Written Answers Nos. 102-121
102. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the current definition of a sporting event in the Covid-19 legislation precludes persons from organising a competitive sporting event that is not affiliated with a national governing body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33613/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Government-approved “Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19” organised outdoor gatherings are limited to 15 participants, with different restrictions applying to organised sporting events. Sporting events are defined in the relevant public health regulations, S.I. No. 217/2021 - Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, as amended. Per section 2 of the regulations, the exemption from restrictions on sporting events only applies to those being held under the auspices of a National Governing Body recognised and supported by Sport Ireland, or a school, university or higher education institution.
Our recognised NGBs have done excellent work to develop and implement protocols for the safe return to training and competition, with guidance from Sport Ireland and the Expert Group on Return to Sport established by my Department. The detailed and comprehensive protocols applied for sports training and competition are aligned with international best practice, and informed by experience. It is regrettable that at this time, it is not possible to permit a broader return to mass events, but the current restrictions are clear that matches and competitive sporting events are not permitted except for those governed and overseen by recognised NGBs.
As the summer goes on and the vaccination rollout continues the restrictions we must operate under will lessen, and I expect that larger events will be possible in due course.
103. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the breakdown of Vote 33 for tourism, culture, arts, Gaeltacht, sport and media with headings and subheadings for 2021, in tabular form. [33619/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe gross total allocation for my Department (Vote 33) in 2021 is €1,081,818,000. Details of the breakdown of this figure by programme area and by subhead are set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2021 published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on its website at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/#2021
104. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the breakdown of Vote 33 for culture, heritage and Gaeltacht with headings and subheadings for 2020, in tabular form. [33620/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraVote 33 was re-configured during 2020. The Vote is currently comprised of five programme areas, namely Tourism, Arts & Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. It was previously comprised of four programme areas: Culture; Heritage; Irish Language, Gaeltacht and Islands; and North-South Co-operation.
Responsibility for Heritage functions moved to the former Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in 2020 (now the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) and responsibility for Islands functions transferred to the Department of Community and Rural Development.
Details of all 2020 allocations are available by programme area and by subhead in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2020 published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on its website at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/#2020
105. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the breakdown of the number of applications and the number of awarded grants under the music and entertainment business assistance scheme by county, in tabular form. [33622/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a €50 million suite of supports for the live entertainment sector, the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) opened for applications on 9 June. This scheme aims to support businesses operating solely in the live entertainment sector that do not qualify for other business supports and have been significantly impacted by Covid restrictions. This scheme will see support offered by way of three levels of once-off, flat payments:
- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €50,000 with minimum business costs of €3,000 incurred from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.
- €4,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €50,001- €100,000 with minimum business costs of €6,000 from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.
- €5,000 for businesses with VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000 with minimum business costs of €7,500 from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.
Businesses whether sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities operating exclusively within the live entertainment sector may apply. Businesses of musicians and singers of all genres are eligible to apply, as are sound engineers, lighting engineers, audio engineers, stage managers, stage technicians, sound and lighting equipment suppliers, live-streaming equipment suppliers and full-time Disc Jockeys.
To date, 388 applications have been submitted for this scheme and 73 applications have been approved. All details in relation to this scheme, including guidelines and the MEBAS application portal can be accessed on my Department’s website.
This scheme will remain open for applications until July 7th. Final allocations will not be available until after applications close.
106. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the person or body who was appointed to adjudicate on applications for the 2021 instalment of the live performance support scheme; the way the panel was selected; and the measures that were put in place to ensure there would be no conflict of interest between those adjudicating on funding awards and those receiving said awards. [33623/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra107. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason a live performance support scheme application by a company (details supplied) was rejected; and the way the company can appeal this decision. [33630/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the decision makers who issue grants and funding to organisations (details supplied); and the reason a company that has contributed to the economy on a large scale in such a short period of time has been declined the opportunity to recover. [33650/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra112. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason an application for the live performance support scheme by a company (details supplied) was rejected; and the way that the company can appeal this decision. [33651/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of applicants per county to the live performance support scheme in tabular form. [33947/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 107, 111, 112 and 116 together.
