Wednesday, 10 Apr 2024

School Staff

Questions (63)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

63. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if caretakers in schools will be recognised and receive benefits under her Department and statement (details supplied). [15521/24]

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Written answers

Caretakers are valued and vital members of the school system. The majority of primary and post-primary schools receive assistance to provide for caretaker services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a caretaker under these grant schemes to support those functions, those staff members are employees of the individual schools and as such the responsibility for the terms and conditions of employment such as contracts as well as rates of pay currently rests with the school.

The February 2022 agreement for revised salary and annual leave entitlements for grant funded school secretaries is now fully operational, and the lessons learned from that process are now playing a key element in negotiating and implementing a similar package for grant funded school caretakers.

At present work is ongoing in my Department to finalise a comprehensive survey which will enable my officials to confirm their understanding of the current working patterns as well as the terms and conditions of work for school caretakers. In parallel with this, officials from the Department and Fórsa are currently in communication on this important issue and have begun initial discussions with the aim of progressing this matter as soon as reasonably possible.

School Funding

Questions (64, 65)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

64. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will make contact with a school (details supplied) in relation to a funding matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15577/24]

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Seán Haughey

Question:

65. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that the removal of the IT grant, the Covid grant, and the minor works grant has caused significant financial difficulties for a primary school (details supplied); if she will assist this school to overcome their current financial difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15579/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.

My Department provides funding to recognised Primary schools by way of per capita grants which is based on school enrolment. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools are permitted to regard the capitation and ancillary grants as a combined grant in line with circular 40/2009.

Schools may continue to utilise funding provided across the range of grants to ensure adequate cash flow at certain times. However, income and expenditure must continue to be recorded in school accounts and attributed to the individual grants as appropriate.

In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was issued in October 2023, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme. This funding is the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding was delivered in early 2024.

My Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. Under Project Ireland 2040, a commitment was given that the Minor Works Grant would be paid in either December or January of the school year to all primary schools, including special schools. In recent years my Department’s approach has been to pay the Minor Works Grant to primary schools in advance of the start of the following school year in order to facilitate a better lead in period for schools to plan any maintenance or minor works during the summer period.

Between 2018 and 2023 in the region of €310 million in Minor Works Grants and Enhanced Minor Works Grants has been allocated to schools. The Minor Works Grant for the current school year 2023/2024, was paid in April 2023, to all primary schools including special schools.

Schools have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs.

The works that can be undertaken under the Minor Works Grant Scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and educational equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds, the purchase of IT related equipment, ventilation improvements, and enhancements to outdoor learning environments.

Arrangements are currently being made for the payment of €29 million in Minor Works grants to primary schools and special schools for the forthcoming 2024/25 school year.

I recently announced €50 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT), which will issue shortly to all recognised primary, special Schools and post-primary schools. This ICT funding is being provided to schools to help them continue to use digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment and which represents the second tranche of ICT funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027.

The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.

Under the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020, saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.

Additionally, further Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.

The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by my Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters. To be of assistance, officials from my Department have contacted the FSSU, and requested that they contact the school directly to provide advice and support as required, in the first instance.

Question No. 65 answered with Question No. 64.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (66)

Michael Lowry

Question:

66. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education what assistance can be offered to child (details supplied); when the educational supports this child needs will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15581/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.

In 2023, €2.6 billion was spent on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.

This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).

In 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.

The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocations of SNAs and reviews.

SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.

SNAs are allocated to schools as a school based resource and not to individual children. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual principal/board of management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.

This allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

The NCSE have published the SNA allocations for the 2023/24 school year. For ease of reference these allocations are broken down by school type and are available on the NCSE's website at: www.ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations

Schools can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students.

Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website: www.ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.

The department does not have a role in making individual school determinations and the school should liaise with the NCSE directly in the event that additional supports are required.

