Written Answers Nos. 794-813
794. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of land purchased by the National Park and Wildlife Service for conservation purposes since 2020 to date. [1052/24]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department purchases land for conservation purposes under various peatland schemes and on a case by case basis. A list of the land purchased for conservation purposes since 2020 to end 2023 is provided in the table below.
|
Year Purchased |
Acquisition name |
County |
Hectarage |
|
2020 |
Garriskil Bog SAC |
Westmeath |
1.90 |
|
2020 |
Clara Bog SAC |
Offaly |
7.75 |
|
2020 |
Clara Bog SAC |
Offaly |
2.88 |
|
2020 |
Clara Bog SAC |
Offaly |
4.46 |
|
2020 |
Carrowbehy Bog SAC |
Roscommon |
2.84 |
|
2020 |
Mouds Bog SAC |
Kildare |
1.27 |
|
2020 |
Castle French West NHA |
Galway |
9.19 |
|
2020 |
Carrigacurra |
Wicklow |
82 |
|
2021 |
Clara Bog SAC |
Offaly |
1.27 |
|
2021 |
Lough Lurgeen SAC |
Galway |
10.69 |
|
2021 |
Knockauns |
Clare |
21.96 |
|
2022 |
Roe Island |
Mayo |
2.48 |
|
2022 |
Lough Ree SAC |
Roscommon |
0.85 |
|
2023 |
Buckroney Fen |
Wicklow |
8.07 |
|
2023 |
Black Islands |
Longford |
23.56 |
|
2023 |
Carrownagappul Bog SAC |
Galway |
1.69 |
|
2023 |
Carrowbehy Carrow Bog SAC |
Roscommon |
1.18 |
|
2023 |
Mount Hevey Bog SAC |
Westmeath |
6.87 |
|
2023 |
Belmullet |
Mayo |
6.48 |
|
2023 |
Keeloges Bog NHA |
Galway |
6.01 |
|
2023 |
Letterfrack |
Galway |
6.19 |
|
2023 |
Ballinaspick South |
Waterford |
19.4 |
|
2023 |
Mulranny |
Mayo |
165 |
|
2023 |
Derrycunnihy |
Kerry |
67.58 |
|
2023 |
Ballyogan |
Clare |
4.22 |
|
2023 |
Letterfrack |
Galway |
0.34 |
|
2023 |
Boora |
Offaly |
4 |
|
2023 |
Rockforest |
Clare |
9.2 |
|
2023 |
Gearhameen |
Kerry |
122.2 |
|
2023 |
Dowth Hall |
Meath |
223.3 |
795. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to put a timeline on the phasing out of, and eventual ban of, the sale of invasive species, such as cherry laurel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1053/24]
View answerMy Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) 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.
Regulation 49(2) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 makes it an offence to disperse, allow or cause to disperse, spread or otherwise cause to grow any plant listed in Part 1 of the Third Schedule to those Regulations.
Cherry Laurel is not a listed invasive species in Ireland nor is it included on the European list of invasive species of Union concern and there are no plans at this time to ban the species in trade.
However, work on new invasive alien species legislation is at an advanced stage and my Department is also leading on the development of a National Management Plan for Invasive Alien Species. The new legislation will update and strengthen existing regulations, particularly with regard to trade in invasive alien species.
Any review of the national list of invasive alien species will be considered in the context of this new framework. Furthermore, such a review would need to take into account existing priorities, workloads, available resources and the wider environmental impacts of the species.
In the meantime, sightings of this non-native species in the wild may be submitted to the National Biodiversity Data Centre through its online portal or mobile application, through the following link:
https://invasives.ie/what-can-i-do/report-sightings/
Submission of sightings allows for better monitoring of the impact of invasive alien species and will help inform policy decisions and effective implementation of measures to tackle such species in the coming months and years.
796. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons who have exited homelessness accommodation and were funded by his Department in each month from January 2019 to December 2023; the number who were minors; the number who were single persons; and the number of exits by families with children. [1054/24]
View answerMy 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 local level. While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis.
My Department publishes a detailed quarterly performance report on homelessness, based on data provided by regional lead local authorities. The report includes details of individuals exiting State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by local authorities and is provided on a regional basis. The reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/.
My Department does not hold the specific details requested.
797. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of single house private wastewater systems in the country; the expenditure by his Department, through local authorities, for remediation grants to these wastewater systems in each of the past five years; the expected expenditure in 2024; whether it is intended to extend this scheme further in 2024 to make the grant available to all who have defective systems, thus causing pollution, and not confine it to those on the local authority inspection plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1063/24]
View answerThere are currently three separate Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (DWWTS), commonly called septic tanks, grant schemes available to householders.
