Cathal Crowe
Question:293. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education is she will endeavour to expedite an urgently needed NEPS appointment for a person (details supplied). [52538/23]
View answerPsychological Assessments
Questions (293)
Written answers
My 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.
All requests for the involvement of a NEPS psychologist are received from the school principal. Therefore, parents should be advised to discuss any concerns they may have with the school principal.
School Funding
Questions (294)
Pauline Tully
Question:294. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the capital funding her Department has provided to each national school in County Cavan in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [52539/23]
View answerWritten answers
Since 2020 we have invested in the region of €3.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 690 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects. School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. We also have over 200 modular accommodation projects that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage.
This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.
Since 2020 in Cavan alone, we have invested in excess of €60m in our schools and completed 12 school building projects of which 8 were primary schools. We also have construction underway at 5 other projects. We also have 7 modular accommodation projects that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage.
The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:
• demographic change, including keeping pace with delivery of SEN and accommodation for Ukrainian pupils particularly at Post Primary level,
• alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level,
• climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.
Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.
Table – County Cavan Expenditure 2020- to date 2023
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2020 |
€10.4m |
|
2021 |
€8.6m |
|
2022 |
€6.3m |
|
2023 to date |
€11m |
|
Total |
€36.43m |
Schools Building Projects
Questions (295)
Catherine Murphy
Question:295. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a shortage of school places at primary and second level in Kildare north; the steps she is taking to address this issue; if she will provide a schedule of works planned for the provision of new school buildings and the expansion of existing buildings in Clane, Prosperous, Sallins, Naas, Maynooth, Celbridge and Leixlip; the stage each plan is at; and the expected delivery date of same. [52545/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. In addition, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.
Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, including North Kildare areas, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision. Additional provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs.
The Department is aware of pressures for school places in School Planning Areas across North Kildare. A critical next step is to acquire clarity on the actual number of additional first year places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Maynooth, Prosperous_Clane, Kilcock and Celbridge have been requested to share data on applications for admissions. The Department is liaising closely with schools to ensure that this data is provided as soon as possible, and once it is received the actual requirement for places can be established. The Department is already having discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities regarding potential solutions but the understanding of the actual school place needs will give clarity as to the specific actions that are required.
This close engagement with schools and patrons will also allow the Department to identify particular further capacity requirements for the forthcoming years and put any required solutions in place - beyond those that are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in the area.
My Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the North Kildare area.
These projects include recently completed new school buildings in Maynooth and Naas. Additionally, a number of further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including in Prosperous, Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Naas and Clane.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students across North Kildare for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.
Teaching Qualifications
Questions (296)
Holly Cairns
Question:296. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education what measures she is taking to allow primary school teachers who have qualified in the UK to more easily qualify to teach in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52565/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Teaching Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016. The minimum registration requirements for each route are set out in the Schedule of the Regulations.
In its role as a competent authority, the Teaching Council operates in accordance with the EU Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EU as amended). As a statutory professional standards body, the Teaching Council is required by law to properly determine and to authenticate the relevant standards and qualifications of all applicants for registration.
Fully qualified teachers who qualify from outside of the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council under the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations.
A fully qualified teacher from outside of the Republic of Ireland must hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS/licence to teach) and full registration (having met any post-qualification registration requirements of that country, e.g., teacher induction). All applications from teachers who qualify outside of Ireland are processed in line with EU Directive.
All applications from fully qualified teachers who qualify outside of the Republic of Ireland are assessed for comparability with graduates of Teaching Council accredited programmes of initial teacher education. All primary teachers are registered conditionally with the condition of the Irish Language Requirement.
All post-primary teachers are registered conditionally with the condition of the History and Structure of the Irish Education System. Following a holistic assessment of teaching qualifications and relevant teaching experience, CPD, etc, any identified qualification shortfall(s) are added as a condition of registration. Teachers have three years from the date of conditional registration to address conditions via an aptitude test or an adaptation period.
In addition, for a time limited period under the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment), 2023, the Teaching Council is accepting applications from teachers who hold a teaching licence and comparable teacher education qualification but have not completed induction in the country they qualified. Applications close on 1 February 2024.
