Thursday, 7 Mar 2024

Written Answers Nos. 233-243

Scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta

Questions (233)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

233. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sé i gceist aici líon na scoláireachtaí do dhaltaí lasmuigh de na hOileáin a fhreastalaíonn ar na scoileanna ar na trí cinn d’Oileáin Árann a mhéadú le nach mbeidh na scoileanna ag brath ar scoláirí a bheith i dteideal an “Deontas Ceantar Iargúlta” de chuid na Roinne Oideachais le bheith inmharthana; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [11234/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Cuireann mo Roinn maoiniú ar fáil don scéim oileánda ÁRAINN Gaeltachta faoina gcuirtear suas le 30 scoláireacht in aghaidh na bliana (10 gcinn in aghaidh an oileáin) ar fáil do na meaánscoileanna ar na hOileáin Árann.

Tugann an scéim seo deis do dhaltaí meánscoile freastal ar mheánscoil ar cheann de na hoileáin ar feadh tréimhse na scoilbliana ina hiomláine. Cuireann mo Roinn tacaíocht ar fáil trí dheontais a íoc le teaghlaigh aitheanta a chuireann lóistín ar fáil do na scoláirí.

Mar go gcaithfidh an Roinn a bheith cinnte go bhfuil an scéim seo inmharthanach i dtaobh iompar teanga dáltaí de bhunadh na n-oileán, níl sé beartaithe tuilleadh scoláireachtaí a chur ar fáil faoin scéim seo.

Irish Language

Questions (234)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

234. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the names of all Irish language colleges that have been supported by the Department in County Donegal over the past five years, in tabular form; the number of students that each college taught; the location of each college on a year by year basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11237/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Patrick O'Donovan)

The attached table provides an overview of Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge (Irish language Learners Scheme) figures as they relate to the Irish colleges in the Donegal Gaeltacht. 

College	Location					No. of students
		2019 (1)	2020 (2)	2021 (3)	2022 (4)	2023 (5)
Coláiste Chara	Halla an Paróiste Cill Chartha (1, 4, 5) SN Chartha Naofa (1, 4, 5) Aislann Chill Chartha (1, 4, 5)	54	-	-	104	100
Coláiste Gael Linn – Bun an Inbhir	Col Bun an Inbhir (1, 4, 5)	139		-	189	268
Coláiste Gael Linn – Machaire Rabhartaigh	Ionad Pobail Machaire Rabhartaigh (1, 4, 5); SN Naomh Dubhthach (1, 4, 5); Scoil Chnoc na Naomh (1, 4);	563	-	-	334	343
Coláiste na Rosann	Col na Rosann (1)	498	-	-	-
Coláiste Aoidh Mhic Bhricne	Col Aoidh Mhic Bhricne (1); Áislann Chill Chartha (1);	212	-	-	-
Coláiste Árainn Mhóir	Bunscoil na Leibe (1, 4, 5); Ionad an Chroisbhealaigh (1, 4, 5); Ionad Col Árainn Mhór (1, 4, 5); Bunscoil Áthphort (1, 4, 5);	700	-	-	623	681
Coláiste Bhríde	Áislann Rann na Feirste; (4, 5); Col Bhríde Rann na Feirste (1, 5);	2,118	-	-	1,614	1,774
Colásite Mhuire, Loch an Iúir	Col Mhuire Loch an Iúir (1, 4, 5); Áislann Rann na Feirste (1, 4, 5);	664	-	-	488	616
Coláiste Gaoth Dobhair	An Chrannóg (4); Bunscoil na Doirí Beaga (4); PS Ghaoth Dobhair (4, 5); Bunscoil Bun an Inbhir (4, 5); Ionad Pobail Chnoc Fola (1, 4, 5);	502	-	-	794	846
Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge Gaoth Dobhair	Ionad Acadamh Páirc Ghaoth Dobhair; (4, 5) Clubtheach CLG Ghaoth Dobhair; (4, 5) Teach Jack, An Ghlaisigh (4, 5)	451	-	-	613	337
Coláiste an Phiarsaigh	Ionad Pobail, Dún Lúiche; (1, 4, 5) Halla Dún Lúiche Gaoth Dobhair; (4, 5)	449	-	-	496	387
Coláiste na bhFiann - Gaoth Dobhair	Ionad Naomh Padraig Dobhar (1, 5)	111	-	-	-	81
Iomlán		6,461	-	-	5,255	5,433

[1- 2019; 2 - 2020; 3 - 2021; 4 - 2022; 5 - 2023]

It illustrates the number of students who have attended Irish courses in these Irish colleges in the last five years, with the exception of the years 2020 and 2021 when colleges were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This closure had a knock-on impact on the number of students who attended Irish colleges in 2022 and 2023.  However, student numbers are now returning to pre-pandemic levels across the Gaeltacht regions.

