Written Answers Nos. 161-179
161. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a fhogrófar na deontais faoi na scéimeanna deontais do threallamh spóirt agus do saoráidí spóirt bunaithe ar iarrratais a rinne an bhliain seo caite faoin scéim "Sports Capital Grants"; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [8504/24]
View answerCuirtear maoiniú caipitil don spórt ar fáil tríd an gClár Caipitil agus Trealaimh Spóirt (CCTS) agus tríd an gCiste d’Infreastruchtúr Spóirt ar Mhórscála (CISM).
Is é an Clár Caipitil agus Trealaimh Spóirt an príomhbhealach ina gcuirtear cúnamh Rialtais ar fáil maidir le háiseanna spóirt agus caitheamh aimsire a fhorbairt agus trealamh spóirt neamhphearsanta a cheannach ar fud na tíre. Tá leas bainte ag níos mó ná 13,000 tionscadal as maoiniú caipitil spóirt ón bhliain 1998 i leith a fhágann gurb ionann na leithdháiltí iomlán san am sin agus níos mó ná €1.15 billiún. Tugtar gealltanas i gClár an Rialtais leanúint leis an gClár agus tús áite a thabhairt d’infheistíocht i gceantair atá faoi mhíbhuntáiste.
Dhún an bhabhta is deireanaí den CCTS le haghaidh iarratas ar Dé hAoine 8 Meán Fómhair, 2023. Taispeántar i réamhbhreithniú ar na hiarratais a cuireadh isteach go bhfuil líon an-mhór iarratas arís curtha isteach ar an gClár. Tá líon iomlán na hiarratais a fuarthas (3,210) níos mó ná an líon a fuarthas faoin bhabhta deireanach in 2020, arbh é sin an líon is mó a fuarthas in aon bhabhta amháin go dtí sin.
Tá “Córas Scórála agus Lámhleabhar Measúnaithe” tugtha chun críche agus foilsithe chomh maith le liosta de gach iarratas a fuarthas de réir an chontae, leis an gcineál spóirt ábhartha do gach iarratas a fuarthas san áireamh. Tá tús curtha leis an obair mheasúnaithe mhionsonraithe agus tá sé beartaithe go ndéanfar measúnú ar iarratais “trealaimh-amháin” ar dtús agus go bhfógrófar na deontais seo sna míonna romhainn. Cuirfear tús le hobair ar na hiarratais chaipitil a mheasúnú ansin, agus is dócha go bhfógrófar na leithdháiltí níos déanaí.
162. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department and the relevant agencies are aware of the fact that a hotel (details supplied) in Drogheda will, from March 2024, no longer have beds available for tourism use; if she and the tourism agencies are concerned about this, given the level of investment in Drogheda's tourism product in recent years; if she and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment have engaged on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8538/24]
View answerThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is responsible for the provision of accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and International Protection applicants and has confirmed that its International Protection Procurement Service has responded to an offer of accommodation made in respect of this property.
In this regard, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will be bringing a revised white paper to Cabinet regarding the provision of additional accommodation, whether State-owned or State-developed, to add to the existing accommodation stock for International Protection applicants. His officials are engaging across Government via the interdepartmental Accommodation Working Group, led by the Department of the Taoiseach, on this issue and it is hoped that this approach will, over time, help to reduce the reliance on tourism accommodation.
The importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and communities in every corner of Ireland is well understood. Tourism is a critical element for regional social and economic development and Drogheda is a key part of the Ancient Destination Experience Development Plan which is the Fáilte Ireland roadmap for development of tourism in the Boyne Valley region. I welcome the collaboration between Fáilte Ireland and Louth County Council on the potential development of an attraction of scale focused on the Boyne as the development of such attractions is a key element underpinning a strong regional distribution of tourism across the country. The role of Drogheda as a key entry point to the tourism and heritage attractions of the Boyne Valley is supported by Fáilte Ireland which, with funding from my Department, has allocated significant funding to the town under its Urban Animation scheme in order to bring landmark buildings and structures in Drogheda’s historic landscape to life.
