Tuesday, 28 Sep 2021

Written Answers Nos. 301-322

Waterways Issues

Ceisteanna (301)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

301. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of works on a river (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45957/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has maintenance responsibility for Arterial Drainage Schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. Each year the OPW carries out work to approximately 2000km of channels and about 200 structures around the country as part of its ongoing and rolling arterial drainage maintenance programme.

The River Galey maintenance works programme is carried out by the OPW as part of the Feale Catchment Drainage Scheme (CDS) annual maintenance programme. Works on the Feale CDS are generally carried out on a cyclical basis as part of the general maintenance operation. In addition to this, the channels are ranged, any deterioration is logged and in this regard, works may be brought forward out of the general maintenance cycle. The implementation of maintenance works is subject to a range of factors, including compliance with environmental legislation, landowner agreement, the availability of resources and weather events which allow a relatively small window for some works to be carried out. Works on the River Galey and the Feale CDS were carried out this year and further works will be continued into the future subject to these factors.

Budget 2022

Ceisteanna (302)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

302. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will increase official development assistance as part of Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45996/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) has increased year-on-year since 2014 with Budget 2021 announcing an overall allocation of €868 million for Irish Aid.

The ODA allocation for Budget 2022 is currently under review within my Department. My officials are engaging with the Department of Foreign Affairs in relation to this matter which will form part of the annual estimates process discussions.

Flood Risk Management

Ceisteanna (303)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

303. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45999/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Enniscorthy (River Slaney) flood defence scheme is being progressed by Wexford County Council (WCC) on behalf of the Commissioners of Public Works as a scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. This is a significant scheme within the Office of Public Works €1 billion flood relief investment programme nationally, from which the relevant funding for the Enniscorthy scheme will be made available, and on completion will protect 236 properties in the town.

The Scheme requires formal confirmation from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (MPER) to proceed. This is a statutory requirement under the Arterial Drainage Acts(ADA), which now, under the recent European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019, also requires the MPER to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed Scheme. This involves, inter alia, a formal review by MPER of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) commissioned by WCC and recently submitted (along with a Natura Impact Statement) to MPER as part of the formal Confirmation process.

DPER ran the statutory public consultation period required in relation to this process from July 28th to August 28th, 2020. The initial phase of the review of the EIAR and NIS was carried out by consultants engaged for this purpose by DPER, during September and early October. DPER subsequently forwarded submissions from the public consultation, and the EIAR and NIS reviews, to the OPW, along with a request for supplementary information, pursuant to ADA regulations 2019, to ensure that the design of the scheme complies with relevant environmental directives and regulations.

The OPW, Wexford County Council, and scheme consultants Mott Mc Donald formally submitted their response to DPER in the final week of April 2021. DPER confirmed that they have received the independent consultants’ review of this information and are finalising their assessment of the supplementary information.

Completion of the above tasks and the progression of the flood relief scheme is a priority for all parties. In parallel with the confirmation process, OPW and Wexford County Council have been working on the following to ensure as efficient progression of the works as possible once the scheme is confirmed –

- Foreshore Licence Application public consultation has been completed, documentation is under review by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage , and approval is expected 2021.

- Technical approvals have been received from Irish Rail for the railway line crossings and from Irish Water for the diversion of services, the legal agreements with Irish Rail and Irish Water are complete, and will be signed post confirmation.

- Tender Pre-qualification for contractors for the bridgeworks was re-advertised and is currently being assessed. This will expedite contractor appointment post-confirmation.

- Service Diversions - the detailed design & tender documents for these works are complete, the tender for these works will be advertised following scheme confirmation.

- Archaeological excavations are ongoing.

- Treatment of invasive species (e.g. Japanese Knotweed) is ongoing.

Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General

Ceisteanna (304)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

304. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost of increasing for the funding for the Office of Comptroller and Auditor General by 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively. [46062/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The 2021 revised estimate gross figure for the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General was €15.506 million. The estimated cost of increasing the funding by 10%, 15% and 20% is as follows:

Gross Estimate	10%	15%	20%
2021	Increase	Increase	Increase
€m	€m	€m	€m
€15,506	€17,057	€17,832	€18,607

Public Sector Pay

Ceisteanna (305)

John Lahart

Ceist:

305. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons at secretary general level in the civil service who are receiving payments in each of the four categories or bands of the secretary general grade in tabular form. [46113/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I refer the Deputy to the document attached at TAB A which details the 19 Secretary General posts and level, listed by Government Department.

Other senior posts in the Civil Service with pay rates at these levels are included at TAB B.

TAB A - Secretary General Posts

Level	Post	Number of Posts
I	Secretary General, Finance
	Secretary General, Taoiseach / Secretary General to the Government
	Secretary General, Public Expenditure and Reform	3
II	Secretary General, Agriculture, Food and the Marine
	Secretary General, Enterprise, Trade & Employment
	Secretary General, Justice
	Secretary General, Health*
	Secretary General, Foreign Affairs
	Secretary General, Environment, Climate and Communications
	Secretary General, Social Protection
	Secretary General, Education
	Secretary General, Housing, Local Government & Heritage
	Secretary General, Transport
	Secretary General, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science	11
III	Secretary General, Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
	Secretary General, Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
	Secretary General, Defence
	Secretary General to the President
	Secretary General, Rural and Community Development	5

*A salary of €292,000 was sanctioned in 2021 for recruitment to the post in the Department of Health. The successful candidate indicated on his appointment in April 2021 that he was waiving the salary increase for the time being

TAB B - Other posts at these pay levels

Level	Post	Number of Posts
II	Chairman, Revenue Commissioners
	Comptroller & Auditor General
	Director of Public Prosecutions	3
III	Chairman, OPW
	Chief State Solicitor
	Clerk of the Dáil
	Commissioner, Revenue (x2)
	Director General, CSO
	Director General, Office of the Attorney General
	Chief Parliamentary Counsel
	Second Secretary / Ambassador, Foreign Affairs (x3)
	Second Secretary, Taoiseach
	CEO, Courts Service	13

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (306)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

306. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the length of time an organisation (details supplied) has had use of the buildings at a location free of charge; the reason such an arrangement was permitted; the reason the organisation was accommodated in this way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46190/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I am informed by the Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) that this matter is being reviewed. However as the files have to be recalled from offsite storage it is not possible to provide a response within the usual timeframe for PQs. A response will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (307)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

307. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 287 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46196/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Further to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 287 of 15th September last, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's participation in Common Purpose Ireland leadership programmes is part of the broader continuous professional development framework for staff in my Department. This includes attendance at learning and development courses, seminars and conferences, membership of professional bodies and the completion of various academic courses. The professional development framework is subject to ongoing review and evaluation to ensure it offers value for money, meets the strategic business requirements of my Department and the professional development needs of staff.

Participation in Common Purpose Ireland leadership programmes facilitates exposure to senior level leadership challenges not offered elsewhere. Given this, the contract with Common Purpose Ireland was awarded without the use of a competitive procedure, in line with EU Directives and national policies on procurement.

Heritage Projects

Ceisteanna (308)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

308. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the OPW plans to upgrade the condition of the public car park at Castletown House in Celbridge, County Kildare; the method of upgrading the surface which has been considered; the timelines for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46374/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is in the process of providing continuing routine maintenance to the surface of the public car park at Castletown, Celbridge, County Kildare. These works are part of the ongoing maintenance works carried out at Castletown on an annual basis. There are no plans to replace the surface at this time.

Office of Public Works

Ceisteanna (309)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

309. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the OPW manages its customer service process in respect of advising the public of the way in which it manages compliments, comments and complaints; the way in which that interaction occurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46375/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The OPW is first and foremost a service organisation. We are primarily concerned with the delivery of services to our customers. Our ethos is client focus, timely delivery and value for money in a sustainable manner. Through the OPW Customer Action Plan, we are committed to providing a professional, efficient and courteous service to all our customers, as well as the delivering the highest quality of service in accordance with the guiding principles of Quality Customer Service.

