolen laptop, which was encrypted	Zero risk	N/A	N/A
	Unintended release of a copy of a letter to incorrect recipient.	Low risk	N/A	N/A
	Disclosure of email addresses by using CC rather than BCC function, the majority of which were in public domain.	Low risk	N/A	N/A
	One staff member’s work email inbox was inadvertently migrated into another for a short period	Zero risk	Yes	N/A
	Stolen laptop, which was encrypted	Zero risk	N/A	N/A
	A third party’s tax details issued to another third party in error.	Zero risk	N/A	N/A
	External supplier’s details forwarded to another supplier in error.	Zero risk	N/A	N/A
	Email intended for a grant applicant of Live Performance Restart Grant Scheme issued to a different applicant in error.	Zero risk	Yes	N/A
	Officer inadvertently made his own personal data available to other team-members.	Low risk	N/A	N/A
2021	Disclosure of email addresses of applicants in recruitment competition to other applicants	Low risk	Yes	N/A
	Inadvertent release of personal data of one member of the public to another.	Low risk	N/A	N/A
	Personal details of grantees of Live Performance Scheme issued to two other grantees in error.	Low risk	Yes	N/A
	Inadvertent sharing of staff maternity information with incorrect staff member	Zero risk	N/A	N/A
	List of participants' roles and budgets issued to incorrect project in error.	Zero risk	N/A	N/A

Sports Facilities

Questions (298)

Carol Nolan

Question:

298. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the steps she is taking or plans to take with respect to the use of the National Stadium by an organisation (details supplied); if she or officials from her Department have engaged with the organisation as part of efforts to investigate the use of the National Stadium by the organisation; the basis for her concerns in this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45370/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

There is no legislative basis for me or my Department to intervene in the manner requested. This is a matter for the National Governing Body (NGB) concerned, in this instance the IABA (Irish Athletic Boxing Association). The IABA is an independent, autonomous organisation and neither I nor my Department has any role in decisions made by the IABA regarding use of any of their facilities including, in this case, the National Stadium.

Seaweed Harvesting

Questions (299)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

299. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the cutting of seaweed at a location (details supplied) requires a licence. [44906/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Kieran O'Donnell)

Any individual or a company is required to apply for a licence for the harvesting of wild seaweed unless they hold traditional rights to harvest wild seaweed.

These traditional rights to harvest wild seaweed may be related to property rights, known as appurtenant rights or built up through harvesting from the same area over a period of time known as a profit-a-prendre rights.

Therefore, where these rights apply, a licence is not required by the holder of that right in order to harvest seaweed, nor can any other entity be licensed to harvest seaweed in an area where existing formal or informal rights to harvest seaweed already exist. The process of registering seaweed harvesting rights on a property folio is matter for the Property Registration Authority of Ireland.

However, I can confirm that a Licence under the Foreshore Act, 1933 for the harvesting of wild seaweed at this location has not be applied for or granted since April 2023.

The new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, or MARA, which was established on 17 July, 2023 as an independent agency under the Maritime Area Planning Acts, is responsible for regulating all activity and ensuring compliance with the relevant statutory requirements in Ireland’s Maritime Area.

Anyone proposing to undertake any activity in the Maritime Area, from 17 July 2023, must now apply to MARA for a consent, if required, and MARA have the authority to investigate any alleged unauthorised activity or development works in the Irish Maritime Area.

I have been informed that MARA is aware of a complaint concerning the harvesting of wild seaweed at the location concerned and they will be investigating the matter accordingly.  Further queries in relation to such enforcement matters should therefore be directed to [e-mail]. 

Housing Schemes

Questions (300)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

300. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering allowing disability allowance to be disregarded for the purposes of the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44633/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Kieran O'Donnell)

My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to support the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority.

The schemes are means tested and operate on a sliding scale with the highest percentage grants available to those with the lowest incomes and vice versa. Payments such as Disability Allowance, Jobseekers Allowance/Benefit or Non-Contributory Pension are not disregarded as they are income subsidies paid directly to an individual, and are therefore assessed as income under the means test in line with the regulations.

Housing for All commits to reviewing the grants scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department.  The review was informed by engagement with external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Written submissions were also invited and considered as part of this process. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds (including the means test provisions) and grant limits, and the application and decision-making processes including the supplementary documentation required.

On foot of my consideration of the Review report, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in the Review report, and this engagement is ongoing at present.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (301)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

301. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the state expenditure on long-term leasing in each of the years 2015 to 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44647/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the leasing of houses and apartments. Dwellings under the scheme come from a number of different sources including private owners, Part V and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).

Details of state expenditure on Long Term Leasing from 2015 up to the end of Q1 2023, can be found on my Department's website at the following links:

www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/. 

assets.gov.ie/99984/d10e5f7c-a0f5-40ab-9ccf-0559e22f3afa.xlsx.

The Long Term Leasing scheme includes properties leased by AHBs directly, leased by local authorities from private owners, Enhanced leasing, and Part V Leasing.

Data for Q2 2023 is currently being compiled and will be available in the coming weeks.