A review of the Teaching Council's Qualification Assessment Process for overseas teachers is currently being carried out. Findings from Phase 1 of this review from February to July 2023 showed that the Council have taken a number of very positive steps to make it easier for overseas teachers to register including the redesign of their website with a dedicated 'Qualified outside of Ireland' landing page, enhanced follow up for incomplete applications, removal of requirement for certain documents, expediated approval mechanisms resulting in continued increased efficiencies in the Qualifications Assessment process for teachers who have qualified overseas.
School Accommodation
Questions (297)
Holly Cairns
Question:297. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on her Department’s intention to sign a waiver on the Sherkin Island national school property in order to facilitate its sale. [52570/23]
View answerWritten answers
The relevant section within my Department has been in previous communication with the property owner's solicitor in relation to this case. In order for the request to legally surrender my interest in the property, as Minister for Education, a number of documents have been requested and are awaited.
The surrender request can be examined once the necessary documents are received by my Department.
School Transport
Questions (298)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:298. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education the reason that school bus route (details supplied) has been cancelled until further notice; when she expects this service to be returned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52574/23]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. As part of the management of the scheme, Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. There are currently in the region of 7,000 vehicles operating on the scheme.
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.
Over 134,000 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. There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
Bus Éireann has advised that the service referred to by the Deputy is currently in the procurement process. Bus Éireann’s local office are in the process of sourcing a suitable contractor/driver. Once a suitable contractor/driver is sourced transport will commence, families have been informed in this regard.
Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are usually 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
Families can also submit queries via the ‘contact form’ which can be found on our website (buseireann.ie/schooltransport)
School Transport
Questions (299)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:299. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 247 of 21 November 2023, the reason this service was suspended in September; if Bus Éireann will provide an update directly to families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52575/23]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Over 134,000 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. There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
Bus Éireann has advised that the service referred to by the Deputy ceased on 18/10/2023 due to the contractor not having a driver available to operate the service. Bus Eireann has further advised that the service is currently in the procurement process and once a suitable contractor/driver is sourced transport will commence. Regular updates are being provided to the families concerned.
Tourism Industry
Questions (300)
Brendan Griffin
Question:300. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if research has been carried out relating to visitor numbers and spending in locations where there has been displacement of tourism beds by refugees or other state supported accommodation recipients; if the findings will be provided; if she is concerned about any particular locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51817/23]
View answerWritten answers
The tourism sector continues to play a significant role in supporting the State’s humanitarian effort in response to the unjust Russian war against Ukraine.
In June 2023, Fáilte Ireland carried out a detailed analysis of data provided by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) concerning the bed stock under contract to accommodate Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and International Protection applicants and established that around 13 to 14% of all Fáilte Ireland registered tourism bed stock is currently under contract to the State. An additional quantum of non-registered tourism-type accommodation stock is also contracted. Fáilte Ireland is also in the process of conducting an analysis of more current data provided by DCEDIY concerning tourism accommodation under State contract.
The data identified that, in five counties, more than 20% of the registered stock is used for humanitarian purposes, peaking at 33% in County Clare. The analysis shows that, in certain counties, such as Offaly, Mayo, Leitrim, Meath and Clare, the scale of accommodation stock displacement is significant and is a factor in downstream economic impacts on core tourism businesses such as attractions and activity provider.
As the businesses impacted are varied and range from small and micro-sized enterprises to family run businesses there is no 'one-fits-all' solution to address the issues they are facing and this is why I have secured funding to implement a broad range of supports. As part of the Budget settlement that I have secured for tourism in 2024, up to €10 million has been identified for a programme of supports targeted at tourism activities and attractions experiencing particular trading challenges linked to the impact of tourism bed stock displacement.
This programme of supports includes investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives.
I also asked Fáilte Ireland to engage with impacted businesses to examine the scope for a specific business support scheme that could help the most affected tourism activities and attractions and to report back to me on options and recommendations. Officials are engaging with Fáilte Ireland on options for such a scheme and further details will be announced in due course.
