Written Answers Nos 337-346
337. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of enforcement notices issued by Roscommon County Council under section 154 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, specifically relating to unauthorised developments, in each of the years 2015 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13191/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile planning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/statistics/planning-statistics-1, these statistics do not include planning enforcement related information.
The Deputy may wish to contact the relevant local authority directly in relation to the information sought.
338. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 202 of 24 January 2018, the status of the report on the tenant purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13192/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the commitment given in Rebuilding Ireland, a review of the first 12 months of the Tenant Purchase Scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which took place in 2017 and saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The review is now complete and a full report has been prepared setting out findings and recommendations. In finalising the report some further inter-Departmental consultation was necessary and due consideration had to be given to possible implementation arrangements. These matters are now almost completed and I expect to be in a position to publish the outcome of the review shortly.
340. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the maritime area and foreshore (amendment) Bill (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13203/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsiderable work has been undertaken to advance the drafting of the Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill, including through engagement with the Marine Coordination Group and a number of workshops and bilateral meetings with relevant policy Departments and the Office of the Attorney General throughout 2017 and early 2018. Final legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General should be available shortly, on foot of which the further work to complete the drafting of the Bill will be progressed as quickly as possible.
341. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department contributed to an organisation (details supplied) in 2017 or 2018. [12269/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not contributed to the named organisation in 2017 or 2018.
342. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the identity of persons involved in capturing hares for coursing clubs; and if financial transactions take place between the trappers and the clubs. [13027/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department issued licences to the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) on behalf of its affiliated clubs to capture and tag hares for the 2017/18 coursing season. The licences include a large number of conditions relating to the operation of these coursing events and include a condition that all persons involved in capturing hares must have written certification, duly signed by the Coursing Club Secretary or the Secretary of the ICC, certifying that the person is a member of a Coursing Club affiliated to the ICC. This certification must be produced for inspection to a member of An Garda Siochana or an authorised officer of my Department.
I have no information as to any financial dealings involved in the capturing of hares.
343. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied that all registered coursing clubs are accurately recording the purchases of all hares in accordance with their legal requirements and are compliant with the Revenue Commissioners. [13028/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn August last year, my Department issued licences under the Wildlife Acts to the Irish Coursing Club, covering some 87 affiliated coursing clubs, to capture and tag hares for use at regulated hare coursing meetings for the 2017/18 season, which extended from the end of September 2017 to the end of February 2018. Those licences contained a total of 22 conditions which have been developed and refined over the years. Subsequently, in October last year, my Department augmented the licencing conditions to provide for more strict regulation of coursing trials.
Compliance with the requirements of the Revenue Commissioners is a matter for each coursing club and not a matter in which I have a statutory function.
344. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the financial costs of the move by Foras na Gaeilge to Amiens Street and ÁIS to Dunshaughlin; the cost of fit-outs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13057/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra345. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the rent payable by Foras na Gaeilge at 63 to 66 Amiens Street, Dublin 1 is €593,000 in view of the fact the average annual rent for the building according to the Property Services Regulatory Authority is €530,800; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13058/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 345 together.
The financial costs incurred directly by Foras na Gaeilge in relation to the relocation of its headquarters to Amiens Street and the relocation of ÁIS to Dunshaughlin amounted to €412,365.
The breakdown of costs is set out in the following table:
|
Furniture |
€173,220 |
|
Broadcasting equipment for Raidió na Life |
€133,215 |
|
Acoustic windows and doors |
€34,150 |
|
Removal costs to Dunshaughlin |
€44,288 |
|
Phone system |
€15,215 |
|
Removal costs to Amiens Street |
€12,277 |
The annual rent of €530,800 shown by Foras na Gaeilge on the Property Services Regulatory Authority's website represents the baseline rent for a thirty year contract and will be used for rent review purposes on a five yearly basis.
I understand from Foras na Gaeilge that, as set out in the terms of the contract, annual rent of €593,000 is payable for the first fifteen years in light of substantial capital costs incurred by the landlord to renovate and refit the building to meet the specific accommodation needs of Foras na Gaeilge. The annual rent is expected to reduce to €530,800 for the second half of the lease term subject to any changes arising from rent reviews.
The thirty year lease term negotiated with the landlord provides Foras na Gaeilge with stability and flexibility in terms of future planning in that the contract includes a lease break after 15 years so that other options can be explored at that time.
346. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the meetings her officials have had in the past two months regarding funding for the Cork event centre. [13073/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continues to engage with both Cork City Council and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the complex legal, state aid and match funding issues and in relation to the Cork Event Centre, through correspondence and discussion. The Department has met with the City Council on this project in the past and while there has been no formal meeting in the period referred to in the question the Department will continue to meet with the City Council when required.
In the context of the additional funding being sought for the project, my Department as sanctioning authority for the project needs to ensure that the project is robust, complies with the Public Spending Code and will deliver value for money for the Exchequer.