Housing Provision

Questions (302)

Thomas Gould

Question:

302. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses delivered, and estimated timeline for further delivery by number of units, in tabular form by year as part of the Limerick regeneration. [44649/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan (LRFIP) 2014-2023 which was adopted by the Council in 2014 provides a roadmap for the physical, social and economic regeneration of the target areas of Moyross, Southill, Ballinacurra Weston, and St Mary’s Park.  The detailed advancement of the Limerick Regeneration programme is a matter for Limerick City and  County Council.

Details of social housing delivery including homes delivered under the Regeneration programme is published as part of the comprehensive programme level statistics published by my Department on a quarterly basis. This data is available for all local authorities to the end of Quarter 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/.

A breakdown on the number of units delivered to date under the LRFIP is set out in the table below.

Year	No of  New Units Delivered
2013	34
2014	64
2015	10
2016	2
2017	91
2018	57
2019	4
2020	0
2021	2
2022	0

Limerick City and County Council also have projects, which are currently on site and expected to deliver as follows: 

Year	Expected No of Units to be Delivered
2023	51
2024	69

As the LRFIP concludes in 2023, Limerick City and County Council is working on a Status Update for Limerick Regeneration.   

The resulting report on the Status Update will assess the current position and provide strategic master plan options, targets and recommendations including proposed new build mixed tenure programmes for the post 2023 period, out to 2030.   The process is well advanced and my Department is advised that the report will be completed shortly.

Housing Provision

Questions (303)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

303. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the policy in relation to allocating social housing with additional rooms to families who have children with additional needs, i.e., if an OT recommended a child to have access to a sensory room in their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44654/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The initiation, design and development of the types of housing that are required by all housing applicants is a matter for individual local authorities in exercise of their functions as housing authorities. The Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) being undertaken in each local authority area (as development plans come up for statutory review) is in place to ensure that the long-term strategic housing needs, such as those of disabled people, are identified in an evidence-based targeted and responsive way to meet the actual needs arising.

The assessment of applications for housing support, including medical priority, is also a matter for individual local authorities in accordance with their allocation schemes. I have no function in relation to these applications.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (304)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

304. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received each of the 2022 annual reports and audited financial statements from each State agency under the remit of his Department; if not, the State agencies that have yet to provide their 2022 annual report and or audited financial statements; when he expects the remaining reports to be forwarded to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44669/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The following State Bodies, who are required to submit their 2022 Annual Reports and where applicable audited financial statements, have submitted them to the Department so far this year.

An Bord Pleanála
An Fóram Uisce
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum
Ervia
Gas Networks Ireland
Heritage Council
Housing Finance Agency
Local Government Management Agency
National Oversight and Audit Commission
Office of the Planning Regulator
Pyrite Resolution Board
Residential Tenancies Board
Uisce Éireann
Valuation Tribunal
Water Advisory Body

The Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency Annual Report is currently being audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and it is expected that the report will be completed and submitted before the end of 2023.

The Land Development Agency has submitted their Audited Financial Statements for 2022. Their Annual Report is currently undergoing final design and translation and is expected to be received in early November.

Tailte Éireann was established on 1 March 2023 as an independent Government agency under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The agency was formed by the merger of the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office and Ordnance Survey Ireland. The 2022 annual reports for all three bodies have been received by the Department. The Department is currently awaiting the completion of the audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the financial statements of Ordnance Survey Ireland for 2022.

Waterways Ireland’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2022 is currently being audited by the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Comptroller and Auditor General. The 2022 Annual Report and audited financial statements are due to complete in Q4 of this year.

International Protection

Questions (305)

Michael Creed

Question:

305. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current situation regarding an application for funding to adapt a building (details supplied) in County Cork as an accommodation centre for refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44700/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is the lead Department for the provision and allocation of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. The role of my Department in this area is a supporting role as part of the broader, whole of Government response.

My Department is supporting the whole of Government effort on Ukraine across 3 strands;

Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Project ;

“Offer a Home” call; and

Supporting the Identification of Sites for Rapid Build Homes.

My Department was tasked with supporting the refurbishment programme given links with local authorities, the availability of an existing building advisory team in my Department, and in particular, the sustained pressure on DCEDIY to deliver a large volume of accommodation for significant numbers of Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTP).

The Department of the Taoiseach has put in place a new structure, the Accommodation Working Group, to consider all strands of accommodation for BoTPs and applicants for International Protection, and to decide on which projects are progressed. In practice, this means collective decisions are made on which buildings to refurbish. These decisions are made by a Technical Working Group (TWG) working under the auspices of the Accommodation Working Group. Membership of the TWG includes my Department, DCEDIY, the Department of the Taoiseach, the Local Government Management Agency and the City and County Management Association.

The property in question has been brought to the attention of my Department by Cork County Council, as a potential project requiring refurbishment to accommodate displaced Ukrainians. As this property is privately owned, it would inappropriate for my Department release specific details. I can confirm however, that at this time, no agreement has been entered into in respect of this property.

