Paul Donnelly
Question:573. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she met the Mayor of Austin, Texas, during her recent visit there.. [12976/24]
View answerOfficial Engagements
Questions (573)
Written answers
As part of the Government's St Patrick's Day programme 2024, a meeting with the Mayor of Austin was sought by the Consulate as part of my trade mission to the city of Austin, Texas.
I wish to inform the Deputy that due to scheduling conflicts, I did not meet with the Mayor of Austin. I understand that this was due to a conflict in the Mayor’s scheduling.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (574)
Paul Donnelly
Question:574. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a schedule of social media influencers, online personalities and television and-or radio personalities engaged by her Department in 2023 and to date in 2024; and if she will include the fees expanded, by the name of personality and the name of the campaign they were engaged on, in tabular form. [12977/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by officials in my Department that there was no expenditure on social media influencers, and online personalities, television and or radio personalities by the Department in 2023 or to date in 2024.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (575)
Catherine Murphy
Question:575. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the costs incurred to date in respect of two external reviews into HR and governance/culture at RTÉ. [13130/24]
View answerWritten answers
The total costs incurred to date in respect of the two independent reviews are €202,956, comprising payments to Crowe Advisory Ireland for professional services to support the work of the Expert Advisory Committees, payments to McCann Fitzgerald, who are acting as Legal Advisers to the Committees for the Reviews, and fees to a number of Committee Members.
I also appointed forensic accountants, Mazars, to examine the barter account and identify any other off-balance sheet accounts in RTÉ under section 109(7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, on foot of a competitive procurement process run with the assistance of the Office of Government Procurement. The total costs incurred in respect of this examination are €274,536.
Departmental Reports
Questions (576)
Imelda Munster
Question:576. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the date for publication of the final report by the working group to develop a National Disinformation Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13131/24]
View answerWritten answers
It is intended that the National Counter Disinformation Strategy will be published in Q2 2024.
The development of this national strategy was a recommendation of the Future of Media Commission, which called for a more coordinated and strategic approach to combat the damaging impact of disinformation on Irish society and democracy.
The Working Group tasked with developing the Strategy was established in February 2023. It is independently chaired and comprises representatives from Government Departments, public bodies, industry, academia and civil society, with coordination being provided by my Department.
The Working Group has met monthly since its establishment and has heard from a range of experts in different fields related to disinformation. Three subgroups examined and reported on key issues relating to disinformation, namely: existing countermeasures, the current and emerging regulatory environment and the support of free independent high-quality journalism and the protection of public interest information.
The Working Group held an online public consultation process that ran from 25 September to 20 October 2023. In addition, a stakeholder consultation event was held on 29 November 2023. Drafting of the Strategy is now ongoing with a view to its finalisation in Q2 2024.
More information on the development of the Strategy is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/04f9e-national-counter-disinformation-strategy-working-group/.
Public Private Partnerships
Questions (577)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:577. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide details on all planned PPP projects and ongoing PPP contracts; the status of each project; the anticipated or known capital cost; the anticipated or known cost to the Exchequer over the lifetime of the contracts; the annual total payment of PPP unitary charges and the percentage share of the total capital budget for her Department and all public bodies under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13205/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised that there are no ongoing PPP contracts in my Department and agencies. In addition, at this time, there are no plans for PPP contracts to be put in place.
Departmental Funding
Questions (578)
Seán Sherlock
Question:578. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she can identify funding lines to cost a project (details supplied). [13219/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The SCEP is the government’s primary vehicle for providing support to sports clubs and communities to develop sports infrastructure around the country. The latest round of the SCEP 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 exceeded the record number submitted in the previous round. Applicants for local projects were able to apply for up to €200,000 under this round. The maximum valid grant available for projects deemed to be of regional significance is €500,000.
Separately, the National Sports Policy published in 2018 provided for the establishment of the LSSIF. The aim of the fund is to provide support for larger sports facilities where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the SCEP. A new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be confirmed in due course. While the LSSIF programme is aimed primarily at the National Governing Bodies of Sport and local authorities it is also open to other bodies, philanthropic funders, clubs and voluntary organisations to apply. However, such applications would necessarily have to be made and prioritised by a local authority and/or a Governing Body. I would encourage all eligible projects to consider applying for this competitive application process when it opens later this year.
