Tuesday, 3 Jul 2018

Written Answers Nos. 561-581

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (561)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

561. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the Planning and Development Act 2000 makes provision on the way in which to proceed with a planning application to take into account the impact of a planning application on the unique features of the existing physical landscape and-or subterranean features in the context of environmental impact assessments, archaeological assessments and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28976/18]

Freagraí scríofa

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

The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, makes provision under section 172 that an applicant for consent to carry out proposed development subject to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for submission to the planning authority, or the Board as the case may be, in accordance with permission regulations made by the Minister in this regard.

Section 177 of the Act further provides that the Minister may prescribe the information that is to be contained in an EIS prepared by the developer as part of such an application. In this regard, Article 94 and Schedule 6 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) set out the information to be contained in an EIS and specify that it must incorporate “a description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the proposed development including, in particular”, inter alia, “landscape” and “material assets, including the architectural and archaeological heritage, and the cultural heritage”, as well as “the inter-relationship between these factors”. Schedule 6 also requires that an EIS shall contain a “description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and, if possible, remedy significant adverse effects”.

The EIA process ensures that any potential significant environmental impacts of a proposed development on any existing physical landscape and/or subterranean features in the context of EIA are considered and taken into account, prior to a decision being made on such an individual planning application or appeal.

Planning Guidelines

Ceisteanna (562)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

562. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to extend the period of time for citizens' submissions in the context of planning applications made directly to An Bord Pleanála in situations in which the local authority is bypassed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28977/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

An Bord Pleanála is responsible for determining planning applications for strategic infrastructure development (SID), including more recently strategic housing development (SHD).

The SID and SHD provisions in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, provide for the necessary public notification, site notice and public consultation arrangements in respect of such planning applications, broadly similar to the arrangements in place in respect of planning applications for smaller development proposals made directly to the relevant local planning authority in the first instance.

Therefore, any person or body may, within the requisite period and on payment of the appropriate fee, make a submission or observations to the Board in respect of an application for permission for a proposed SID or SHD.

I am satisfied that there are appropriate procedures in place to ensure that the wider public have an opportunity to give their observations on proposed SID and SHD planning applications and I have no proposals to change the procedures in this regard.

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Ceisteanna (563)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

563. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the 2018 review of income eligibility levels for social housing will be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28982/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.

The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. It is important to note that the limits introduced at that time also reflected a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.

As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports has commenced. The Housing Agency is carrying out the detailed statistical work which will underpin this review on behalf of my Department.

I expect the results of the review to be available for publication in late Summer 2018.

Home Loan Scheme

Ceisteanna (564)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

564. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of an application by persons (details supplied) under the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28995/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is provided by local authorities in accordance with the Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans) Regulations 2018, which broadly set out the eligibility criteria to avail of the loans as well as the obligations of the local authorities and duties of borrowers in respect of the Scheme. In accordance with the regulations, as Minister, I have issued a statutory credit policy which obliges each local authority to establish a credit committee to assess and decide on applications and an appeals mechanism for those who are not satisfied with a decision of the credit committee.

To support local authorities in operating the Scheme, the Housing Agency provides a central assessment service to the authorities and makes recommendations to them in respect of each application submitted to it. The final decision on loan approval is a matter for each local authority and its credit committee to make on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations and the statutory credit policy, having regard to the recommendation of the Housing Agency, in order to ensure consistency of treatment for all applicants.

Under legislation, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions and as Minister, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned. I am therefore not in a position to comment on or deal with an individual case.

The persons concerned should therefore contact the local authority to which they applied for the loan for an update in relation to their application.

Irish Water Administration

Ceisteanna (565)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

565. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a customer (details supplied) of Irish Water will be facilitated to pay large connection fees by increment. [28999/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Question No. 245 of 31 May 2018, setting out the arrangements in place under the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 whereby Irish Water charges customers for connections to water and wastewater services in accordance with a water charges plan determined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which remains the up-to-date position on the matter. As Minister, I must respect the independent statutory powers and functions which the Oireachtas has conferred on Irish Water and on the CRU in this matter and cannot involve myself in individual cases.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to [e-mail] or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.

Question No. 566 answered with Question No. 558.