Vacant Properties

Questions (306)

Patrick Costello

Question:

306. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that one of the State's largest mortgage providers (details supplied) is unwilling to allow a second charge on mortgages, thus blocking its customers from accessing the vacant property refurbishment grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44706/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

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. 

As part of the conditions associated with the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, there is a requirement that the applicant(s) will live in the qualifying property or rent it for a period of at least five years from the date of payment of the Grant. If at any time they sell the property, it ceases to be their principal private residence or if the property is no longer available to rent within ten years, they must reimburse the local authority an element of the full value of the Grant, as follows: 

• Up to 5 Years – 100% of the monetary amount of the Grant 

• Over 5 Years and less than or equal to 10 years – 75% of the monetary amount of the Grant 

• Over 10 Years – No Clawback 

On completion of works and prior to the issuing of the Grant, an agreement must be concluded between the local authority and the applicant. This contains the clawback agreement, including a charge on the property, which shall be binding on the applicant upon drawdown of the grant. The charge secures the local authority’s interest in the property.

In cases where an applicant has a mortgage on the property for which the grant has been applied for, this will be a second charge on the property. Where the applicant has a mortgage, that mortgage will always be the first or priority charge on the property.  

My Department has been engaging with Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) on behalf of its members since February of this year. This engagement has resulted in an agreement being reached with the main lending banks (AIB and subsidiaries EBS and Haven, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, Finance Ireland and Avant) to providing consent to a second charge on properties with mortgages, in respect of the grant. This agreement was communicated by the banks across across their branch network and by my Department across local authorities. 

My Department will continue to engage regularly with BPFI to ensure that the main lending banks are compliant with the terms of the agreement.

Housing Provision

Questions (307, 308)

Thomas Gould

Question:

307. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of refusals by the Housing Agency for the cost rental backstop, by reason for refusal, in tabular form. [44716/23]

Thomas Gould

Question:

308. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process for determining eligibility of a property for the cost rental backstop; and the criteria that would make a property unsuitable despite eligibility of the tenants. [44717/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 308 together.

The Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) scheme was introduced on 1 April 2023, for tenants in private rental homes who are at risk of homelessness because a landlord has served a valid Notice of Termination due to an intention to sell the property. The Housing Agency may purchase the home and allow the tenant to continue residing in it, where the tenant is not in receipt of social housing supports and has a net household incomes within the limits set for Cost Rental housing (increased on 1 August to €66,000 for Cost Rental homes in Dublin and €59,000 in the rest of Ireland). 

Where a tenant is judged by the relevant Local Authority to be at risk of homelessness and is not in receipt of social housing supports, the Local Authority passes the case details to the Housing Agency, which has the dual task of assessing both the tenant and the property. As of 29 September, the Agency had assessed 130 cases on referral from Local Authorities, and in 108 cases had progressed to consider the status of the property. The reasons for not progressing some cases include tenants having net household incomes above the limits for Cost Rental, tenants vacating the properties, tenants ceasing engagement with the Agency or formally withdrawing their application, and the Agency referring cases back to Local Authorities where the tenant could be assisted with social housing supports.

Of the 108 properties considered by the Housing Agency for acquisition, 17 are no longer progressing towards acquisition despite the Agency’s efforts. In some cases it was not possible to reconcile vendor expectations on price with the Housing Agency’s independent professional valuation of the property, or to achieve an overall capital cost within the Acquisition Cost Guidelines issued by my Department in April of this year for each Local Authority area. In some cases very substantial works would be required to bring the property into compliance with the minimum standards for rental accommodation or to stabilise the physical condition of the property and make it suitable for long-term Cost Rental use. If the condition of the property is too poor or the works required would only be possible in a vacant property, the decision is taken not to proceed with that acquisition. In a small number of cases the vendor has declined to engage with the Housing Agency or to allow access for the Agency to conduct technical assessments.

The Housing Agency is mindful of the purpose of the CRTiS scheme to assist tenants at risk of homelessness, the need to ensure value for money in the expenditure of public funds, and the goal that acquired homes will be used as Cost Rental housing over the long term. The scheme remains on an administrative basis while my Department plans for the transition of such homes to the standard Cost Rental framework.

 

 

Question No. 308 answered with Question No. 307.

Fire Service

Questions (309)

John Lahart

Question:

309. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering the request from the Tallaght Community Council regarding aerial fire-fighting equipment for the Tallaght Fire Station via the South Dublin County Council (details supplied); and the actions he will take with regard to providing this equipment. [44719/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003.  My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.

Dublin City Council provides fire prevention and fire and rescue services for the four Dublin local authorities: Dublin City, South Dublin, Fingal and Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Councils. The management of resources, equipment and the number and type of fire appliances is a matter for the City Council based on their assessment of local needs and requirements. Continued investment in the national fleet is one of the key priorities for my Department's Fire Services Capital Programme.

In October 2023 Dublin City Council were allocated four new “Class B” fire appliances in the latest appliance procurement programme at an approximate cost of €2.08m. Dublin City Council were allocated four new “Class B” fire appliances in the previous appliance procurement programme and were also grant assisted in the procurement of three new “Class B” fire appliances in both the 2015 and 2017 Programmes.