The purpose of these grants is to provide financial assistance to reduce the environmental impact from defective septic tanks and to protect human health. They are available to householders where a septic tank has been found to be defective following an inspection by the local authority or if located in a designated area of greatest environmental priority.
In November 2023 I announced substantial improvements to the terms and conditions of all three grants. I approved an increase of the funding available to households to €12,000 from €5,000 and also made it is easier to qualify by removing the requirement, for the purposes of the grant, on households to have registered their DWWTS with the local authority.
The changes came into effect on 1 January 2024 and I have no plans to make any further changes at this time.
Further details are available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/6cc1e-domestic-waste-water-treatment-systems-septic-tanks/
The table below sets out the total expenditure by my Department, through local authorities, for DWWTS grants in each of the past five years.
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
€497,719 |
€388,983 |
€752,766 |
€981,109 |
€919,389 |
Increasing the funding available and making it easier to qualify is likely to encourage more householders to seek and avail of the grants and consequently help reduce the risk of environmental impact from defective tanks.
I do expect that the improvements made to the grants will result in an increase of applications and expenditure in 2024 and beyond. The expenditure will be dependent on the pace and level of uptake. Therefore it is difficult to accurately anticipate expenditure for 2024, however my Department continues to work with local authorities to monitor uptake and spend.
As regards the number and type of private wastewater systems in the country, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), not my Department, collects this data. Census 2016 recorded that there were nearly 500,000 such systems in Ireland. Further detail is available on the CSO website.
798. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of change-of-use planning applications for short-term lets received by each local authority since the beginning of 2019; the number of these that were granted permission, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1066/24]
View answerLegislative reforms to regulate the short-term letting sector through the planning code, in areas designated as “rent pressure zones” (RPZs), were introduced under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 which came into effect on 1 July 2019.
Local planning authorities are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the short-term letting planning arrangements and submit quarterly data returns to my Department. The information requested in relation to the number of planning applications and planning permissions granted for change of use to short term letting has been taken from these returns and is provided in the table attached. My Department does not hold information in this regard prior to the introduction of the 2019 regulations.
799. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount spent on HAP, RAS and leasing programmes in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1068/24]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level data on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery and spend activity. This data includes information relating to the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) and the Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) and can be found at the following link www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
The latest published data in relation to SHCEP expenditure (at end Q3 2023) can be found at the following link: https://assets.gov.ie/99984/d10e5f7c-a0f5-40ab-9ccf-0559e22f3afa.xlsx
SHCEP supports the delivery of social housing by, inter alia, providing financial support to local authorities for the leasing of houses and apartments, secured through the local authority or an Approved Housing Body (AHB).
The latest published data in relation to RLS capital expenditure (at end Q3 2023) can be found at the following link: https://assets.gov.ie/236008/8393a412-e225-449b-b662-1a976dc62452.xlsx
Exchequer expenditure on the HAP and RAS schemes (at end Q3 2023) is set out in the following table:
End Q3 2023 Exchequer Spend:
|
HAP |
€403,137,819 |
|
RAS |
€71,069,308 |
The full annual spend for 2023 is being verified and will be published in due course.
800. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage about the workforce plan for An Bord Pleanála; the full year cost to employ one FTE per staffing level; the number of staff with environmental planning expertise employed in An Bord Pleanála and the full year cost to employ per FTE; the number of staff with biodiversity expertise employed in An Bord Pleanála and the full year cost to employ per FTE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1123/24]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
There are now more people working at the Board than at any time previously. Since October 2021, my Department has agreed to 117 new staffing posts in the Board. The Board has advised that as of 31 December 2023 there were 254 individuals working in the Board including Board Members. The Board received approval and sanction from my Department for a total of 313 posts for 2023.
Details of staffing are an operational matter for the Board. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
801. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the workforce plan for MARA; the full year cost to employ one FTE per staffing level; the number of staff with environmental planning expertise employed in MARA the full year cost to employ per FTE; the number of staff with biodiversity expertise employed in MARA and the full year cost to employ per FTE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1124/24]
View answerThe Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) was formally established on 17 July 2023. MARA is an independent body with responsibility for the performance of the functions statutorily assigned to it.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. MARA can be contacted at oireachtas@mara.gov.ie
802. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify whether further submissions can be made regarding residential zoned land tax once the new draft map is released in February (details supplied); and if local elected representatives will be involved in the zoning of land. [1125/24]
View answerThe Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) is a new tax introduced in Finance Act 2021 which seeks to increase housing supply by encouraging the activation of development on lands which are suitably zoned and appropriately serviced. It aims to bring those lands which have benefitted from investment in services and are capable of being developed forward for housing. The tax is an action contained in Housing for All, the Government’s plan for housing, to increase housing supply and is supported in the Programme for Government. The tax applies to land that is zoned suitable for residential development and serviced.
