Parliamentary questions

Official Travel

Peadar Tóibín

557. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent by her Department on travel and accommodation costs associated with Ministerial visits abroad to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13815/24]

Departmental Properties

Peadar Tóibín

558. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of properties either owned or leased by her Department, which are currently vacant; the length of time the properties have been vacant for; and the location of the properties, in tabular form. [13833/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Aindrias Moynihan

559. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén caitheamh caipitiúil a bhí ag Údarás na Gaeltachta sna réigiúin éagsula, le 5 bliana anuas, i bhfoirm thábla [14060/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Aindrias Moynihan

560. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén maoiniú caipitiúil atá curtha ar fáil ag Údarás na Gaeltachta do thogra Pháirc na Mara, le 5 bliana anuas, i bhfoirm thábla, cé mhéad den mhaoiniú a caitheadh sna blianta éagsúla; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [14061/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Aindrias Moynihan

561. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén maoiniú caipitiúil Údarás na Gaeltachta atá curtha ar fáil ag Údarás na Gaeltachta do thogra Choláiste Íosagáin, le 5 bliana anuas, i bhfoirm thábla, cé mhéad den mhaoiniú a caitheadh sna blianta éagsúla; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [14062/24]

Sports Funding

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

562. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the sports capital funding allocations will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14108/24]

Sport and Recreational Development

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

563. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the support her Department is providing for the proposed water hub in Carlow (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14113/24]

Broadcasting Sector

Jackie Cahill

564. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the local democracy and courts reporting scheme will be open to community radio, which plays a vital role in local news broadcasting; if not, the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14163/24]

Departmental Advertising

Jackie Cahill

565. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department uses community radio for advertising and public awareness campaigns; if not, the reason, given the vital role community radio often plays in the dissemination of information to local communities; if her Department will consider using community radio for public awareness campaigns in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14176/24]

Tourist Accommodation

Michael Healy-Rae

566. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on alleviating capacity blockages on tourism accommodation and the possibility of lessening over-reliance on hotels for humanitarian purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14219/24]

Sport and Recreational Development

Neasa Hourigan

567. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on her Department's support for a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14491/24]

Sports Funding

Niamh Smyth

568. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on a sports capital application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14533/24]

Sports Funding

Niamh Smyth

569. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on a sports capital application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14534/24]

Sports Events

Matt Shanahan

570. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide the current application status of a funding request from an organisation (details supplied) to support hosting of the world rally championships in Ireland on a three-year programme event; to confirm that Government will commit to €15 million funding in total, based on a €5 million support payment per year on a three-year contract basis; if he will acknowledge that a decision needs to be provided within the next ten days in order to ensure Ireland remains a contender for these rally slots. [14607/24]

Sport and Recreational Development

Niamh Smyth

571. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on funding (detail supplied); if she will provide the expected timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14637/24]

Sports Funding

Paul Kehoe

572. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects the next round of sports capital funding to be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14660/24]

Broadcasting Sector

Pádraig O'Sullivan

573. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whether it is intended that the Irish public will be able to access the new Freely platform which is launching later this year and which will allow users to watch live TV via the internet for free, as provided for under the Good Friday Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14668/24]

Official Engagements

Paul Donnelly

574. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has visited the Royal Irish Academy of Music to date in 2024. [14794/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

575. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 173 and 174 of 6 March 2024, the amount of funding provided by either Horse Sport Ireland and Sport Ireland to equestrian related bodies in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; under what programmes and for what purposes, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14823/24]

Sports Facilities

Seán Sherlock

576. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware of the urgent need for running tracks in Cork, following the recent closure of the UCC track; and if she is in receipt of any urgent requests to assist same. [14854/24]

Departmental Bodies

Matt Carthy

577. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will list the agencies under her aegis; and the appropriate email address for Oireachtas liaison. [14990/24]

Sports Funding

Mattie McGrath

578. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress of sports capital grant applications; when she intends to make an announcement for successful allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15055/24]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

579. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for a list of capital projects funded under Stream E in the past five years; and to detail how much money was allocated to each project. [15057/24]

Departmental Funding

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

580. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what money is available for the development of new artist workspaces. [15058/24]

Departmental Funding

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

581. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what money has been allocated to artist workspaces in the past five years. [15059/24]

Departmental Funding

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

582. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what funding is available to amateur arts in Ireland, including choirs. [15060/24]

Sports Funding

Mattie McGrath

583. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how frequently the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund is allocated; if there is a live applications process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15108/24]

Sports Funding

Eoin Ó Broin

584. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to outline all pathways through which adult women's football teams can access funding from her Department; and the dates on which the next rounds for applications for available programmes will open. [15188/24]