As part of the OPW Customer Action Plan, we are committed to:

- Prominently displaying procedures on how to make a complaint on our website www.gov.ie;

- Ensuring our complaint procedure is included in our Customer Charter;

- Undertaking to deal with all comments or complaints promptly, fairly and objectively in accordance with the facts of the case;

- Closely monitoring the number and nature of comments, complaints or compliments received and use this information in effecting any necessary improvements to the quality of our services and decision-making.

If an OPW customer wishes to make a complaint, they can avail our Complaints/Appeals Procedure. In the first instance, make contact with the Customer Service Officer (CSO) for the particular Business area you are dealing with. Contact details for OPW CSOs contained in the Customer Action Plan. If a complaint is in relation to service delivery at Heritage sites, it can be made to the Guide or the Guide Supervisor on the site in question.

Where no guide service is available or if the complaint relates to another aspect of services offered by the Heritage Service, then the complaint should be made directly to the Customer Service Officer responsible for that area.

The OPW regards feedback as the key to understanding the needs and expectations of our customers. To ensure that views and comments – both positive and negative – are communicated to us, we encourage staff to use their day-to-day contact with customers as a means of gathering feedback on quality of service provided. Customers can also email their comments to [e-mail].

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (310)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

310. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total underspend in terms of current and capital expenditure broken down by Department. [46524/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Regular reporting on spend against profile, on both a gross and net basis, is published each month in the Fiscal Monitor. This is available online at www.gov.ie/en/collection/c1b65-fiscal-monitors-2021/.

The table below outlines the end-August gross position for current and capital spending, including variances from profile, by each Ministerial Vote Group as published in the August Fiscal Monitor.

MINISTERIAL VOTE GROUP	End Aug Profile*	End Aug Outturn	Variance	Variance
	€m	€m	€m	%
AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND THE MARINE	784	701	-83	-10.6%
Current	617	574	-43	-6.9%
Capital	167	127	-41	-24.3%
CHILDREN, EQUALITY, DISABILITY, INTEGRATION AND YOUTH	1,259	1,192	-67	-5.3%
Current	1,243	1,177	-66	-5.3%
Capital	17	16	-1	-6.9%
DEFENCE	655	626	-29	-4.4%
Current	602	581	-21	-3.4%
Capital	53	45	-8	-15.8%
EDUCATION	5,857	5,841	-17	-0.3%
Current	5,403	5,368	-35	-0.6%
Capital	455	473	18	4.0%
ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT	543	474	-68	-12.6%
Current	219	209	-10	-4.4%
Capital	324	265	-59	-18.2%
ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND COMMUNICATIONS	303	216	-86	-28.5%
Current	96	85	-11	-11.7%
Capital	206	131	-75	-36.3%
FINANCE	358	339	-18	-5.1%
Current	344	329	-15	-4.3%
Capital	14	10	-3	-23.8%
FOREIGN AFFAIRS	559	559	0	0.0%
Current	553	556	3	0.5%
Capital	6	3	-3	-45.2%
FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION, RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND SCIENCE	2,178	2,025	-153	-7.0%
Current	1,898	1,815	-83	-4.4%
Capital	280	211	-70	-24.8%
HEALTH	14,075	13,343	-732	-5.2%
Current	13,568	12,912	-656	-4.8%
Capital	507	431	-76	-15.0%
HOUSING, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HERITAGE	2,509	2,207	-302	-12.0%
Current	1,493	1,304	-189	-12.7%
Capital	1,015	902	-113	-11.2%
JUSTICE	1,947	1,879	-69	-3.5%
Current	1,802	1,771	-30	-1.7%
Capital	146	107	-38	-26.3%
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND REFORM	800	784	-17	-2.1%
Current	707	714	7	1.0%
Capital	94	70	-24	-25.4%
RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT	174	156	-18	-10.2%
Current	125	114	-10	-8.2%
Capital	49	41	-7	-15.1%
SOCIAL PROTECTION	20,688	20,950	261	1.3%
Current	20,680	20,946	266	1.3%
Capital	8	4	-5	-57.5%
TAOISEACH'S	143	132	-11	-7.9%
Current	143	132	-11	-7.9%
Capital	-	-	-	-
TOURISM, CULTURE, ARTS, GAELTACHT, SPORT AND MEDIA	626	505	-121	-19.4%
Current	560	466	-94	-16.8%
Capital	66	39	-27	-40.9%
TRANSPORT	1,648	1,502	-146	-8.9%
Current	659	633	-26	-4.0%
Capital	990	870	-120	-12.1%
Total Gross Cumulative Voted Spending	55,106	53,430	-1,676	-3.0%
Current	50,709	49,685	-1,024	-2.0%
Capital	4,397	3,745	-652	-14.8%