Whether or not a project such as the one in question would be eligible for funding would depend on the particulars of the project. Currently SCEP funding of swimming pools is limited to:
• Improvements or renovations to existing, publicly accessible swimming pools;
• Purchase of ‘pop-up’, portable swimming pools;
• Regional Projects where Local Authority are seeking between €200,000 and €500,000 (including improvements to swimming pools).
Under the previous round of the LSSIF, swimming pool applications were accepted but again, the particulars of the project would determine if the project would be eligible for funding (type of site, ownership of the site, economic appraisal, etc).
Question No. 579 answered with Question No. 552.
Departmental Funding
Questions (580, 581)
Seán Sherlock
Question:580. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a proposal for additional funding for the Cork Event Centre will be brought to the Cabinet. [11521/24]
View answerSeán Sherlock
Question:581. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to publish all documents relating to the Cork Event Centre. [11522/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 581 together.
The Cork Event Centre was included as a Government commitment under the revised National Development Plan in 2021. This underlines the Government’s support for urban regeneration, enhanced amenity and heritage, associated quality of life standards, balanced regional development, and the regeneration and development of Cork City Centre.
It was agreed by Government in the context of Budget 2020 that responsibility for making the grant funding available for the project would transfer from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to my Department. However, responsibility for the advancement of the project remains, in the first instance, a matter for Cork City Council.
As a flagship project under the National Development Plan, €50m of grant funding for the project was approved by Government in February, 2022 to support an investment of €35 million by the successful consortium; a potential additional €7 million of Government funding was also approved at that time to help cover construction cost inflation arising from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic however it was noted that the final additional costs to the State, related to construction cost inflation, could only be determined when the final detailed design of the project was completed.
Following completion of the detailed design of the Event Centre in the Autumn of 2023, Cork City Council, at the request of my Department, undertook a cost verification check on the final design and costing. This process is now complete and Cork City Council have submitted a Final Business Case along with supporting documentation. My Department is currently undertaking a detailed review of these submissions and there is ongoing engagement in that regard with the Council.
In order to maintain the integrity of the decision making process, it is not my intention to release and/or publish the documents which have been submitted to date by Cork City Council. I expect that a decision on the Event Centre could be made in Q1 of 2024, but this does depend on the outcome of the ongoing review of the Final Business Case and is ultimately a matter for Government
Question No. 581 answered with Question No. 580.
Local Authorities
Questions (582)
Pat Buckley
Question:582. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department can extend the deadline for the voluntary redundancy scheme for local authorities' water staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11534/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Framework for Future Delivery of Water Services (June 2022) was agreed following a comprehensive process of engagement with unions under the aegis of the Workplace Relations Commission and enables the integration of public water services into Uisce Éireann's organisational structure, as envisaged in the Government’s Policy Paper on Water Sector Transformation (February, 2021).
The Framework provided that a voluntary redundancy scheme would be made available to local authority water services staff who are under preserved pension age at 30 June 2024 and who have already accrued entitlement to preserved superannuation benefits under a local government scheme (2 years’ service) on that date. The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform subsequently provided sanction to my Department to proceed with the Scheme on the basis set out in the Framework.
A circular issued to local authorities on 1 February 2024 announcing the commencement of the Scheme with a closing date of 30 June 2024. It is not possible to extend the closing date as this would be contrary to the Framework agreed with the other parties as well as the sanction provided by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. It could also have the effect of excluding from the Scheme any local authority water services workers who reach preserved pension age in the period following 30 June 2024 and any extended closing date.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (583)
Carol Nolan
Question:583. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Department has had the need to contact An Garda Síochána due to verbal, written (including electronically) or physical threats addressed to staff or Ministers, at any level, working within their Department during the period 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11598/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that since 2020, my Department has experienced two incidents that required us to engage with An Garda Síochána due to threats made against our staff or Ministers. These incidents occurred on 7 July 2022 and 15 March 2023.
National Planning Framework
Questions (584)
Matt Shanahan
Question:584. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage within the pending review of national planning framework, if he has considered the impact of present required density guidelines and how, in a city such as Waterford, they are proving to be a disincentive to the provision of public and private housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11651/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Planning Framework (NPF) is a broad national plan for strategic planning and sustainable development of urban and rural areas, with the objectives of securing balanced regional development and a sustainable approach to the form and pattern of future development (a ‘compact growth’ approach). The NPF informs the preparation of strategies and plans at regional and city/county levels, which in turn informs decision-making in respect of planning applications at a local level.