Departmental Data
Questions (301)
John Brady
Question:301. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are personnel in her Department who could be classified as having a significant or exclusive focus of their role dedicated to dealing with integration; if so, to detail the title of the post; the grade level of that post; the core functions of that role; to provide details of the exact nature of their responsibilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51834/23]
View answerWritten answers
As part of the Whole of Government Humanitarian Response, following the large-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, an Assistant Secretary General from my Department is a member of the Senior Officials Group (SOG) that coordinate the Government's response to the Ukrainian Refugees (Beneficiaries Of Temporary Protection (BOTP)) situation.
There are also regular meetings taking place involving other Officials of my Department at Principal Officer and Assistant Principal Officer level together with their counterparts in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), with a particular focus on the use of Tourism bedstock to meet the requirements of accommodating BOTP’s.
My Department also supports my colleague, Minister O'Gorman and his Department on the implementation of the various Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Government Strategies and Action Plans through a dedicated EDI team, headed up at Principal Officer level, within my Department.
Freedom of Information
Questions (302)
Carol Nolan
Question:302. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total number of Freedom of Information requests submitted to her Department in 2022 and to date in 2023; the total number of such requests that were rejected in their entirety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51982/23]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Total FOI Requests Received |
FOI Requests Refused |
|
2022 |
163 |
41 |
|
2023 (to 20th November |
221 |
37 |
Sports Funding
Questions (303)
Steven Matthews
Question:303. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to delays in releasing sports capital grant funding for a club (details supplied); if this funding can be issued before the end of the year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52000/23]
View answerWritten answers
The club referenced by the Deputy was allocated €134,580 towards natural playing surface development under the 2020 SCEP.
I am advised that examination of the documentation uploaded by the club in the course of its payment request raised a number of issues which required clarification. This information has been received by my Department which has kept the club contact apprised of the position and the anticipated timeline regarding payment. Payment of the grant will be facilitated before year-end if it is in order to do so.
Departmental Priorities
Questions (304)
Mick Barry
Question:304. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to outline the measures she intends to take to oblige social media platforms and internet service providers to ensure that minors are protected from access to pornography; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52116/23]
View answerWritten answers
The issue of children accessing online material that is not appropriate for them, including pornography, is a very serious matter. This is why Government legislated for a new regulatory framework for online safety through the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act.
Under the OSMR Act, a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, was established. An Coimisiún will protect people from harmful online content and children from age-inappropriate online content, including pornographic material, through the development of binding online safety codes and online safety guidance materials. An Coimisiún, which is independent in the performance of its functions, expects to adopt their first online safety code in Q1 2024.
The EU Digital Services Act (DSA) came into force last August and has applied since then to Very Large Online Platforms and Very Large Online Search Engines, enforced by the European Commission. From February 2024, it will apply to all platforms and Government has decided to designate Coimisiún na Meán as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator under the DSA to monitor and enforce it in Ireland.
The DSA introduces a range of obligations including requirements for most online services to complete risk assessments in relation to the risk of exposure of their users to illegal online content and the exposure of children and young people from age-inappropriate content. These services, including services providing pornographic material, must then address this risk of exposure, including by means of age-verification or age-assurance.
More broadly at European level, in May 2022, the European Commission launched a new European Strategy for a Better Internet for Kids. This Strategy places a strong focus on providing age-appropriate online experiences, including through age verification and age-appropriate design. In order to facilitate age verification, the European Commission has committed to work with Member States and promote EU standardisation in order to strengthen effective age-verification methods. In particular, the Commission has committed to facilitating a comprehensive code of conduct on age-appropriate design by 2024 and indicated that the code could provide for age verification for accessing certain online content.
The appointment of the Digital Services Co-ordinator in addition to the robust measures outlined above will provide an enforcement regime that will assist in keeping children safe from harmful and age-inappropriate online content, including pornography.
Departmental Data
Questions (305)
Carol Nolan
Question:305. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total costs incurred by her Department arising from the placing of advertisements with the national broadcaster, RTÉ, in any format, for each of the years 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52173/23]
View answerWritten answers
Please see below details in tabular form of advertising expenditure allocated to RTÉ each year since my Department was constituted in September 2020.