As part of Budget 2024, I have made up to €10 million available for a programme of supports targeted at those downstream tourism businesses experiencing particular challenges linked to the reduction in footfall in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement. This programme of supports will include a Business Support Scheme for tourism activity and attraction businesses experiencing particular trading challenges arising from the impacts of tourism bed stock displacement. I have approved the principle of this Scheme which Fáilte Ireland will be opening soon for applications. Fáilte will also be directing investment under this programme to sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I co-chair the Hospitality and Tourism Forum which, on a regular basis, brings these two important and inter-related sectors together. The Forum provides a platform for structured engagement between the tourism and hospitality sectors and the relevant Government Departments where key issues can be discussed with a view to identifying practical solutions. The Forum met most recently on 24 January 2024 and the impact of tourism accommodation displacement on the two sectors was among the issues discussed.
163. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will expedite an application (details supplied) for a domestic wastewater treatment grant for a person. [8471/24]
View answerMy Department cannot advise on the specific application outlined in the details supplied. It is the local authorities that administer the three grant schemes available to householders relating to Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems, commonly known as septic tanks.
Each local authority has a Rural Water Liaison Officer who is responsible for the day to day administration of the grants in their area. The Rural Water Liaison Officer can be contacted at the Rural Water Section of the relevant local authority.
164. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the administration of the recently enhanced domestic wastewater treatment system grant; and if applications are being selected randomly rather than on a priority basis from an environmental impact point of view. [8473/24]
View answerThe policy of providing grant funding for remedial work on domestic waste water treatment systems (DWWTS) arises from the need to address damage being done to water quality in sensitive areas in particular.
The three grant schemes available to householders are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority and are not general in application.
Householders can avail of the grants if their DWWTS has failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan and an Advisory Notice has been issued, or if the DWWTS is located in either a Prioritised Area for Action or a High Status Objective Catchment Area, as identified in the River Basin Management Plan
The changes which came into effect from 1 January 2024 are, an increase in the maximum grant amount available to €12,000, up from €5,000 and removal of a requirement to have had the septic tank registered in 2013.
The grants continue to be available only in circumstances relating to risks to water quality and/or human health. I have no plans to make further changes.
165. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an accessibility update (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8541/24]
View answerUnder electoral law, Returning Officers are responsible for the selection and provision of polling stations at polling places. Section 94 of the Electoral Act 1992, as amended by section 3 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996, provides that Returning Officers must, where practicable, select buildings for polling stations which are accessible to wheelchair users.
In 2018, my Department established a Working Group on Disability Voting to examine relevant issues that arise under a range of areas, including improving accessibility to polling stations for voters with physical disabilities, particularly wheelchair users, with the goal of all polling stations being fully accessible as soon as possible. Data from Returning Officers indicated that in 2019 there were 103 inaccessible polling stations across the country (in 51 buildings). The most recent data from returning officers indicates that this number had reduced to 34 polling stations (in 23 buildings). Returning Officers continue to work to reduce the number of inaccessible polling buildings and polling stations.
Returning Officers must give public notice of all polling stations that are inaccessible to wheelchair users not later than eight days before polling day. If an elector anticipates difficulty in gaining access to his or her polling station, he or she may apply in writing to the Returning Officer for authorisation to vote at another polling station in the same constituency.
Recognising that people with disabilities have particular needs, my Department endeavours to ensure that the voting process is as accessible and inclusive as possible. My Department produces a Memorandum for the Guidance of Returning Officers in advance of all electoral events. These memoranda advise that the selection of polling stations should have regard to the needs of voters with disabilities. They also advise that if a polling station traditionally used is not accessible consideration should be given to using an alternative accessible venue, or consider practical ways in which the current venue could be made accessible.
The Electoral Acts also provide for a range of measures to meet the needs of people with physical disabilities, including:
• the requirement on local authorities, in making polling schemes, to appoint as polling places areas where at least one polling station will be accessible to wheelchair users;
• the requirement on Returning Officers to put in place arrangements to facilitate the marking and placing in the ballot box of ballot papers by wheelchair users. In guidance to Returning Officers, my Department has suggested the provision at each polling station of an appropriately located table and chair to facilitate this requirement;
• the requirement on Returning Officers to ensure, where practicable, that the place appointed for the counting of votes is accessible to wheelchair users.