I published the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines in January 2024 to replace the Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas Guidelines issued in 2009. The Guidelines were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
The Guidelines expand on Government policy in the NPF, in particular policies in relation to compact growth and sustainable living spaces. The Guidelines outline density ranges that respond to settlement size and the general locality. This is in recognition of the differences between cities, towns and villages as well as those areas which are located in close proximity to centres and public transport services. The Guidelines recommend a plan-led approach to residential density through the development plan adopted by elected members for each planning authority, thereby providing clarity to developers and communities as to the anticipated scale of development that is likely to take place, depending on its location and context.
The Guidelines also contain new development standards for housing, including specific planning policy requirements (SPPRs) in relation to separation distances and open space, that will allow for greater flexibility and innovation in housing delivery. Together with the refined approach to residential densities, the development standards will support the construction of more compact ‘own-door’ housing, alongside traditional housing and apartment developments.
Section 28 of the Act provides that planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála shall have regard to Ministerial guidelines in the performance of their functions. Where the guidelines contain specific planning policy requirements (SPPRs), planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are required to apply these requirements in the performance of their functions.
Planning Issues
Questions (585)
Matt Shanahan
Question:585. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered what new statutory guidelines will be enforced with respect to planning appeals to An Bord Pleanála; if he is aware that some private planning appeals are taking over two years to receive a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11652/24]
View answerWritten answers
An 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.
The Planning and Development Bill 2023 provides for the introduction of statutory mandatory timelines for all consent processes, including appeals and consent applications made to An Bord Pleanála. Timelines for the Board will be introduced on a phased basis, starting with those for Strategic Infrastructure Developments (including energy and transport projects).
The Bill also outlines the proposed new structure for the Board. The new Bill contains a number of provisions reflecting this new organisational structure and will clearly outline the separate roles of:-
• Planning Commissioners - who will be responsible for all decision making regarding appeals and applications made and they will be overseen by a newly created position of Chief Planning Commissioner.
• The Governing Board - which will be responsible for the governance and organisation.
• Corporate Spine – will provide support to all of the organisations and functions will be overseen by a Chief Executive Officer.
The Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022, which was signed into law in December 2022, addressed certain initial matters which required immediate action on foot of the Action Plan for An Bord Pleanála, Phase 1 of the Office of the Planning Regulator Review of An Bord Pleanála, and other matters relating to addressing board vacancies and addressing the Board’s caseload, including:
• Increasing the limit on the maximum number of members of the Board from 10 to 15, so as to ensure that the increasing caseload can be managed, and the appropriate quorums and suitable allocation of casefiles can be assured, and
• Expanding the provision to appoint temporary ordinary board members to allow for the appointment of serving or former civil servants, public servants, or employees of the Board for a term of up to a year.
The total number of Board members in An Bord Pleanála is now 15, the maximum provided for under the legislation and the greatest number of serving Board members ever.
Earlier this year, a full term Chairperson of the Board was appointed by the Government, and the recruitment process for the appointment of full-term Board Members is ongoing and is due to be completed in the coming weeks. Temporary board members may continue to be appointed in the interim as vacancies arise.
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 January 2024 there were 257 individuals working in the Board including Board Members. The Board received approval and sanction from my Department for a total of 313 posts to date.
Planning Issues
Questions (586)
Matt Shanahan
Question:586. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered making changes to the criteria which allows for observations and planning objections to be made to local authorities, often from people who have questionable impact personally from developments proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11655/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that in considering planning applications or appeals, a planning authority or the Board is required to consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned and the prospective effects on the environment of the proposed development, having regard to a range of matters specified in legislation, including observations or submissions made by members of the public. This policy position is replicated in the Planning and Development Bill 2023 which is currently before the Oireachtas.
Public participation is a crucial element of all substantive decision-making processes under the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the proposed Planning and Development Bill 2023 and is also a requirement under the Aarhus Convention and Environmental Impact Assessment Directives in relation to specific types of developments.