Departmental Funding

Niall Collins

585. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if grant assistance is available for a club (details supplied) to provide worker accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15201/24]

Sports Funding

Aindrias Moynihan

586. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the up-to-date position on a sports capital grant application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15269/24]

Sports Events

Brendan Griffin

587. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding will be provided to assist in the hosting of three future WRC events in Ireland; if she will provide details of engagements with organisations (details supplied) on the matter to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15270/24]

Departmental Funding

Mairéad Farrell

588. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what grant funding is currently available for small music venues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15352/24]

Official Engagements

Paul Donnelly

589. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has met formally with the new GAA President since his appointment. [15387/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Louise O'Reilly

590. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to bring forward changes to the public service pension to allow workers to work past their contracted retirement date, as per the recent announcement from the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14564/24]

Development Contributions

Brian Leddin

591. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the temporary development contribution waiver scheme; whether he is considering extending it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15522/24]

Development Contributions

Seán Haughey

592. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the development contribution waiver scheme in order to help first time buyers who wish to build their own house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15580/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Paul Murphy

593. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a referendum on maintaining water services in public ownership will be held. [15691/24]

Development Contributions

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

594. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to extend the development levy waiver scheme, due to expire on 24 April 2024. [15697/24]

Development Contributions

Brian Stanley

595. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will extend the exemption for development levies for self-build (one-off) homes (details supplied). [13565/24]

Development Contributions

Alan Kelly

596. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to extend the local authority fees/Irish Water waiver scheme beyond 24 April 2024. [13571/24]

Local Authorities

Mairéad Farrell

597. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacancies in Galway City Council and Galway County Council; if he is aware of recruitment difficulties within local authorities; if local authorities will be given additional resources to recruit staff in their respective housing sections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13611/24]

Departmental Data

Jim O'Callaghan

598. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many local authority tenants in Dublin city have had their homes retrofitted; how many are planned to be carried out over next three years; the waiting time for tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13620/24]

Housing Schemes

Ruairí Ó Murchú

599. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a mechanism available to a council tenant who was allocated an OPD property that was not specially adapted and whose circumstances have now changed after getting married, to purchase the property under the tenant incremental purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13660/24]

Commercial Rates

Éamon Ó Cuív

600. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider amending the way that the rates valuation on islands are calculated in view of the lack of public services on the islands in the form of sewerage, footpaths, street lighting, waste collection services etc. and the extra cost of doing business on an offshore island and also to stimulate business on the islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13664/24]

Housing Policy

Jim O'Callaghan

601. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what his plans are to deal with the number of new apartments being for built for rent as opposed to for sale; if he plans to tackle this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13716/24]

Housing Policy

Jim O'Callaghan

602. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how his Department is ensuring that adequate amenities and services are built alongside new homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13717/24]

Regeneration Projects

Catherine Murphy

603. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide this Deputy with a note on the outcome of his Department's consideration of a project (details supplied); and if he has communicated same to the local authority. [13721/24]

Departmental Data

Mairéad Farrell

604. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff employed in Galway City Council and Galway County Council housing departments, respectively, each year since 2013; the number of applications on the social housing waiting list for Galway City Council and Galway County Council in the same time period; the number of people accessing homeless services in Galway City Council and Galway County Council each year since 2013, in tabular form. [13739/24]

Defective Building Materials

Pearse Doherty

605. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the possible closure of a child care service (details supplied) as a result of the presence of defective concrete blocks in its building; if he can provide any advice to the organisation; if he has considered extending the redress scheme to avoid organisations like this one having to close its doors through no fault of its own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13759/24]

Development Contributions

Seán Sherlock

606. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to extend the temporary development contribution waiver scheme beyond 24 April 2024 finish date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13762/24]

Development Contributions

Seán Sherlock

607. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider an exemption under the temporary development contribution waiver scheme for a number of one-off housing applicants who were not aware of the scheme and who began their family homes before the start date of 25 April and who now face a contribution bill from their local authority; if such a charge can be appealed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13763/24]

Departmental Reports

Maurice Quinlivan

608. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the report reviewing housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability; to provide a date by which we can expect the said report to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13773/24]

Environmental Policy

Peadar Tóibín

609. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the ramifications for the Government, and Irish farmers and landowners, following the passage of the Nature Restoration Law in the European Parliament; if his Department has undertaken any assessment to determine the number of hectares and landowners who will be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13777/24]

Official Travel

Peadar Tóibín

610. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent by his Department on travel and accommodation costs associated with ministerial visits abroad to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13809/24]

Departmental Properties

Peadar Tóibín

611. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant properties either owned or leased by his Department; the length of time the properties have been vacant; and the location of the properties, in tabular form. [13827/24]