Furthermore, a person with a disability or illness that prevents him or her from going to the polling station can vote by post if he or she applies to be included in the postal voters list. A person residing in a hospital, nursing home, mental health facility or similar institution who has a disability or illness which prevents them from going to the polling station, can vote at the hospital, mental health facility or nursing home if they apply to be included in the special voters list.
Under the Electoral Reform Act 2022, An Coimisiún Toghcháin (The Electoral Commission) is responsible for a range of electoral functions, which will support a fair and equitable democratic system. Section 68 of the Act makes provision for An Coimisiún to prepare ex-post reports on the administration of electoral events. The legislation requires that such reports will have a particular focus on the assistance given by Returning Officers and Presiding Officers to people with disabilities.
While comprehensive arrangements are in place to assist participation in the electoral process by individuals with physical disabilities, nonetheless my Department continues to seek to improve these arrangements and to have regard to the special needs of such persons.
166. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will allow an extension to cut diseased ash trees to 1 March 2024 to ensure all dangerous trees are removed as soon as possible, given the large number of trees to be felled at the same time. [8559/24]
View answerThe dates for the cutting of vegetation and hedges are set down in primary legislation. Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976 prohibits the cutting of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August. There is provision in the legislation for certain exemptions in respect of cutting vegetation in the ordinary course of agriculture or forestry, for health and safety reasons, the destruction of noxious weeds and for cutting roadside hedges for road safety reasons. As the dates are set out in primary legislation, I have no power or discretion to vary them. The dates may only be altered by primary legislation enacted by the Oireachtas.
167. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what legislation is used for rental inspections by contractors of local authorities in terms of criteria of ventilation, etc, and if it is based on the year the property is built. [8405/24]
View answer168. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if inspectors of local authorities are using ventilation measurement machines when inspecting homes and, if so, the number of ventilation measurement machines being used by each local authority, in tabular form. [8406/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
The minimum standards for rental accommodation are set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, natural light, fire safety, ventilation and the safety of gas, oil and electrical installations. These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let, regardless of when built.
Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations in the private rental sector rests with the relevant local authority. The specific provisions relating to ventilation are set out in Regulation 8 (1)-(3). My Department does not collate data on the number of moisture meters or other types of equipment being used by local authority rental standards inspectors.
The Government is committed to ensuring that a stock of high quality accommodation is available for those who live in the private rented sector. Housing for All sets a target for the inspection of 25% of all registered private residential tenancies. A total of €9 million in Exchequer funding is being made available by my Department to local authorities this year to help them meet their private rental inspection targets. Provisional figures for last year indicate that local authorities conducted an all-time high of over 63,000 inspections of private rented dwellings, up from circa 49,000 in 2022 and 20,000 in 2021.
My Department has produced a video and leaflet with the aim of educating the general public on the importance of proper ventilation in the home. They are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/homeventilation
www.gov.ie/aeráiltí
169. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding fiscal oversight and management of the interim remediation scheme for fire safety defects in apartments and duplexes; what mechanisms and structures will be in place to ensure full oversight of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8434/24]
View answerIn December 2023 I announced the opening of the Interim Remediation Scheme for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013.
The majority of remediation activities covered by the Interim Remediation Scheme will be to the common areas of buildings only, unless additional work is deemed necessary. Owners’ Management Companies (OMCs) will receive funding to carry out the necessary remedial works. Thus, only applications from authorised representatives of OMCs will be considered. Funding will not be directly allocated to any individual homeowner through this Interim Remediation Scheme. The Interim Remediation Scheme is being administered by the Housing Agency and applications can be made via their website at www.housingagency.ie.
The scheme only covers defects caused by defective design, workmanship or materials that breached the Building Regulations that applied when the property was built. The scheme will not cover defects that came about because of inadequate maintenance, insufficient sinking funds or later building work that was not managed correctly.