Departmental Consultations

Questions (235)

David Stanton

Question:

235. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of submissions received by her Department as part of the public consultation on the development of a National Swimming Strategy; the findings of the public consultation process; when she expects to be in a position to publish the strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11274/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Both the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and the Sports Action Plan 2021-2023 commit to the development of a National Swimming Strategy. A Working Group chaired by my Department was established in 2022 and tasked with developing the Strategy. The working group comprises representatives from relevant National Governing Bodies for sport and stakeholders, specifically Swim Ireland, Sport Ireland, Active Disability Ireland (formerly CARA), Ireland Active and the Local Authorities.

Extensive stakeholder and public engagement, including a public consultation process, has allowed for a wide range of viewpoints to be considered in shaping this Strategy. The consultation process closed for submissions on 7th October 2022 with nearly 6,000 contributions submitted for consideration. 

A detailed analysis of the data collected was completed in 2023 and the findings have assisted the drafting of the National Swimming Strategy document.  

The Strategy document has been largely completed and is currently undergoing a process of review and quality assurance. It is intended to have the document ready for publication in the second quarter of this year.

Tourist Accommodation

Questions (236, 237)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

236. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of the estimated 10,700 short-term rentals expected to leave the tourism market upon the introduction of the short-term tourist letting register in each of the Gaeltacht areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11321/24]

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

237. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for a county-by-county breakdown of where the estimated 10,700 short-term rentals expected to leave the tourism market upon the introduction of the short-term tourist letting register are located; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11322/24]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.

It is proposed that  Fáilte Ireland will manage the register for Short Term Tourist Letting, once provided for in legislation, and in that context carried out research in respect of the identification of properties that could potentially return to the long-term rental market. 

It should be noted that this estimate was arrived at without having a fully accurate picture of the stock of short-term tourist letting accommodation; the register to be established under the STTL legislation will address that information deficit.  What proportion of this estimated quantum will return to the long-term rental sector will depend on a variety of factors including the exact location and type of property, the property owners’ own decision-making process, and the decision-making of local authorities in relation to planning permission.

Accordingly, I have referred this question to Fáilte Ireland to provide further information to the Deputy.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Question No. 237 answered with Question No. 236.

Sports Organisations

Questions (238)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

238. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what measures she can take to assist female sports teams with issues such as pitch availability, sponsorship for team gear, team travel expenses, additional expenses due to nutritional requirements, and for inter-county players, the travel expenses incurred due to training and match travel distances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11475/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Addressing female participation in sport and physical activity is an important element of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and is a core priority for myself, for Minister Martin and for the Government. The provision of good player welfare is a key element in any sport and is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs).

Sport Ireland allocates funding to NGBs through its various programmes, including the Core Funding programme, Field Sport funding programme and Women in Sport funding programmes.  

The issues outlined by the Deputy are operational matters for the relevant NGBs.

With regard to inter county gaelic games, since 2021 additional funding has been provided through Sport Ireland for enhanced support of female inter-county gaelic games players on an equivalent basis to that being provided for their male counterparts, further demonstrating the Government’s commitment to equality in sport. Under this scheme, Sport Ireland distributes €5.6 million per annum in respect of Government Support for Inter County Gaelic Games in addition to the annual investment in Games Development.

A Steering Group, comprising the GAA, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association, Sport Ireland and the Gaelic Players Association, is in place in relation to the allocation of the funding.

In relation to pitch availability, I have introduced new similar access requirements under the Sports Capital Equipment Programme and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. Under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme 2023, applicants that do not provide access to its facilities, on similar terms to men and women, will not be eligible for capital funding.

In relation to the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, I introduced a new requirement for all successful applicants to publish their Similar Access Policies, in respect of men and women having access to the facilities on similar terms, in order to be eligible for “top-up” allocations.

Television Licence Fee

Questions (239)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

239. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to supply up-to-date TV licence renewal figures. [11516/24]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The most up-to-date total monthly figures of TV licences issued by An Post for 2024 are as follows:

Month	2024
January	75,183
February	61,601

Broadband Infrastructure

Questions (240)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

240. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to communities providing broadband connection points that are now being exposed to commercial rates evaluations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11289/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Tailte Éireann is the State agency formed on 1 March 2023 following the merger of Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Property Registration Authority and the Valuation Office. All the functions previously carried out by the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office, and Ordnance Survey Ireland are now being performed by Tailte Éireann.  The Valuation Division of Tailte Éireann carries out the valuation activities formerly assigned to the Valuation Office. Tailte Éireann is independent in the exercise of its valuation functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended (the Act).

