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Wednesday, 16 Jun 2021

Written Answers Nos. 92-111

Flood Risk Management

Ceisteanna (92)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

92. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 21 April 2021, the status of the flood relief scheme for Clifden, County Galway; the surveys of the catchment area of the Owenglin river that have been carried out or are planned as part of the flood relief scheme; the examination of natural flood management techniques in the catchment area of the Owenglin river that are planned or have been carried out to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32178/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A potential flood relief scheme was recommended for Clifden as part of the National Flood Risk Management Plans, published in 2018, which identified 118 new projects nationwide to be progressed under the National Development Plan 2018 – 2027. Following this proposal, the Office of Public Works confirmed to Galway County Council (GCC) that it would fund the costs of developing and implementing a scheme to alleviate fluvial flooding from the Owenglin River in Clifden.

The Council has worked in collaboration with the OPW to develop a project brief to procure engineering consultants to review the high level flood mitigation options proposed under the FRMP for Clifden, and to progress a viable Flood Relief Scheme to detailed design stage. The design process will include a more detailed assessment of the flood risk within the Owenglin River Catchment, with a view to identifying flood defence measures for Clifden which are viable, cost effective and environmentally sustainable. The surveys required for the development of the scheme will be identified in due course. The design process will also consider Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM), including upstream water storage, as part of the detailed assessment of flood relief measures for the scheme. The process will include further consultation with relevant Stakeholders, and the general public will be given the opportunity to discuss and feed into the flood mitigation options under consideration for Clifden.

Galway Co. Council, acting as the Contracting Authority, went to tender for consultants, to further develop the scheme for Clifden in March 2021. I have been advised by my officials that the tender documentation and briefing material provided by GCC to the prospective tenderers for this tender competition included the full requirements for environmental assessments associated with a flood relief scheme of this nature.

The tender competition has now closed and the Council is currently in the process of assessing the tenders, with a view to appointing consultants to progress the development of a flood relief scheme for Clifden in the coming weeks.

Departmental Circulars

Ceisteanna (93)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

93. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 527 of 24 March 2021, the work his Department has undertaken to replace circular 39/07 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32202/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In reply to your previous question on this matter, I advised that my Department is considering the matter and will be developing a process for reviewing and re-drafting the guidance. This remains the position at this point. My officials will revert to you when the process has been finalised.

Departmental Policies

Ceisteanna (94)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

94. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the proposed development of a shared Government data centre to support the digitalisation of Government services as part of the draft national recovery and resilience plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32294/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The proposed new Government Data Centre will be a purpose-built facility owned and operated by Government. It will be built on state land and will be operated and managed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on behalf of the state.

The new Government Data Centre will be developed at the Government’s Backweston Laboratory Campus in Celbridge, Co. Kildare, which currently comprises various facilities for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the State Laboratory.

This project is part of the Government’s ICT strategy which is focused on creating ICT shared services to support integration across the wider public service in order to drive efficiency, standardisation, consolidation, reduction in duplication and cost control. The Data Centre will provide the foundation and platform on which our digital reforms and transformations will be built.

The objective of the Government Data Centre is to deliver high-quality Data Centre facilities which are fit for purpose and are capable of meeting the Government’s requirements now and in the future. In doing so it will support and enable the Civil Service Renewal 2030 Strategy, the Public Service Data Strategy and the Government’s 2021 Digital Strategy and thereby provide a much better experience of Government Services for the people of Ireland.

Civil Service

Ceisteanna (95)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

95. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a recent remote working report (details supplied) in which 88% of civil servants surveyed indicated that they feel as effective when working remotely as they are during normal working arrangements and that three-quarters of staff surveyed indicated that they would like to continue to access remote working in the future if given the choice; his plans to provide such choice for flexible and remote working for civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32295/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government, has committed, in the Programme for Government, to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working in 2021. In this context, My Department is, as a matter of priority, working with employers across the Civil Service to develop the longer term approach to remote working in the sector. My Department is also working closely with the wider public sector to ensure a consistency of approach. To this end the Department is working on a Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations which will assist those organisations in developing long-term remote working policies.

It is proposed that remote working in the Civil Service, post pandemic, will be facilitated on a blended basis, subject to roles being deemed as suitable to be carried out remotely.

Civil Service

Ceisteanna (96)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

96. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions taken to date on foot of the Budget 2020 announcement to review future workforce and office requirements for the Civil Service including the location of support offices and services to ensure consistency with the goals of Project Ireland 2040 and balanced regional development; the percentage of staff home and remote working on a permanent basis to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32378/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government, has committed, in the Programme for Government, to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working in 2021.

