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Thursday, 5 Mar 2020

Written Answers Nos. 1244-1258

Departmental Programmes

Ceisteanna (1245)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

1245. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number and value of applications each local authority made in 2019 for the multi-annual developer provided water services infrastructure resolution programme in tabular form; and when the expert panel was appointed to review the applications. [3604/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In July 2019 my Department launched the multi-annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme 2019-2021.  Bids were sought from local authorities around the country for funding under the programme. The closing date for bids was 18 September 2019.  A total number of 19 local authorities with Developer Provided Infrastructure in estates in their areas made applications for funding.

The following table lists the 19 local authorities that submitted applications in 2019 for funding support under programme; the number of bids submitted by those local authorities; and the estimated cost provided by them to sustainably resolve the DPI in order to support the taking-in-charge of these estates.

An Expert Panel was convened by my Department in February 2020 to evaluate the bids. This will include consideration of the costs submitted by local authorities which vary considerably. The Panel includes Departmental, stakeholder and independent representation in the Chair.  The Panel will have its first meeting on 19 March 2020 and further meetings as necessary will follow.

Local Authority

No of Bids

 Local authority estimated cost to

resolve the DPI

Carlow

3

 €              400,000

Cavan

6

 €           1,970,000

Clare*

8

 €                       -  

Cork

42

 €           2,004,372

Donegal

45

 €           4,702,038

Galway

11

 €           2,299,411

Kerry

60

 €           4,882,029

Kildare

10

 €           1,193,252

Kilkenny

7

 €              620,000

Laois

2

 €              430,016

Longford

3

 €              147,000

Monaghan

4

 €              287,727

Roscommon

2

 €              350,000

Sligo

4

 €              800,000

Tipperary

12

 €           1,001,700

Waterford

3

 €           1,052,800

Westmeath

2

 €              150,729

Wexford

98

 €         22,007,572

Wicklow

4

 €              860,017

Total

326

 €        45,158,662

 

 

 

*The Clare County Council bid stated that they are unable to supply estimated costs until feasibility studies are completed on each of the estates in its bids.

Local Authority Members' Remuneration

Ceisteanna (1246)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

1246. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a person (details supplied) will be entitled to a severance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3606/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Section 142 of the Local Government Act 2001 and the Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Regulations 2002 to 2006 provide that, subject to certain conditions, a person with at least 2 years qualifying service who ceases to be an elected member of a local authority is entitled to receive a gratuity payment at, or after, the age of 50. This is regardless of whether the retirement is voluntary, as a result of failure to be re-elected or for any other reason.

Where a person ceases to be a member of a local authority before age 50, the gratuity will fall due to be paid when the former member reaches age 50. The Regulations allow the gratuity to be paid before age 50 where retirement is due to permanent infirmity or where the member dies in office.  

In the case of a person who was formerly a member of a former town council but had not yet reached age 50 when town councils were abolished in 2014, the gratuity would become due when that person reaches age 50 and would be payable by the relevant local authority which now has responsibility for the functional area of the former town council.

An elected member's gratuity payment may only be claimed on retirement from the local government system.  In the case of a person who was formerly a member of a former town council and has now reached age 50 but has been elected or co-opted and currently serves as a member of another local authority, then the gratuity will not be due until he or she ceases to be an elected member of that local authority.

Question No. 1247 answered with Question No. 1207.
Question No. 1248 answered with Question No. 1218.
Question No. 1249 answered with Question No. 1199.

Home Loan Scheme

Ceisteanna (1250)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

1250. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason for the recent increase in interest in the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme from 2.25% to almost 3% on a 30 year term; when the increase was agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3772/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL) launched on 1 February 2018. When the RIHL was initially being developed, it was estimated that the drawdown of loans under the scheme would be approximately €200 million over three years. The RIHL proved to be more successful than initially anticipated and following discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform an increase in funding of €363.6 million for 2018-2019 was communicated to all 31 local authorities on 15 August 2019.

When the RIHL was introduced on 1 February 2018 three interest rate products were offered:

1. variable interest rate priced at 2.3%;

2. A 25 year fixed rate priced at 2%

3. A 30 year fixed rate priced at 2.25%

From August 2019 the variable interest rate was no longer offered as part of the scheme.