It is open to any member of the public to make an observation or submission on a planning application and the planning authority is statutorily obliged to consider such submissions before making a decision on the application. Persons who make submissions are also entitled to be notified of any significant further information provided to the planning authority by the applicant and to be notified of the authority’s decision on the application. Furthermore, any person who made a submission on a planning application may appeal the planning authority’s decision on the application to An Bord Pleanála or may make a submission to the Board in relation to an appeal of that decision.
The fees payable by members of the public to participate in the planning decision-making process are set at a level that, as well as contributing towards the cost of processing applications and appeals, discourages frivolous or vexatious submissions without hindering genuine public participation. In addition, the Board currently has discretion to dismiss an appeal where it is satisfied that the appeal is vexatious, frivolous or without substance or foundation or where the appeal is made with the sole intention of delaying development or of securing the payment of money, gifts, considerations or other inducement by any person. These provisions are replicated in the planning and Development bill 2023.
Notwithstanding this point, in July of this year I wrote to the Attorney General and to the Minister for Justice in relation to demands for financial compensation regarding planning objections. The Attorney General provided views that matters such as these are provided for under current legislation, notably, section 17 of Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act which states “It shall be an offence for any person who, with a view to gain for himself or another or with intent to cause loss to another, makes any unwarranted demand with menaces.” The Attorney General also advised that sections 6 & 7 of the Criminal Justice (Theft & Fraud Offences) Act may apply in instances such as these.
In order to protect the planning system, I am currently considering whether it is appropriate to provide additional sanctions in relation to spurious appeals or observations in the Planning and Development Bill 2023. If required I will bring forward amendments to the Bill over the coming weeks as it progresses through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
It is important to reiterate that Government is opposed to the abuse of any process, including in relation to planning, for personal gain to the detriment of the process, this includes behaviour that would lead to a possible abuse of the courts system. Anyone with any concerns regarding a breach of law in respect to a planning application should contact Gardaí.
Water Services
Questions (587)
Matt Shanahan
Question:587. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what review has taken place in terms of the bureaucracy that surrounds access to utilities such as water and wastewater connections; whether the Minister is concerned at the difficulty developers experience in trying to communicate and negotiate with these State utilities; whether he has considered any new initiatives to provide transparency in such delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11656/24]
View answerWritten answers
Housing for All recognises that in order to create the environment needed to enable supply of over 300,000 new homes by 2030, land needs to be serviced with transport, utilities and other infrastructure. Housing for All provides for this ‘whole of system’ approach. In line with Action 22.6 of the Housing for All Action Plan Update (November 2022) both Uisce Éireann and the ESB are enhancing measures to ensure the timely delivery of housing connections and to clearly identify responsibilities of those building homes, and Uisce Éireann and ESB in advance of completing connections.
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 578 578.
Housing Schemes
Questions (588)
Matt Shanahan
Question:588. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage where the development of new housing schemes using modular building methods have already taken place in Munster; the scale and costs associated with homes supplied by this method; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11657/24]
View answerWritten answers
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 encompasses fully factory built modular units in addition to panelised systems, such as those manufactured from light gauge steel frame or timber frame and 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%.
While my Department does not hold details on the various construction processes used in the delivery of new homes, the Housing for All Action Plan Update, which was published in November 2022, includes a new action to develop a roadmap with targets for increased use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in public housing. This Roadmap was published on 11 July 2023 and is available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/414cd-roadmap-for-increased-adoption-of-mmc-in-public-housing-delivery/.
My Department is now working closely with the local authorities to increase the use of MMC in social and affordable housing. The development of MMC will improve productivity in construction and increase efficiency in residential construction.
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 leading on a project to secure the provision of 700 modular homes to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from the Ukraine.
Septic Tanks
Questions (589, 590, 591, 592, 593)
Claire Kerrane
Question:589. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of additional households that became eligible for septic tank grants since his announcement in November 2023 of changes to the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11658/24]
View answerClaire Kerrane
Question:590. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage who can apply for the septic tank grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11659/24]
View answerClaire Kerrane
Question:591. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households in the State that are in the eligible areas for septic tank grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11660/24]
View answerClaire Kerrane
Question:592. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households in County Roscommon and County Galway that are in the eligible areas for septic tank grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11661/24]
View answerClaire Kerrane
Question:593. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advise if he will review the eligible areas for the septic tank grant given the majority of areas cannot access it as they are outside the eligible area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11662/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 589 to 593, inclusive, together.