Various forms of communication, including advertising, have become increasingly important in informing the public of the work of my Department.
Regarding bodies and agencies under my Department’s remit, these matters are operational matters for the agencies themselves.
At all times value for money is a critical consideration.
Advertising funding allocat-ed to RTÉ in each year since September 2020 to date:
|
- |
Total |
|
September 2020-December 31st 2020 |
Nil |
|
2021 |
Nil |
|
2022 |
€6,150 |
|
2023 to date |
Nil |
I am advised that the 2022 figure of €6,150 represents one transaction in relation to reduced-rate advertising awarded to the National Archives under the RTÉ Supporting the Arts Scheme for the Treaty 1921 “Records from the Archive” exhibition.
Departmental Data
Questions (306)
Carol Nolan
Question:306. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department or any body under the aegis of her Department, has facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue by organisations (details supplied) from 2020 to date; if so, the topic discussed; the fees paid to the organisations for these briefings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52200/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department was established in its current configuration in September 2020. I am advised that one meeting was held with each of the organisations to which the Deputy refers. Both meetings involved a presentation to the independently chaired National Counter Disinformation Strategy Working Group on disinformation. The meetings were held on 24 March and 24 November 2023. No fees were paid.
Regarding bodies and agencies under my Department's remit, these are operational matters for the agencies themselves.
Sports Funding
Questions (307)
Niamh Smyth
Question:307. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on a sports capital application for an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52219/23]
View answerWritten answers
The latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a large number of applications, including one for a project at St. Mary's N.S Arva, and it is evident that the total number of applications will exceed the previous record of 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
Work is now underway on finalising the "Scoring and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round and I hope to have this published shortly. Simultaneously, I also plan to publish the full list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. Once these documents are published, the detailed assessment work can commence. In this regard, it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations likely to be announced later in 2024.
Sports Funding
Questions (308)
Niamh Smyth
Question:308. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on a sports capital application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52244/23]
View answerWritten answers
The latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications, including one from the organisation to which the Deputy refers, and it is evident that the total number will exceed the previous record of 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
Work is now underway on finalising the "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round and I hope to have this published shortly. Simultaneously, I also plan to publish the full list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. Once these documents are published, the detailed assessment work can commence. In this regard, it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations likely to be announced later in 2024.
Sports Funding
Questions (309)
Michael Creed
Question:309. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she can confirm receipt of an application for grant aid under the sports capital programme from a club in County Cork (details supplied), and when it is expected funding will be allocated to these applicants. [52391/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications, including one from the organisation to which the Deputy refers, and it is evident that the total number will exceed the previous record of 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
Work is now underway on finalising the "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round and I hope to have this published shortly. Simultaneously, I also plan to publish the full list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. Once these documents are published, the detailed assessment work can commence. In this regard, it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations likely to be announced later in 2024.
Departmental Staff
Questions (310)
John Brady
Question:310. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are personnel in his Department who could be classified as having a significant or exclusive focus of their role dedicated to dealing with integration; if so, to detail the title of the post; the grade level of that post; the core functions of that role; to provide details of the exact nature of their responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51828/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is fully committed to supporting the whole of Government humanitarian response to the invasion of Ukraine and is specifically supporting the delivery of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection through 3 strands:
1. Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Project;
2. “Offer a Home” call; and
3. Supporting the Identification of Sites for Rapid Build Homes.
In addition to the work on accommodation delivery my Department also supports the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in its advancement of policy in the context of the White Paper on International Protection and the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.
Integration policy is a matter, in the first instance, for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Departmental Projects
Questions (311)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:311. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what exactly the plans are for the site of St. Finian's Hospital, Killarney (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51835/23]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that St. Finian's Hospital site in Killarney, Co Kerry is in HSE ownership.
It is open to the HSE to engage with the Local Authority or the Land Development Agency (LDA) to deliver on the housing potential of any vacant or underutilised state land.
I am informed that, to date, the site has not been offered to the LDA by the HSE for consideration as a potential site to develop for residential housing and that the LDA have no current plans for the site. Any proposed disposal of relevant public lands must be offered first to the LDA for consideration of the delivery of housing. As relevant public land, at least 50% of any homes delivered on the site must be made available for affordable housing delivery, in addition to Part V requirements applying to the site.