In this context, my Department is now, as a matter of priority, working with employers across the Civil Service to develop the longer term approach to remote working in the sector.

Different working models are possible, one of which is the concept of regional Government office “hubs”. Similar to many Government buildings in provincial towns, establishing well located departmental office hubs is certainly one option for consideration. Any decision to set up regional hubs requires: careful analysis of the most suitable locations; must meet the operational needs of Government Departments; and must be consistent with the National Planning Framework.

There is no central information on numbers of Civil and Public Servants currently working from home.

Election Expenditure

Ceisteanna (97)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

97. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the remuneration returning officers and staff received for carrying out their duties in the local and European elections in 2019 and the General Election in 2020, by constituency in tabular form. [32422/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The total remuneration that Returning Officers and staff received for carrying out their duties in the Referendum and European Parliament and Local Elections in 2019 and the General Election in 2020 are set out in the table below. The remuneration information is laid out by Returning Officer rather than by constituency. The Deputy is aware that a number of Returning Officers such as the four Cork and Dublin Sheriffs have a number of constituencies for which they are the Returning Officer. I have arranged for my Department to send the Deputy the scales of maximum charges that lay out the calculation of fees for each of the electoral events.

With regards to the 2019 Event, there were 3 European Constituency Returning Officers for the European and Local Elections (Dublin County, Mayo and Cork City). Each Returning Officer took the election event in their respective counties and then forwarded their ballot boxes to the relevant European Constituency RO who then conducted the count with regard to their area of responsibility.

Table

Public Sector Pay

Ceisteanna (98)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

98. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reverse the FEMPI cuts to the fees of barristers contracted by the State to defend and prosecute criminal law matters; the reason such fees have not reversed while other FEMPI cuts have been addressed; if he plans to meet barristers’ representatives; his views on the impact of these cuts on the operation of the State’s legal services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32474/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, the reductions in counsel fees over the period of 2009-2011 were underpinned by Government decisions and formed part of a broader Government need to reduce costs across the public service.

I fully acknowledge and appreciate the very important work undertaken by barristers who prosecute criminal work on behalf of the State and my Department has engaged constructively with key stakeholders including the Bar Council of Ireland, the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department of Justice in relation to this matter. In particular it has sought evidence to support any claims that the reductions imposed are linked to significant recruitment and retention issues, thereby potentially adversely impacting the administration of justice. While my Department has not yet been provided with evidential data to support such claims, it remains available to review any further information that may be provided.

My Department has also sought advice from the Attorney General's Office as to whether the State has an obligation in relation to these professional fees. My Department will continue to keep this issue under review and engage with key stakeholders, as appropriate.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (99)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

99. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeframe in which issues in relation to rates of pay, allowances and overtime for Defence Forces personnel will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25078/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I refer to the Deputy’s question in respect of matters related to the remuneration of members of the Defence Forces. In this regard I wish to refer to the new public service agreement, Building Momentum, and Commission on the Defence Forces.

In December 2020 negotiations concluded on a new public service pay agreement entitled ‘Building Momentum’, which will apply for the next two years. The agreement was accepted by my colleagues in Cabinet and ratified by the public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on 23rd February.

The proposals in Building Momentum – a new public service agreement, 2021-2022 will apply to those employees in grades represented by unions in membership of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions or other unions or representative associations, including the Defence Forces associations, which have notified the Workplace Relations Commission of their intention to comply with the Agreement.

The Agreement provides for the following pay adjustments:

- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on October 2021;

- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1 February 2022;

- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater on, 1 October 2022.

The establishment of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces “Commission” is an important commitment in the Programme for Government. The Commission is tasked with undertaking a wide ranging review of structural and organisational arrangements in the Defence Forces. It will examine remuneration structures as part of its work.

The Commission was established in December 2020 and is required to report to the Minister for Defence within 12 months of establishment. When the Commission reports, I will give consideration any recommendations regarding remuneration structures which must be consistent with public service pay policy.

Departmental Policies

Ceisteanna (100)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

100. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the proposal for a shared Government data services centre as per the Recovery and Resilience Fund will be publicly run and not contracted out to a private provider. [32501/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The proposed new Government Data Centre will be a purpose-built facility owned and operated by Government. It will be built on state land and will be operated and managed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on behalf of the state.

The new Government Data Centre will be developed at the Government’s Backweston Laboratory Campus in Celbridge, Co. Kildare, which currently comprises various facilities for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the State Laboratory.

This project is part of the Government’s ICT strategy which is focused on creating ICT shared services to support integration across the wider public service in order to drive efficiency, standardisation, consolidation, reduction in duplication and cost control. The Data Centre will provide the foundation and platform on which our digital reforms and transformations will be built.

