Written Answers Nos. 244-264
244. 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. [8936/24]
View answerThe 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 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications, which includes an application from the club referenced by the Deputy, exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced and 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 to be announced later.
245. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total value of SCEP applications in the current round under the equipment only category; the number of such applications per county; when he expects allocations to be made for equipment only applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9038/24]
View answerThe 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 very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round. The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced and 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 to be announced later. Applications are still at assessment stage and currently there are 896 confirmed equipment only applications seeking €26.8 million. These figures are subject to change as the assessment process continues.
The following is the current number of applications per county (subject to change as outlined above):
Carlow 15
Cavan 10
Clare 29
Cork 105
Donegal 47
Dublin 169
Galway 53
Kerry 42
Kildare 28
Kilkenny 24
Laois 19
Leitrim 8
Limerick 41
Longford 11
Louth 18
Mayo 30
Meath 26
Monaghan 15
Offaly 19
Roscommon 17
Sligo 24
Tipperary 29
Waterford 28
Westmeath 30
Wexford 33
Wicklow 26
246. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an application (details supplied) in County Kerry for the SCEP will be categorised as equipment only; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9039/24]
View answerThe 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 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications, including the application referred to by the Deputy, exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced and 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 to be announced later.
As part of the assessment process officials are examining if applications have been submitted under the appropriate category and will change the categorisation if appropriate.
247. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé líon na naíonraí agus na naíscoileanna Gaeltachta a fhaigheann maoiniú ó Údarás na Gaeltachta. [9044/24]
View answerNíl aon scéim mhaoinithe faoi leith ag Údarás na Gaeltachta a chuireann tacaíocht dhíreach ar fáil do sheirbhísí luathoideachais sa Ghaeltacht. Tacaíonn Údarás na Gaeltachta leis an réimse luathoideachais trí Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht trí dheontas reáchtála a sholáthar ar bhun bliantúil don eagraíocht Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta (CNNG).
Cuireann CNNG seirbhísí bainistíochta agus riaracháin ar fáil do sheirbhísí luathbhlianta sa Ghaeltacht. Tá CNNG ag gníomhú ar fud na Gaeltachta agus oibríonn an eagraíocht i gcomhar leis na pobail Ghaeltachta lena chinntiú go bhfuil seirbhísí luathbhlianta trí Ghaeilge ar fáil. Sa scoilbhliana reatha 2023/2024, tá 1,983 páiste ag freastal ar 130 seirbhís luathbhlianta atá faoi scáth Chomhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, 68 seirbhís naíonra agus 10 seirbhís naíolainne ina measc.
248. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén bhliain inar cuireadh tús le Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge a bhí ann roimhe seo agus cén ráta a bhí i gceist in aghaidh an pháiste tráth a cuireadh tús leis an scéim sin. [9046/24]
View answerBhí Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge ar cheann de na Scéimeanna Gaeltachta a bhí á reáchtáil ag an Roinn le fada an lá. Ba é cuspóir na scéime muintir na Gaeltachta a spreagadh chun labhairt na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn sa teaghlach agus sa phobal i gcoitinne.
Cuireadh tús le Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge sa bhliain 1935 (£2 an páiste a bhí ann ag an am) agus ní dhearnadh athbhreithniú (seachas an deontas a mhéadú) gur fiú trácht air go dtí 1993. Le cead na Roinne Airgeadais cuireadh tús le scéim leasaithe sa scoilbhliain 1993/94. Ba é an difríocht bhunúsach a bhain leis an scéim leasaithe gur deontas don teaghlach in áit deontas don pháiste aonarach scoile a bhí i gceist. Chomh maith leis sin, cungaíodh an scéim go dtí na Limistéir Ghaeltachta amháin – roimhe sin bhíodh sé le fáil i gceantracha áirithe lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Ag an am, méadaíodh an deontas ó £10 don pháiste go £200 den teaghlach. D’fhéadfaí ag an am deontas laghdaithe £100 a íoc mura raibh an t-ardchaighdeán a bhí riachtanach don Scéim ag an teaghlach. Faoin am gur cuireadh deireadh leis an scéim sa bhliain 2011, bhíodh deontas €260 in aghaidh na scoilbhliana á íoc le teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht a shásaigh an Roinn gurb í an Ghaeilge a ngnáth-theanga labhartha
249. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén ráta a fhaigheann mná tí in aghaidh an dalta faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge. [9048/24]
View answerLeiríonn an tábla thíos an ráta deontas laethúil a íoctar le teaghlaigh faoi na tionscnaimh eagsúla faoi scáth Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge.