Social and Affordable Housing Data

Ceisteanna (567, 568)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

567. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent per annum on the 1999 affordable housing scheme from its establishment until its abolition in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29052/18]

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

568. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of units provided on the 1999 affordable housing scheme from its establishment until its abolition in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29053/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 567 and 568 together.

A number of different schemes operated under the broad term ‘affordable’ in the period to 2012. Data relating to activity under the Part V Scheme, the Shared Ownership Scheme, the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme and the Mortgage Allowance Scheme are available on my Department's website, and can be accessed at the following web-link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/affordable-housing/affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics.

Data relating to activity under the Sale of Sites Scheme are also available on my Department's website at the following web-link:

http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordable/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.

The following data are provided from 2005 onwards in order to align with the introduction of my Department’s current financial management system during 2004. Capital spending on affordable housing is shown in the following table:

Year	Affordable Housing	Sale of Sites	Total
2005	€11,282,298	€1,406,025	€12,688,323
2006	€35,365,241	€710,906	€36,076,147
2007	€34,530,248	€686,795	€35,217,043
2008	€36,098,509	€2,394,176	€38,492,685
2009	€6,325,138	€613,335	€6,938,473
2010	€1,411,461	€496,524	€1,907,985
2011	€393,103	€105,435	€498,538
2012	0	€70,558	€70,558

Capital funding allowed for the provision of new houses by way of the Shared Ownership Scheme by local authorities under the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme. In addition, it allowed for the payment of site subsidies in respect of housing provided by local authorities, and expenditure on the provision of low-cost sites for new houses. Low-cost sites were also provided by local authorities to voluntary housing bodies for the provision of special needs accommodation, and low-cost sites (developed or undeveloped) were similarly made available to certain eligible groups, including tenants of the local authority.

Details regarding the expenditure on affordable housing/shared ownership subsidies are set out in the following table, encompassing the recoupment to local authorities of the mortgage subsidy payable under the Affordable Housing Scheme and the rent subsidy element of the Shared Ownership Scheme. Some local authorities, since 2015, have a requirement to self-fund housing services from surplus Local Property Tax (LPT) receipts.

Year	Total Exchequer €	LPT Self-Funding €	Total €
2005	4,031,244	n/a	4,031,244
2006	3,626,645	n/a	3,626,645
2007	5,290,572	n/a	5,290,572
2008	4,199,047	n/a	4,199,047
2009	3,823,623	n/a	3,823,623
2010	3,197,813	n/a	3,197,813
2011	5,623,623	n/a	5,623,623
2012	5,004,038	n/a	5,004,038
2013	4,994,437	n/a	4,994,437
2014	4,987,266	n/a	4,987,266
2015	3,303,403	902,768	4,206,171
2016	1,953,070	1,741,944	3,695,014
2017	2,969,173	451,217	3,420,390

Home Loan Scheme

Ceisteanna (569, 570)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

569. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of Rebuilding Ireland home loan applications by local authority area; the number of approvals and drawdowns, respectively, by local authority area; and the average loan amount awarded in each local authority area in tabular form. [29165/18]

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

570. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of loans applied for, granted and refused, respectively, in each local authority area by the Housing Finance Agency under the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29199/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 569 and 570 together.

As with the previous local authority home loan offerings, loan applications under the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan are made directly to the local authority in whose area the property proposed for purchase is situated. My Department does not directly collect information on the number of enquiries to local authorities regarding the loan or the number of loan applications received by local authorities.

However, as is currently the case, my Department will continue to publish information on the overall number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Information up to Q3 2017 is available on the Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity, and this information will be updated on a quarterly basis as additional data is compiled.

The Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses valid loan applications that are made to the local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities as to whether loans should be offered to applicants.

I have asked the Agency to centrally compile figures on the numbers of applications that it has assessed and the most recent figures, as at the end of June, indicate that the Agency had received a total of 1,963 applications for assessment from local authorities. This was made up of 734 applications from Cork, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow and 781 applications from Dublin. There were 448 applications received from counties outside those listed.

Of the 1,963 applications received, 1,510 (or 77%) were deemed to be valid. Of these valid applications, 1,326 had been assessed and 696 of these (52%) had been recommended for approval. The average turnaround time for applications underwritten by the Housing Agency at the end of June was 11 calendar days.

Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.

With regard to the values of the loans approved to date, figures are not available concerning the breakdown of amounts approved in the manner referred to. However, the Housing Agency has advised that the average loan amount for the 1,326 applications assessed at end-June was €153,237 and the average loan amount for the 696 applications recommended for approval was €190,739.

Local Authority Expenditure

Ceisteanna (571)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

571. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number and amount paid out in public liability claims by each local authority in each of the past seven years. [29202/18]

Freagraí scríofa

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

I have no function in this matter. Local authorities are independent in the execution of their functions and the elected members are democratically accountable for expenditure. The information requested is therefore not available in my Department. Details in relation to local authority public liability insurance and claims thereon are a matter for each individual local authority.

Question No. 572 answered with Question No. 547.

Commercial Rates

Ceisteanna (573)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

573. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the commercial rates Bill; when it will be published; the reason for the delay in its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29256/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Commercial rates form an important element of the funding of all local authorities. However, the legislative basis for the levying of rates consists of over 20 separate pieces of legislation, some dating back to the 19th century.

My Department developed legislative proposals to modernise and consolidate the legislation governing commercial rates into a single enactment and, in this regard, the Government last year approved the drafting of a Commercial Rates Bill. The Bill is included in the Government's priority legislation for publication by Summer 2018 and, in this regard, it is currently with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting, with a view to it being published later this month.

Water Services Infrastructure

Ceisteanna (574)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

574. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if consideration is being given to encouraging local authorities or Irish Water to build and operate desalination plants to address the regular water shortages faced by some coastal towns and cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29273/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to [e-mail] or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.

Traveller Accommodation

Ceisteanna (575)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

575. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the Traveller accommodation allocations for each local authority for 2018; and the drawdown to date for each local authority in tabular form. [29319/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

In 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, and generally tend to be weighted towards the second half of the year. The allocations for 2018 and drawdown to date for each of the housing authorities is set out as follows.

A reserve fund is in place which is available to all local authorities on a case by case basis and housing authorities have been requested to seek additional funding, should there be any additional projects they wish to develop.

LOCAL AUTHORITY	ALLOCATION 2018€	Drawdown to date 2018€
CARLOW CO. CO.	167,740.00	-
CAVAN CO.CO.	30,000.00	-
CLARE CO.CO.	853,250.00	13,250.00
CORK City Council	310,000.00	-
Cork County Council	251,197.00	-
DONEGAL CO.CO.	121,800.00	-
DUBLIN City Council	1,321,558.39	54,879.69
DUN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN	673,685.78	-
FINGAL CO.CO.	851,189.00	-
SOUTH DUBLIN CO.CO.	869,642.50	-
GALWAY City Council	176,996.00	-
GALWAY CO.CO.	1,080,100.00	36,158.41
KERRY CO. Co.	15,350.00	-
KILDARE CO. CO.	80,000.00	-
KILKENNY CO.CO.	201,682.00	-
LAOIS CO. CO.	30,000.00	-
LEITRIM CO. CO.	159,614.00	-
LIMERICK City& County Council	858,739.00	26,875.00
LONGFORD CO CO.	2,922.00	-
LOUTH CO.CO.	17,039.00	3,810.00
MAYO CO. CO.	30,000.00	-
MEATH CO. CO.	65,000.00	-
MONAGHAN CO. CO.	400,000.00	29,714.30
OFFALY CO.CO.	49,379.00	-
ROSCOMMON CO. CO.	230,000.00	102,273.72
SLIGO CO. CO.	1,046,095.00	7,656.52
TIPPERARY County COUNCILS	25,655.00	38,866.00
WATERFORD City & County Council	317,280.00	-
WESTMEATH CO. CO.	150,000.00	-
WEXFORD CO. CO.	498,801.00	-
WICKLOW CO. CO.	209,620.00	19,393.14
TOTAL	11,094,334.67	332,876.78
RESERVE	905,665.33

Special Areas of Conservation

Ceisteanna (576)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

576. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to sell land holdings (details supplied) on the private market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28644/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The land in question is an integral part of the Ox Mountains Bogs Special Area of Conservation. It was acquired in 1993 by the OPW on behalf of the National Parks and Wildlife Service from Coillte as the land is of considerable conservational significance. It is an example of a highland blanket bog and as such is given priority status on Annex I of the EU habitats Directive. The conservation value of the site is increased further by the presence of good examples of several other annexed habitats, including that of two threatened bird species. Therefore, there are no plans to sell such a significant land holding on the private market.