* Profiles are based on Estimates voted by Dáil Éireann with an aggregate amount of €86,636m for the year.

EU Programmes

Ceisteanna (311)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

311. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the PEACE PLUS cross-Border EU programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46666/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I thank the Deputy for her interest in the PEACE PLUS programme. I am pleased to be able to report that this ambitious new North South EU-funded programme is now in the final stages of development.

PEACE PLUS was first proposed by the European Commission in 2018 as part of its package of measures for the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) and Cohesion Policy for the 2021-27 period. This proposal was and remains a clear demonstration of the importance placed by the EU, and by the Irish and UK Governments, of ensuring continued investment for peace, prosperity and cross-border cooperation, in support of the Good Friday Agreement.

PEACE PLUS will cover an eligible area of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland (i.e. Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo). It will replace the current PEACE and INTERREG cross-border EU programmes by combining these two funding streams into one cohesive new North South programme for 2021-27.

The cross-border Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) has been leading the development of PEACE PLUS, working in close cooperation with my Department and with the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland. The SEUPB has been assisted in this development task by a cross-sectoral Programme Development Steering Group (PDSG). This steering group consists of representatives of central and local government, environmental, rural, voluntary, community, equality, business and trade union groups from both Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The development of PEACE PLUS has also been shaped by extensive stakeholder engagement. This has included two major public consultation exercises, which saw events held in every county of the eligible area for the new programme, as well as the collection of several hundred written submissions. There has also been close engagement between Government Departments North and South in order to agree and develop areas of cross-border collaboration under the new programme.

On foot of this considerable preparatory work, the SEUPB has finalised a draft PEACE PLUS programme based on six thematic investment areas:

- Building Peaceful and Thriving Communities;

- Delivering Economic Regeneration and Transformation;

- Empowering and Investing in Young People;

- Healthy and Inclusive Communities;

- Supporting a Sustainable and Better Connected Future;

- Building and Embedding Partnership and Collaboration.

Details of the investment themes are available in the Consultation Information Document on the SEUPB's PEACE PLUS website, and I encourage anyone with an interest in the new programme to visit to learn more.

PEACE PLUS has an anticipated total budget of over €1 billion. This is around twice the value of the current PEACE and INTERREG programmes combined, and demonstrates the scale and ambition of the new programme. This cross-border investment is more important than ever, in the context both of the challenges of Brexit and recovery from the pandemic.

I look forward to bringing the draft PEACE PLUS programme to Government for approval shortly. The draft programme will subsequently be submitted to the European Commission for final consideration and approval. This will allow for a formal launch of PEACE PLUS during 2022, with the first funding approvals taking place later that year.

Coastal Protection

Ceisteanna (312)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

312. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of and position regarding plans to counter the impact of climate change, in particular the impact of a rise in sea level and coastal flooding on residents and the public transport network in the coastal areas of Fingal, Dublin city and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46704/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

In 2018, €1bn investment was made available to the Office of Public Works over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2018-2027 to implement the recommendations of the Flood Risk Management Plans as part of Project 2040. This investment is to underpin the delivery of the existing capital flood relief programme and the additional flood relief schemes recommended in the Flood Risk Management Plans. These plans set out the proposed measures, including physical flood defence works / schemes, to address the significant flood risks identified, in a comprehensive and sustainable way. The proposed measures take into account the potential impacts of climate change, and address the need to assess and mitigate environmental impacts. The plans include a number of schemes in the coastal areas of Fingal, Dublin City and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and updates on these schemes are detailed below.