My Department works with fire services in Dublin in relation to their priority projects. In July 2019, Dublin City Council was approved to purchase a new turntable ladder/ aerial appliance at a cost of €800,000 plus VAT, delivery of which is due later this year. In September 2021, the Council requested and were grant assisted funding for the purchase of a second new turntable ladder at a cost of €850,000. In June 2023, Dublin city Council were approved grant assistance for the purchase of two Emergency Tenders at a cost of €760,000 plus VAT. Fire appliances are acquired through a competitive tendering process.

The management, disposition and deployment of its appliance fleet is a matter for the Chief Fire Officer of Dublin Fire Brigade. I understand that Dublin Fire Brigade's fleet of aerial appliances consists of two turntable ladders based at Dublin Fire Brigade Headquarters in Tara Street, and a hydraulic platform based at Dún Laoghaire Fire Station, all of which can be deployed rapidly to anywhere in the functional area of the four local authorities.

The appropriate fire safety measures, including facilities to assist fire service response, in any building are based on the scale, density and height of the building and are set out in national Building Regulations and associated Technical Guidance and Codes of Practice.

The primary statutory responsibility for ensuring the safety of persons using any building rests with the persons having control of those buildings. The design and construction of buildings in the first instance, including inbuilt fire safety features such as building layout, means of escape and fire resistance are critical for protecting persons from fire. Safety features, such as fire detection and alarm systems, support safe evacuation of occupants and the containment of fires. 

In relation to fighting fires in high-rise buildings, my Department has issued guidance entitled “Fighting Fires in High-Rise Buildings”. This is part of a suite of 47 Standard Operational Guidance (SOG) documents developed by fire service personnel and approved by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management.

Housing Provision

Questions (310)

Colm Burke

Question:

310. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of new houses and apartments which are managed by local authorities or voluntary housing agencies, and which have become available and are occupied for each of the years ending 31 December 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44727/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

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. This data is available to end 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/.

Statistics in relation to the social housing stock are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including vacancy and the average time taken to re-tenant a dwelling. The most recent report, relating to 2022, is available on the NOAC website at the following link: www.noac.ie/noac_publications/8339/#:~:text=The%202022%20Performance%20Indicator%20Report,44%20indicators%20under%2011%20headings.

My Department does not collate data on the numbers of housing units owned by Approved Housing Bodies, or the occupation status of these units. This information may be available from the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH). The ICSH most recent Annual Report can be found at:  https://icsh.ie/wp-content/uploads/10970-ICSH-Annual-Report-2022.pdf.

The oversight and practical management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation of properties, is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated Regulations.

Housing Provision

Questions (311)

Richard Bruton

Question:

311. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has reviewed the data on the success of HAP-qualified tenants to obtain tenancies in Dublin; and if measures are under consideration to make the system more successful, either by shortening the administrative processes or by lifting the current caps. [44740/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to local authorities under HAP was required. The Housing Agency undertook to carry out this analytical exercise on behalf of the Department to better understand what level of discretion should be made available to local authorities under HAP to maintain adequate levels of support.

Since 11 July 2022, following this review, each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single persons households. Discretion can be increased up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits for Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin.

It should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine whether the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case. 

A separate review of the discretion available to Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin, which is up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits, is currently being undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with The Housing Agency.

The administration of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is a matter for the relevant local authority and HAP application processing times within local authorities may vary. Once a HAP application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is entered on the system by the local authority and then submitted for processing and payment by the HAP Shared Service Centre (HAP SSC).  If there are delays at the processing stage within a local authority, payment to the landlord will be backdated to the date on which a complete and valid application form was received by the local authority. The landlord is therefore not penalised for any delay.

The HAP application form comes in two parts, Section A to be completed by the applicant tenant and Section B to be completed by the landlord or agent. An application for HAP will only be accepted by the local authority when both Section A and Section B are completed, signed and returned, along with the required supporting documentation.  Any delay in tenants and landlords supplying this information will impact on the processing time of the HAP application. 

Limerick City and County Council provide a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. The HAP SSC manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Once a HAP application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is then processed by the HAP SSC. Any rental payment arising for a given month will then be made to a landlord on the last Wednesday of that month.

My Department and the local authorities are aware of the importance of minimising HAP processing times and the critical need to keep this under review at a local level.  My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (312, 332)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

312. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total capitalisation of the Land Development Agency to date; the dates on which the capitalisation took place; the amounts of funding allocated on each of these dates; and how these funds are allocated both in terms of voted Government expenditure and the general Government balance. [44747/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

332. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total approved capitalisation approved by Government to date; the dates on which these capitalisations were approved; the amounts of this capitalisation drawn down to date; the total additional borrowing capacity permissible by the LDA in addition to this capitalisation; and the amount of this borrowing approved and drawn down to date. [44991/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 332 together.