I allocated €50 million in 2021 to a suite of measures to assist the arts and culture sector. As part of that funding, on Tuesday June 15th I announced the allocations for the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021). All allocations of funding for arts, culture and entertainment purposes made by my Department are subject to approval by me as Minister.
I was delighted to be in a position to fund 237 successful applications under this scheme, the details of which are available on my Department’s website. There was a very high level of interest in this scheme, with over 400 applications requesting funding in excess of €80 million. Given the available funding of €25 million, difficult decisions had to be made and it was not be possible to award grants to everyone who applied. The 237 grants awarded will help support employment and well-being opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public.
All applications were referred to an Evaluation Panel for assessment and recommendations for allocations which were then subject to approval. The Evaluation Panel consisted of five members, independent from the administration area running the scheme. Along with two department representatives, the external members were as follows; Mr. Gary Sheehan, Head of Programme Planning at the National Concert Hall, Mr. Ciaran Walsh – a freelance theatre producer and currently Showcase Manager with Culture Ireland, and Ms. Louise Donlon Executive Director of the Lime Tree Theatre, Mary Immaculate College, and Belltable, in Limerick’s city centre.
All panel members were required to sign a declaration regarding conflict of interest and confidentiality in relation to this scheme.
Officials in my Department are engaging with applicants in relation to queries regarding the outcome of their Live Performance Support Scheme application. Information in relation to the appeals process for this scheme is available on my Department's website here - www.gov.ie/en/service/ca5d7-live-performance-support-scheme-2021/.
Details in relation to the number of applications submitted for this scheme by county are included in the table below;
|
County |
No. of LPSS 2021 applications Submitted |
|
Carlow |
5 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
|
Clare |
13 |
|
Cork |
37 |
|
Donegal |
19 |
|
Dublin |
156 |
|
Galway |
18 |
|
Kerry |
24 |
|
Kildare |
10 |
|
Kilkenny |
9 |
|
Laois |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
3 |
|
Limerick |
10 |
|
Longford |
2 |
|
Louth |
11 |
|
Mayo |
13 |
|
Meath |
16 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
|
Offaly |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Sligo |
8 |
|
Tipperary |
12 |
|
Waterford |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
8 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
|
Wicklow |
11 |
108. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has a policy to ensure ease of access for the purpose of research and scholarship to the treasures of Ireland’s national cultural heritage held by museums, galleries and third-level institutions in the State, such as the Book of Kells, including for researchers and scholars affiliated with museums, galleries and third level institutions other than those caring for the items of cultural heritage; if she received representations on this issue; and if she raised the issue directly with cultural or third-level institutions or with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. [33632/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the objectives of Culture 2025, the National Cultural Policy Framework to 2025, which emphasises cultural participation and cherishing our cultural heritage, every effort is made by the national cultural institutions under the aegis of my Department to facilitate access for the purpose of research and scholarship to the parts of Ireland's cultural heritage held by them. Decisions in relation to specific requests are operational matters for the relevant cultural institutions. Decisions in relation to access to material held by third level institutions are matters for those institutions or, where appropriate, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
I am not aware of any representations in relation to this issue and have not raised the issue directly with cultural or third-level institutions or with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
109. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has a policy to ensure the ownership and or copyright of treasures of national significance produced by the genius, talent and labour of ancient Gaelic and medieval Ireland, including important works of art and manuscripts held in care by third-level institutions and private bodies in the State remains with the people of Ireland and the State rather than those institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33633/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCherishing our cultural heritage is one three core principles underpinning Culture 2025: the Cultural Policy Framework to 2025, published in January 2020. Culture 2025 states that the many and varied cultural repositories, and the organisations that manage and support them, public, private, and voluntary, are essential in documenting, curating, collecting and preserving our cultural heritage. It acknowledges that these institutions, which include museums, galleries, libraries, archives and collections, have a key role in supporting our citizens’ engagement with their culture and heritage, delivering cultural services and shaping and contributing to public cultural policy. Within this overarching policy framework, arrangements are in place regarding the ownership and copyright of items of national cultural importance held in the national collections and by third level institutions and private bodies in the State.
110. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the application process will open for the €5 million fund of capital supports for the commercial live entertainment sector; the criteria for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33641/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI allocated €50 million to a suite of measures to assist the live performance sector in 2021. This included:
- €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021). I was delighted to be in a position to fund 237 successful applications under this scheme, the details of which are available on my Department’s website. These grants will help support employment and well-being opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public.
- €14m for the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses, specifically musicians and related crew, that have been significantly negatively affected by COVID-19 and that do not qualify for other business supports. Applications may be made via the MEBAS application portal on my Department’s website. This funding will be allocated shortly.
- €5 million will also be made available for a scheme of capital supports for the commercial live entertainment sector. The details of this scheme are currently being considered and will be announced in due course.
I recently announced an additional €11.5m for a new Events Sector Covid Support Scheme which I hope to launch soon. This scheme will target SMEs in the events sector which aren’t eligible for the CRSS and for whom MEBAS and the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19 will not make a significant contribution to fixed costs relative to the level of support that would be available under CRSS, had such SMEs been eligible for that support.
113. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the rationale behind the pilot event held in the Iveagh Gardens, that is, in which patrons tested in advance or subsequently to actually prove or disprove the point of the so-named pilot. [33670/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the recent Government decision to prepare for the safe reopening of live cultural, sporting and entertainment events, my Department has prepared a programme of pilot live events for June and July. This broad programme includes sporting, cultural and live entertainment events, both indoors and outdoors. These pilot events will allow for sports, arts, culture and entertainment organisations to test necessary control and other measures in venues across a range of settings and have been designed to inform the safe reopening of these sectors. They will be subject to ongoing review including with respect to the prevailing public health situation.
As part of the preparations for the events, my Department has worked and continues to work with representative bodies and stakeholders from the culture, sport and live event sectors on the programme of events. The events are being organised with venue operators and promoters who are submitting Event Management Plans to my Department which are reviewed by Health and Safety consultants.
My Department is monitoring test events internationally and is aware of the role that testing can play in supporting activities. Testing is an issue that has a wider context than simply performance events and may be applied where considered appropriate.
I will continue to keep these matters under review as the pilots progress and as public health guidance evolves.
114. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a roadmap of the return of the entertainment industry particularly the indoor entertainment industry (details supplied). [33671/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions on the phasing of the easing of public health restrictions are a matter for Government, having regard of factors including public health advice. Subject to the prevailing public health situation, the Government has been delivering a phased easing of public health restrictions over the period since April this year. The Government continues to keep the situation under review with a view to continuing to reopen sectors, services and activities, including the entertainment sector. In particular, restrictions on performances at licensed venues, such as restaurants, pubs and hotels, is being reviewed at present. From 5 July, if the public health situation allows, organised indoor events can recommence, permitting a maximum of 50 attendees at the majority of venues and 100 in larger venues. Currently 100 people can attend an organised outdoor event for the majority of venues.
The Government has agreed that pilot events will take place in June and July, depending on the epidemiological situation at the time and subject to the roll out of the vaccination programme. My Department has worked with the Arts Council and a number of stakeholder engagement structures are in place to support the development and delivery of those pilot events. The first event took place in the Iveagh Gardens on the 10th of June in collaboration with the National Concert Hall and further events will take place across the course of the summer. These events will assist in safely charting a path back to greater levels of activity in line with developments in public health guidance over the coming weeks and months. Pilot events are necessary as a proof of concept for the safe management of events whilst COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities and in order to evaluate and build confidence in the COVID-19 guidance and event management protocols developed by the culture and sports sectors.
In addition, I have established a Return to Live Entertainment Working Group to facilitate stakeholder consultation and develop COVID-19 Guidelines for the Live Entertainment sector. The Group includes stakeholders from across the live entertainment sector as well and those with appropriate technical knowledge in the planning, management and delivery of events. The Group is developing a set of overarching guiding principles that all venue promoters can adopt for their specific purposes. The Live Entertainment Working Group includes stakeholders with appropriate technical knowledge in the planning, management and delivery of events and is will produce a set of overarching guiding principles which all venue promoters can adopt for their specific purposes.