|
Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge |
Ráta Laethúil Reatha |
|
Gnáthchursaí Coláistí Gaeilge (Aicme A, B, C & D) |
€12 |
|
ERASMUS Gaeltachta |
€21 |
|
Scéim ÁRAINN Gaeltachta |
€33 |
250. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an dtabharfaidh sé figiúirí maidir le líon na mac léinn lasmuigh den tír atá ag fáil teagasc sa Ghaeilge le cabhair ó mhaoiniú an rialtais seo, agus cé líon na ndaoine atá ag múineadh Gaeilge thar lear le cabhair ó mhaoiniú an rialtais seo. [9051/24]
View answerCuireann an Roinn maoiniú ar fáil do mhúineadh agus foghlaim na Gaeilge thar lear ar bhealaí éagsúla:
1. Maoiniú don Choimisiún Fulbright do mhúineadh na Gaeilge sna Stáit Aontaithe ó 2006 i leith;
2. Maoiniú d’Fhondúireacht Ollscoile Éire-Ceanada (ICUF) do mhúineadh na Gaeilge i gCeanada ó 2009 i leith; agus,
3. Maoiniú do roinnt ollscoileanna sa Ríocht Aontaithe agus ar an mór-roinn faoin gCiste Tríú Leibhéal Thar Lear ó 2006 i leith.
Leagtar amach sa tábla thíos na figiúirí is deireanaí don bhliain acadúil 2023/2024 maidir le mic léinn atá ag foghlaim na Gaeilge agus múinteoirí atá ag teagasc na Gaeilge thar lear faoi na sruthanna maoinithe seo.
|
Ollscoil/Eagraíocht |
Tír |
Líon na mac léinn cláraithe 2022/2023 |
Teagascóirí Gaeilge |
|
ICUF - Coláiste Naomh Micheál, Ollscoil Toronto, Ontario - Ollscoil Naomh Muire, Halifax, Albain Nua - Ollscoil St Thomas, Fredericton, New Brunswick - Memorial University Talamh an Éisc - Ollscoil Ottawa, Ontario - Ollscoil Alberta |
Ceanada |
582 |
6 |
|
Coimisiún Fulbright - Ollscoil Lehman - Ollscoil Nua-Eabhrac - Ollscoil Montana - Ollscoil Wisconsin - Ollscoil St Thomas - Ollscoil Connecticut - Ollscoil Villanova - Ollscoil Notre Dame |
Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá |
856 |
10 |
|
Ollscoil Aberystwyth |
An Bhreatain Bheag |
49 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Adam Mickiewicz |
An Pholainn |
44 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Brest |
An Fhrainc |
81 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Caerdydd |
An Bhreatain Bheag |
10 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Cambridge |
Sasana |
36 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Charles, Prág |
An tSeicia |
130 |
1 |
|
Coláiste na nGael, Paras |
An Fhrainc |
60 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Dortmund |
An Ghearmáin |
47 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Freiburg |
An Ghearmáin |
31 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Leipzig |
An Ghearmáin |
91 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Learphoill (Learpholl) |
Sasana |
142 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Learpholl (Londain) |
Sasana |
157 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Manheim |
An Ghearmáin |
15 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Marburg |
An Ghearmáin |
7 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Martin Luther, Halle |
An Ghearmáin |
43 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Matej Bel |
An tSlóvaic |
54 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Rennes |
An Fhrainc |
122 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Ruhr Bochum |
An Ghearmáin |
62 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil SKSK |
An tSlóvaic |
90 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Uppsala |
An tSualainn |
41 |
1 |
|
Ollscoil Vín |
An Ostair |
115 |
2 |
|
Iomlán |
2,865 |
38 |
Tá Coimisiún Fulbright agus ICUF araon ag obair chun a gcláir Ghaeilge a leathnú amach chuig ollscoileanna eile agus tá an Roinn i dteagmháil go díreach le hollscoileanna eile san Eoraip chun cláir Ghaeilge nua a chruthú in ollscoileanna eile. Léiríonn aiseolas ó ICUF, Fulbright agus ó na hollscoileanna eile thuasluaite chomh maith le líon na mac léinn a fhreastalaíonn ar na cúrsaí seo go bhfuil éileamh ard ar an teanga a fhoghlaim thar lear agus tá rún daingean ag an Roinn cur leis na deiseanna atá ag daoine an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim thar lear, dá bharr.
251. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and General Scheme of the Bill will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9143/24]
View answerThe proposed Short Term Tourism Letting (STTL) Bill remains the subject of ongoing engagement with the EU Commission in accordance with the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535.