I note that the LDA are actively developing large scale schemes of affordable and social homes on State lands in other areas of the South West. For example, construction work is underway at the former St Kevin's Hospital site in Cork City, where 265 new homes are to be delivered. The LDA has also recently announced plans to develop up to 600 social and affordable homes on the site of the former St. Josephs Hospital in Limerick.
Defective Building Materials
Questions (312)
John Lahart
Question:312. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a detailed update with regard to the details and timelines in respect of the remediation of apartment defects to help allay any anxieties of apartment owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51865/23]
View answerWritten answers
Since the receipt of Government approval in January of this year, I have been working hard to progress the various programmes of work that are required to place the apartment remediation scheme on a statutory footing.
Bespoke legislation is needed to underpin the remediation scheme, the cost of which is estimated at more than €2 billion. The Government are entirely focused on establishing a scheme that is fit for purpose and works for the people impacted.
Key to this has been the publication last July of a Code of Practice for the Remediation of Fire Safety Defects to support the development of a reasonable and practicable approach to resolving fire safety defects. The provisions of this Code of Practice will also ensure a consistent approach nationwide to remediation. My Department is currently working with the Housing Agency on advice and guidance on the steps Owners’ Management Companies (OMC) should take when carrying out such life-safety works.
The Housing Agency has now appointed a Programme Manager to coordinate the scheme and a web portal has been opened, where OMCs can indicate their potential interest in the future remediation scheme by inputting information on their developments. The Housing Agency presented a webinar on Monday, 13 November 2023 to assist users on how to use the web portal. I believe this shows continued progress in meeting the concerns of apartment owners.
My Department is also working closely with the Housing Agency and key stakeholders to facilitate the provision of funding for interim fire safety measures on an administrative basis. Further details of this will be published in the coming weeks.
While this work is progressing, work is advancing to draft the required legislation to place the remediation scheme on a statutory footing. It is expected the draft legislation will be published in 2024. It is intended that subject to the legislative process, the statutory scheme will be in place shortly thereafter.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (313)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:313. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the valuation mechanism that is in place for properties accepted on the tenant-in-situ scheme; the protocols that are in place in incidences in which properties are undervalued by the council compared to valuations from independent estate agents; if he is aware that this disparity is contributing to private landlords not progressing the scheme for their tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51913/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions will be focused on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities in March, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2023.
Local authorities have delegated sanction in relation to these acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within Acquisition Cost Guidelines issued by the Department. An independent valuation must also be obtained for each acquisition, in line with established practice for local authorities for social housing acquisitions.
The current Acquisition Cost Guidelines (ACGs) and Basic Unit Cost Ceilings (BUCs) were updated and issued to local authorities in April of this year. These guidelines are reviewed and updated as appropriate by my Department usually on an annual basis.
The ACGs provide cost guidelines for the acquisition by housing authorities, of second-hand properties for the provision of social housing. These guidelines reference lower and upper cost ranges, along with an average/benchmark cost, which is representative of the average range of current (at the time of issue) prices across the local authority area. It is matter for each local authority to decide on appropriate acquisitions having regard to the arrangements for the scheme.
Details of social housing acquisitions will be published as part of the comprehensive programme level statistics published by my Department on a quarterly basis. This data is available for all local authorities to the end of Quarter 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/.
Data on the number of Cost Rental acquisitions being progressed will be published in conjunction with the Social Housing Quarterly Statistics shortly.
Freedom of Information
Questions (314)
Carol Nolan
Question:314. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of Freedom of Information requests submitted to his Department in 2022 and to date in 2023; the total number of such requests that were rejected in their entirety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51976/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department received a total of 542 Freedom of Information requests in 2022 , with 522 received to date in 2023. To clarify, an FOI request is never "rejected", but is accepted and decided upon based on it's merits. Attached is a breakdown of this Department's decisions covering 2022 and 2023 to date.