Built Heritage Investment Scheme

Ceisteanna (577)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

577. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports provided to build heritage projects in County Kildare in the past two years; her plans for 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28720/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures is provided by my Department through a number of schemes which are generally administered by local authorities.

In 2017 and 2018, I allocated a total of €121,680 in grant aid for 27 projects in County Kildare under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme. This is a scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures (i.e. structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures). It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals and tradespeople. I have allocated funding of €2m nationally for this Scheme in 2018.

In 2017 and 2018 I allocated a total of €119,000 for five projects in County Kildare under the Structures at Risk Fund. This Fund enables conservation works to heritage structures in both private and public ownership, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. I have allocated €1.324m nationally for the Structures at Risk Fund 2018.

Details of the projects approved for funding under both of these schemes are published on my Department’s website and local authority websites. And I refer the Deputy also to my response to a very similar question as this in the House on 21 June last.

My Department has provided €350,000 in funding to the OPW in 2018 to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership. The two Departments continue to work closely together on survey, excavation and research work relating to our national monuments.

The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports. Grant schemes for 2018 are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.

In terms of future funding, Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027 represents a major capital investment programme of close to €1.3 billion in funding over the next 10 years. This plan will see increased investment in protecting and celebrating our built heritage across the country. More details on the commencement and completion dates for projects and programmes, as well as the timing of the expenditure in relation to them, will emerge as we go through the process of appraisal and planning as required under the Public Spending Code.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (578)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

578. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the annual expenditure on commercial archaeology services in her Department by provider in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28742/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department does not fund commercial archaeological services. It does, however, procure services on the market to support the work programme of the National Monuments Service, as necessary.

Details of the services engaged in the years in question are set out in the following tables.

2013

Provider	Amount	Provider	Amount
ADS	€5,551.48	Sandra Henry	€5,140.53
Alasdair Whittle	€250.00	Susannah Kelly	€476.70
Arch Consultancy	€10,408.05	Tom O'Sullivan	€13,534.50
Archaeografix	€302.90	TVAS Ireland Ltd	€9,870.85
Wordwell Ireland	€14,756.60	Total	€221,099.15
Archer Heritage Planning	€3,585.00
Catríona Devane	€2,896.00
Clare Kavanagh	€4,562.14
Colin Martin	€575.75
Conor McHale	€4,203.53
Daniel Tietzsch-Tyler	€830.25
Dominick Gallagher	€3,015.00
Donal Boland	€3,550.40
Donal Fallon	€4,400.00
Marion Dowd	€139.85
Ellen O'Carroll	€861.00
Farina Sternke	€1,310.00
Frances Healy	€250.75
Aegis Archaeology	€4,883.79
Geomara	€1,728.15
Georgina Scally	€2,335.45
GPI	€2,694.34
Heather King	€3,500.00
Helen Roche	€7,206.62
IAC	€10,956.54
Irish Archaeological Consultancy	€6,034.38
John Kenyon	€503.80
John Montague	€6,611.25
Julianna O'Donoghue	€4,181.46
Laurence Dunne Archaeology	€12,542.21
Lorna O'Donnell	€61.50
Magnus Archaeology	€21,867.25
Marion Dowd	€139.85
Maurice Hurley	€6,150.00
Michal Cepak	€740.00
Miriam Clyne	€4,560.00
Nigel Kelleher	€10,290.00
Offshore Marine Services	€3,404.57
Peter C Woodman	€274.00
Rex Bangerter	€12,896.72