The LDA currently have access to €1.25bn of capital from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and a further €1.25bn of borrowings as provided for under the LDA Act. Of the €1.25bn available through ISIF, the LDA have to date drawn down €625m of this funding - €100m on establishment in 2021, and I approved a further €525m paid over two tranches in H1 2023. I agreed and approved €250m on 2 February 2023 and a further transfer of €275 million to the LDA on 19 April 2023. This leaves a balance of €600m to be drawn down as required, and it is projected by the LDA that this will be committed by year end 2023. The LDA have so far not availed of their borrowing powers.

As the LDA are capitalised from the ISIF, this has no effect on the General Government Balance.

Since transition to the commercial state body status, some voted Exchequer funding is provided to the LDA to cover expenditure associated with their non-commercial functions. These functions are detailed under Section 29 of the LDA Act 2021 and include the development of a Register of Relevant Public Lands, the development of a report to Government on relevant public lands and any functions associated with the development of a Strategic Development Zone as provided for under Part IX of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.

Exchequer funding of €5.75 million has been allocated to the LDA in 2023 to cover expenditure associated with their non-commercial functions.

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Questions (313, 340)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

313. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his understanding of the financial and governance issues currently taken place within an organisation (details supplied); the amounts of money involved separate to the outstanding income tax bill; whether the organisation will require additional Government funding in 2023; if so, the estimated amount; whether the Governments funding model for homeless services providers has created an environment where these organisations are under pressure to cross subsidise their SLA funding in a manner which may create increased or inappropriate risk in the management of their finances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44748/23]

Carol Nolan

Question:

340. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged with an approved housing body (details supplied) regarding recent financial governance concerns that have arisen; if his Department has received any requests from this AHB for funding support since 1 August 2023; if he or his officials have engaged in any way with the AHB since 1 August 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45256/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities.

The named organisation informed the DHRE, and my Department of potential financial issues in the organisation in July, 2023. The organisation also advised that it had separately informed the Charities Regulator and the AHB Regulator (AHBRA).

My Department and the DRHE formed an Oversight Group, chaired by an independent governance and legal expert, in respect of reviewing the financial and governance issues raised and to advise me appropriately. The DRHE appointed PwC to undertake a review and preliminary and draft final reports have been provided to the Oversight Group.

The Oversight Group will review the recommendations made by PwC and will advise me and Government in due course when that work is complete.

I understand that the organisation has now appointed PwC to work with it in respect to the financial and governance issues it has been experiencing. PwC will be reporting to the DRHE, as the primary funder of the organisation's homeless services, and the DRHE will report to the Oversight Group.

In addition and following the resignation of the CEO of the organisation, I have been advised that the organisation has appointed a person of longstanding experience in the sector to provide management services, including the functions of the CEO on an interim basis, with effect from the 16 October 2023.

There has been no request to my Department for additional funding from the named organisation.

The immediate priority is the continuity of services to persons experiencing homelessness.

Waterways Issues

Questions (314)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

314. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm the date on which he provided Ministerial approval to Waterways Ireland for the introduction of the issuing of NR-EMP and R-EMP permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44750/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The issuing and revoking of permits, including Non Residential Extended Mooring Permits (NR-EMP) or Residential Extended Mooring Permits (R-EMP), by Waterways Ireland does not require Ministerial approval, but is done by Waterways Ireland in the exercise of its functions under the Canals Act 1986.

Waterways Ireland is a North South Body established under the British Irish Agreement Act 1999, which transferred the powers originally vested in the Commissioners for Public Works by the Canals Act 1986, to Waterways Ireland.

Section 7 of the Canals Act 1986 provides for the making of Bye-laws for the care, management, maintenance, control and regulation of the use of the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal.

Bye-Law No. 6 of The Canal Acts, 1986 (Bye-Laws),1988 provides for the issuing of permits to authorise and regulate the use of boats on canal property.

Water Quality

Questions (315)

Holly Cairns

Question:

315. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his attention has been drawn to the decline in marine life and water quality in Lough Hyne; if a dedicated conservation management plan has been put in place for the Lough Hyne marine nature reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44764/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

Lough Hyne is a Nature Reserve established under the Nature Reserve (Lough Hyne) Regulations S.I. No. 207 of 1981. Lough Hyne is also part of the wider Lough Hyne Nature Reserve and Environs Special Area of Conservation (SAC).The European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 S. I. No. 477 of 2011, regulate activities that could potentially impact on the Lough Hyne Nature Reserve and Environs SAC, in order to protect its biodiversity. These regulations are implemented by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department who also carry out monitoring activities, including expert scientific assessment.The NPWS is aware of issues relating to the decline in water quality at Lough Hyne and eutrophication impacting on its biodiversity. Research indicates that the greatest impact on the ecological functioning of Lough Hyne is as a result of nutrients which enter the lough from the open sea rather than from the immediate catchment and are therefore difficult to control. NPWS is supporting further urgent research on these impacts and the site’s biodiversity.In line with NPWS site management policies generally, dedicated Site Specific Conservation Objectives for Lough Hyne have been developed by NPWS and are published on the NPWS www.npws.ie/protected-sites. Day to day management of site is carried out under the framework of the legislation detailed above and implemented by qualified and experienced NPWS staff.