In parallel with these developments, Government continues to provide a range of supports to the arts, culture and entertainment sectors. Primary support for the arts, including supports for music is delivered by the Arts Council. In 2021, the Government allocated €130m to the Arts Council which is an increase of 62% over the amount initially allocated for 2020. The Arts Council is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003. The Arts Council's support is by way of grants under a range of categories including bursary, strategic funding, project awards and touring and dissemination awards. The Arts Council announced details of its investment plans last February and this included a range of initiatives aimed at supporting artists and arts organisation through the crisis.
I allocated €50 million to a suite of measures to assist the live performance sector. As part of that funding, I announced the allocations for the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021). I was delighted to be in a position to fund 237 successful applications under this scheme, the details of which are available on my Department’s website. These grants will help support employment and well-being opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public.
I have also made an allocation of €14m available for the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses, specifically musicians and related crew, that have been significantly negatively affected by COVID-19 and that do not qualify for other business supports. Under the scheme, self-employed businesses including musicians, singers, lighting and sound crew and audio equipment suppliers operating exclusively within the commercial live entertainment sector are eligible to apply. Applications may be made via the MEBAS application portal on my Department’s website.
Earlier in the year, I announced the pilot Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021 intended to fund local authorities to adapt, equip or otherwise improve public spaces for cultural and events activities, taking account of public health guidelines and of the needs of the local arts community. Outdoor public spaces that can provide year-round use can improve well-being and contribute positively to the public realm.
Related to this, I have also made an allocation of €5 million available to local authorities for live performances in summer 2021 to animate town centres, should public health considerations permit. This will allow for the procurement by local authorities of performances by local performers. €5 million will also be made available for a scheme of capital supports for the commercial live entertainment sector.
In addition, I recently announced a new Events Sector Covid Support Scheme which I intend to launch shortly. This scheme will target SMEs in the events sector which aren’t eligible for the CRSS and for whom MEBAS and the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19 will not make a significant contribution to fixed costs relative to the level of support that would be available under CRSS, had such SMEs been eligible for that support.
The Economic Recovery Plan also includes a commitment for Government to prioritise a Basic Income guarantee pilot scheme for artists. This was a key recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce.
It is worth noting that under the Economic Recovery Plan, Government has extended the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including the Arts and Culture sectors. Measures include:
- Extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 31 December.
- Extending the Pandemic Unemployment Payment beyond 30 June 2021.
- Extending the Commercial Rates Waiver to end-September 2021.
- Broadening of eligibility criteria for the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19, which opens the scheme up to businesses in non-rated premises.
The Economic Recovery Plan also sets out the intention to introduce a new, additional and more streamlined business support scheme in September 2021, called the Business Resumption Support Scheme.
115. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if measures will be put in place to assist registered guesthouses (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33833/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s recently announced Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) sets out a framework for recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular sectors most impacted, such as tourism. Under the Economic Recovery Plan, Government extended the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including the tourism sector. These include:
- Extending the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). Revisions will see payments for businesses reopening of up to €30,000.
- Extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 31 December.
- Extending the Commercial Rates Waiver to end-September 2021.
- Broadening of eligibility criteria for the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19, which opens the scheme up to businesses in non-rated premises.
- The ERP sets out the intention to introduce a new, additional and more streamlined business support scheme in September 2021, called the Business Resumption Support Scheme.
In addition to benefiting from revised and extended horizontal supports, the Economic Recovery Plan also provides for an extension of the 9% VAT rate to September 2022, which will continue to act as a stimulus for the tourism sector as it moves towards recovery.
These measures and supports will provide tourism businesses, including registered guesthouses and the wider tourism accommodation sector, with much-needed clarity that will enable them to plan longer-term with confidence and accept bookings. The ERP also commits to continuing to provide business continuity schemes through Fáilte Ireland.