The objective of the Government Data Centre is to deliver high-quality Data Centre facilities which are fit for purpose and are capable of meeting the Government’s requirements now and in the future. In doing so it will support and enable the Civil Service Renewal 2030 Strategy, the Public Service Data Strategy and the Government’s 2021 Digital Strategy and thereby provide a much better experience of Government Services for the people of Ireland.

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (101)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

101. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of electric or hybrid vehicles purchased by his Department in 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32858/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not own or lease any vehicles.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (102)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

102. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the criteria for the Fáilte Ireland outdoor dining scheme [32155/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The development and administration of the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme, including eligibility criteria, are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have asked the agency to provide further information directly to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (103)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

103. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason County Longford was excluded from the outdoor dining scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32156/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme comprises of two parts, which are being delivered in partnership between Fáilte Ireland and Local Authorities across the country. Although neither I nor my Department has any role in the development and administration of this scheme, Fáilte Ireland has advised that County Longford has not been excluded from this scheme.

With regard to Part One of the Scheme, I understand that it provides funding to assist individual tourism and hospitality businesses develop or increase their own outdoor seating capacity and is being administered and evaluated directly by each Local Authority.

As regards funding allocated under Part Two of the Scheme, this is intended to enable Local Authorities develop permanent outdoor public dining spaces in towns and urban centres, similar to those that exist in various European cities. I am advised that each Local Authority can apply to Fáilte Ireland for up to €200,000 under this element of the scheme, which is being administered and evaluated directly by Fáilte Ireland.

National Library

Ceisteanna (104)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

104. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the office of the chief herald which is attached to the genealogy and heraldry division of the National Library of Ireland has recently purchased seven letters written by a person (details supplied) between 1883 and 1885; the price paid for this acquisition; the reason for this purchase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32206/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Office of the Chief Herald is an integral part of the National Library of Ireland (NLI). The NLI adds to its collections each year through donations and purchases. It purchased the letters referred to by the Deputy and this has been catalogued and is listed on the NLI website (Manuscript No. 51212 and website link http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000835384 )

The letters were purchased at auction last year in London and had a total cost for the lot of £49,856 sterling. The NLI considers that the letters from the individual referred to by the Deputy are a valuable addition to the National Library’s collection. I have been informed that early letters by this individual are rarely offered for sale. These particular letters had only recently come to light and unlike much of this individual's correspondence, the letters were previously unpublished.

The NLI intends to have the letters digitally imaged and made available to the public on-line.

Artists' Remuneration

Ceisteanna (105)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

105. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the implementation of the Arts Recovery Task Force recommendation that the Government pilot a universal basic income scheme for a three year period in the arts, culture, audio-visual and live performance and events sectors; the supports being put in place to support individuals in the arts and entertainment sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32285/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce report Life Worth Living, was published in November 2020 and made ten recommendations for the sector. The recommendations included a proposal to pilot a basic income scheme for a three-year period in the arts, culture, audiovisual and live performance and events sectors.

I was delighted that as part of the National Economic Recovery Plan launched on June 1st, I secured agreement from Government for a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for artists. The Government recognises that bold steps are necessary for our invaluable and much treasured arts community to come back stronger than ever before.

I have recently established an Oversight Group with the remit of addressing the outstanding recommendations of the Life Worth Living report. The membership of the Group is drawn from Departments and Agencies which have the ability and wherewithal to make appropriate progress on the outstanding recommendations, including the Basic Income Guarantee pilot. The Oversight Group held its first meeting on May 27th and is being chaired by my Department and joined by representatives of the Departments of Finance, Social Protection, Public Expenditure and Reform as well as Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Directors of the Arts Council and Screen Ireland are also members and as well as a representative of the County and City Managers' Association.

I have asked the Oversight Group to prioritise the manner in which a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for artists could be delivered. As work on the pilot scheme is just getting underway it is too early to be definitive about the exact nature of the pilot scheme at this point. The Oversight Group is expected to report to me by the end of July.

Departmental Programmes

Ceisteanna (106)

David Stanton

Ceist:

106. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will increase the funding available to the current round of the sports capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31397/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) 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.

The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March, 2021. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received. The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round has now been finalised and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. Given the record number of applications and the detailed information contained in each application, the assessment process will take a number of months to complete. No decision on allocations will be made until all applications have been assessed. While a minimum of €40m is available, any additional resources will be considered in the context of the review of the National Development Plan and an analysis of the likely drawdown demands in the coming years for older SCEP grants.

Departmental Programmes

Ceisteanna (107)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

107. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the expected timeframe for the processing and finalisation of the 2021 sports capital grant applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32300/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) 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.