Invasive Species Policy

Questions (316)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

316. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions his Department is taking to control and eradicate invasive plant species such as rhododendron in Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44784/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

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. Under the current legislative framework, responsibility for managing invasive alien species rests with the landowner.

While my Department does not provide specific funding for private landowners to manage invasive alien species in the wider countryside, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department continues to invest heavily in and is committed to tackling the spread of invasive species across our network of National Parks, including Glenveagh in County Donegal.

The NPWS carries out an annual targeted programme of works to manage the spread of Rhododendron ponticum in the National Park. This multi-faceted programme includes, monitoring, surveillance, clearance, investigation, review, volunteer and contractor work groups and programmes.

The NPWS is also currently carrying out invasive species (Rhododendron and Laurel) management work in Ardnamona Wood Nature Reserve.

In addition, the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF), administered by the NPWS, assists local authorities in the implementation of actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan. The funding stream launched in 2018 and is available to Biodiversity Officers and Heritage Officers across the country. The scheme enables local authorities, including Donegal County Council, to develop projects that address biodiversity loss in their localities, including projects to tackle invasive alien species in their areas.

Departmental Policies

Questions (317)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

317. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 370 of 3 October 2023, the position regarding the definitions in the Act, given that the 2022 Census is now the latest census report of the Central Statistics Office' for the purposes of section 4 of the Land Development Agency Act 2022 and given that a change in methodology means that the 2022 Census results no longer include Dublin or other cities as towns. [44847/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department has engaged with the Land Development Agency on the interpretation of the Land Development Agency Act 2021 in light of changes to CSO methodology.

Section 4 of the Act defines a census town as "the area of a town (including all the environs of the town for the purpose of the census of population concerned) the population of which, when rounded to the nearest 500 as shown in the latest census report of the Central Statistics Office, is equal to or greater than 10,000 persons;"

A census town is used to identify relevant public lands which must be offered to the Land Development Agency prior to their disposal and which have certain requirements with respect to the required level of social and affordable housing if developed in future.

It is the view of my Department that as the CSO has discontinued the use of Settlements (including towns) as a statistical product and replaced it with the new statistical product of "Built Up Area", that references to "towns" in the Act should be interpreted as "Built Up Areas". Under this interpretation, the LDA will use the urban boundaries as defined by this new methodology to identify "relevant public lands".

As such,  the urban area names for the five statutory cities are as follows:

1. Dublin City and Suburbs

2. Cork City and Suburbs

3. Limerick City and Suburbs

4. Galway City and Suburbs

5. Waterford City and Suburbs

Tailte Éireann have produced maps of the new boundaries which are referenced as 'CSO Urban Areas - National Statistical Boundaries - 2022 - Ungeneralised' and can be found at data-osi.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/osi::cso-urban-areas-national-statistical-boundaries-2022-ungeneralised/about.

My Department will seek to update the terminology used in the Act at the next opportunity to better reflect the nomenclature in use by the CSO as part of the Census.

Departmental Consultations

Questions (318)

Patrick Costello

Question:

318. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update in relation to any engagements with the EU Commission in relation to the short-term holiday let register agreed by Cabinet in December 2022; if there are any updates in relation to its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44862/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

On 7 December 2022 the Government approved the priority drafting of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting (STTL) Bill and publication of the General Scheme of the Bill which provides for the registration of short-term tourist lettings with Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All, the Government's housing policy.

On 21 December the proposed STTL Bill was submitted by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM) to the EU Commission pursuant to the requirements of the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535. Such a notification triggers a standstill period of 3 months during which the proposed Bill cannot be enacted. On 22 March 2023, DTCAGSM received a communication from the EU Commission which extends that standstill period until 22 December 2023.  Following this, in May, I wrote to Commissioner Nicolas Schmit expressing my concern in relation to the delay and the extension of the standstill period.

As part of the ongoing engagement with the Commission, my Department, DTCAGSM and Fáilte Ireland held a constructive meeting with representatives of the Commission in Brussels on 23 June last. It is expected that further engagement with the Commission will follow in the months ahead.

Further engagement with the Commission by DTCAGSM on the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill as well as the finalisation of the negotiations on the Commission's parallel proposal for a Regulation on data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services will inform the timeline for the legislation and the establishment of the register.

Departmental Funding

Questions (319, 325, 327, 329, 330, 331)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

319. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding allocated to the STAR investment programme for 2024; if this is voted Government expenditure or funded through some other mechanism; and if so, to explain how it is accounted for in the general Government balance. [44903/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

325. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the croí cónaithe funding announced in Budget 2024 by croí cónaithe towns and croí cónaithe cities funds. [44967/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

327. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the €9m additional funding announced in Budget 2024, detailing how much of this funding is for adaptation grants for older people and how much is for refurbishment of traveller accommodation. [44969/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

329. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the capital allocation of €5 billion for social and affordable housing in Budget 2024 by the following categories, SHIP, CALF, CAS, AHF, CREL and AHB borrowing and LDA expenditure. [44980/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

330. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of additional housing first tenancies that will be provided in 2024 with the additional capital allocation of €35 million announced in Budget 2024. [44981/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

331. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how much of the additional €55 million for affordable housing announced in Budget 2024 will be for the affordable housing fund and the cost rental equity loan;the total amount of funding for these two funds allocated in 2024, and the number of units expected to be delivered through these funds in 2024. [44982/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 319, 325, 327, 329, 330 and 331 together.