As part of this engagement, officials from my Department and from Fáilte Ireland met with representatives of the Commission in Brussels on 11 December 2023 and then, on 15 December, provided a formal response to the Commission’s communication of 22 March 2023 setting out our proposed approach to achieve alignment between the proposed STTL Bill and EU law, in particular the new Short Term Rental Regulation (STR).
On 9 February 2024, the Commission responded positively regarding the principles outlined in Ireland’s formal response and to suggest that further consideration was required to ensure complete alignment. My officials met again with the Commission on 21 February in this regard and to provide further clarifications on the proposed approach. This was a very positive engagement and my officials have provided a further written response to the Commission via the TRIS process.
A conclusion to the TRIS process shortly which will enable me to plan for the publication of the Bill in the coming months.
252. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is a set financial exposure limit on the Irish taxpayers commitment associated with Ireland hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027; if the commitment given by him on behalf of the Irish taxpayer is open ended; if such an exposure limit is set, the limit amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9184/24]
View answer253. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in relation to Ireland hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027, if a risk assessment on behalf of the Irish taxpayer regarding the specific costs to the taxpayer of hosting of this event has been put in place and in the interests of transparency can that risk assessment be made available to the public. [9185/24]
View answer254. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in relation to Ireland hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027, given that residents of the area are voicing certain reservations about the estimated 250,000 people expected to attend the event in the village of Adare over a three day period in 2027, if an infrastructural report which outlines environmental damage and which confirms the suitability of the venue to host such an event is available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9186/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 252 to 254, inclusive, together.
Ireland has been chosen to host the Ryder Cup in 2027 at Adare Manor in County Limerick.
On 26 July 2019, after an extended period of consideration and negotiation, including an assessment of the costs and benefits, the Government approved:
(i) an offer to the European Tour for the event of up to €31 million which would cover:
(a) a licence fee of €22.5m not including VAT which is paid by the Irish Exchequer
(b) additional financial support of €8.5 million for the annual Irish Open golf tournament and other golf tour event supports; and
ii) in parallel, the provision of €8m, for marketing of the Ryder Cup in Ireland through and with the European Tour.
The above figures are exclusive of VAT which will be in the order of €5 million.
The Government also agreed in principle to an allocation of €19.365 million for the operational budget to support the staging of the tournament. These costs include transport, security, local authority costs, ceremonies and fanzones.
Hosting the Ryder Cup in 2006 was worth €143 million to the Irish economy and on the basis of an Economic Impact Assessment undertaken in 2019, the Department is confident that the 2027 event will be worth well in excess of that.
As the original economic impact analysis and costs of the tournament were prepared in 2019 it is considered timely that these should be reviewed at this mid-way point. This review has commenced and is expected to be completed in the coming months.
Limerick City and County Council and the Department are working closely with the National Transport Authority to plan the safe and effective transportation arrangements for the hosting of the tournament.
255. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to review correspondence (details supplied); if she can provide an update on this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9282/24]
View answerThe independent radio sector plays an essential role in sharing reliable and relevant news and bringing communities together. The wider media sector in Ireland, which is a vital element of our democracy and society as a whole, is undergoing fundamental change. This is in part due to the increased digitalisation of news and media content generally and the associated decline in advertising revenue as a consequence.
The Report of the Future of Media Commission examined the challenges faced by the media sector, including the radio sector, and consequent impact on the provision of public service content. The Report made a number of recommendations to counter these challenges and to support the provision of public service content.
One recommendation made by the Future of Media Commission was the establishment of a new Media Fund to provide support for the provision of public service content by the wider media and journalism sector at local, regional and national levels on a platform neutral basis. The Media Fund is being established on an administrative basis, with the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes being prioritised for implementation by Coimisiún na Meán, with €6m allocated in Budget 2024 for this purpose. Members of the independent radio sector will be eligible to apply for funding subject to meeting the eligibility criteria set out by Coimisiún na Meán.
A process of engagement with the European Commission regarding State Aid has now concluded and I am advised that given the nature of the schemes, they can be implemented without prior State Aid clearance. In terms of next steps, it is expected that Coimisiún na Meán will carry out stakeholder consultation on the detailed design of the schemes and once the schemes are finalised, will run a call for applications for both schemes. Further details on the timelines for rollout of the schemes will be made available by Coimisiún na Meán in due course.