Application for funding through the scheme will need to pass several stages of oversight, including:
• Submission of a valid application with development particulars and authorised contact information;
• Provision of an application pack to valid applicants only;
• Selection and engagement of a Competent Professional for the discovery of fire safety defects and identification of necessary works;
• Completion of a Fire Safety Risk Assessment (FSRA) and the preparation of a proposed Interim Remediation Works Plan, subject to engagement with Local Authority Fire Services (LAFS);
• Procurement of a Competent Builder and determination of costs;
• Works eligibility assessment and provisional funding approval by the Housing Agency;
• Issuing of a Grant Agreement for the OMC's review, signature and return. By signing the Grant Agreement, the OMC will agree to the terms and conditions specified;
• Remedial works proceed in accordance with the particulars submitted and as outlined in the Grant Agreement;
• The OMC provides the Housing Agency with the necessary certificates of completion/compliance and supporting documentation agreed.
To ensure value for money and good governance regarding Exchequer funding, appropriate terms and conditions in accordance with DPER Circular 13/2014, 'Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds', will apply to such funding. These details will be outlined in the Grant Agreement
170. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of septic tank inspections carried out in the past three years in counties Cavan and Monaghan, in tabular form; how those due inspection are selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8465/24]
View answerMy Department does not compile the information requested.
The Water Services Act 2007 (as amended) requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to produce a national inspection plan for domestic waste water treatment systems, also known as septic tanks. The EPA report on the implementation of the plan and publishes information on inspections and enforcement on an annual basis.
The latest report for 2022 can be found on the EPA's website at the link below:
www.epa.ie/publications/compliance--enforcement/waste-water/domestic-waste-water-treatment-system--dwwts-inspections-2022.php
171. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of affordable housing schemes in conjunction with Cavan and Monaghan County Councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8466/24]
View answerUnder Housing for All, the Government has targeted delivery of 47,600 new build social homes; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing, and 28,500 new affordable homes from 2022 to 2026.
Each local authority has prepared its own 5-year Housing Delivery Action Plan setting out their planned social and affordable housing delivery. The Plans for Cavan and Monaghan are available on the websites of the local authorities concerned.
Cavan and Monaghan do not have specific affordable housing targets as the assessed level of affordably constrained new housing need is not high in either county as house prices are below the national median. However, support is available to both local authorities from the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) where localised affordability needs arise. Neither local authority has applied for AHF assistance to date. Assistance with developing schemes is available from my Department, the LGMA and the Housing Agency if required.
I anticipate that the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, which includes funding for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Ready to Build Scheme, will prove valuable in addressing overall affordability needs in Cavan and Monaghan and both authorities have vacant homes officers in place who can assist the public with bringing vacant homes back into use, with up to €70,000 in grant support available to do so.
Comprehensive programme level statistics covering social and affordable housing delivery programmes are published quarterly. Data for 2022 and up to and including the third quarter of 2023 is available on the Department’s website at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/?#affordable-housing-delivery
The published data includes First Home scheme activity and shows that a number of first time buyers in both Cavan and Monaghan have availed of the affordable housing opportunities provided under First Home to date. As this scheme develops and takes hold I anticipate that it will become increasingly significant to affordable housing delivery in all counties nationwide.
172. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the EU is still taking proceedings against Ireland due to the failure to install the Gweedore sewerage scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8483/24]
View answerGweedore waste water treatment was originally included in proceedings against Ireland taken by the European Commission but this was withdrawn in 2017.
In July 2022 Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Donegal County Council, completed an innovative project for waste water treatment in Gweedore. This new scheme will ultimately lead to a reduction in the reliance on septic tanks in the area and decrease the potential for release of untreated wastewater into the environment.
Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level, including investment in wastewater treatment plants and returning wastewater safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner. As Minister I have no operational function in this matter, under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013,
However, it may be helpful to note that Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818-578578.
The Environmental Protection Agency, as the Environmental Regulator, is the key statutory body for investigating complaints of pollution and for the enforcement, both directly and through oversight of Uisce Éireann and local authorities, of environmental legislation, including compliance. The EPA is an independent public body established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992.
173. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the NSAI has received research results and-or statements from the research partners engaged by the GSI to investigate the issue of defective concrete in Ireland. [8521/24]
View answer174. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if in the interest of transparency for families impacted by the defective concrete crisis, he will ensure that all research results, whether interim or final, and all statements received by the NSAI to date from the Geological Survey Ireland and research partners are published forthwith. [8522/24]
View answer175. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all research results, whether interim or final, and statements from the independent research partners commissioned by Geological Survey Ireland into the issue of defective concrete are being acted upon with due diligence with immediate effect by his Department, NSAI and the Housing Agency. [8523/24]
View answer176. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on his Department, the NSAI, the Housing Agency and local authorities persisting to administer the multi-billion euro defective concrete block scheme based upon a flawed desktop study, without prudently and immediately taking into account the clear scientific evidence from independent researchers that the primary cause of defective concrete in all counties is internal sulphate attack. [8524/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 173 to 176, inclusive, together.