The Revised Estimates Volume for the Public Service (REV) is published in mid-December every year. This provides final detail on the allocations by subhead for the following year and takes into account both the Programme level allocations announced at Budget and any additional allocations, for example just transition, carbon fund, etc. Accordingly, the numbers presented below may vary.

Reflecting the priority placed on Housing for All, the Government’s national housing strategy, there will be record €5bn Capital investment in housing in 2024 - comprising €2.6bn Exchequer, €978m Land Development Agency (LDA) and €1.5bn Housing Finance Agency (HFA) funding. Current and Capital allocations in 2024 will be further supplemented through additional funding of €151m for housing purposes provided by certain local authorities from Local Property Tax (LPT) receipts.

The National Development Plan (NDP) Capital Ceiling provision in 2024 represents an increase of €358m on the 2023 provision. Furthermore, additional NDP Capital funding of €250m for 2024 will be distributed in the coming months, further increasing the allocation to Vote 34.

In addition to Vote 34 the LDA and HFA are crucial to our Housing for All plans and I will be seeking Cabinet approval in the coming weeks to capitalise the LDA in the order of €6bn and increase the HFA borrowing limit from €10bn to €12bn as part of Ireland’s long term housing investment plans.

The detailed subhead information requested is set out below:

A.3 - Local Authority Housing capital allocation is €1,331m.

A.7 - Capital Assistance Scheme capital allocation is €140m.

A.11 - Capital Advance Leasing Facility capital allocation is €315m.

A.12 - Traveller Accommodation & Support current allocation is €7m and capital allocation is €21m.

A.13 - Accommodation for Homelesss current allocation is €242m. The acquisition fund of €35m announced in Budget 2024 which will be administered by the Housing Agency, will support this continued expansion of the programme, which in 2024 aims to create a total of 261 Housing First tenancies. As with the first National Implementation Plan 2018-2021, which exceeded its targets, it is important to note that the targets in the current plan are not a ceiling and do not represent limits to the expansion of Housing First.

A. 18 - Private Housing Grants capital allocation is €75m.

A.28 - Cost Rental Equity Loan capital allocation of €100m will support delivery by AHBs of over 800 units.

A.31 - Affordable Housing Fund capital allocation is €100m. More than 3,600 homes will be delivered for affordable purchase and cost rental, through both LDA investment and with funding of €115 million via the Affordable Housing Fund and the Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental investment scheme in 2024 to support delivery by local authorities and private operators.

A.32 - Croí Cónaithe Fund capital allocation is €50m which will be available for schemes under the fund and will be reviewed after the review of the NDP.

A.x -(new subhead) Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental capital allocation is €15m. This is voted expenditure.

EU Directives

Questions (320)

Alan Kelly

Question:

320. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Ireland will be in compliance with the +water framework directive. [44914/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The EU Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy) establishes a common framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater. The overall aim of the Directive is to maintain high and good status waters where they exist and to restore waters that do not currently reach these standards. River basin management planning, structured in six-year cycles, is the tool prescribed by the Directive for achieving these aims.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) has been transposed into Irish law by a number of Regulations including the following.

• European Union (Water Policy) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 350 of 2014) (as amended)

• European Communities (Technical Specifications for the Chemical Analysis and Monitoring of Water Status) Regulations, 2011 (S.I. No. 489 of 2011)

• European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, 2010 (S.I. No. 610 of 2010)

• European Communities Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations, 2010 (S.I. No. 9 of 2010)

• European Communities Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) Regulations, 2009 (S.I. No. 272 of 2009)

• European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations, 2003 (S.I. No. 722 of 2003)

• European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 113 of 2022)

These Regulations are the primary set of regulations that transpose the WFD.

Building on the successful elements of the first River Basin Management Plans cycle, the Government introduced new structures for implementation of the WFD as part of the second-cycle river basin management plan that covered the period 2018-2021. Supporting the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, these new structures includes the Water Policy Advisory Committee (WPAC), which provides high-level policy direction and oversight of implementation. The National Coordination and Management Committee (NCMC), formed under WPAC, ensures that the measures necessary to achieve our objectives are implemented in an efficient, effective and co-ordinated way. The National Technical Implementation Group (NTIG), co-ordinates ongoing tracking of implementation and provides a forum for knowledge sharing. Finally, the regional local authority structures, comprising of 5 regional committees, drive delivery of supporting measures at local level.