Defective Building Materials

Francis Noel Duffy

612. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are targeted measures to support tenants who have to leave their rental accommodation undergoing pyrite remediation under the pyrite remediation scheme; if costs for alternative accommodation for those tenants waiting to return to the property will be recouped; the process of applying if supports exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13841/24]

Heritage Projects

Ged Nash

613. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the LGMA and the National Town Centre First office will carry out a long-awaited collaborative town centre health check for Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13847/24]

Development Contributions

Michael Healy-Rae

614. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to extend the temporary waiver on development contributions beyond April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13887/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

615. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the average cost to upgrade to a BER B2 as part of the retrofit of social housing in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13935/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

616. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on our 2030 retrofitting targets; to report on the pathway between now and 2030 to reach our 2030 targets; to provide a breakdown of projected/estimated targets for completed retrofits in social housing in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030; to provide a breakdown of projected/estimated targets for completed retrofits to a BER B2 standard or higher in social housing in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13936/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

617. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the retrofitting targets in social housing in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; to provide a breakdown of how many retrofits were completed in social housing in the corresponding timeframe; to provide a breakdown of the retrofitting targets in social housing; to provide a breakdown of how many retrofits were completed to BER B2 standard or higher in social housing; to provide a breakdown of the retrofitting targets in social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13937/24]

Defective Building Materials

Martin Kenny

618. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme to include homes built in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13939/24]

National Monuments

Paul Murphy

619. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason, regarding the Moore Street area, which holds the oldest surviving street market in Ireland, a 1916 battleground and a not yet officially recognised World Heritage History site, awaiting official recognition, his Department and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage at the time in February 2017 challenged the ruling made in terms of the Moore Street area as a "national historical monument"; if he agrees that the area needs to be conserved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13942/24]

Legislative Process

Eoin Ó Broin

620. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to explain the delay in publishing and introducing the Marine Protected Areas Bill, and to set out the impact this delay will have on the development of offshore wind energy projects. [13950/24]

Departmental Reports

Carol Nolan

621. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider revising the maximum grant cap allowed with respect to housing adaptation grants in order to keep pace with the increases in building costs and construction inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13959/24]

Departmental Reports

Carol Nolan

622. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided by his Department for housing adaptation grants to each local authority for 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13960/24]

Electric Vehicles

Catherine Murphy

623. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is any provision for a requirement for retrospective installations of electric vehicle or EV charging points in developments that have been granted planning permission; and if regulations are only applicable to new planning applications (details supplied). [13979/24]

Housing Schemes

Chris Andrews

624. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a cost-rental tenant in situ application (details supplied) was cancelled; and if the application will be reviewed with a view to proceeding with it. [13987/24]

Development Contributions

Pat Buckley

625. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider extending the temporary development contribution waiver scheme, given it is due to expire in April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13992/24]

Housing Policy

Brendan Griffin

626. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14030/24]

Development Contributions

Niamh Smyth

627. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review matters raised in correspondence (detail supplied); if these waivers will be extended past April 2024 for this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14087/24]

Septic Tanks

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

628. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many septic tanks have been inspected in Carlow to date, in tabular form, annually since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14106/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

629. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the consideration he has given to extending the retirement age for retained firefighters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14107/24]

Housing Schemes

Aindrias Moynihan

630. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to give consideration to including Part V properties under the tenant purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14115/24]

Planning Issues

Paul Murphy

631. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he intends to change the law in light of the decision in a case (details supplied) to ensure that applications for installation of masts need to go through a planning process including the notification of the public and the right to object. [14128/24]

Electoral Process

Neasa Hourigan

632. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to merge the voter registration websites checktheregister.ie and voter.ie; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14155/24]

Departmental Advertising

Jackie Cahill

633. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department uses community radio for advertising and public awareness campaigns; if not, the reason, given the vital role community radio often plays in the dissemination of information to local communities; if his Department will consider using community radio for public awareness campaigns in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14168/24]

Housing Schemes

Gino Kenny

634. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if he will raise the matter with decision-making officials in Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14209/24]

Housing Schemes

Mark Ward

635. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the statutory time where a social housing application must be processed by a local authority; if this is the same for each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14282/24]

Housing Schemes

Ruairí Ó Murchú

636. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will detail the sources of, and definition of, reckonable income for the purposes of local authorities' assessment of applications under the tenant incremental purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14283/24]

Local Authorities

Holly Cairns

637. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a timeline is set for the process to recruit a Chief Executive Officer to Cork County Council; the term of the contract for the new CEO; and, if applicable, the number of candidates who have so far expressed an interest in the role. [14288/24]