The Act provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose are rateable, unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Act. Schedule 4 lists the categories of property which are not liable for rates including buildings used exclusively as community halls.

Based on the information provided it is not possible to provide a definitive response as to whether the property referred to would be exempt from rates, as the rateability of each property must be considered by reference to its own facts and circumstances.

There are a number of avenues of redress for an occupier of rateable property who is dissatisfied with a determination of valuation made under the provisions of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. Firstly, before a determination is made, there is a right to make representations to Tailte Éireann in relation to a proposed valuation. Later in the process, if the occupier is still dissatisfied with the determination, there is a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal which is an independent body set up for the purpose of hearing appeals against determinations of Tailte Éireann. There is a right of appeal to the Higher Courts on a point of law.

Finally, Oireachtas Members may obtain information in relation to specific cases by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of Tailte Éireann at [e-mail]. An organisation itself may contact Tailte Éireann in respect of specific cases at [e-mail] .

 

Water Supply

Questions (241)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

241. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to release the 2019 CRU-commissioned report by HR Wallingford into the eastern and midlands water supply project; and the reason this has not been published yet. [11410/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

In October 2018, I requested that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) conduct an independent review of the Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands Region (WSP-EMR) as proposed by Uisce Éireann. The WSP-EMR review was intended to support my decision in relation to the capital consent that would be required if planning approval is obtained for the project.

However, in 2019, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform revised the value for money requirements for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects. The revised requirements introduced an External Assurance Process for major public capital projects in excess of €100 million involving Independent Expert Reviews focused on issues such as cost, risk and ability to deliver.

On the basis that there was significant overlap between the Ministerial review and the independent external assurance process I merged the two reviews to have a single output from the CRU using the External Assurance templates in compliance with the Infrastructure Guidelines.

The Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands Region is at the Preliminary Business Case (PBC) stage of the Infrastructure Guidelines (AG1), which is subject to the independent external assurance process. HR Wallingford on behalf of the CRU undertook the independent review, which was completed in November 2023.

As a prerequisite to seeking Government consent for projects at the PBC stage, project proposals and external assurance reviews are scrutinised by the Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG) in advance of a decision to proceed. The project PBC, independent external review and supporting documentation was considered by MPAG in January 2024 and has issued its report to the Department. 

The reports are currently being reviewed by my Department prior to being brought to Government for consideration at Approval Gate 1 (AG1) and progression to the next stage of the Infrastructure Guidelines Process (AG2).

The CRU report on the WSP-EMR will be considered for publication in-line with the Infrastructure Guidelines following consideration by Government.  

National Parks

Questions (242)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

242. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what engagement there has been with Glacier National Park in Montana since the sister park agreement. [11418/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Malcolm Noonan)

I am happy to be in a position to provide more detail in relation to the sister-park arrangement between Glacier National Park in Montana and Killarney National Park. The agreement itself is initially of 5 year duration and will last until 2026, but there are provisions in place to extend it further with consent of both sides if desired. 

Agreements between Parks in different jurisdictions allow learnings and expertise to be shared and built upon. While Glacier National Park and Killarney National Park have a range of differences in terms of size, climate and native species, there are also common challenges that Parks face.

In 2021 when Killarney National Park suffered extensive fire damage, the agreement provided access to the extensive expertise staff of Glacier National Park have in fire management. They worked closely with staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service(NPWS) in Killarney National Park mapping the extent and the intensity of the fire. Their expertise and systematic approach to fire-management has helped form the approach to fire management planning in Killarney since that time.

Routine information sharing is ongoing between the Parks. As an example, staff from Glacier National Park with scientific expertise on biodiversity issues have been made available to support Killarney National Park's own work in the area.

The issue of the sustainability and the impact of human activity is of significant concern to both Parks.  Killarney National Park is in the process of developing its own policies in relation to this and will be able to draw on Glacier National Park's experience.

It should be noted that the sister-park agreement was entered into in 2021 and thus collaboration was affected significantly by a number of external factors, including staff movements in both organisations and the global impacts of COVID-19. 

In order to ensure the benefits from arrangements such as this one are maximised, it is intended that the performance of sister-park arrangements will be reviewed as part of the wider development of strategic management planning for our National Parks.

Grant Payments

Questions (243)

Paul Murphy

Question:

243. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the review of the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability, and in particular, whether the income thresholds will be increased. [11207/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Kieran O'Donnell)

Housing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department.  The review was informed by engagement with external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Written submissions were also invited and considered as part of this process. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds that apply and the grant limits.

On foot of my consideration of the Review report, my Department shared the report and supplementary analysis with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and is engaging with that Department on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes as soon as possible.