My Department publishes FOI disclosure logs on a routine basis, in line with the Model Publication Scheme. These logs can be found at gov.ie - FOI Logs (www.gov.ie)
|
Year |
Received |
Granted |
Part -Granted |
Refused |
Transferred |
Withdrawn |
Handled Outside FOI |
|
2022 |
542 |
56 |
199 |
113 |
10 |
134 |
30 |
|
2023 to date |
522 |
78 |
115 |
118 |
1 |
141 |
8 |
Departmental Funding
Questions (315)
Michael McNamara
Question:315. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocated to Met Éireann in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52003/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Gross Total allocations for Met Éireann under my Department in the years 2022 to 2023 are set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) and is available at gov.ie - The Revised Estimates Volumes for the Public Service (www.gov.ie)
Met Éireann is a division of my Department and therefore the funding to Met Éireann is included under Administration subheads and with some specific funding under Programme E.
The Department's provision for Met Éireann is provided in tabular form below. In each of the years 2022 and 2023 the provisions provided in the tables reflect the final REV for the Department in that year i.e. post any supplementary estimates.
|
2022 Met Éireann Allocation |
CURRENT Provision €000 |
CAPITAL Provision €000 |
TOTAL Provision €000 |
|
E1 – Admin Pay |
15,081 |
- |
15,081 |
|
E2 – Admin Non Pay |
6,133 |
11,487 |
17,620 |
|
E3 – Subs to International Meteorological Organisations |
8,200 |
- |
8,200 |
|
E4 – Flood Forecasting and Warning Service |
60 |
2,200 |
2,260 |
|
Met Éireann - Totals |
29,474 |
13,687 |
43,161 |
|
2023 Met Éireann Allocation |
CURRENT Provision €000 |
CAPITAL Provision €000 |
TOTAL Provision €000 |
|
E1 – Admin Pay |
17,311 |
- |
17,311 |
|
E2 – Admin Non Pay |
8,662 |
14,400 |
23,062 |
|
E3 – Subs to International Meteorological Organisations |
8,850 |
- |
8,850 |
|
E4 – Flood Forecasting and Warning Service |
20 |
7,185 |
7,205 |
|
Met Éireann - Totals |
34,853 |
21,585 |
56,4 |
Departmental Reviews
Questions (316)
Francis Noel Duffy
Question:316. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the review regarding a system of holding rental deposits; when the outcome of this review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52043/23]
View answerWritten answers
I refer to the reply to Dáil Question No. 138 of 9 November 2023. The position remains unchanged.
Homeless Accommodation
Questions (317, 318, 319)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:317. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of meetings between his officials led by organisations (details supplied) in 2022 and 2023 on the issue of the financial sustainability of homeless services and the review of funding arrangements in the homeless sector; the dates on which those meetings occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52058/23]
View answerEoin Ó Broin
Question:318. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the proposed review of section 10 funding for homeless services that was agreed in 2021 did not proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52059/23]
View answerEoin Ó Broin
Question:319. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out the detail of the review of homeless services recently initiated in the wake of the revelations regarding funding issues at an organisation (details supplied); who is conducting the review; the terms of reference of the review; the timeline for the review; and if he will consider the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage playing a role in public consideration of the outcome of this review. [52063/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 317, 318 and 319 together.
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.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to local authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, local authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, local authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department.
My Department met with the DRHE and the named non-government organisations (NGOs) on six occasions from 1 January 2022 to date in 2023. The meetings were arranged to discuss a range of issues relating to the provision of homeless services and were not specifically focussed on funding arrangements.
In response to issues raised at the aforementioned meetings in relation to Section 10 funding arrangements, the CCMA are undertaking a review of the current model for Exchequer funding under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. The goal of the review is to agree measures that will provide for a secure and sustainable funding model for the homeless sector. The terms of reference for the Review are agreed and NGOs were provided with an opportunity for input to this process. The CCMA has established a working group for the Review and the work of this group in underway. Following the completion of the work of the Working Group a report will be prepared and submitted to my Department for review, it is expected that this work will be completed by Q2 2024
I understand that the DRHE commissioned a review of the Section 10 funding model in 2021. My Department were not involved in that process.
Question No. 318 answered with Question No. 317.