2014

Provider	Amount
ADCO	€847.25
Aisling Collins Archaeological Services	€2,156.00
Alison McQueen & Associates	€19,464.18
Aoife Daly (Dendro.dk)	€440.00
Archaeological Projects	€11,408.25
Archer Heritage Planning	€2,546.10
Catriona McKenzie	€200.00
Christine Baker	€4,500.00
Conor McHale	€5,175.23
Ellen O'Carroll	€1131.00
Elizabeth Twohig	€1,562.70
Geomara	€2,105.93
Heather A King	€5,862.45
Hubert Ficner and Katarzyna Labaj	€3,500.00
James O'Neill	€1,701.00
John McCarthy	€790.12
Julianna O'Donoghue	€8,992.07
Katarzyna Labaj	€1,700.00
Laurence Dunne Archaeology	€25,392.15
Linda Lynch	€1,729.00
Farina Sternke (Lithics.ie)	€2,800.00
Magnus Archaeology	€14,276.49
Margaret Gowen	5,000.00
Marion Dowd	€55.98
Martin Breen	€2,050.00
Munster Archaeology	€3,477.35
Nikolah Gilligan	€300.00
Rex Bangerter	€4,280.00
Richard Clutterbuck	€3,650.00
Risteard Ua Cróinín	€2,050.00
Roseanna Meenan	€800.00
Ruth Carden	€369.00
Sandra Henry	€2,628.00
Tom O'Sullivan	€11,500.00
Total	€154,440.85

2015

Provider	Amount
Alison McQueen & Assoc.	€17,281.02
Angela Wallace Connacht Archaeological Services	1600
Archaeological Projects	€19,197.35
Cecily Cropper	€406.48
Christine Baker	€400.00
Clare McCutcheon	€675.00
Conor McHale	€9,200.40
Dendro.dk	€440.00
Marion Dowd	€925.00
Meriel McClatchie	€1,563.60
Earthsound	€3,030.00
Elizabeth Heckett	€750.00
Ellen O'Carroll	€246.00
Erin Gibbons	€1,100.00
Fiona Beglane	€965.00
Geomara	1722
Georgina Scally	€850.00
Helen Roche	€6,000.00
Ian Riddler	€2,160.00
Jimmy Lenihan	4421.8
Jo Moran	€615.00
Joanna Leigh	€4,329.60
Joanna Wren	€250.00
Julianna O'Donoghue	€13,972.70
Ken Wiggins	€4,559.00
Linda Fibiger	€700.00
Linda Lynch	€600.00
Margaret McCarthy	€319.80
Marion Dowd	€1,531.00
Michael O'Neill	€6,000.00
Munster Archaeology	€6,262.55
Rex Bangerter	€8,526.16
Richard Crumlish	€7,992.50
Rory McNeary	€1,487.10
Rory Sherlock	€1,500.00
Rosanne Meehan	€500.00
Sandra Henry	€2,226.00
Scott Cawley	€799.50
Susannah Kelly	€2,133.80
Tom O'Sullivan	€7,010.00
Total	€144,248.36

2016

Provider	Amount
Aegis Archaeology	€26,076.00
Alan Hawkes	€9,900.00
Alison McQueen & Assoc.	€21,943.59
Archaeografix	€492.00
Archaeological Consultancy Services	€4,326.70
Archaeopress	€336.43
Conor Brady	€750.00
Conor McHale	€7,736.70
Dave Pollock Archaeografix	€4,612.50
James Lyttleton	€300.00
Kerri Cleary	€4,140.00
Meriel McClatchie	498.96
Rory Sherlock	€3,700.00
Earthsound	€8,671.50
Franc Myles	€11,573.30
Georgina Scally	€850.00
John Montague	€5,785.50
John Nicholl	€400.00
John R. Kenyon	€500.00
Ken Wiggins	€12,000.00
Kieran Campbell	€200.00
Linda G. Lynch	€15,022.00
Magnus Archaeology	€2,398.50
Mara Tesorieri	€450.00
Marion Dowd	€7,510.00
Munster Archaeology	€8,528.91
Myles Campbell	€700.00
Richard Crumlish	€7,410.85
Rubicon Heritage	€28,181.48
Susannah Kelly	€113.50
Thorsten Kahlert	€1,300.00
Tom O'Sullivan	5835
Total	€202,243.42

