Written Answers Nos. 607-625
607. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding allocated for and drawn down by all local authorities for Traveller accommodation in the first quarter of 2018, in tabular form. [17586/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The allocations and recoupment profiles for capital Traveller accommodation projects can vary across local authorities given the local priorities, circumstances and project timelines as set out in their Programmes. These programmes provide a road map for local authority investment priorities over the period. They also form the basis for the allocation of funding from my Department for Traveller accommodation.
The allocation process for 2018 is currently underway. Pending notification of 2018 allocations, local authorities are continuing to progress projects where contractual commitments have already been approved by the Department. Similarly, local authorities continue to make formal submissions to the Department for new project approvals.
The following table sets out the drawdown to date for 2018:
|
Local Authority |
2018 Drawdown |
|
Dublin City |
€ 54,879.69 |
|
Galway County |
€ 36,158.41 |
|
Monaghan |
€ 29,714.30 |
|
Roscommon |
€ 102,273.72 |
|
Sligo |
€ 7,656.52 |
|
Wicklow |
€ 19,393.14 |
|
TOTALS |
€ 250,075.78 |
608. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to take in charge a number of properties (details supplied). [17652/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not a function of my Department to take properties in charge. However, I understand that the relevant local authority is engaged with the current owners of the properties concerned and with full co-operation from all involved, I hope the matter will be resolved in the near future.
609. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the criteria for membership of the board of the Residential Tenancies Board have been reviewed since its remit was extended to cover approved housing bodies in 2016; his views on whether the current criteria create a conflict of interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17706/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) is governed by the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 – 2016. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 amended section 3 of the 2004 Act so that dwellings let by approved housing bodies (AHBs) to social housing tenants now come within the remit of the Act. The position of these tenants is significantly improved by the change, which commenced on 7 April 2016.
The Act requires that Board members of the RTB shall be persons who, in the Minister’s opinion, have experience in a field of expertise relevant to the Board’s functions. In accordance with the Government Decision regarding appointments to vacancies on State Boards, with effect from 1 November 2014, vacancies on the Board must be advertised openly on the State Boards portal, www.stateboards.ie, operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
The Government believes that putting in place a system for appointments to State Boards that is open, accessible, rigorous and transparent will yield additional applications from accomplished, experienced and qualified individuals who wish to make a commitment to public service that might not have previously been identified as available for appointment to State Boards. One of the core elements of the model agreed by Government is the operation by PAS of an independent, expert, rigorous and transparent system of assessment.
On appointment, RTB Board members are required to sign and adhere to the code of practice for Board members, as detailed on the RTB website at the following link:
https://onestopshop.rtb.ie/images/uploads/general/Code_of_Conduct_for_Board_Members_2017.pdf .
As outlined in the Code, Board members must also comply with the requirements of section 170 of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2004 in relation to disclosure of interests and must disclose outside business or employment interests in conflict or in potential conflict with the business of the RTB.
I am satisfied the RTB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance, in compliance with the Codes of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
The RTB continually reviews its Board's structure and criteria on an annual basis, insofar as that it fully complies with the best practices of good corporate governance, introduced via the comprehensive 2016 Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies (Chapters 3 (Role of Board Members) & 4 (Board Effectiveness) refer).
610. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if all homeless households (details supplied) are being counted in the figures published monthly by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17818/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes a monthly report on homelessness. The monthly report is based on data provided by housing authorities and produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). The report captures details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities and can be accessed at the following link - http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
Local authorities work closely with officials from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP). In a small number of local authorities, the arrangements in place involves the DEASP making a payment for emergency accommodation following an assessment by the local authority. Individuals accommodated by this arrangement are recorded on PASS for reporting purposes.
611. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will sanction the appropriate measures to allow citizens who are abroad on holidays to vote in the forthcoming referendum on the eighth amendment and subsequent elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17891/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPostal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of a number of categories of electors - whole-time members of the Defence Forces, members of An Garda Síochána, Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses/civil partners, electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or a physical disability, electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day, full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State, prisoners and certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside. Potential voters falling into these categories who are not already postal voters have until 28 April 2018 to apply to their registration authorities for inclusion in the supplement to the postal voters list to avail of a postal vote in the forthcoming referendum.
While electoral law is subject to ongoing review I have no proposals at present to extend existing arrangements for postal voting.
612. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the form, date and amount of all invoices issued to his Department by a company (details supplied) in each of the years from 2007 to 2017, in tabular form. [17909/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Press Office of my Department liaises with the media on behalf of my Department as well as all Ministers. The engagement of external expertise is generally only considered where the issues involved require expert skills or capabilities that are not readily available within my Department. No invoices were issued to my Department by the company in question between 2007 and 2017 nor did my Department make any payments to this company.
613. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if under the lobbyist register it is expected that calls from lobbyists are recorded; if this is the practice in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17991/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 requires a person carrying out lobbying activities to register and submit returns of such activity. The obligation to register and submit returns rests with the person lobbying, not the Designated Public Official. The returns register is publicly available to view and records relevant communication between a registered person and a Designated Public Official.
There is no obligation or facility under the Regulation of Lobbying Act for Designated Public Officials to record calls from lobbyists. However it is standard procedure within my Department, and in line with good practice as set out in the Register of Lobbying’s published Guidance for Designated Public Officials, to note important communications regarding official business.
614. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the definition of exceptional circumstances when accessing an appeal by a person to the pyrite remediation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18023/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” for affected homeowners who have no other practical option to obtain redress and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.
The scheme is applicable to dwellings which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established, in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. In this regard, it is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a Damage Condition Rating of 2. Dwellings which do not have a Damage Condition Rating of 2 are not eligible to apply under the scheme. This ensures that, having regard to the available resources, the focus of the scheme is on dwellings which are most severely damaged by pyritic heave. I have no proposals to amend this eligibility criterion.
Where a dwelling, otherwise not eligible for inclusion in the scheme, adjoins a dwelling already included in the scheme, such a dwelling may be considered in accordance with the exceptional circumstance provisions set out in section 17 of the Act. Section 17 provides that exceptional circumstances may apply where -
- failure to include a dwelling in the scheme may result in damage to that dwelling or damage to the dwelling being remediated under the scheme, or
- pyrite remediation work is causing or may cause damage to a dwelling.
The Housing Agency will consider if exceptional circumstances apply when the Remedial Works Plan is being drawn up and the Board will be informed of any recommendation for a decision on the matter. To date, no dwellings have been included in the pyrite remediation scheme under the exceptional circumstances provisions of the Act. My Department is in regular contact with the Board and the Housing Agency in relation to the implementation of the scheme and is satisfied with the arrangements that are currently in place, including in relation to appeals.
615. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 621 and 622 of 23 January 2018, if a feasibility study will be examined in conjunction with Wexford County Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Trinity College Dublin and a company (details supplied) in view of the findings and recommendations of a report; if the feasibility study will examine the conversion of sludge cake into fuel for domestic houses and-or fuel for coal powered power plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18039/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EPA research report referred to, which was published in 2014, examined the future management options for the collection, treatment and disposal of sludge derived from domestic wastewater treatment systems. One of the recommendations included the need to consider alternative sludge recycling or disposal routes, such as incineration, recycling to energy crops, pyrolysis or the export of dried biosolids against a background of increasing volumes of sludge deriving from both municipal and domestic sources.
Irish Water published its National Wastewater Sludge Management Plan (NWSMP) in 2016. The NWSMP outlines a strategy to ensure a nationwide standardised approach for managing wastewater sludge over the next 25 years. It sets out proposals for the investment in future treatment, transport and reuse or disposal of such sludge and it references the recommendations in the EPA research report. It identifies reuse on agricultural land as the preferred outlet in the short to medium term but commits to examining alternative options to reduce the current dependence on such reuse.
I understand that Irish Water will carry out a feasibility study into the identification of viable alternatives, including detailed consideration of thermal treatments, before the next review of the NWSMP which will be due in 2021.
616. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when additional financial allocations will be made to Monaghan County Council in view of the additional expenditure incurred by councils during the snowstorms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18046/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra617. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when additional financial allocations will be made to Cavan County Council in view of the additional expenditure incurred by councils during the snowstorms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18062/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 616 and 617 together.
Since 2009, my Department has made financial support available to assist local authorities in meeting the costs of clean-up and necessary immediate works associated with the response to significant severe weather emergency events. This is in recognition of the exceptional nature of activities carried out by local authorities in responding to these types of emergencies and the fact that the costs of these un-programmed activities cannot be met from within existing resources.
In relation to the recent severe cold weather and snow that caused widespread disruption in many parts of the country, my Department wrote to all local authorities on 29 March 2018 inviting them to submit claims for recoupment of the exceptional costs involved in the response and clean-up.
Claims have now been received from the majority of local authorities, including Cavan and Monaghan County Councils. These claims will now be processed and paid in due course.
618. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress that has been made to increase purpose-built student accommodation by the end of 2019; the number of beds that have been built to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18099/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan For Housing and Homelessness identifies the important contribution that increased student accommodation provision can make to resolving the overall housing undersupply problem. Rebuilding Ireland builds on the close cooperation of my Department with the Department of Education and Skills on the issue of student accommodation over a number of years, including through the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Student Accommodation.
Many of the issues raised at the Working Group forum translated into specific actions of the Rebuilding Ireland action plan, aimed at supporting the development of new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) nationally and meeting the accommodation needs of our growing third-level population into the future. Specific legislative responses to assist student accommodation projects were provided for in the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016. These included the fast-tracking of planning applications for construction projects with greater than 200 bedspaces directly to An Bord Pleanála and the availability of financing from the Housing Finance Agency to the Higher Education Institutes specifically for new student accommodation projects.
The National Student Accommodation Strategy was also launched in July 2017 which includes eight key targets and 27 actions to support the delivery of an increased supply of purpose-built student accommodation.
These and other measures are contributing to the significant increase in the delivery of PBSA nationally. From the publication of Rebuilding Ireland in July 2016 to the end of Q1 2018, a total of 2,687 new student bed spaces had been completed, with a further 5,842 bed spaces under construction and planning permissions granted for an additional 8,636 bed spaces.
These figures indicate that the objective of delivering an additional 7,000 new bedspaces nationally by end of 2019 will be achieved with significant potential to provide further PBSA, if planned projects proceed through construction.
619. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps being taken to protect the Irish hare; the measures that are already in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18024/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe hare is protected under the Wildlife Acts although there is a short Open Season when hunting is permitted, and the capture of hares for coursing is permitted under license.
The hare is also on Annex V of EU Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive) and Ireland is required to make a detailed report every six years on the conservation status of all species listed in the Annexes to that Directive, including the Hare. Ireland’s most recent report in 2013 included a comprehensive assessment of the range, population status, habitat and threats for the Irish hare. The report can be downloaded at https://www.npws.ie/article-17-reports-0/article-17-reports-2013. The next report is due in 2019.
The 2013 report stated that the Hare is found throughout the country from coastal habitats to upland heath and bog. The Hare is widespread and common in Ireland with a broad habitat niche. None of the identified threats are considered likely to impact on its conservation status in the foreseeable future and the Overall Conservation Status was assessed as Favourable.
In addition to the reporting requirements of the EU Habitats Directive, data on the distribution of the hare is being collected continuously by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the recent Atlas of Mammals in Ireland 2010-2015 provided a summary of the species’ range, demonstrating that it remains widespread across the country.
My Department recently commissioned a new assessment of the status of hare’s population in Ireland. The survey work to inform this population assessment will extend over two years to provide for a comprehensive review of the national situation. The first round of surveys began in December 2017, with a second survey season to follow in winter 2018/19. The final report is due in July 2019.
620. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the concern in the communities of Burt, Bridgend, Burnfoot and Inch Island in the Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal, at the widespread removal of landscape features such as trees and hedges across an estate (details supplied); and if her departmental officials in addition to the NPWS have ensured that these works are in compliance with all relevant domestic legislation and European directives. [17413/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe area of Inch Lake and surrounding wet grassland within the area referred to by the Deputy has been leased by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department under a 30 year agreement established in 2001. This area has been developed into the Inch Wildfowl Reserve. Inch Wildfowl Reserve is not a statutory nature reserve but is afforded protection by its inclusion in the Lough Swilly special protection area and by provisions of the Wildlife Acts.
My Department respects that the area referred to is a working farm and it is the provision of winter grazing and crop waste that ensures the suitability of the site for large numbers of geese and swans. My Department had a long standing Farm Plan with the previous owners of the estate and is in discussions with the current owner with the view to establishing a new plan.
Over the winter of 2017/18 concerns had been raised in relation to the clearing of existing drains and cutting of large trees in existing hedge lines on the area referred to. The cutting of trees, hedgerows and clearing of existing drains are not activities requiring my consent, as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, on areas of established grassland or cultivated land. This is due to these activities being considered unlikely to have a negative impact on the species for which the site has been designated as a special protection area.
The owner of the area referred to had carried out maintenance of the existing farm drains and cutting and trimming of hedges. These works were monitored by officials from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department.
It is my understanding that an application under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations 2011 was received by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in September 2017 from the owner of the area referred to requesting consent to clear trees and scrub in a specific area within the special protection area. That consent was granted for the carrying out of these works, which, I am advised, commenced on 23 February 2018.
621. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cá mhéad comhairle contae agus cathrach a bhfuil oifigeach Gaeilge lánaimseartha acu; cá mhéad acu a bhfuil oifigeach Gaeilge páirtaimseartha acu; cá mhéad acu nach bhfuil aon oifigeach Gaeilge acu ar chor ar bith; cén fáth nach bhfuil oifigeach lánaimseartha ag gach comhairle contae agus cathrach; cén plean atá aici chun a chinntiú go mbeidh oifigeach Gaeilge lánaimseartha ag gach comhairle contae agus cathrach; cathain a chuirfidh sí an plean sin i bhfeidhm; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [17597/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá mo comhghleacaí, an tAire Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil, freagrach as an bplean fórsa oibre mar a bhaineann sé leis na húdaráis áitiúla, lena n-áirítear monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar an leibhéal fostaíochta sna húdaráis áitiúla. De bharr seo, bailíonn a Roinn eolas gach ráithe ar líon na bhfostaithe san earnáil sin. Ní thugann an t-eolas sin aon léargas ar líon na n-oifigeach Gaeilge atá fostaithe san earnáil i gcoitinne nó in aon Údarás Áitiúil ar leith, áfach. Mar sin, níl an t-eolas atá iarrtha ag an Teachta ar fáil ón Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil. Aithním an obair fhiúntach atá ar bun ag an ngréasán d’Oifigigh Gaeilge atá gníomhach sna húdaráis áitiúla agus chas mé fhéin agus oifigigh mo Roinne leo mar ghrúpa ar dhá ócáid le breis is bliain anuas. Is léir ó na cruinnithe sin gur oifigigh iad atá tiomanta do chur chun cinn na Gaeilge in earnáil an rialtais áitiúil agus tá moladh tuilte acu as an tiomantas sin.
Maidir le cúrsaí earcaíochta i gcoitinne, tá súil agam go gcuideoidh Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2017 atá á dhréachtu faoi láthair le líon leordhóthanach de chainteoirí Gaeilge á earcú don tseirbhís phoiblí. Beidh sé mar chuspóir sa Bhille seo go mbeidh 20% de na daoine nua a earcaítear don tseirbhís phoiblí ina gcainteoirí Gaeilge, go mbeidh gach oifig phoiblí atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht ag feidhmiú trí Ghaeilge agus go mbeidh na comhlachtaí phoiblí in ann freastal ar an éileamh ón bpobal ar sheirbhísí trí Ghaeilge. Tá an Bille seo ar chlár reachtaíochta an Rialtais le foilsiú le roimh an tsamhraidh.
622. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the grants or supports available for persons who seek to maintain buildings that are over 50 years old; and her plans to make grants and supports available to religious organisations that are struggling to maintain buildings that are over 100 years old. [17793/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFinancial support is provided by my Department through a number of schemes for the conservation and protection of historic buildings. These schemes are administered by local authorities and include the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund.
Projects to be funded under these schemes in 2018 were announced recently and details are available on all local authority websites and on my Department’s website. While the closing date for the 2018 schemes has now passed, my Department remains in contact with local authorities throughout the year to ensure the best possible use of funding, including by reallocating funds when, for example, projects do not go ahead.
In the context of a particular building, the best advice for the owner may be to contact the Architectural Conservation Officer or Heritage Officer in the local authority who will be able to advise on the various types of funding available to assist with the building.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. Grants are announced by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
623. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress that has been made with regard to payment of rent due for the provision of installations at a location (details supplied) for the last several years; the position regarding the management of these masts; when payment is expected to be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17896/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service side of my Department commenced, late last year, discussions with various interests with a mast presence in the area in question. The aim of these discussions is not just to address the issue of payments but also enhancing the overall care and management of the site. These discussions are still on going.
624. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the form, date and amount of all invoices issued to her Department by a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2007 to 2017, in tabular form. [17902/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that, since the establishment of this Department in June 2011, no payments have been made by my Department to the company in question.
625. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she will re-establish the all-party consultation group on commemorations for the decade of centenaries, which has not met since February 2016. [17923/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the lead up to the State’s commemoration of the centenary of the events of 1916, the All-Party Consultative Group on Commemorations proved very constructive. In the upcoming years to 2023, and the various historical events falling to be remembered, such input will again be beneficial in informing the State Commemorative Programme for the remainder of the Decade of Centenaries.
Last September, my predecessor Minister Humphreys, wrote to the Ceann Comhairle requesting the Business Committee to nominate Deputies and Senators to the group.
Parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly that are not represented in the Dáil or Seanad were also requested to make nominations.
Some nominations from the Dáil, Seanad and Northern Ireland Assembly remain outstanding, but I expect most of these to reach me shortly. I will then be in a position to convene an early meeting of the Group.