Matters in relation to the provision of health-related therapy services and the assessment of needs should be directed to the HSE or to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Matters in relation to the HSE’s Children's Disability Network Teams should also be directed to the HSE.

My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (67)

Alan Dillon

Question:

67. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the Capital Appraisal in her Department for a school (details supplied); and if she will confirm if there is a viable solution to our immediate accommodation needs; what this consists of and when school patrons will progress on this new facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15638/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to confirm to confirm the school referred to by the Deputy was established as a four-classroom school, under the terms of the divestment process.

My Department has agreed that the permanent accommodation solution will provide for eight classrooms and Departmental officials are working to put this solution in place as soon as possible. However, in the interim, and in line with agreed terms, the school has been instructed to take cognisance of their existing accommodation capacity when managing its enrolments.

My Department is currently engaging in a site identification process regarding the schools permanent solution. The site identification and indeed acquisition is a process that may entail a significant period of time. However, I can assure the Deputy that this is a priority for the Department of Education.

The main focus of my Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level, and for provision to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. The immediate priority of the Department is providing the required new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place, including the thousands of children who are newly arrived to this country. My Department has successfully supported and facilitated the enrolment of over 18,291 children from Ukraine in our primary and post primary schools.

In the interim, the school was approved to proceed with rental of accommodation at a premises at Newport Road which provided 2 additional Mainstream Classrooms, in July 2022. In addition, my Department has recently approved funding for a Special Education Tuition Room plus a toilet and a staff room.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (68)

Alan Dillon

Question:

68. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the measures her Department has taken to determine the most suitable long-term location for the school for (details supplied); if she will clarify the outcome of the evaluation of a recent proposal received from the school patron; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15639/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The Department has approved the provision of a new school building for Castlebar Educate Together NS. This project requires the provision of a new site. The site acquisition process is being progressed in line with standard acquisition protocols. My Department has engaged the services of a Site Acquisition Manager (consultant) in order to shortlist potential sites.

Following an extensive site identification and assessment exercise, a number of site options have been identified and investigated by the Department. A number of potential site options have been shortlisted for further consideration. This includes technical and economical appraisals of these potential site options.

The Deputy will appreciate that commercial sensitivities attach to site acquisitions such as this and I am not currently in a position to disclose further information.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (69)

Alan Dillon

Question:

69. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education following her visit to the location (details supplied) in September 2022, where a commitment was made to a new facility, but no progress has been observed since then, could she confirm her Department's intention to fulfil this promise and if she will provide a timeline for this commitment, given that it is simply unacceptable for the school to operate from three separate campuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15640/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The Department has approved the provision of a new school building for Castlebar Educate Together NS. This project requires the provision of a new site. The site acquisition process is being progressed in line with standard acquisition protocols. My Department has engaged the services of a Site Acquisition Manager (consultant) in order to shortlist potential sites.

Following an extensive site identification and assessment exercise, a number of site options have been identified and investigated by the Department. A number of potential site options have been shortlisted for further consideration. This includes technical and economical appraisals of these potential site options.

The Deputy will appreciate that commercial sensitivities attach to site acquisitions such as this and I am not currently in a position to disclose further information.

School Transport

Questions (70)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

70. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education to address a Bus Éireann matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15650/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.

Bus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department of Education. The purpose of the scheme is to provide transport for children living remotely from their nearest school. Safety is a core value for Bus Éireann and is its first priority in all operations.

While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on over 7,000 school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.

The retirement age for school bus drivers has been set by Bus Éireann at 70 years of age, which also applies to road passenger services.

Bus Éireann part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.

The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review. Bus Éireann and Department officials meet regularly to discuss operational and policy matters.

Housing Provision

Questions (71)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

71. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 656 of 20 March 2024, on leased units used by the State for social housing allocations, if the number supplied is the full amount of leased units being provided by the State at the moment; if the figure included units secured under the payment and availability agreements; and if not, if he will supply the lease unit figures for this also. [15617/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The figures provided in reply to Parliamentary Question no. 656 of 20 March 2024 account for all properties secured under Leasing that are supported under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP). Of the total figure of 12,398 properties supported by SHCEP at the end of Q3 2023, 3,911 properties are secured under payment and availability agreements.