2017

Provider	Amount
Alan Hawkes	€3,100.00
Alison McQueen & Associates	€28,945.17
Anne Carey	€442.80
ArchaeoGrafix	€4,305.00
Archaeological and Built Heritage	€1,285.35
Wordwell Ireland	€9,269.84
Caitríona Moore	€1,131.60
Stafford McLoughlin Archaeology	€338.25
Cecily Cropper	€740.83
Colum Hourihane	€1,200.00
Conor McHale	€3,247.20
Alison Sheridan Skinner	€600.00
Ellen O'Carroll	€1820.40
Linda G. Lynch	€3,360.00
Fiona Beglane, Animal Bone Specialist	€490.00
AEGIS Archaeology	€6,519.00
Geomara	€615.00
Ger Dowling	€600.00
IAC	€4,120.50
Ian Riddler	€4,300.00
Irish Commercial Charter Boats	€599.50
James Harte, National Library of Ireland	€140.00
John Nicholl	€1,420.00
Julianna O'Donoghue	€10,438.25
Ken Wiggins	€32,000.00
Kevin Mulligan	€7,000.00
Laureen Buckley	€100.00
Lotts Architecture and Urbanism Ltd	€25,215.00
Marion Dowd	€800.00
Martin Halpin	€4,917.40
Nora White	€4,998.00
Órla Scully	€1,500.00
Paul Steven Archaeology	€1,100.00
Roger Stalley	€4,800.00
Richard Crumlish	€1,217.70
Rosanne Meenan	€160.00
Rubicon Heritage	€3,075.00
SHD, S M Hamilton-Dyer	€689.15
Sligo-Leitrim Archaeological Services	€300.00
Susannah Kelly	€2,980.00
Through Time Limited	€7,177.05
Tom O'Sullivan	€6,185.00
Total	€193,242.99

2018

Provider	Amount
ACS Unit	€3,801.95
Alison McQueen & Associates	€7,513.54
Wordwell Ireland	€9,493.54
Conor McHale	€1,291.00
Eamonn Cotter	€1,722.00
John Nicholl	€400.00
Marion Dowd	€180.00
Paul Rondelez	€321.50
Alison McQueen & Associates	€3,811.52
Ken Wiggins	€5,608.80
Total	€34,143.85

National Monuments

Ceisteanna (579)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

579. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding or financial support allocated to Sligo County Council for the conservation of Court Abbey, Mullinabreena, County Sligo; if it will be declared a national monument; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29239/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Court Abbey is a fifteenth-century Franciscan friary in the ownership of Sligo County Council and it has the primary responsibility for its care and conservation. It is included in the Record of Monuments and Places under the National Monuments Acts and is entitled to the statutory protections of those Acts.

I fully appreciate the extent of the local interest in the friary and the understandable desire to see the substantial works to safeguard it carried out as soon as possible. As far as the State's ability to assist is concerned though, the position is that there are already approximately 1,000 national monuments in its care which demand very extensive resource allocations, both in terms of funding and personnel.

The care, maintenance and presentation of each of these national monuments is undertaken by the Office of Public Works in consultation and with the advice of my Department’s National Monuments Service in every case. Against the background of the resources needed to service the extensive portfolio of monuments already in State care I regret that it is not possible at present to consider adding the local authority owned Court Abbey to that list.

My Department does, however, operate a number of schemes that provide financial support 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. Details are available on the Department's and on local authority websites.

The closing date for the 2018 funding, under which 12 projects in Co. Sligo are being assisted, has now passed. My Department remains in contact with local authorities throughout the year to ensure the best possible use of allocations, including by redistributing monies when, for example, projects do not go ahead. I would encourage the local authority in this case to consider pursuing this alternative avenue of funding for Court Abbey.

In 2019, the Structures at Risk Scheme will be revamped and become the Historic Structures Fund and it is open to Sligo County Council to apply for support under that fund when it is rolled out later this year.

Museum Projects

Ceisteanna (580)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

580. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to plans to create a museum of policing in the former Garda station in Kevin Street in view of its historical role in policing history (details supplied); if she has discussed the matter with the Minister for Justice and Equality or the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29278/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department has received no formal approach with respect to a museum of policing at the former Kevin Street Garda Station site.

Service Level Agreements

Ceisteanna (581)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

581. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 614 of 19 June 2018, if a date of completion has been decided upon by the SLA. [29305/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Further to Parliamentary Question No. 614 of 19 June 2018, I wish to inform the Deputy that the completion date set by the Service Level Agreement for the project referred to is 30 March 2020.