The tax measure is a key pillar of the Government’s response to address the urgent need to increase housing supply in suitable locations. However, it is important that affected landowners have sufficient opportunity to engage with the mapping process and that a fair and transparent process is applied when local authorities consider what land should be placed on the RZLT maps. Therefore, as part of Budget 2024, it was decided to extend the liability date of the tax by one year, from February 2024 to February 2025. The purpose of this deferral is to allow for the annual mapping cycle to complete and afford landowners another opportunity to make submissions if their land is included on the annual draft maps prepared by local authorities.
The deferral will also provide a further opportunity to any landowner who owns land that is included in the scope of the tax on an annual draft map to be published on 1 February 2024 to request the rezoning of such land from the planning authority in whose functional area the land is situated.
Decisions on whether to amend zonings as a result of submissions or at any other time are a matter for the planning authority, taking into account the need to ensure that housing supply targets across the county can be met.
Furthermore, it should be noted that provision is made in section 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 for elected members to seek a report from their Chief Executive requesting him or her to initiate a process to consider the variation of the development plan at any time.
803. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the promised referendum on the public ownership of water services will be held (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1156/24]
View answerPublic ownership is a core principle governing the development of water services and the Government has given its full commitment to holding a referendum on ownership of water services It is important to note that the establishment of Uisce Éireann in public ownership is already firmly secured under the Water Services Acts 2007 to 2022.
I have previously committed to bringing forward a referendum proposal on public ownership of water services for consideration by Government in conjunction with the anticipated recommendation of a proposed referendum on housing.
The Housing Commission has submitted its report and recommendations to me in respect of a constitutional change on housing. A minority report was also recently submitted to me by a small number of members. I am now considering both reports and will shortly bring proposed next steps in that process to Government. I intend to take a similar approach to the proposed referendum on water ownership.
In this way, it is intended that definitive proposals, including next steps and timelines, for referendums on water and housing will be considered by Government in due course.
804. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage due to the delays with the proposed eastern and midlands water supply project which was due to go for planning in 2019, if he will call for a review of this project as part of the Government review of major state infrastructure projects as the project is unnecessary and damaging to the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1157/24]
View answerThe Water Supply Project - Eastern and Midlands Region 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 project is subject to the Public Spending Code, which sets out the value for money requirements for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects.
The Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands Region project is currently at the Preliminary Business Case Stage of the Public Spending Code. The Preliminary Business Case (PBC) aims to develop the strategic case for the project, consider in detail the range of options available and decide whether there is a case for proceeding with the proposal. The PBC also incorporates detailed options appraisal and assessments of risk along with the proposed approach to implementation of the proposal.
The PBC stage includes an External Assurance Process to provide independent project scrutiny. Its main purpose is to achieve better value for money by supporting Departments and Government with independent expert insight relating to project risks, delivery feasibility, and the robustness of costings, governance and procurement.
In addition to its role as economic regulator of Uisce Éireann, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in conjunction with its own external experts has carried out an independent external assurance review of the Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands Region Preliminary Business Case.
As a prerequisite to seeking Government consent for projects at the PBC stage of the Public Spending Code, project proposals and external assurance reviews must be scrutinised by the Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG) in advance of a decision to proceed. The MPAG consists of highly qualified experts with extensive experience at senior levels in planning, managing, and delivering major public investment projects and will assist the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in its project assurance role.
The Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands Region PBC and independent external review are currently with the MPAG for review. Following the MPAG review, the Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands Region Preliminary Business Case will be considered by Government for progression to the next stage of the Public Spending Code.
805. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that Donegal County Council recently tendered for the repair of a tranche of social houses damaged by defective concrete blocks and insisted on full adherence to the current building regulations, or any subsequent revision of the regulations, while grants issued to private homeowners accessing the enhanced defective blocks scheme are calculated based on 2007 regulations; and if he believes it is appropriate to ask those private homeowners to build homes to 17 year old building standards; the reason social and private houses damaged by defective concrete blocks in County Donegal are being repaired and rebuilt under different building regulations. [1175/24]
View answerThe Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme offers funding for rebuilding or remediation to the current standard of the home. The terms of the scheme, as legislated for, provide for costs based on works completed in compliance with the requirements of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997 (S.I No.497 of 1997). The scheme allows for like-for-like replacement and does not allow for betterment.