SHCEP, in addition to Leasing costs, supports the ongoing current costs of AHB Build and Acquisition secured under the Current Advance Leasing Facility (CALF).

Energy Conservation

Questions (72, 75)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

72. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the recently released report; (details supplied); his views on the recommendation there was a need for increased funding for the energy renovation of social housing and AHBs; if he plans to increase funding for the retrofitting of social housing and AHBs; if he has plans to include AHBs in his Department’s efforts to retrofit the social housing stock rather than the One Stop Shop scheme run by SEAI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15628/24]

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Paul Murphy

Question:

75. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the social housing retrofitting programme to Approved Housing Bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15690/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 75 together.

In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme (EERP), designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2 (BER)/Cost Optimal Equivalent standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.

Under the 2024 EERP programme, my Department funds costs of up to €48,850, plus project management fees, on individual local authority homes. The actual cost of retrofitting works on each home will depend on its pre-works BER. Targets set and funding allocated to local authorities under the new programme calls for local authorities to undertake a variety of house types, from those requiring minimal investment to those requiring major investment, in order to achieve the B2/Cost Optimal BER. Local authorities are asked to ensure that the average cost per home drawn down under the programme is circa €36,500, including project management fees. Adhering to this average will ensure that the maximum number of homes can be retrofitted with the available budget.

My Department does not run an EERP for Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). AHBs have traditionally accessed SEAI grants for this purpose. There are currently no plans to extend my Departments Retrofit Programme to the AHB sector.

Housing Provision

Questions (73)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

73. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to report on housing targets as they pertain to Meath and his plans to increase housing availability there; to report on the availability on social housing in Meath and progress to meet targets for social housing in Meath and if his plans to increase this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15629/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.

Under Housing for All, each local authority was required to prepare a Housing Delivery Action Plan. This Plan sets out details of both social and affordable housing delivery as appropriate over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All. The Plans also include details of the locations and delivery streams for social housing schemes. The Housing Delivery Action Plans do not include additional affordable homes that will be delivered by the LDA, AHBs, First Home and via the higher Part V requirements introduced in the Affordable Housing Act 2021. The Plans have been published on local authorities’ own websites and Meath County Council’s Plan is available at this link: www.meath.ie/council/news/meath-county-council-housing-delivery-action-plan-2022-2026

My Department publishes comprehensive programme-level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including Meath. This data is available to the end of 2023 and is published on the statistics' page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/

My Department also publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments and their location that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and tender processes. The most recent publication was for Quarter 4 2023. All Construction Status Reports are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/

A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis by local authority, funding stream etc. at this link: data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2023.

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address increased housing delivery and methods to support increased use of MMC are set out in Pathway 5 of Housing for All. The development of MMC will improve productivity in construction and increase efficiency in residential construction. The development of MMC is being led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which has established a MMC Leadership and Integration Group and my Department is represented on this Group.

The Housing for All Action Plan Update and Quarter 3 2022 Progress Report, which was published on 2 November, included a new action to develop a roadmap with targets for increased use of MMC in public housing. This Roadmap was published on 11 July 2023 and is available at the following link: 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.

My Department continues to liaise with all local authorities, including Meath, and other delivery partners in relation to the further development of an affordable housing delivery programme that will respond effectively to all affordable housing requirements identified at a local level.

In addition, the First Home Scheme, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. Since September 2023, the First Home Scheme now supports those who wish to build their own home. The scheme is available nationwide and more information can be found at www.firsthomescheme.ie/

The Government’s Housing for All plan is a living plan with an in-built flexibility to review actions and targets, as needed. The plan currently sets out annual targets of overall housing delivery to 2030. A review and refresh of housing targets has commenced. The work will be underpinned by independent, peer-reviewed research by the ESRI. It will inform national and local housing targets, as well as subsets of social, affordable and private housing, and will ensure we provide enough of the right type of homes, in the right locations, to meet overall need. This work will have regard to detailed Census 2022 data published by the CSO.