Loans issued under the RIHL must be on a prudential basis so as to protect the financial interests of both borrowers and local authorities, and I have highlighted in the past that this could, for future tranches of funding, result in changes to the operation of the scheme, including inter alia interest rates, depending on the performance of the loan.

An independent review of the RIHL was undertaken in 2019 by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). This review strongly endorsed the RIHL as a positive affordability measure. However, it recommended that the cost of the RIHL should be comparable to that of the longest fixed rate mortgage available in Ireland, which is typically 10 years.

 Accordingly, following engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the interest rate on RIHL mortgages increased by 0.745%. This increase will not apply to loans issued on applications received before 15 January 2020. Similarly the cost of existing RIHL loans is unchanged because the RIHL rate is fixed for the lifetime of the loan unlike any other mortgage currently in Irish market. 

This interest rate increase is appropriate because;

Ø The additional revenue will fund an increase in the contribution to the Local Authority Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (LA MARP) Premium Fund from 0.25% to 0.995% which will increase the funding available to support the resolution of unsustainable arrears.  The LA MARP Premium Fund was established in 2012 to support local authorities in dealing with the shortfalls that arise in resolving unsustainable arrears. 

Ø As RIHL loans are targeted at higher risk borrowers it is important that credit risk is adequately priced into the cost of the loan to ensure that this product remains viable and sustainable.

Ø It is important to ensure that those borrowers who can get credit in the commercial market do so, and are not incentivised to attempt to gain access to this scheme to avail of cheaper interest rates. It is essential that limited state resources remain focused on maximising the benefit to those who are most in need of the support which this product offers.  

 Further additional funding for lending of up to €210 million has now been secured to ensure the continuation of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans scheme (RIHL) into 2020.

Question No. 1251 answered with Question No. 1218.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (1252)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

1252. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has signed off new housing procurement proposals for 2020 for local authorities; and if so, the details of the proposals. [3908/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Targets for the delivery of new social housing were issued to all local authorities and the funding to support this delivery is being provided to them under Rebuilding Ireland. The targets out to 2021 are publicly available on a local authority basis at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-targets-2019/.

In delivering against these targets, local authorities are bringing forward new proposals to my Department on a continuous basis and it is not the case that new proposals are submitted and signed off on an annualised basis.

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (1253)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

1253. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a bog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2750/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme had been received by my Department in respect of the bog plot referred to in the Deputy’s Question. With respect to 53 raised bog special area of conservation sites, the qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:

- The applicant must have had a legal interest (ownership or a turbary right (right to cut turf)) in one of these sites on 25 May 2010 and must have had the right to cut and remove turf from the property on that date;

- The applicant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period (up to 31 December 2011 in respect of the 24 raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation in 2002, which includes the site in question);

- The turf resource on the bog plot has not been exhausted; and

- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.

I have been advised that a decision has been taken by my Department that all of the qualifying criteria of the scheme have not been fulfilled in respect of this application. The individual referred to in the Deputy's Question has been informed of this decision and advised that he may request a Departmental review of the decision. If the decision is upheld at the Departmental review stage, an appeal against the decision may be made to the Peatlands Council.

Hedge Cutting Season

Ceisteanna (1254)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

1254. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the hedge cutting season will be extended by two weeks in recognition of the level of rainfall and the impact on hedgerow management. [3281/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The dates for the cutting of hedges are set down in primary legislation.  Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts Act prohibits the cutting of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August.     I do not have the discretion to extend this period into March. 

There is provision in the legislation for some restricted exemptions from the prohibition during the closed period - for example, for works undertaken in the ordinary course of agriculture or forestry, for health and safety reasons, the destruction of noxious weeds, in respect of works permitted under statute and for works undertaken for road safety reasons under Section 70 of the Roads Act 1983.

It is important to point out that the current legislation allows both landowners and public authorities to cut hedges for road safety reasons at any time of the year.   Under Roads’ legislation landowners are obliged to ensure that a tree, shrub, hedge or any other vegetation is not a hazard for persons using public roads.   This issue was clarified further by the Heritage Act 2018 which aligned the provisions of  Road Safety and Wildlife legislative provisions.