The Local Authorities work closely with the OPW as the Approving Authority to manage flood risk. Each scheme will be subject to an assessment of adaptability for future climate change within its particular context, and, as appropriate, provisions will be made in the design and construction of the schemes to cater for potential future changes. The Brief for the detailed development of the schemes includes a requirement for a Scheme Adaptation Plan, which will set out how climate change has been taken into account during the design and construction, and what adaptation or alternate measures might be needed into the future.

The Government has also established an Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities, economies, heritage, culture and environment. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW and will bring forward options and recommendations for the Government to consider.

Dublin City

Dodder (tidal)

As part of the Dodder River (Tidal) Flood Alleviation Scheme, the flood defence works downstream of Ballsbridge are complete and provide a 100-year standard of protection for the fluvial scenario and a 200-year standard for tidal events including freeboard.

South Campshires:

The South Campshires Flood Protection Project primarily provides flood protection to the South inner city of Dublin from Georges Quay to approximately 50m east of the Samuel Beckett Bridge. The project is now substantially complete following work by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Dublin City Council (DCC).

Sandymount:

Consultants were engaged in 2021to carry out further work on wave overtopping on the promenade and advise on rock armour sizes for the promenade.

Clontarf:

A number of environmental and topographical surveys have been carried out. The existing sea wall has been drone-surveyed and a structural/leachate survey of the wall has also been carried out. A decision on the flood-wall line is awaited.

A public communications plan is being put in place by the area office and a steering group meeting is to take place with the local councillors in October.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council are currently working closely with the OPW to manage flood risk on three main river catchments in the County. These river catchments are:

Loughlinstown where a Consultant has been appointed and early design work has already commenced in this Catchment

Carysfort-Maretimo and Old Connacht/Wilford, which will both be addressed in the next phase of the FRMP implementation.

Fingal

In some cases, CFRAM identified that technically viable flood relief schemes for certain communities would not be economically, viable based on the level of assessment of the CFRAM Studies. In such cases a Scheme Viability Review (SVR) will be undertaken to review and confirm the likely viability of a scheme for the community.

OPW are responsible for procuring a Scheme Viability Review to review and confirm the likely viability of a scheme for the following locations; Skerries, Rush, Malahide & Portmarnock.

Sutton / Howth North

Assessments of the Sutton/Baldoyle area as part of CFRAM Programme confirmed that the progression of the impacts of climate change will be slow and will evolve over a prolonged period. The ‘Sutton & Howth North’ area has been retained as an Area for Further Assessment under the second cycle of the EU Flood Directive, which is required to consider and plan for the potential impacts of climate change. Based on that, flood protection measures will be assessed and, where viable, implemented in staged process as the impacts of climate change develop.

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (313)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

313. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 508 of 27 July 2021, if she will convene a meeting between her officials, the CSSO and a sports club (details supplied) in an effort to release a grant to the club in County Kildare; and if her attention has been drawn to an impasse regarding outstanding issues in respect of documentation. [45994/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

As outlined in my response to the parliamentary question referred to, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and due to the level of grants received by the club in the past, it is necessary to put in place a number of legal deeds in order to protect the public investment in the facility. Legal formalities in relation to this grant have not yet been finalised as the Chief State Solicitor's Office is still awaiting documentation from the grantee's solicitor. I understand the latest request for documentation was issued by the CSSO on 26 July. My officials are available to meet the grantee if that is considered helpful and the club can contact the Sports Capital Division of my Department directly in this regard. As mentioned previously, once the CSSO receives the outstanding, requisite documentation and confirms receipt of same, there will be no undue delay on the part of my Department in advancing the grant.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (314)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

314. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding has or will be allocated to Fáilte Ireland to enable it to issue another call for applications for grants under the large grant scheme; if so, the amount available for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46433/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Platforms for Growth is Fáilte Ireland’s strategic platform-based approach to large-scale capital investment in tourism product, which targets investment in line with specific ‘platforms’ (project types) identified as a priority for tourists on the basis of research and insights. Through this capital investment programme, Fáilte Ireland targets specific ‘platforms’ upon which it can develop and enhance visitor attractions of scale that have the greatest potential to grow tourism across Ireland throughout the year.