Significant progress is being made to deliver the ambitious targets contained in Housing for All and my Department is working closely with the local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and other stakeholders to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing.

Legislative Programme

Questions (74)

Paul Murphy

Question:

74. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he intends legislating for higher minimum BERs as part of minimum rental accommodation standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15689/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Government is committed under Housing for All to developing a roadmap to implement minimum Building Energy Rating (BER) standards, where feasible, for the private rental sector. This action is aimed at both improving the quality of housing stock available to rent and contributing to meeting our overall national climate targets in relation to emissions reduction. It will increase energy efficiency, help to alleviate fuel poverty, help to protect tenants' health and improve comfort levels in rental homes.

Work in this area, which will support the objectives set down in the Government’s Climate Action Plan, is ongoing. It will be underpinned in the first instance by detailed research currently being undertaken under the joint research programme my Department operates with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The primary focus of this research is an examination of typical energy-upgrade investment requirements, alongside an analysis of the financial capacity of landlords to invest in energy efficiency measures, including the split-incentive aspect. I expect this research to be completed later this year, subject to governance and peer review.

The results of the ESRI analysis will inform the Government’s next steps in this area. The appropriate balance will need to be struck improving the energy efficiency of the rental stock and the potential impact any intervention may have on the rental market, particularly around availability of accommodation. Following the completion of the ESRI analysis my Department will progress proposals to introduce the implementation of minimum BER ratings in the private rented sector in line with the target set down in Housing for All.

Question No. 75 answered with Question No. 72.

Traveller Accommodation

Questions (76)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

76. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the moneys set aside from the public purse annually for the past ten years per local authority in relation to the Traveller accommodation programme; the amount drawn down by each of the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15698/24]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.

Following a review of the arrangements for the disbursement of funding for the provision and related supports of Traveller-specific accommodation a new allocation process was implemented from 2020. My Department ceased the practice of allocating specific budgets to individual local authorities. Instead, it is open to all local authorities to apply for and draw-down funds at any time throughout the year and this is actively encouraged by my Department. Full spend of the Traveller accommodation budget has been achieved for the past 4 years, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The following tables outline the allocation and draw-down for each local authority in each of the years 2014-2024 (to date).