These structures are further supported by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO). Funded by my Department, LAWPRO is responsible for;

• Co-ordinating efforts by local authorities, public bodies and other stakeholders to achieve the water quality objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive

• Supporting local communities to get involved in caring for their local waters and participate in decision making and river basin management plans, and

• Applying catchment science to identify the issues impacting on water quality in a number of Priority Areas for Action and to refer them to the relevant bodies for action.

As part of the implementation of the WFD in Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with, inter alia, the monitoring of water status in order to establish a comprehensive overview of water status within each river basin district. The EPA’s most recent report in this regard, Water Quality in Ireland 2016-2021, was published in 2022. The EPA also takes the lead role in reporting on behalf of Ireland to the EU Commission and to the European Environment Agency on the implementation of WFD tasks.

My Department is currently preparing the third River Basin Management Plan for Ireland, to cover the WFD third cycle, and which will be published shortly. A key commitment in the new Programme for Government, a new revised and strengthened River Basin Management Plan will advance Ireland’s commitment to the implementation of the WFD.

Building on the work of the second-cycle, this plan will again describe the main pressures and activities affecting water status and set out the environmental objectives to be achieved up to 2027 and identify the measures needed to achieve these objectives.

EU Directives

Questions (321)

Alan Kelly

Question:

321. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the EU directives relating to his own Department that Ireland is not in compliance with, and his timelines to ensure we do comply, in tabular form, by directive name and expected date of compliance., [44916/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department continues to put in place the necessary measures to ensure the full transposition, implementation and enforcement of EU environmental law in Ireland.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has handed down judgments in the following cases in respect of non-compliance with the Directives specified below which relate to my Department:

Commission Infringement File	Directive Title	CJEU Case No
INFR (2000)4384 - EIA for projects in or likely to affect NATURA 2000 sites.	Directive 85/337/ of 27/6/85 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment	C-261/18
INFR (2013)2056 - Application of Directive concerning urban waste water	Directive 91/271/EEC concerning urban waste-water treatment	C-427/17
INFR (2015)2006 - Designation of Special Areas of Conservation in Ireland	Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora	C-444/21

Further detail in relation to the all three cases are available on CURIA - Home - Court of Justice of the European Union (europa.eu).

Due to the complexities involved it is difficult to give definitive timelines of when cases can be progressed to closure.  However, my Department is in regular communication with the Commission, providing updates on legislative developments and actions to resolve matters as quickly as possible.

Separately, and for completeness, the European Commission identifies possible infringements of EU legislation on the basis of its own investigations or following complaints from citizens, businesses or other stakeholders. Further information on the infringement process, including information on Commission decisions is available:commission.europa.eu/law/application-eu-law/implementing-eu-law/infringement-procedure_en#:~:text=Infringement%20procedure%20According%20to%20the%20EU%20treaties%2C%20the,Court%20of%20Justice%2C%20which%20can%20impose%20financial%20sanctions.

In areas for which my Department has responsibility, the European Commission is currently in correspondence in respect of 5 open infringement cases relating to transposition and implementation of EU environmental legislation.  The following table lists the directives involved and the stage of proceedings in respect of these cases.

Commission Infringement File	Directive Title	Stage
INFR (2007)2238 - Incorrect transposition of the Water Framework Directive	Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy	Referral to CJEU – Article 258 TFEU
INFR (2017)4007 - Exceedance of THM parametric value in drinking water in Ireland	Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption	Referral to CJEU – Article 258 TFEU
INFR (2022)2185 - Late review, adoption and reporting of third river basin management plans	Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy	Reasoned Opinion – Article 258 TFEU
INFR (2010)2161 - Application of Articles 6(2), 6(3) and 6(4) of the Habitats Directive	Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora	Additional Reasoned Opinion – Article 258 TFEU
INFR (2018)2319 - Establish penalties in accordance with Article 30	Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 - of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species	Reasoned Opinion – Article 258 TFEU

Water Supply

Questions (322)

Alan Kelly

Question:

322. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he supports the full construction of the Shannon-Dublin pipeline by Uisce Éireann. [44930/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Water Supply Project is a strategic national project, included in the National Development Plan, to help meet the long-term water supply requirements for the Eastern and Midlands region. The preferred scheme for the project involves the abstraction of water from the lower River Shannon at Parteen Basin in County Tipperary. The abstracted water will be treated at a new water treatment plant and pumped via a new water pipeline to Dublin and other potential supply locations across the Eastern and Midlands region.

The Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands is at the Preliminary Business Case Stage of the Public Spending Code. The Preliminary Business Case incorporates detailed options appraisal and assessments of risk along with the proposed approach to implementation of the proposal.

In addition to its role as economic regulator of Uisce Éireann, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities is carrying out an external assurance review of the Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands Region Preliminary Business Case under the Public Spending Code and will issue guidance to my Department shortly.

Under the Public Spending Code, major infrastructure projects must have their Preliminary Business Case reviewed by the Major Project Advisory Group (MPAG) established by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Following the MPAG review, the Water Supply Project Preliminary Business Case will be considered by Government in late 2023/early 2024.