To date there have been calls for grant applications on two distinct platforms. The first call for applications in 2019 focused on the platform of immersive heritage and cultural attractions and invited proposals for large-scale projects of €2.5 million upwards. Upon completion of the assessment process, funding totalling over €44 million was awarded for the development of four new world-class tourist attractions in Cavan, Donegal, Mayo and Dublin. For the second platform, launched in January 2020 and involving a targeted call for applications from local authorities, funding of €19 million has been awarded for the development of word-class activity facility centres at 22 waterside locations across the country where water-based activities are a key visitor attraction. Further focused calls on other platforms will follow in due course.

Details of the funding allocations provided by my Department to Fáilte Ireland are published in the annual Revised Estimates Volume issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Fáilte Ireland's overall capital allocation for 2022 will be confirmed in the 2022 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) for Public Services.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (315)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

315. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she plans to implement the recommendations in the report by the Night-time Economic Taskforce; the timelines for delivery of these actions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46525/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce recommends 36 actions that are to be delivered across a range of Departments, local Government, Agencies and the Sector itself. It is envisaged that the implementation of these actions will help build, support and sustain the Night-Time Economy sector.

All of the actions and associated timeframes for delivery are included in the Report which can be accessed on my Department’s website (www.gov.ie/en/publication/c1ba7-report-of-the-night-time-economy-taskforce). My own Department is leading on and supporting a number of important actions in the report and I expect to see progress on these and all of the actions contained in the report over the coming months.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (316)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Ceist:

316. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will introduce a continuity grant scheme for inbound tour operators similar to that introduced in Budget 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46678/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The Ireland Based Inbound Agents Business Continuity Scheme, was introduced to assist Republic of Ireland based Inbound Tour Operators, Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) who package, sell and distribute Ireland’s tourism product overseas and have suffered significant losses as a result of COVID-19.

The overall purpose of the scheme was to help Irish Based Inbound Agents to withstand the impact of COVID-19 by providing a direct financial contribution to support their business continuity plans and to seek position them to continue operating through 2021.

Informed by the recommendations in the latest report from the Recovery Oversight Group, and in the context of Budget 2022, I am working with officials and Government colleagues to establish what further supports can be put in place for the sector.

Grant Payments

Ceisteanna (317)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

317. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of funding allocated to applicants for the sports capital grant in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46726/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

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, 1 March 2021. By the closing date, over 3,100 applications were submitted seeking over €200 million in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.

The scoring system and assessment procedures were published earlier this year and all applications are being assessed accordingly. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6 million were announced on 6 August. Full details of these allocations are available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/. The remaining applications for capital works are now being assessed. Given the large number of applications received, this work is likely to take a number of months to complete with allocations expected to be announced before the end of this year.

In relation to older grants, all applications, allocations and payments under the Programme are published on a county basis on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/service/d13385-sports-capital-programme/#sports-capital-programme-applications-allocations-and-payments. A breakdown on a constituency basis is not readily available.

Homeless World Cup

Ceisteanna (318)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

318. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on Ireland hosting the Homeless World Cup; if her Department has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46786/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The hosting of international sports events, both participative and spectator sports, can provide a positive showcase for Ireland and help attract additional international visitors. I am supportive of the on-going efforts of the tourism agencies and the national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport to attract international events. Any proposal to support the hosting of an event must be subject to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved in any State financial support.

With specific regard to the Homeless World Cup, the organisation in question contacted my office earlier this year and received a response outlining potential sports and tourism supports and the most appropriate channels through which these could be pursued.