Local Authority Capital allocation and draw-down 2014-2019

County Council	Allocations	Drawdown	Allocations	Drawdown	Allocation	Drawdown	Allocation	Drawdown	Allocation	Drawdown	Allocation	Drawdown
	2014	2014	2015	2015	2016	2016	2017	2017	2018	2018	2019	2019
Carlow	€0	€0	€0	€0	€130,000	€0	€13,729	€13,729	€30,000	-	€95,458	€94,500
Cavan	€0	€0	€0	€0	€8,600	€9,398	€169,194	€42,444	€853,250	€13,250	€635,000	€669,389
Clare	€181,976	€250,613	€37,000	€0	€200,000	€0	€1,108,344	€97,000	€310,000	€180,250	€275,799	€42,319
Cork City	€256,687	€206,913	€800,000	€427,304	€400,000	€301,796	€110,000	€93,156	€251,197	-	€258,390	€184,745
Cork County	€0	€15,322	€149,000	€0	€30,000	€0	€147,613	€15,100	€121,800	€52,775	€161,816	-
Donegal	€3,175	€3,175	€0	€4,750	€82,000	€74,532	€414,829	€734,209	€1,321,558	€744,400	€1,628,695	€895,197
Dublin City	€407,500	€481,693	€366,299	€99,162	€1,405,198	€762,342	€1,500,000	€1,857,313	€673,686	€1,099,940	-	€32,834
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown	€8,793	€23,986	€0	€1,592,429	€419,095	€129,552	€26,847	€17,420	€851,189	€886,957	-	€848,957
Fingal	€222,575	€424,754	€645,000	€1,113,425	€26,842	€0	€209,000	€95,102	€176,996	-	-	-
Galway City	€75,127	€72,241	€0	€62,150	€40,000	€0	€625,000	-	€1,080,100	€267,032	€1,412,596	€670,440
Galway County	€0	€0	€0	€0	€117,000	€123,816	€28,566	€28,566	€15,350	€62,538	€77,200	€75,131
Kerry	€99,571	€144,415	€0	€3,810	€57,000	€255,730	€80,000	-	€80,000	€29,510	€1,000,000	€360,231
Kildare	€300,000	€0	€4,550	€0	€200,000	€0	€582,162	€563,040	€201,682	€60,067	€21,682	€408,856
Kilkenny	€450,000	€287,239	€200,000	€397,577	€377,500	€431,714	-	-	€30,000	-	-	-
Laois	€0	€60,262	€551,626	€30,600	€0	€0	€98,875	€59,933	€159,614	€54,306	€178,390	-
Leitrim	€0	€0	€0	€65,975	€18,800	€12,794	€69,576	€219,918	€858,739	€470,997	€1,015,179	€1,424,782
Limerick City	€350,000	€249,987	€0	€68,923	€81,000	€21,209	€2,922	-	€2,922	-	€2,922	-
Longford	€0	€25,000	€7,500	€88,966	€2,900	€0	€237,087	€220,048	€17,039	€3,810	€132,531	€341,863
Louth	€0	€0	€78,000	€7,620	€0	€444,484	-	-	€30,000	-	-	-
Mayo	€0	€3,810	€0	€0	€0	€0	€129,000	€5,750	€65,000	-	€75,000	€91,790
Meath	€0	€0	€0	€0	€120,000	€76,877	-	-	€400,000	€54,745	€100,000	-
Monaghan	€0	€0	€0	€0	€0	€0	€847,917	€101,616	€49,379	€10,999	€815,117	€692,329
Offaly	€70,000	€73,760	€0	€85,000	€73,000	€37,775	€52,617	€123,191	€230,000	€102,274	€253,084	€73,843
Roscommon	€54,000	€96,126	€3,069	€0	€50,000	€10,808	€161,249	€9,931	€1,046,095	€282,883	€1,435,913	€1,131,397
Sligo	€0	€0	€19,622	€0	€0	€0	€1,024,289	-	€869,643	€1,284,101	€130,557	€106,719
South Dublin	€24,750	€46,978	€0	€0	€63,000	€26,397	€327,492	€399,337	€25,655	€42,003	€25,655	-
Tipperary	€353,656	€291,874	€800,000	€23,142	€900,000	€1,399,370	€545,000	€22,610	€317,280	€472,726	€170,000	€77,562
Waterford City	€0	€9,769	€413,347	€0	€263,000	€13,545	-	-	€150,000	-	€100,000	-
Westmeath	€0	€0	€95,000	€0	€208,000	€48,000	€6,880	-	€498,801	-	€335,000	€52,870
Wexford	€105,901	€328,733	€0	€30,906	€96,000	€87,695	€52,648	€43,773	€209,620	€88,783	€104,533	-
Wicklow	€86,431	€67,038	€63,097	€27,891	€46,000	€0	€221,258		€905,665		€2,489,484
Reserve	€39,464		€66,890		€85,065		€221,258		€905,665		€2,489,484
Total Allocation							€8,778,742		€11,094,335		€10,510,516
TOTAL	€3,091,620	€3,163,688	€4,300,000	€4,129,630	€5,500,000	€4,267,834	€9,000,000	€4,834,636	€12,000,000	€6,264,345	€13,000,000	€8,657,652