Taking into account the new and revised horizontal supports set out in the ERP, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to examine what supports will be needed for the tourism sector in the coming months. I will discuss these proposed supports with colleagues across Government to ensure that the tourism and hospitality sector is supported in their recovery as we reopen our society and our economy. The Tourism Recovery Oversight Group, which I appointed last December to oversee the implementation of the Recovery Plan and monitor the recovery of the sector, will also continue to be a key input into my thinking with regard to further support for the tourism sector.
117. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the guidance he has provided to local authorities to ensure that on-street eating facilities and other Covid-19 recovery measures are not disadvantaging or impeding disabled persons and older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33937/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith a view to supplementing the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant Scheme which was announced by my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and further to the easing of Covid-19 restrictions over the recent and coming months, a package of amending planning regulations were made on 30 April last to assist in facilitating outdoor dining as well as increased vibrancy and commercial activity in urban areas, particularly in relation to the hospitality and restaurant sectors.
The package of regulations includes the waiving of the street furniture licence fees in respect of tables and chairs used for serving food outside hotels, restaurants, pubs and other establishments in the current year; enabling restaurants to operate as takeaways for the remainder of 2021 without having to apply for change of use planning permission; and revised planning arrangements in relation to the erection of awnings, canopies and other structures at such establishments to support outdoor dining with no fee being applied for the erection of such structures when ancillary to a street furniture licence for tables and chairs.
The licensing of street furniture and other appliances on public roads and footpaths is governed by section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), and by Article 201 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations). Under section 254(5) of the Act, an application for such a licence shall be made to the relevant planning authority, or the Board on appeal, who, in determining an application or appeal, are required to have regard to the convenience and safety of all road users including pedestrians, the disabled and older persons.
Furthermore, detailed information on the content of the new regulations and advice on their practical implementation was communicated by my Department to planning authorities by way of Planning Circular Letter PL 06-2021 which issued on 30 April last and which is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/circular/b41c5-circular-pl-062021-takeaway-and-outdoor-dining-planning-amendments/
The Circular requested that planning authorities give consideration at a local level to the principles of Universal Design when assessing a licence application to ensure that the wider area is accessible, useable and convenient to all those who wish to use or pass through it, while also ensuring that any alternative street layout arrangements proposed in order to facilitate further outdoor dining, such as the relocation of designated accessible parking bays on temporarily pedestrianised streets, are appropriate and fit for purpose.
In light of the foregoing, I am satisfied that local authorities have received appropriate and sufficient guidance on the implementation of the new arrangements at this time and that there is no immediate requirement for any further guidance in this matter.
118. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of Vote 34 for programme F Heritage with headings and subheadings for 2021, in tabular form. [33621/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe expenditure provisions for my Department in 2021 as set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2021 published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) are available at www.per.gov.ie/en/rev/
Details of the allocations provided to Programme F Heritage in 2021 are set out in the table below:
|
Subhead |
Current €000 |
Capital €000 |
Total €000 |
|
F.1 - ADMINISTRATION - PAY |
35,561 |
|
35,561 |
|
F.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON-PAY |
5,955 |
2,014 |
7,969 |
|
F.3 - HERITAGE COUNCIL (PART FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL LOTTERY) |
5,261 |
4,300 |
9,561 |
|
F.4 - BUILT HERITAGE |
4,670 |
5,300 |
9,970 |
|
F.5 - NATURAL HERITAGE (NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE) |
19,382 |
9,500 |
28,882 |
|
F.6 - IRISH HERITAGE TRUST |
750 |
400 |
1,150 |
|
F.7 - BUILT HERITAGE INVESTMENT SCHEME |
|
3,000 |
3,000 |
|
F.8 – PEATLANDS RESTORATION, CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT |
|
14,000 |
14,000 |
|
F.9 - WATERWAYS IRELAND |
22,918 |
6,000 |
28,918 |
|
F.10 - OTHER SERVICES |
- |
- |
- |
|
TOTAL |
94,497 |
44,514 |
139,011 |
119. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grants that are available to a local rural water scheme to combat nitrates in the supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33655/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options open to a rural water scheme that does not wish to join the public scheme; if it can avail of grants to upgrade its own supply; if not, if the scheme can be instructed that its only option is to join the public scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33657/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 121 together.