Oideachas Gaeilge

Ceisteanna (1255)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1255. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil i gceist ag an Roinn leanacht den deontas atá an Roinn ag íoc do chomhodaitheoir Gaeilge i bPobal Scoil Chorca Dhuibhne don scoil bliain 2020/2021 agus ina dhiaidh sin, ag tógáil san áireamh an obair iontach atá déanta ag an scéim seo ó bunaiodh í; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [3318/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Mar chuid den chistíocht bhliantúil   atá á cur ar fáil ag mo Roinn don eagraíocht, Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne, ar leas foriomlán na Gaeilge i gCorca Dhuibhne, tá allúntas suas le €33,600 in iomlán (ionann leis an scoilbhliain seo caite 2018/19) á chur ar fáil chun Comhordaitheoir Teanga a fhostú i bPobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne don scoilbhliain reatha 2019/20.

Tá iarratas ar allúntas trí bliana á bhreithniú ag an Roinn faoi láthair i leith na  tréimhse 3 bliana  2020/21, 2021/22 agus 2022/23 i dtreo a bheith in ann cinneadh a dhéanamh faoi chomh luath is féidir.

Departmental Correspondence

Ceisteanna (1256)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1256. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a detailed reply will issue to a letter sent by this Deputy in January 2020 and acknowledged on 30 January 2020 (details supplied); the reason for the delay with the reply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3321/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The site in question is a national monument in the day to day care and management of the Office of Public Works.  A reply has issued to the Deputy's letter about visitor access to site advising him to that effect and that his correspondence has been forwarded to OPW for direct response to him. I have asked officials to follow up.

Special Areas of Conservation Management

Ceisteanna (1257)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

1257. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the discussions she has had with the landowner and the various stakeholders regarding a management plan for SPA and SAC the Gearagh, County Cork; the status of the plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3603/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

At the request of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) completed and published detailed site-specific conservation objectives for the Gearagh SAC (000108) in September 2016.

A management plan scoping exercise was undertaken by ESB International on behalf of the ESB (who are the main landowner) in 2016/2017. The NPWS took part in the stakeholder group that contributed to the report produced as a result of that exercise.

Departmental Budgets

Ceisteanna (1258)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1258. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the 2020 current and capital funding allocation under items (details supplied) in tabular form. [3856/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

          

   2020    Funding Allocation   

   2020    Funding Allocation  

 

Current

  € 

Capital

  €  

An   Foras Teanga total

13,383,000

-            

Údarás na Gaeltachta total

€13,652,000*

€10,000,000

Gaeltacht   co-operatives and community development organisations

€2,371,000**

 

Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta

€535,000**

 

Ealaín na Gaeltachta

€365,000**

 

Gnóthaí Óige

€640,000**

 

Gaeltacht Support Schemes

€7,370,000

€2,322,000

Islands

 

 

Infrastructure on islands

-            

€1,644,000

Essential transport services

€7,339,000

-            

20-Year strategy for Irish Language 2010-2030 (Language Planning Process)

 

 

Language Planning Process, including measures being implemented centrally in support of the following domains: the family;  early-years; language-centred traditional arts

€3.7m

Funding shown below relating to Comhar Naíonraí   na Gaeltachta, Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta & Ealaín na Gaeltachta is included in this overall allocation

n/a

Early-Years - Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta

€435,000 (2019/20 school year)

€470,000 (2020/21 school year)

n/a

The Family: Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta

€426,103

n/a

Language-centred traditional arts: Ealaín na   Gaeltachta

€425,000 (2019/20 school year)

€425,000 (2020/21 school year)

n/a

Irish   Language Commissioner

€845,000

-

Irish   language Support Schemes – outside the Gaeltacht

€4,650,000

€632,000***

 *This figure includes the sum of €9.602m for administration.

**These are allocations by Údarás na Gaeltachta

*** Please note that, in addition to the €632,000 of capital funding allocated for 2020, this subhead also has a carry-over of €435,000 from 2019. This brings the capital funding total for this subhead for 2020 to €1,067,000.

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