My officials have consulted extensively with members of the Future of Media Commission Stakeholder Consultative Forum, which includes representatives from the independent radio sector, as part of the high level policy development process for the schemes. My officials will continue to engage with these members and indeed with all stakeholders to keep them informed of developments on this matter.
Existing supports for the radio sector have been provided through the Sound and Vision Scheme which is administered by Coimisiún na Meán. I provided additional Exchequer funding for a special radio sector round of Sound and Vision (Round 50) which provided €2.4m in supports in Q4 2023. The radio sector also received significant funding from other Sound and Vision rounds announced last year. 35 projects received a total of €543,000 from announcements made last August, while another 67 radio projects received €636,000 from Round 47 which was announced last April.
Since 2020, independent commercial radio has received a total €10,388,988 in funding through the Sound and Vision Scheme. This includes €7.48m through three dedicated funding rounds (Round 35, Round 39 and Round 50).
256. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects the register for short-term tourist letting to be in operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9375/24]
View answerThe proposed Short Term Tourism Letting (STTL) Bill will, when enacted provide the statutory basis for the establishment of register for all Short Term Tourist Lettings. This Bill remains the subject of ongoing engagement with the EU Commission in accordance with the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535.
As part of this engagement, officials from my Department and from Fáilte Ireland met with representatives of the Commission in Brussels on 11 December 2023 and then, on 15 December, provided a formal response to the Commission’s communication of 22 March 2023 setting out our proposed approach to achieve alignment between the proposed STTL Bill and EU law, in particular the new Short Term Rental Regulation (STR).
On 9 February 2024, the Commission responded positively regarding the principles outlined in Ireland’s formal response and to suggest that further consideration was required to ensure complete alignment. My officials met again with the Commission on 21 February in this regard and to provide further clarifications on the proposed approach. This was a very positive engagement and my officials have provided a further written response to the Commission via the TRIS process.
A conclusion to the TRIS process shortly which will enable me to plan for the publication of the Bill in the coming months.
257. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the plans to celebrate and commemorate the Irish born, internationally recognised and celebrated arctic explorer, Ernest Shackleton's 150th anniversary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9383/24]
View answerThe planned events in Dublin and London for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. The mention of his name invokes memories of amazing adventures, bravery, fortitude and skill in perhaps the final phase of the Age of Discovery. Because of his indomitable spirit and achievements, Sir Ernest remains in the popular memory as an inspirational hero.
Although a figure of international renown, Shackleton's memory is particularly memorialised in Ireland Great Britain, and in New Zealand (Antarctic Heritage Trust). Born in Athy in 1874, the family moved to London when Ernest was 10. Shackleton is very much part of the 'shared heritage' of Britain and Ireland, - in which context it was pleasing to note that the new memorial plaque at Westminster Abbey incorporated both Kilkenny limestone and Connemara marble in acknowledgement of his Irish identity.
Following the conclusion of the Decade of Centenaries, the Government has agreed to adopt a supportive and facilitative approach to commemorations, in the context of the annual budgets and funding available. I have approved a grant funding allocation of €15,000 for every local authority in 2024, to assist local authorities in developing or supporting community-led initiatives to commemorate the centenaries of significant historical events in the early years of the State, as well as other significant anniversaries and associated themes.
If the Deputy is aware of any specific proposals for funding in this regard, I would be happy to give these due consideration in the context of my Department’s support for commemorative activities and the funding available.
258. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the location of the data centre or centres used by her Department; the reason it was chosen; the distance it is from her Department’s offices; if he will identify the centres used by each agency under her Department’s aegis; and the distance these data centres are to their offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9396/24]
View answerFor reasons of operational and national security, it would not be appropriate to disclose the requested information, nor to make any comment which could in any way compromise cyber security arrangements in respect of my Department and the agencies under the remit of my Department.
259. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated annual investment of private funding in biodiversity projects; if a breakdown can be provided regarding the categories of projects involved; how the impact is measured; how the State is supporting such initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9037/24]
View answerIreland's 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) 2023 2030 was published in January and sets out Ireland’s vision for biodiversity, namely that by 2050 “Biodiversity in Ireland is valued, conserved, restored and sustainably used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people”. The Plan strives for a “whole of government, whole of society” approach to the governance and conservation of biodiversity. The aim is to ensure that every citizen, community, business, local authority, semi-state and state agency has an awareness of biodiversity and its importance, and of the implications of its loss, while also understanding how they can act to address the biodiversity emergency as part of a renewed national effort to “act for nature”.