Local Authority Capital draw-down 2020-2024

County Council	Drawdown	Drawdown	Drawdown	Drawdown	Drawdown (Year to date)
	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Carlow	€206,986	€0	€43,723	€567,606	€0
Cavan	€13,114	€518	€117,616	€100,552	€0
Clare	€174,032	€954,403	€423,644	€287,885	€156,936
Cork City	€1,504,850	€520,881	€1,751,577	€1,476,338	€75,034
Cork County	€133,684	€55,496	€355,809	€229,422	€0
Donegal	€245,498	€89,531	€531,711	€984,870	€0
Dublin City	€2,066,977	€351,661	€1,560,112	€1,265,992	€545,064
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown	€747,750	€371,077	€568,397	€161,879	€160,000
Fingal	€486,858	€3,423,575	€814,257	€743,899	€120,000
Galway City	€861,334	€2,005,132	€647,735	€379,647	€117,612
Galway County	€1,107,714	€284,443	€697,261	€751,180	€149,134
Kerry	€15,773	€80,165	€2,733,143	€469,894	€477,398
Kildare	€261,110	€32,588	€219,305	€1,622,329	€3,003
Kilkenny	€125,638	€145,184	€635,088	€416,518	€40,000
Laois	€192,520	€129,826	€1,207,103	€478,937	€85,860
Leitrim	€375,635	€0	€379,689	€30,052	€60,087
Limerick City	€2,370,922	€2,284,555	€133,949	€303,842	€0
Longford		€406,014	€201,468	€1,199,243	€80,410
Louth	€287,087	€15,000	€270,661	€493,458	€93,519
Mayo	€215,951	€591,614	€387,204	€541,557	€0
Meath	€58,845	€927,111	€965,435	€1,604,352	€0
Monaghan	€423,201	€413,028	€558,271	€2,291,155	€243,326
Offaly	€499,833	€246,126	€361,604	€32,974	€0
Roscommon	€148,168	€96,829	€1,108,296	€449,054	€162,591
Sligo	€1,193,489	€86,345	€561,328	€46,634	€35,000
South Dublin	€284,390	€358,873	€407,616	€378,106	€87,381
Tipperary	€156,731	€873,547	€2,051,098	€2,462,900	€37,177
Waterford City	€14,549	€173,817	€200,039	€1,937,729	€0
Westmeath	€114,326	€0	€0	€538,136	€0
Wexford	€30,382	€113,610	€217,399	€646,014	€0
Wicklow	€180,305	€469,014	€489,107	€1,106,308	€621,239
Local Property Tax	€74,466	€48,194	€506,321	€5,781,128
TOTAL	€14,572,119	€15,548,157	€21,105,968	€29,779,592	€3,350,771

Regeneration Projects

Questions (77)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

77. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list the local authority housing regeneration schemes his Department is working on with various city and county councils; the number of homes involved; what bedroom size; when the initial date was for the start of each such scheme; the current stage in the process; the likely completion date; the final expected home size; the number of homes, rental, affordable rental, and affordable purchase intended for each of these public sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15699/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The National Regeneration Programme targets the country’s most disadvantaged communities; those defined by the most extreme social exclusion, unemployment and anti-social behaviour. My Department supports an ambitious programme of regeneration projects which seek to address the causes of disadvantage in these estates through a holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration.

My Department currently supports a programme of large-scale regeneration projects in Dublin, Cork and Limerick and smaller projects in Tralee, Sligo and Dundalk. These projects seek to address the causes of disadvantage in these communities through a holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration.

My Department publishes quarterly Social Housing Construction Status Reports (CSR), which provide details of the information collected in relation to social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of design and tender processes.

