Written Answers Nos. 316-329
316. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all correspondence, including dates, to and from the franchise section in his Department and the European Commission on Part 4 and Part 5 of the Electoral Reform Act from 2022 to the present; and to make a statement on the contents of this correspondence and to publish this correspondence on the Department’s website. [53452/23]
View answerThe provisions in Parts 4 and 5 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 were formally notified in draft form to the European Commission in accordance with the notification requirements of Article 5 of Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical regulations and of rules on Information Society services.
The notification procedure, which is known as the Technical Regulation Information System (or TRIS) enables the European Commission and Member States to examine draft legislation before it enters into force in order to identify and prevent the creation of barriers to trade in the internal market before they materialise.
Part 4 was formally notified, via the National Standards Authority of Ireland who are the national contact point for notifications under Directive 2015/1535, to the European Commission on 4 April 2022 as notification 2022/184/IRL. In this regard, my Department has issued and received the following communications on notification 2022/184/IRL via the TRIS procedure:
• correspondence of 1 April 2022 to the National Standards Authority of Ireland to request the notification of Part 4 of the Electoral Reform Bill to the European Commission under the TRIS procedure;
• correspondence of 4 April 2022 to confirm that the standstill period would end on 5 July 2022;
• correspondence of 16 May 2022 requesting supplementary information on the notified draft;
• correspondence of 27 May 2022 to the National Standards Authority of Ireland enclosing a response to the request for supplementary information for submission to the European Commission;
• correspondence of 30 May 2022 to confirm that the supplementary information was received;
• correspondence of 30 June 2023 requesting a link to the latest version of the Electoral Reform Bill;
• correspondence of 30 June 2023 to the National Standards Authority of Ireland in connection with the response to the request of 30 June 2023 for submission to the European Commission;
• detailed opinion from the Commission of 5 July 2022 extending the standstill period to 5 August 2022;
• correspondence of 29 July 2022 to the National Standards Authority of Ireland enclosing a response to the detailed opinion for submission to the European Commission;
• correspondence of 5 August 2022 to confirm the end of the standstill period;
• correspondence of 10 October 2022 inviting Ireland to further clarify the steps being taken to address the issues raised in the Commission’s detailed opinion;
• correspondence of 1 November 2022 to the National Standards Authority of Ireland enclosing a response to the correspondence of 10 October 2022 to the National Standards Authority of Ireland for submission to the European Commission; and
• correspondence of 6 December 2022 to the National Standards Authority of Ireland enclosing an additional response for submission to the European Commission.
Separately, Part 5 was also formally notified, via the National Standards Authority of Ireland, to the European Commission on 30 May 2022 as notification 2022/376/IRL. In respect of that notification, my Department has issued and received the following communications via the TRIS procedure:
• correspondence of 30 May 2022 to confirm that the standstill period would end on 31 August 2022;
• correspondence of 12 July 2022 requesting supplementary information on the notified draft;
• correspondence of 25 July 2022 to the National Standards Authority of Ireland enclosing a response to the request for supplementary information for submission to the European Commission; and
• correspondence of 31 August 2022 outlining the Commission’s observations in respect of the notified draft and confirming that the standstill period was not being extended.
As the issues raised by the European Commission are not yet resolved and there remains a need for continued engagement, I have no proposals to publish the correspondence at this point in time.
Given the significant overlap between Part 4 and the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the transparency and targeting of political advertising , my Department has been engaging extensively on that proposal as it has progressed through the inter-institutional negotiations over the course of this year.
In this context, political agreement was reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the EU proposal on 6 November 2023. Technical discussions are continuing at working party level at Council with a view to the proposal’s formal adoption in early 2024.
Following the proposal’s formal adoption, my Department will give further consideration to the necessary adjustments to Part 4 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022.
In light of these developments, my Department will also examine Part 5 and the amendments that may be needed to commence its provisions as soon as practicable.
317. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the terms of reference for the consultancy firm (details supplied) for their work on the National Planning Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53521/23]
View answerFollowing an open competition the consultancy firm referred to has been contracted to provide environmental assessment services to the Department in respect of the first revision of the National Planning Framework (NPF), namely the Strategic Environmental Assessment, Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and Appropriate Assessment. This is to ensure that the revision to the NPF complies with the relevant European Union Directives.
Details of the services to be provided can be found in the Request for Tender that issued, and associated documents which are available at the following link www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=2119981.
318. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an updated timeline for the production of the draft National Planning Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53522/23]
View answerThe Roadmap for the First Revision of the National Planning Framework (NPF), published in June 2023, provided an outline of the indicative timelines for the revision process. A copy of the Roadmap can be accessed on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/deef6-a-road-map-for-the-first-revision-of-the-national-planning-framework/.