Under the private scheme, DCB homeowners may also avail of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) retrofit grants. Work between the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication (DECC) and the SEAI to develop a bespoke scheme for DCB homeowners is ongoing. Homeowners may carry out such additional upgrades under the scheme but the marginal cost of such works must be paid for by the homeowner, in the same way as non-defective concrete block affected homeowners must pay for upgrades to their homes.
A draft DCB scheme for homes affected by Defective Concrete Blocks is currently with the relevant local authorities for comment. The scheme will include grant rates and caps as outlined in the private scheme for homeowners. The scheme will apply to local authority and AHB homes located within designated local authority areas. The rates and overall funding available under this scheme will be precisely the same as under the current private scheme.
It is a matter for each local authority if they wish to remediate their own housing stock above the level provided for under the DCB Grant Scheme. While funding for such work will not be provided by my Department under the DCB Grant Scheme, local authorities and AHBs will not be precluded from applying for other grants to carry out works on their housing stock approved under the DCB Social Homes Scheme, such as the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP), etc. In order to promote efficiencies local authorities are encouraged where possible to undertake works approved under other Department schemes in tandem with DCB remediation works where the rules of each scheme can be satisfied.
806. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to use modular housing to tackle the housing crisis, or to change the planning rules around this type of housing. [1214/24]
View answer839. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the use of modular housing in tackling shortage of supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1843/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 806 and 839 together.
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address the different housing needs in Ireland and methods to support the development of MMC in Ireland are set out in Housing for All.
MMC is the term used to describe a range of manufacturing and innovative construction alternatives to traditional construction, including modular construction. MMC has the potential to boost productivity, increase efficiency and improve sustainability in the construction sector. MMC techniques can speed up the delivery of construction projects by between 20% and 60%.
The coordination of activities to promote MMC adoption is being led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), through the inter-departmental MMC Leadership and Integration Group (established July 2022). This Group will ensure the integration and coordination of the various Government-supported MMC initiatives – to support innovation in the construction industry.
Such initiatives include:
• The Accelerated social housing delivery programme which uses MMC
• Publication of the Roadmap for increased adoption of MMC in Public Housing Delivery
• The ConstructInnovate Technology Centre
• The National Demonstration Park for MMC
• The National Construction Training Centre
• Training for industry, procurers and Building Control in MMC
• The establishment of the Timber in Construction Working Group, which, bringing together a range of industry expertise, will be tasked with examining conditions to increase the use of timber in construction.
In promoting MMC, using new technologies, and as we seek to reduce the carbon footprint of our built environment, the Government will also ensure that we can have confidence in the quality of our new systems. Compliance with high standards, including compliance with all parts of the Building Regulations, will continue to be central to the success of MMC in Ireland.
In order to demonstrate compliance with the Irish Building Regulations, innovative systems, such as modular and MMC, must comply with Agrément certification or its equivalent.
With regard to the planning system, any person may lodge an application for permission to a planning authority in accordance with section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), for the construction of a house, which may be of modular construction. It is a matter for the relevant planning authority to consider each application on a case-by-case basis and to decide to whether to grant the permission, subject to or without conditions, or to refuse permission.
In December 2022, funding of €94m was provided to local authorities to address legacy land debts. The provision of this funding was linked to the immediate development of a housing proposal, a commitment to use Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and for construction to start in 2023 or no later than 2024. A total of 26 sites received funding as part of an accelerated delivery programme, and with some additional sites since added, my Department is overseeing a project to progress delivery of MMC projects on 35 sites which will deliver approximately 1,800 new social homes.
The Office of Public Works (OPW), in conjunction with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) as the Department with policy responsibility, is also leading on a project to secure the provision of 700 modular homes to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from the Ukraine.
In making their decision, planning authorities shall have regard to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, the policies of Government, Ministerial Guidelines and any submissions or observations received on the application during the public participation process in accordance with section 34 of the Act.
It should also be noted that Section 179A of the Act - as inserted by section 14 of the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022 - was commenced on 8 March 2023 and introduced a temporary time-limited exemption for local authorities from the 'Part 8' local authority "own development" approval process and from planning for the provision of specified forms of housing developments, including those employing MMC, on designated State lands which are zoned for residential use.
807. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what action his Department is taking in conjunction with local authorities in the research and development of a national policy framework to increase the number of allotments and community gardens, given that Ireland has one of the lowest number in the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1228/24]
View answer808. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what action his Department is taking in conjunction with local authorities to ensure that land is secured in urban areas for the development of allotments and community gardens, given many community gardens nationally have temporary licences which can have implications for funding purposes for projects and garden infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1229/24]
View answer809. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what action his Department is taking in conjunction with local authorities to ensure the provision, support and protection of allotments and community gardens, given Ireland has the lowest numbers of allotments and community gardens in the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1230/24]
View answer810. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what action his Department is taking in conjunction with local authorities to promote the availability and use of allotments and community gardens for future environmental and biodiversity initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1231/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 807, 808, 809 and 810 together.
Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines, issued as Ministerial Guidance under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act (as amended) refer to Community Gardens and Allotments as ‘plots of land which are made available (usually by a local authority) to community groups or individuals for the cultivation of vegetables and plants.
Section 4.4 (iv) of the Guidelines - Public Open Space - states that all statutory development plans should include a strategy for the provision of an integrated hierarchy of multifunctional public open spaces and corridors across the plan area that meet the needs of the planned population, are accessible, provide for the recreational needs of the planned population and create space for nature and ecosystem services.
The Guidelines also state that public open spaces should be designed to cater for a range of active and passive recreational needs (including play, physical activity, active travel, cultural uses and community gardens and allotments, as appropriate to the context) and to conserve and restore nature and biodiversity.
Policy and Objective 5.1 - Public Open Space – of the Guidelines provides that statutory development include an objective(s) relating to the provision of public open space in new residential developments with a requirement in the development plan for public open space provision of not less than a minimum of 10% of net site area and not more than a minimum of 15% of net site area save in exceptional circumstances.
Local authorities must ‘have regard’ to the policies and objectives of the Guidelines when carrying out their strategic planning or development management functions under the Planning Acts.
In terms of planning, providing, enabling and supporting allotments, legislation is in place in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the Local Government Act 2000 (as amended) to identify locations in development plans for allotment development, and to establish allotments as a part of local government’s role in promoting the interests of local communities.
Identifying land for allotment development in a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members of a local authority when considering and making the plan, while the provision of allotments or similar facilities on local authority land is a matter for each individual local authority and is subject to availability of resources and community inputs and support for such proposals.
811. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consider using the Old Cork Prison site for affordable and social housing as well as a community hub that supports the arts and community groups while respecting the history of the area and creating a tourist attraction in the area. [1273/24]
View answerThe Report on Relevant Public Lands published by the LDA in March 2023, identified land at the former Cork Prison as a site which could potentially be repurposed and utilised to develop affordable and social housing.
My Department undertook a series of stakeholder engagements with site owners identified within that report, including officials from the Department of Justice, in relation to the site at the former Cork Prison. Recommendations on the individual sites identified in the Report are currently being considered.
I note also that the LDA are actively developing and delivering large scale schemes of affordable and social homes on State lands in other areas of Cork. 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.
With regard to potential future uses of state property for the arts, community groups or the creation of tourist attractions, this will be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
812. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what types of evaluations were carried out before authorising the purchase of Dowth Hall. [1312/24]
View answerAll evaluations, checks and approvals required in relation to the purchase of the lands at Dowth Hall were carried out as per the Public Spending Code, Circular 17/2016: Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property, the State Property Act 1954 and Departmental internal processes including Ministerial and Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) approval.
Inter alia, the following evaluations were carried out and inputs sought:
• Full third party Commercial Valuation;
• Full third party Survey of land and buildings including mapping and searches;
• Inspection by National Monuments Service experts on the archaeological aspects of the estate and lands
• Inspection by National Parks and Wildlife Service experts of the ecological and agri-science aspects of the land;
• Full consultation and advice from the Office of Public Works, including from its historic properties experts; and
• Supporting Business Case including cost benefit analysis as per the Public Spending Code submitted to DPENDR.
813. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what steps are proposed or already being taken to end farming practices and other exploitation at Dowth Hall, in line with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) designation for national parks which obliges NPWS to take steps "to prevent or eliminate as soon as possible exploitation or occupation in the whole area and to enforce effectively the respect of ecological, geomorphological or aesthetic features which have led to its establishment". [1313/24]
View answerThis 552 acre park contains valuable elements of natural, archaeological, architectural and agricultural heritage of universal value. It will be managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as a new national park to ensure the preservation of these features for the people of Ireland. The NPWS will shortly begin work on preparing a management plan for the entire site which will inform the future management of the lands and all the features of the Park.