In recent years, increased investment in biodiversity has brought significant progress on the restoration of habitats, such as peatlands and grasslands. Peatlands Finance Ireland, established through the support of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, are developing a Peatland Standard to verify the contributions made by investing in peatland restoration and in carbon storage and sequestration. Coillte Nature and The Nature Trust are developing mechanisms that enable businesses and investors to contribute to the restoration and enhancement of native woodlands.
My Department cannot track or monitor the levels of private investment in biodiversity projects delivered by Government or more widely. However the fourth NBAP does commit to develop proposals and implement systems to track and report expenditure allocations on measures that may adversely affect biodiversity. Systems will be introduced to track and report expenditure allocations on measures aimed at improving biodiversity expenditure and on measures that may adversely affect biodiversity with the goal that Government will have improved oversight of public expenditure impacting biodiversity outcomes in Ireland.
260. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the complaints procedure with Irish Water; and the process for escalating such a complaint. [8634/24]
View answerCustomers may complain to Uisce Éireann through their complaints process in a number of ways, which are outlined and available to the public on their website. Please see link (Make a Complaint | Contact | Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water)). If a customer is not happy with a response received from Uisce Éireann they have the right to appeal and can escalate this and make a formal complaint to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), as the statutory economic regulator for public water and wastewater services.
261. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of concerns in Fingal that the ceiling for the first home scheme is insufficient; if he is aware of queries as to the reason the ceiling for an apartment is higher than a house; if these ceilings will be subject to review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8640/24]
View answerThe First Home Scheme, which launched in July 2022, is a shared equity scheme, designed to help bridge the gap for eligible first-time buyers, eligible homebuyers, and self-builders, between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home (within price ceilings established across the country). Full details are available on the First Home Scheme website, www.firsthomescheme.ie.
The First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) is fully responsible for the operation of the First Home Scheme on behalf of all shareholders, including price ceiling reviews. The price ceilings of the First Home Scheme are reflective of CSO data showing the median price paid for a new-build home by a first-time buyer by area. The price ceilings for apartments under the First Home Scheme reflect the higher cost of delivering apartments, particularly in urban areas.
At its launch, the First Home Scheme Designated Activity Company (DAC) announced it would review all price ceilings at 6-month intervals. Three reviews have taken place to date, with the most recent one conducted towards the end of last year, which took effect from 1 January 2024 and is available at the following link: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-scheme/property-price-ceilings/
262. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost to the Exchequer in 2023, per unit of accommodation, for housing schemes (details supplied), in tabular form. [8674/24]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 322 of 30 January 2024 which sets out the average costs for units delivered via CALF Construction, CALF Turnkey, CALF Part V, CAS Construction, CAS Turnkey, CAS Part V, SHIP Construction, SHIP Turnkey and SHIP Part V.
The average cost per unit for Cost Rental Equity Loan from Q1 to Q3 2023 is €127,341. To note that this average cost represents the average loan cost and not a cost to the Exchequer.
263. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policy rationale for applying corporation tax at the rate of 25% to LDA rental profits; and if this policy decision was made following engagement with the European Commission. [8698/24]
View answerCorporation tax policy is determined by the Minister for Finance and administered by Revenue.
The Directorate General for Competition of the European Commission was informed about the Land Development Agency in August 2018. Detailed information was provided to the Commission in April 2021 prior to the enactment of the Land Development Agency Act 2021 outlining the nature and role and functions of the LDA.
264. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how the equity portion of an affordable home delivered under the affordable housing fund is represented in the registration of the purchase price of the property with the Property Price Register. [8700/24]
View answerPart 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides for the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, whereby new homes are made available by local authorities to approved affordable housing applicants at an affordable price on a shared equity basis.
Under the scheme, an approved affordable housing applicant pays an affordable purchase price which represents a discount of between 5% and 40% on the market value of the home, having regard to the purchasing power of the individual or household concerned, including their borrowing capacity and reckonable savings. The difference between the market price and the affordable purchase price is met by the local authority in return for a commensurate equity share which may be redeemed by the affordable purchaser at a future date.
I have no function in relation to the maintenance of the Residential Property Price Register which was established pursuant to Section 86 of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011. The Property Services Registration Authority (PSRA) is a statutory agency of the Minister for Justice and is independent in the exercise of its statutory role. The register is maintained and published by the PSRA from data which is declared and filed electronically for Stamp Duty purposes, to the Revenue Commissioners, by persons doing the conveyancing of the property on behalf of the purchaser, usually their solicitor. However, I understand that the price displayed on the Property Price Register is the price that the dwelling sold for, as declared to Revenue for Stamp Duty purposes. Therefore, this price should include the equity portion of the dwelling.