A core objective of the preparation of the first revision to the NPF will be to ensure that all relevant stakeholders and the wider public are consulted and encouraged to contribute to the process of this revision at appropriate stages in the process. Consequently, there are a number of consultation processes and structures for engagement that my Department has established to enable detailed consideration of these important issues.
An Expert Group was appointed in March 2023 to undertake a high-level review of the NPF and their report was furnished to me in August 2023. This report has informed stakeholder consultation through the Planning Advisory Forum, which is chaired by Minister of State O'Donnell, and bi-lateral engagement with key stakeholders.
This engagement process will inform the preparation of the draft NPF Revision. It is intended to publish the draft revision for public consultation in January 2024, and to engage concurrently with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the draft during the public consultation phase.
The NPF Revision process is scheduled for completion in April 2024.
319. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify whether Irish graduates of all Irish higher educational institutions will be able to pre-register for the new Seanad University Panel prior to May 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53601/23]
View answerThe Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937 sets out the current legislative provisions governing the election of university senators to Seanad Éireann. In a recent judgment the Supreme Court determined that sections 6 and 7 of that Act, which provide for the election of members of the Seanad by certain university graduates, are unconstitutional because they are not consistent with Article 18.4.2 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court issued a judgment in July to suspend the making of a declaration of invalidity until 31 May 2025.
The Government recently approved the drafting of a General Scheme of a Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill. This General Scheme will set out legislative proposals for extending the franchise to other institutes of higher education in Ireland beyond the National University of Ireland and Trinity, including the details regarding the registration of electors. Work on the drafting of the General Scheme is being advanced in my Department as a matter of priority. Post enactment of amending legislation, practical implementation, including the registration of potentially significant numbers of electors, will require the development of new systems, which will take a period of time.
320. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider any extension to the existing time parameters of the vacant property refurbishment grant (details supplied) to account for unexpected delays on a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53647/23]
View answerIn July 2022 I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, which supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes.
In May 2023, I announced a revised grant rate of up to a maximum of €50,000 available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and also for properties which will be made available for rent, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential.Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a further maximum top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register. This brings the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
The grant is paid when works are completed, following a final inspection by the local authority. Payment of the grant at the end of the process is to ensure that the applicant has carried out the works applied for, and approved, and to safeguard that the grant is related to the works which have been completed.
In order to support the timely delivery of properties back into use, from May 2023, once a grant application receives approval, applicants must complete works applied for within a period of 13 months.
In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant is experiencing particular issues and cannot complete the works applied for under the grant within the 13 month period, the Local Authority may grant an extension of the approval period at their discretion. Communication has issued to local authorities in this regard.
Currently payment of grants is issuing some 12 months from date of approval, as works are completed.
When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that the schemes funded by it would be kept under ongoing review. It is intended that a comprehensive review and evaluation of the schemes under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund will be undertaken by mid-2024 and I will ensure that the question of how long the grant approval should last is considered in that review.
321. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department operates an X account (formerly Twitter) or any other social media account, and if such accounts are verified through a subscription fee; the policy in place that guides when any of these accounts can ‘like’, endorse or support a posting on X or other social media platforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53658/23]
View answerMy Department operates an X account and has a grey checkmark as a government organisation. Further information on this type of profile label can be accessed on the X website at the following link: help.twitter.com/en/rules-and-policies/profile-labels.
My Department does not have this verification through a subscription fee.
My Department has a social media policy is in place and Departmental social media platforms are managed by trained communications professionals.
322. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of an application for compensation as a result of the designation of lands as a special protection area, and consequential loss of income for the applicant as a result of the designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53673/23]
View answerAn application for compensation has been received in the Department from the individual referred to in the Question. My Department is currently reviewing the correspondence received and will be in contact with the individual at the earliest available opportunity.
323. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when details of voluntary redundancy schemes will be released to local authorities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53675/23]
View answerThe Framework for Future Delivery of Water Services (June 2022) was agreed following a comprehensive process of engagement with unions under the aegis of the Workplace Relations Commission and enables the integration of public water services into Uisce Éireann's organisational structure, as envisaged in the Government’s Policy Paper on Water Sector Transformation (February, 2021).
The Framework provides that a voluntary redundancy scheme will be available to local authority water services staff who are otherwise eligible for transfer to Uisce Éireann yet do not see such transfer or reassignment to other local authority service areas, as realistic options. The Scheme will be available to those who are under preserved pension age at 30 June 2024, and who have already accrued entitlement to preserved superannuation benefits under a local government scheme (2 years’ service) on that date.