State Bodies

Jackie Cahill

638. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of concerns that Tailte Éireann has commenced the practice of not providing reasons for rejection when rejecting applications in more recent months; what is the justification for reasons for rejection not being provided when applications are rejected; what lead to the decision to commence this practice; what consultation was had with interested parties before the commencement of this practice; if Tailte Éireann will reverse this decision and recommence the practice of providing reasons for rejection with rejected applications, given the inefficiency this has created in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14294/24]

Housing Schemes

Patricia Ryan

639. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff working at processing HAP applications in the HAP offices in Limerick, in tabular form. [14301/24]

Housing Schemes

Patricia Ryan

640. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will investigate the reason for HAP applications taking from 12 to 18 weeks to be completed, leaving applicants in very difficult situations, causing huge financial distress and even in some cases causing applicants to lose the home due to the delay in completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14302/24]

Housing Schemes

Patricia Ryan

641. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when current HAP limits for County Kildare are due to be reviewed, in light of continually rising rent levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14303/24]

Electoral Process

Holly Cairns

642. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the evidence on which the decision was made to close voting at 8 pm on Whiddy Island for the recent referendum on 8 March 2024, considering the polling officer and polling clerk are residents on the island thus are not limited by bad weather or the ferry timetable, which could be altered as necessary to facilitate voting; to extend voting times for future polling days on Whiddy Island back to 10 pm in line with the rest of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14309/24]

International Protection

Seán Haughey

643. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an exempted development regulation for the change of use of a wide repository of buildings for the accommodation of international protection applicants has been signed into law; if he plans to review the planning laws in place for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14344/24]

Fire Safety

Cian O'Callaghan

644. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details on how the interim fire safety defect scheme will work for individuals who have already paid for defects to be repaired; how refunds will be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14352/24]

Housing Policy

Catherine Connolly

645. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 197 of 14 February 2024, the status of the development of the new rural housing guidelines; the timeline for the publication of the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14356/24]

Planning Issues

Catherine Connolly

646. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 198 of 14 February 2024, the status of the steering group which will agree and guide the implementation of the Ministerial Action Plan to respond to capacity challenges in the planning sector; the timeline for the publication of the Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14357/24]

Public Private Partnerships

Rose Conway-Walsh

647. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 708 and 709 of 20 March, the percentage of the unitary payment for social housing PPP bundles 1 and 2 that is indexed or understood to be allocated towards operational costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14369/24]

Public Private Partnerships

Rose Conway-Walsh

648. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when information on the anticipated total cost to the Exchequer of PPP bundles 3 to 7 will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14370/24]

Vacant Properties

Eoin Ó Broin

649. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on his Department's audit of vacant and derelict homes across the State; the number of vacant and derelict homes brought back into active use in 2023, broken down by delivery stream, that is refurbishment grant, council CPO, and so on, in tabular form. [14373/24]

Departmental Data

Eoin Ó Broin

650. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on his Department's audit of vacant and derelict homes across the State; the number of vacant and derelict homes brought back into active use in 2023, broken down by delivery stream, that is refurbishment grant, council CPO, and so on, in tabular form. [14373/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Louise O'Reilly

651. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he received correspondences from a group (details supplied); and when the group can expect a substantive response to the issues raised with his office. [14394/24]

Defective Building Materials

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

652. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason an applicant under the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme cannot be paid a stage payment and rental support payment at the same time under the scheme; and if he is aware that this causes real distress to families as this will delay the remediation works if building contractors are delayed their stage payments. [14530/24]

Mayoral Election

Patrick Costello

653. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a referendum on a directly elected mayor for Dublin will take place on the same day as the 2024 local elections. [14575/24]

Planning Issues

Eoin Ó Broin

654. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage to list the dates on which he or any of his advisors has met with representatives of an organisation (details supplied) since May 2023; to detail the issues that were raised by the organisation; and to confirm whether issues related to Wicklow County Council’s refusal of a planning application by the organisation for 98 homes in Greystones, County Wicklow in May 2023 were discussed at any of these meetings. [14578/24]

Planning Issues

Eoin Ó Broin

655. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage whether he, any of his advisors or any of the officials working on the Planning and Development Bill 2023 revised written or oral submissions from an organisation (details supplied) or its representatives on the wording of Government Amendment No. 605 to the Planning and Development Bill 2023, as discussed at Select Committee on 21 February 2024. [14579/24]

Emergency Accommodation

Thomas Gould

656. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether emergency accommodation can be refused on the basis of a previous eviction from social housing; whether there is a timeframe for this impact; and whether a local authority should take into account proven efforts by a person to resolve vulnerabilities that led to the eviction. [14581/24]