The policy of providing grant funding for remedial work on Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS), including septic tanks, arises from the need to address damage being done to water quality in sensitive areas in particular.
The grants are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority and are available only in circumstances relating to risks to water quality and/or human health, and are not general in application.
There are three grant schemes available to households to incentivise them to carry out works to their defective DWWTS. Individual households can avail of the grants if their DWWTS has failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan and an Advisory Notice has issued, or if they are located in either a Prioritised Area for Action or a High Status Objective Catchment Area, as identified in the River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has statutory responsibility, under the Water Services Act 2007, for the preparation of the National Inspection Plan for DWWTS. Inspections are allocated across the country with the greatest focus on areas where there is the most risk to groundwater, surface water or human health. The EPA coordinates and monitors inspections and the local authorities are responsible for the implementation of the Plan.
Following extensive consultation with key stakeholders in the Rural Water Sector, my Department completed a review of the terms and conditions of the three grants. As a result of the review and the recommendations made, I announced significant improvements to the grants available.
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 qualifying condition that a septic tank must be registered with the local authority before 2013.
The improvements made are aimed to encourage more householders to seek and avail of the grants available and it is expected to result in an increase in applications in 2024 and beyond.
I have no plans to make further changes.
Question No. 590 answered with Question No. 589.
Question No. 591 answered with Question No. 589.
Question No. 592 answered with Question No. 589.
Question No. 593 answered with Question No. 589.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (594, 595, 596, 597)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:594. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total funding that has been spent to date in implementing the Youth Homelessness Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11675/24]
View answerCian O'Callaghan
Question:595. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to implement the remainder of the Youth Homelessness Strategy by the end of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11676/24]
View answerCian O'Callaghan
Question:596. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there will be a mid-term report published on the Youth Homelessness strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11677/24]
View answerCian O'Callaghan
Question:597. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide in tabular form a progress report on the implementation of each of the 27 targets within the youth homelessness strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11678/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 594 to 597, inclusive, together.
In line with commitments made in the Programme for Government and Housing for All, a national Youth Homelessness Strategy was published in November 2022. The Strategy aims to help young people aged 18-24 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It sets out 27 key actions to prevent youth homelessness; improve the experiences of young people accessing emergency accommodation; and assist young people in exiting homelessness. A copy of the Youth Homelessness Strategy 2023-2025 can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/69597-youth-homelessness-strategy/.
A Steering Group, comprising representatives from organisations with a role in addressing youth homelessness, was established in January 2023 to drive the delivery of all actions.
A number of the Strategy's actions, such as those which refer to policy reviews, represent the normal work of relevant officials and provisions are being made within the existing resources of Government Departments and agencies, as appropriate. Actions in progress that will require funding will be determined in consultation with relevant stakeholders brought forward through the normal annual budgetary processes. Currently, implementation of 25 of the 27 actions have commenced and the remaining two actions will be commenced by the end of Q1-24.
One of the main actions in the Strategy is to develop a pilot of a housing-led intervention, Supported Housing for Youth (SHY). This intervention is aimed at those aged 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness and who require additional supports to maintain a tenancy. The DRHE published an Expression of Interest in October 2023 seeking submissions from NGOs interested in providing accommodation and/or supports for SHY. That process is now complete and the pilot is due to launch in the coming months. It is anticipated that, throughout the first twelve months of the pilot, 25 young people will be moved out of emergency accommodation and into their own accommodation with wraparound supports.
Other actions underway include a review of Housing Circular 46/2014 on the Protocol on Young People Leaving State Care and the development of an information campaign for young people for 2024.
Completed actions include the issue of a circular to local authorities in July 2023, requesting regions ensure that the Youth Homelessness Strategy is reflected in Homelessness Action Plans, as well as the publication of the Housing Agency’s Supports Guide for Young People in September 2023. A copy of this Supports Guide can be accessed on The Housing Agency’s website at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/sites/default/files/2023-09/The-Housing-Agency-Youth-Support-Booklet.pdf.
The Strategy is a three-year Strategy which will be at its halfway point in May 2024. It is intended to publish a full progress report at this point which will set out how each of the Strategy’s 27 actions are being implemented as well as the priorities for the next 18 months.
Question No. 595 answered with Question No. 594.