The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March, 2021. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.

The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round has now been finalised and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. Given the record number of applications and the detailed information contained in each application, the assessment process will take a number of months to complete. It is envisaged that allocations for applications for sports equipment- only will be made first during the Summer with allocations to other capital projects announced before the end of the year. At least €40 million is being made available for allocation and local and regional allocations will be announced at the same time. As soon as this process is complete all applicants will be informed of the outcome of the assessment of their application.

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (108)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

108. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of electric or hybrid vehicles purchased by her Department in 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32860/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As I have previously advised the House in my replies to Parliamentary Question No. 429 of 28th April (https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-04-28/429/#pq_429), and Parliamentary Question No. 578 of 24th March

(https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-03-24/578/#pq_578), my department does not operate any vehicles.

Commercial Rates

Ceisteanna (109)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

109. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of extending the commercial rates waiver until the end of September 2021. [32261/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As part of the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan on 1 June, I announced an extension of the current commercial rates waiver for an additional 3 months, covering July to September. The waiver is intended to continue supporting eligible businesses as they adjust to the reopening of the economy and recover from the impact of the pandemic. The businesses eligible for the waiver in quarter 2 that continue to be eligible for the waiver for quarter three include:

- retail;

hospitality including hotels, pubs and restaurants, leisure and entertainment;

- personal services such as hairdressers and barbers; and

- health services.

It is estimated that the extension of the waiver in the third quarter of 2021 will cost €160 million.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (110, 122)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

110. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there can be interdepartmental coordination between his Department and the appropriate Department to prevent situations such as the case of a person (details supplied) occurring again; and if he will issue a policy directive or seek a bureaucratic solution that would prevent this from occurring again in the future. [32372/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

122. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports that are available for a person (details supplied) who has been on a waiting list for local authority housing for 17 years. [32324/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 122 together.

Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

If a household meets the eligibility and need criteria, it qualifies for the suite of social housing supports, including HAP, and is placed on the housing list to be considered for the allocation of suitable tenancies in accordance with the authority’s allocation scheme. It is a matter for the local authority to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority.

The allocation of local authority dwellings, including the prioritisation of certain households, is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with their allocation scheme made under section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations. This legislation requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.

It is the local authority which assesses housing applicants, taking into account factors such as the condition and affordability of existing accommodation, medical and compassionate grounds, etc. The authority then prioritises the needs of approved applicants in accordance with its allocation scheme.

Decisions on the allocation of social housing support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned. Each application must be considered on its own merits and the individual circumstances taken into account.

As Minister I am precluded by housing legislation from intervening in relation to the procedures followed, or decisions made, by local authorities in the provision of social housing support in individual cases.

Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic violence rests with my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and I understand that the delivery of these services is managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.

In terms of housing services, in 2017, my Department issued policy and procedural guidance to local authorities relating to the role they can play to assist victims of domestic violence. The guidance is also a useful reference for service providers working in the sector, highlighting where they can be of greatest assistance to their clients, covering a range of scenarios that may arise for victims of domestic violence currently in receipt of social housing support and those seeking social housing supports. These include provisions whereby a household may transfer out of their existing tenancy and into a new tenancy agreement with the local authority or they may access an independent tenancy in the private rented sector utilising the various housing supports offered by the State.

Local Authorities

Ceisteanna (111, 112)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

111. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding assigned to Meath County Council that was returned to the Exchequer in 2019 and 2020, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32420/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

112. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding assigned to Westmeath County Council that was returned to the Exchequer in 2019 and 2020, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32421/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together.

The funding system that applies to local authorities in Ireland is a complex one, as those authorities derive their income from a variety of sources including commercial rates, charges for goods and services and funding from Central Government including my Department but also other government departments and state agencies. Most of the funding from Central Government to local authorities must be used for specified services. These can be grouped into 5 broad programme categories: housing, transport, recreational, education and environment.

My Department has a wide and diverse business agenda, covering a broad range of functions, including local authority housing, voluntary housing, homeless services, estate regeneration, energy efficiency retrofitting, housing grants, rural water schemes, urban renewal/regeneration, and fire services. In order to achieve its business objectives, the Department allocates significant resources to an extensive range of organisations, including local authorities, dedicated agencies, and other bodies; some allocations, depending on the programmes concerned, are made on a national or other non-county basis in the form of grant funding.

Grant funding is provided primarily on the basis of vouched expenditure, as opposed to specific up front annual allocations, once all necessary requirements as detailed in grant assistance schemes are met by the bodies/organisations concerned and that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to ensure the exercise of proper financial controls. Accordingly, the circumstances of funding being returned to the Exchequer do not arise.

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