My Department’s Rural Water Programme provides capital and operational funding to group water schemes. The day-to-day administration of the Programme is devolved to local authorities.
The Multi-annual Rural Water Programme provides capital funding under a number of measures to enable group water schemes to resolve infrastructural deficiencies in particular those that are causing or risk water quality issues in their supply.
An annual subsidy is payable by local authorities to group water schemes towards their operational and management costs of supplying water for domestic use.
Both the capital and operational grants enable schemes to supply water that is compliant with the quality standard required by the European Union (Drinking Water Regulations, 2014 (the Regulations) as amended, on a consistent long-term basis.
Details of capital and operational funding are available on the Gov.ie website at the link under or from the local authority concerned:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a524a-group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues/#
Information on the scope and terms and conditions of the annual subsidy were provided to local authorities under Circular L2/18, on 8 August 2018.
Information on the scope of capital grants and their amounts under the current Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021 were provided to local authorities under Circular L1/19, on 8 February 2019.
Drinking water suppliers, including group water schemes, must supply water that is compliant with the quality standards stated in the Regulations. Nitrate is one of the quality standards – called parameters – that must be complied with under the Regulations.
In order to avail of funding under the multi-annual programme schemes are expected to adopt the most sustainable approach to resolution of issues. In certain circumstances the most sustainable solution will be the interconnection and taking in charge of the scheme by Irish Water. Measure 5.(a) of the multi-annual programme provides for the resolution of quality deficient private group water schemes where connection to the public supply is the only technical and economical viable option to secure improvements in the supply.
The Regulations prescribe quality standards to be applied, and related supervision and enforcement procedures, for drinking water supplies. In the case of group water schemes the supervisory authority is the local authority. The supervisory authority has powers under the Regulations to serve a direction on a water supplier requiring them to prepare an action programme to resolve water quality issues and submit it for the approval of the supervisory authority. A supervisory authority may amend an action programme submitted to it before approving it.
120. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grants that have been allocated to a rural water scheme (details supplied) over the past number of years; the number of grants drawn down by the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33656/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Rural Water Programme provides capital and operational funding to group water schemes. The day-to-day administration of the Programme is devolved to local authorities.
The Multi-annual Rural Water Programme provides capital funding under a number of measures to enable group water schemes to resolve infrastructural deficiencies in particular those that are causing or risk water quality issues in their supply. In order to avail of funding under the multi-annual programme schemes are expected to adopt the most sustainable approach to resolution of issues.
Under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2016-2018 the group water scheme named in the details supplied was allocated €89,490 under Measure 1 to address water quality issues. None of the funding was drawn down by the scheme.
Under the current Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021, an allocation of €40,000 was made to the scheme under Measure 5 for it to be interconnected to, and taken in charge, by Irish Water. The allocation was subject to the following condition:
“The Panel notes that this scheme is on the [Remedial Action List for Group Water Schemes]. Accordingly, given the potential water quality risks for consumers on the scheme the Panel strongly recommends that the local authority quickly co-ordinates all actions necessary to enable connection of the scheme to & its supply from the Irish Water network. These actions include co-ordinating the completion of all necessary documentation, meeting & where possible bringing forward in the programme the proposed works to enable the water quality risks on the scheme to be resolved quickly.”
My Department understands from the local authority that none of the funding has been drawn down to date.
An annual subsidy is payable by local authorities to group water schemes towards their operational and management costs of supplying water for domestic use. The amount of annual subsidy recouped to the local authority for the scheme in recent years is given in the table below.
|
Year |
Amount recouped (€) |
|
2016 |
5,076.00 |
|
2017 |
4,643.00 |
|
2018 |
4,643.00 |
|
2019 |
9,471.00 |
|
2020 |
6,629.70 |