The full set of published CSRs, can be found on my Department's website at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb885-social-housing-construction-projects-status-reports/

Further to the above, four large scale Mixed Tenure projects, which seek to regenerate the relevant areas, are currently underway in Dublin:

Project	Social Housing units	Cost Rental units	Affordable Purchase units	Private Developer units	Total no. of units	Current stage of process	Expected completion date
Oscar Traynor Road	343	340	170	0	853	Implementation - onsite	Phased from 2025
O’Devaney Gardens	280	264	233	267	1044	Implementation - onsite	2027
Emmet Road	137	441	0	0	578	Approval in principle issued	*
Donore Project (St. Teresa’s Gardens)	154	389	0	0	543	Approval in principle issued	*

*Completion programmes to be determined as the projects move through the tender process

The timing of completion and tenanting of homes is a matter for each local authority.

Defective Building Materials

Questions (78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89)

View answer

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

89. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered issues of the potential conflict in respect of NSAI panel members in the DCB scheme as they will potentially be regulating their own industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15736/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 to 83, inclusive, and 85 to 89, inclusive, together.

I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.

I fully acknowledge the difficulties that homeowners are facing and the Government is committed to helping those whose lives have been impacted by this issue. Mental health supports for individuals and families affected by the defective concrete blocks issue, free counselling sessions are now available to individuals and families in the four relevant counties. The Department of Health have worked with the HSE to ensure that mental health supports are available through My Mind and homeowners can visit www.mymind.org and register for the service.

I have been supportive of applications by designated local authorities for Defective Concrete Block Facilitator posts to support homeowners through the grant scheme process. I understand a facilitator was appointed by Clare County Council on 11 September 2023.

The new scheme provides very considerable enhancements for eligible homeowners and provided for the inclusion of Clare and Limerick. The Scheme is demand led and I am satisfied that it is being administered in line with the Act as set down by the Oireachtas. The Housing Agency act as agents on behalf of the local authorities under the scheme. Applications received by a local authority are referred to the Housing Agency to review the 'Building Condition Assessment Report' and determine if the home has met the 'damage threshold' for entry to the scheme. The purpose of having a damage threshold is to ensure that the worst affected homes are prioritised first.

I am not aware of any delays on the part of the Housing Agency in having houses in County Clare being approved for the remediation scheme. The Housing Agency have confirmed to my Department that twenty five applications submitted to Clare County Council across Q3 and Q4 of 2023 were inspected by the Housing Agency. The Housing Agency informed Clare County Council that all twenty five applications met the damage threshold and were therefore approved for entry into the scheme. The Housing Agency estimate appropriate remediation option and grant amount determinations will issue to Clare County Council on all twenty five applications across Q1 and Q2 of 2024.

A further 15 applications were referred to the Housing Agency by Clare County Council council in January and February 2024 and of these 12 determinations of damage threshold were determined by the Housing Agency and issued to the council.

Clare County Council has confirmed to my Department that it notified three applicants to the scheme on the decision made with respect to their remedial option and nine applicants regarding the damage threshold decision in March 2024.

Terms of Reference are being developed in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General to progress the appointment of a Senior Counsel to review the role of the industry and regulation.

I received confirmation from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) on 14 March, 2024 that the industry position regarding mortgageability of remediated houses under the DCB scheme is that once a certification of remediation is supplied as part of the Scheme that the house will then be treated in the same manner by them as any other home and Insurance Ireland have confirmed a similar position in that properties once remediated and certified will be assessed, underwritten and insured as normal.

I have recently reached a final decision on appointments for the Appeals Panel for the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme. My Department has begun work on convening the Panel to allow appeals to be dealt with in due course. When this work has been completed, appeals will be assessed and an outcome issued to those homeowners who have submitted appeals, following the decision of the Panel.

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.

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 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, and that they are currently analysing this data in advance of the completion of the research project later this year. This project is part of a substantial program of research and analysis that is underway at present as part of the NSAI review of standards.

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.

It should be noted that NSAI is Ireland’s official standards body and is an autonomous body under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment. Any matters relating to the composition of the NSAI panels should be directed to that Minister.

Question No. 79 answered with Question No. 78.

Question No. 80 answered with Question No. 78.

Question No. 81 answered with Question No. 78.

Question No. 82 answered with Question No. 78.