The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform recently provided sanction to my Department to proceed with the voluntary redundancy scheme on the basis set out in the Framework. While the details are not yet finalised, the scheme will have regard to previous public sector voluntary redundancy schemes.
Following consultation with the relevant stakeholders, my Department will be writing to local authorities to provide direction on the roll out of the Scheme.
324. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 9 November 2023, the reason the bounty on mink to protect ground nesting birds between 2012 and 2015 is no longer in operation; the reason it was not extended beyond 2015; what findings informed the decision to cease this policy and scheme; the proof he has that this scheme was successful or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53677/23]
View answer325. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many mink are currently in the wild in Ireland; if action is not taken to cull mink numbers, how many mink will be wild in Ireland in 2030, 2035 and 2040, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53678/23]
View answer326. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the number of mink in Ireland is growing exponentially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53679/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 324, 325 and 326 together.
My Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the implementation of a suite of National and EU legislation in relation to invasive alien species in Ireland. Under this legislative framework, landowners are responsible for dealing with invasive alien species on their land. This includes mink, an invasive alien species listed on the Third Schedule to the Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations of 2011.
The enclosed 2009 assessment of mink in Ireland, published as Irish Wildlife Manual #40, recognised that the distribution of mink at that time was biased towards the east of the country, but acknowledged that the species would continue to colonise new territory and spread westward eventually colonising the entire island.
Populations of carnivores, such as mink, do not, however, increase endlessly. They become limited by the available food sources, habitat availability, and competition (both between mink and with other species such as otter which occupy similar habitats).
With these factors in mind the authors of the report used habitat modelling to estimate the total carrying capacity of the Irish landscape – i.e. to calculate the maximum number of mink the country would hold. Their calculation suggested that the total population of mink could reach 33,000 individuals nationally.
The minimum national population estimate in 2009 was 20,000 individuals. It is possible that the mink population is now approaching the maximum value calculated of 33,000. The species would be expected to plateau at this figure.
Funding was provided by NPWS, in 2012, to the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) and the Council used this to fund a scheme for a bounty on mink. That scheme is no longer in operation. As with any scheme that might be supported by grant aid, its renewal would need to be discussed with the relevant parties and decisions taken in the context of the overall NPWS budget, priorities and work programmes.
Localised control operations can help reduce mink numbers at a local level for a short period of time (months) and this can be useful for example when protecting important ground-nesting bird sites during the breeding season. NPWS do this annually. Nonetheless, this type of control has little impact on the overall numbers of mink – young mink will quickly fill vacant territories and start breeding.
There are a range of ongoing efforts by NPWS to control mink in the country. These are primarily being managed by NPWS regional staff and under a number of LIFE projects, for example for Curlew and for Corncrake. These efforts are focussed on the protection of rare ground nesting birds and Nest Protection Officers are in place across the country to control and remove mink where they catch them.
327. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current rates of income to local government from solar photovoltaic installations broken down by local authority. [53703/23]
View answer328. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current rates of income to local government from onshore wind-powered electricity generation broken down, by local authority. [53704/23]
View answer329. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current rates of income to local government from offshore wind-powered electricity generation broken down, by local authority [53705/23]
View answer330. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current rates of income to local government from biomass combustion infrastructure broken down, by local authority. [53706/23]
View answer331. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current rates of income to local government from anaerobic digestion and associated electricity generation broken down, by local authority. [53707/23]
View answer332. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current rates of income to local government from landfill gas installations, broken down, by local authority. [53708/23]
View answer333. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current rates of income to local government from hydroelectric projects, broken, by local authority. [53709/23]
View answer334. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current rates of income to local government from energy storage infrastructure, broken down by local authority. [53710/23]
View answer335. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current rates of income to local government from fossil-fuelled electricity generation infrastructure, broken down by local authority. [53711/23]
View answer336. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current rates of income to local government from electricity distribution infrastructure, broken down by local authority. [53712/23]
View answer337. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current rates of income to local government from electricity transmission infrastructure, broken down by local authority. [53713/23]
View answer338. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current rates of income to local government from petrol/diesel filling stations, broken down, by local authority. [53714/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 327 to 338, inclusive, together.
Local authorities derive their income from a variety of local sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services and funding from Central Government. It is taken that the questions relate to income from commercial rates.
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes, in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by Tailte Éireann under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2020. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
Local authority total gross rates income is reported in the Income and Expenditure Account and in Appendix 7 of their Annual Financial Statements (AFS) . However, it is not analysed by different categories in the AFS, including by different types of property used for business purposes. Therefore, the information requested in relation to local authority income from particular divisions of the energy sector is not available in my Department.