Arising from the Government Decision of 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) grant scheme, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) was tasked with delivering a programme of work to address a number of technical items. An interagency DCB Technical Matters Steering Group has been established to inform and guide the NSAI review of a number of relevant standards including I.S. 465:2018, and the impact, if any on foundations and the effect, if any, of full cavity fill insulation on homes susceptible to defective blockwork.
A number of research proposals developed by the relevant NSAI Technical Committees, including research to investigate pyrrhotite oxidation in concrete blocks and the potential impact of deleterious materials on foundations, have been commissioned and are making good progress.
I am advised that preliminary findings from one piece of primary research to investigate pyrrhotite oxidation in concrete blocks and the potential impact of deleterious materials on foundations, has been received by the NSAI and the relevant Technical Committee. This particular piece of research, which I understand the Question may be referring to, is but one constituent part of a substantial program of research and analysis that is underway at present as part of the NSAI review of standards. They are currently analysing this data in advance of the completion of the full research project later this year.
The NSAI is Ireland’s official standards body and is an autonomous body under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment. My understanding is that they have committed that where there are viable updates, they will come forward with those in advance of the completion of the full agreed program of necessary research.
Following the publication of any revised standard published by the NSAI, the enhanced DCB scheme will be reviewed at that point, in the event that such amendments are required.
177. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason there are no supports for local authority members to have an office; and if he will consider bringing in an allowance for same. [8536/24]
View answerSince the introduction of the new remuneration package available for local authority elected members in July 2021 following the publication of the Moorhead Report, there is in fact financial support in place for elected members for office accommodation.
The Local Representation Allowance (LRA) is payable to an elected member of a local authority on a vouched basis for expenditure up to €5,160 per annum incurred by the member wholly and exclusively in the performance of his or her duties.
Eligible expenditure categories under the LRA include 'rents, rates and other such charges' in respect of an office, 'signage in respect of an office', 'improvements to office accommodation', 'utilities of an office', 'cleaning for office accommodation', and 'insurance, including for office accommodation'.
The LRA guidance defines an 'office' as a 'room or rooms used exclusively for or during the relevant period for the transaction of business in the performance of his/her duties as a Member'. While many elected members choose to use a home office, they are not precluded from using the LRA to rent - on an individual or indeed shared basis with other members - a high street office space.
It is worth noting also that some local authorities make office accommodation and facilities available for their members to avail of should they so wish.
178. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 243 of 15 February 2024, the number of houses that will be remediated in 2024; the targets he has set in relation to completions for the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8544/24]
View answerThe Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme is demand led which makes it difficult to accurately predict the number of eligible applicants that will apply for assistance and undertake works in a given year. However, as indicated in my reply to the previous Parliamentary Question I have ensured sufficient funding is available to enable remediation works under the enhanced scheme in 2024 and will increase funding levels in subsequent years as the scheme matures.
My Department will continue to work with and encourage local authorities and the Housing Agency to ensure that as many homes as possible are remediated as quickly as possible to facilitate impacted families. Resources required by both local authorities and the Housing Agency are in place to enable them to carry out the respective roles as administrators and technical agents under the enhanced scheme.
179. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what proposals have been received from a local authority (details supplied) with respect to support from his Department for affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8547/24]
View answerTo date Clare County Council has received funding approval from the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) to assist in the delivery of 10 affordable purchase homes at Shannon. Two further applications for proposed affordable purchase schemes in Ennis were received by my Department in December and in January and are currently under assessment. My Department is also aware of a further proposal relating to Ennis which is currently being explored and developed by the local authority but for which an AHF funding application has not been received to date.
In line with standard arrangements, details of Affordable Housing Schemes with AHF funding approval will be announced by the local authority at the appropriate time.
