Written Answers Nos. 175-194
175. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has lease arrangements with co-working real estate companies; and, if so, the details of the leases, including the terms of the lease, location, price and duration. [35862/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) have not entered into lease arrangements with co-working real estate companies. A number of licences have been agreed with companies in respect of serviced offices to meet urgent, specialised, generally short term requirements which cannot be met from within the existing portfolio or through traditional lease arrangements.
176. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department leases additional office space that is outside its departmental building and the estates section of the OPW; and, if so, the details of the lease, including the terms of the lease, location, price and duration. [35880/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no office space lease agreements outside of those arranged by the Office of Public Works.
177. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he will take to address the two pinch points on the River Shannon at Shannon Grove and Derryholmes; if they will be prioritised under any emergency legislative provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35894/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government established the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group in 2016 to enhance the ongoing co-operation of all State Agencies involved with the River Shannon.
The Group has taken a number of significant decisions since its establishment. The scope of work undertaken to date includes:
- Implementing targeted maintenance at five locations on the River Shannon.
- Completing a study to examine the removal of constrictions resulting in lower summer water levels through the Shannon Callows, to help address the summer flooding in this area while maintaining the appropriate navigation requirements.
- Completing a study to examine the cause, degree and rate of restriction downstream of Parteen Weir in the Lower Shannon.
- Trialling the lowering of the lake levels on Lough Allen to help alleviate any significant flooding that may occur.
- Completing a preliminary assessment on the potential for strategic maintenance on the River Shannon.
In October 2019, the Group agreed to a €7 million strategic programme of maintenance works and the removal of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ on the bed of the River Shannon between Athlone and Meelick Weir to improve the conveyancing of the River Shannon. A detailed design will be undertaken for the work involved in removing these ‘pinch points’, and this will confirm the extent of the work required.
These works will include the full environmental assessments required to progress to the planning process to obtain consent to proceed. This may influence the order of priority for undertaking the proposed works by Waterways Ireland, as the implementing body for the works. The works will also be informed by public consultation.
Waterways Ireland has informed the OPW that it has commenced work on advancing the various interventions, with implementation expected to commence at a number of locations in 2021.
178. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department or an agency operating under his Department has encountered expenditure in respect of hand sanitisation products or other PPE products that were subsequently subject to a recall by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2020; if so, the expenditure in respect of such products; if the expenditures will be recouped from the sellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36009/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to confirm to the Deputy that neither my Department nor any of the bodies under its aegis purchased any products of the type specified that were subsequently subject to a recall.
179. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects to receive the report from the steering group on transport and mobility challenges in the Phoenix Park; when a public consultation is expected on the plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36034/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works is working closely with other key stakeholders, including the National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council to examine the issues relating to access in the Phoenix Park. The Steering Group meet on a regular basis, to oversee the process of developing new transport and mobility options for the Park and by engaging with these organisations, it is hoped that future plans for access and mobility to and within the Park will be integrated with the wider traffic and transport plans for Dublin City and surrounding areas.
I have asked the Steering Group to revert to me with a report outlining proposed options in the coming weeks. This approach ought to ensure that well-considered options, suitable from an operational perspective, can be identified and taken forward for public consultation which I envisage should happen early in the new year. And I hope to publish the final plans for implementation of the preferred options soon thereafter.
180. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the work to be done to the Garda station in Ballyporeen, Cahir, County Tipperary; his plans to have this work done; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36067/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that works to Ballyporeen Garda Station, including refurbishment of the Station toilet and painting of the public office, have recently been completed. In addition, re-decoration of the married quarters and ground maintenance was carried out earlier in 2020.
181. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding shooting and fishing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35938/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to clarify for the Deputy that I have no function in relation to traditional game shooting, which is not considered a sporting activity within the interpretations of competitive or recreational sport as stated in the Sport Ireland Act 2015.
In that regard, I understand that An Garda Síochána have clarified that recreational game shooting does not fall under any of the exemptions allowed for in the current regulations. They have also clarified that recreational hunting does not come under any permissible exemptions for travel outside of the home.
182. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the restart grant plus for bed and breakfasts will be issued to those awaiting an injection of funding. [35821/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Restart Grant Plus for Bed and Breakfast businesses is administered by Fáilte Ireland. I have asked Fáilte Ireland to revert to the Deputy on when the restart grant plus for bed and breakfasts will be issued to those awaiting an injection of funding. Please contact my private office if you do not hear within ten working days.
183. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has lease arrangements with co-working real estate companies; and, if so, the details of the leases, including the terms of the lease, location, price and duration. [35866/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general the acquisition and leasing of property for my Department are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. No arrangements of the kind specified by the Deputy have been made by my Department.
184. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department leases additional office space that is outside its departmental building and the estates section of the OPW; and, if so, the details of the lease, including the terms of the lease, location, price and duration. [35884/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, matters relating to the acquisition and leasing of property for my Department are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works.
However, I am advised that my Department also leases office accommodation for Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga from Údarás na Gaeltachta as set out in the Table below. This lease which commenced in 2014 was taken over by the Department from the OPW in June 2016.
|
Office information (Location) |
Cost |
Duration |
Landlord |
|
Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, An Spidéal, Gaillimh |
€48,019 per annum |
9 years and 9 from 2 June 2014. (Taken over by the Department from the OPW on 1 June 2016). |
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
185. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to increase the number of publicly funded outdoor event venues that can accommodate social distancing similar to that at Wood Quay, Dublin 8. [35903/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublicly funded outdoor event venues such as Wood Quay are, first and foremost, a matter for local authorities. Chapter 5 of Resilience and Recovery 2020 -2021: the Government's plan for Living with COVID-19 on Developing Economic Resilience states that local authorities will develop recovery initiatives including town centre / public realm alterations, incentive schemes and advisory assistance. This process is being supported by the Departments of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Rural and Community Development and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. My Department is also engaged in this process and would welcome any such facilities and in particular would be well-placed to provide funding for programming in such venues.
186. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if event-specific supports have been made available to encourage increased numbers of Covid-19-safe cultural events - for example, outdoor cinemas. [35904/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19, Ireland is at Level 5 until 1 December 2020. At this level the public health risk means that we are all being asked to stay at home. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department has been working in conjunction with agencies and bodies under the aegis of my Department, to provide support to the Arts and Culture sector and we will continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure the continuation of safe cultural events in line with what is permitted under the Framework for Restrictive Measures. Additional monies secured as part of Budget 2021 will ensure that substantial measures are put in place to support and strengthen the Arts and Culture sectors through 2021. These measures include: a new €50m support for live entertainment which will see a range of supports for live entertainment events to take place in 2021 in venues across the country, other measures to support music, as well as a new grant scheme for equipment; record level of funding for the Arts Council of €130m; and a €9m increase in funding for Screen Ireland from its initial 2020 allocation to over €30m. These are sector-specific measures, and are augmented and supplemented by the economy-wide business support and social welfare measures which were announced in the budget.
187. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when a decision will be made on sports capital appeals. [35949/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non- personal sports equipment throughout the country. The most recent (2018) round of the SCP attracted a record 2,337 applications. Allocations were announced in January, May and November of last year with a total of over €56 million awarded to 1,648 different projects. All unsuccessful applicants were given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision. In relation to the capital grants announced in November, a total of 122 appeals were submitted by the December deadline. The review of these appeals was completed in April with 6 new allocations approved. The appeals’ process has now closed for the 2018 SCP and no further appeals are being accepted. An announcement in relation to the timing of the next round of the SCP will be made in the coming weeks.
My Department also administers the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports capital projects where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the SCP. The first grants under the new scheme were announced in January of this year. All unsuccessful applicants were given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision if it was felt than an error was made in the assessment process. All appeals have now been assessed by officials who were not involved in the initial assessment process and a final decision on the LSSIF appeals will be made shortly.
188. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department or an agency operating under her Department has encountered expenditure in respect of hand sanitisation products or other PPE products that were subsequently subject to a recall by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2020; if so, the expenditure in respect of such products; if the expenditures will be recouped from the sellers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36013/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that my Department has not incurred expenditure in respect of any hand sanitisation products or other PPE products that have been subject to recall by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2020.
The purchase of hand sanitisation products or other PPE products for public bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for those bodies.
I am advised that one body under the remit of my Department , the Crawford Art Gallery has incurred expenditure of €140 on hand sanitisation products that were subject to recall and that these products have now been replaced by the supplier concerned at no additional cost to the Gallery.
189. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if guidance will be provided on a query by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36027/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Under the 2018 Sport Capital Programme the organisation referred to by the Deputy was allocated a grant for the construction of a Hurling/Practice wall and the development of an artificial playing surface.
In relation to the type of eligible projects, the Programme itself covers a wide variety of capital work and sports equipment including the type of additional work proposed by the organisation. Full details of the types of projects funded under the programme can be found in the guide to making an application and the most recent edition of this guide is available on the programme's website www.sportcapitalprogramme.ie. If any organisation has received insufficient funding to complete a project it is open to them to apply for an additional grant under future rounds of the SCP provided work on the proposed project has not already commenced.
In this regard you may wish to note that a full Review of the 2018 round of the SCP has now been completed and the terms and conditions of the next round of the programme will be based on the recommendations in the Review. Work on these terms and conditions is now being finalised and an announcement in relation to the timing of the next round and the funding available will be made in the coming weeks.
190. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36032/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe administration of the Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
191. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of a grant application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36039/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe administration of the Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.The administration of the Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
192. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when applications will open for the sports capital programme 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36117/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCP and to prioritise the investment in disadvantaged areas.
The most recent (2018) round of the SCP attracted a record 2,337 applications. Allocations were announced in January, May and November of last year with a total of over €56 million awarded to 1,648 different projects. All unsuccessful applicants were given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision. In relation to the capital grants announced in November, a total of 122 appeals were submitted by the December deadline. The review of these appeals was completed in April with 6 new allocations approved.
With regard to future rounds of the programme, a full Review of the 2018 round of the SCP has now been completed and the terms and conditions of the next round of the programme will be based on the recommendations in the Review. Work on these terms and conditions is now being finalised and an announcement in relation to the timing of the next round and the funding available will be made in the coming weeks.
193. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when funding aimed at compensating Offaly County Council for lost rates revenue following the closure of Shannonbridge and Lanesboro power plants will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35895/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe closure of power plants in Offaly and Longford will have a negative impact on the commercial rates income of Offaly and Longford County Councils, an impact which has been fully recognised by my Department. In recognition of this, my colleague, the Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Peter Burke, T.D., and I recently announced the allocation of compensatory funding for 2021 for each of the two local authorities affected. This once-off allocation is equivalent to the rates that would otherwise have been payable in 2021 by the power plants and will assist Offaly and Longford County Councils with the formulation of budgets for 2021, while supporting the delivery of important local services.
194. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current population equivalent in terms of the operating capacity of the Drogheda wastewater treatment plant at Marsh Road, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35827/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels including information on current population equivalent in terms of the operating capacity of the Drogheda Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