From a tourism perspective, subject to a favourable assessment of a detailed proposal for a Homeless World Cup in Ireland, Fáilte Ireland could consider providing funding and complementary non-financial supports to assist the bid stage, as well as providing assistance and guidance with running the event. Accordingly, the organisation in question was given the email addresses for suitable contact points in Fáilte Ireland’s Meet in Ireland team and was advised to contact them directly with further details of the event and its bid proposal in order to pursue possible financial supports and other non-financial assistance.

From a sporting perspective, funding for sport is allocated by Sport Ireland and is channelled through the relevant National Governing Body of Sport, which in the case of football, is the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). The organisation in question was advised to contact the FAI directly to discuss any supports that might be available.

I have asked Fáilte Ireland to provide the Deputy with further details of any potential tourism-related bid supports. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.

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

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (319)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

319. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the criteria set down by her Department to ensure that parity was achieved for smaller or newer clubs within an organisation that received funding or supplementary funding due to the financial impact of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46809/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

A total Covid-19 funding package of €88.5 million was provided last year to support the sport sector. This significant investment benefited all levels of the sport sector, including thousands of grassroots clubs across the country, and provided some certainty for sporting organisations in their planning for 2021.

The funding package included support for the three main field sports organisations (the FAI, GAA and IRFU), a Resilience Fund to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport, a Sports Club Resilience Fund to support clubs, and a Sports Restart and Renewal Fund.

The funding was invested through new grant schemes developed by Sport Ireland in consultation with my Department's Sports Policy Division. The criteria and terms and conditions of funding were drafted by Sport Ireland in accordance with Section 11 of the Sport Ireland Act 2015, which provides that Sport Ireland shall establish the criteria and terms and conditions of its grant funding schemes. Funding allocations to NGBs and clubs under the new schemes were determined following a robust grant application and assessment process conducted by Sport Ireland.

I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for further information in relation to the criteria and terms and conditions of the funding allocated to organisations. Please inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.

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

Sport and Recreational Development

Ceisteanna (320)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

320. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he has engaged with Longford County Council regarding proposals to establish a skate park in Longford town. [46820/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

In relation to providing financial assistance for new sports facilities, my Department operates two grant schemes.

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, 1 March 2021. By the closing date, over 3,100 applications were submitted seeking over €200 million in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.

The scoring system and assessment procedures were published earlier this year and all applications are being assessed accordingly. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6 million were announced on 6 August.

The remaining applications for capital works are now being assessed. Given the large number of applications received, this work is likely to take a number of months to complete with allocations expected to be announced before the end of this year. Once these allocations are finalised an announcement will made in relation to the opening of the next round of the Programme.

The National Sports Policy as published in 2018 provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The scheme is designed for projects where the grant being sought is greater than the maximum grant available under the SCEP. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. The priority in the short term is to advance all of these projects. As it is now over 18 months since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is timely to review progress on all projects. My Department is engaging with all applicants in this regard. The timing of any new call for proposals is also being considered and it is expected that the Review will be completed in the coming months

It is open to any relevant organisation with a suitable sporting project, including a local authority, to apply for funding under the SCEP or LSSIF. In this regard, my Department will be in touch with all local authorities when the schemes are open for new applications.

Nitrates Usage

Ceisteanna (321)

Brian Leddin

Ceist:

321. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to promote compliance with the Nitrates Action Programme Regulations namely the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2017, SI No. 605 of 2017 to ensure that rivers and streams are protected from bovine excrement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46383/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

Clean and well-protected water is important for the continuing success of Ireland’s society and economy.

Protecting and restoring water quality in Ireland requires, among other actions, robust measures to address the loss of agricultural nutrients into our rivers, lakes and groundwater.

My Department works closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on these issues.

Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme is a key instrument in achieving good water quality. The current Good Agricultural Practice Regulations run to the end of 2021 and a new Nitrates Action Programme will be published at the beginning of 2022. A second consultation phase on the draft Nitrates Action Programme has just been completed and my officials are currently assessing the responses.

Improving compliance with the Regulations is a key measure in the draft Nitrates Action Programme. It is likely that this new programme will also include measures to improve training for farmers and their farm advisers.

Farmers are provided with detailed information on how to comply with the current regulations and on how to improve farm sustainability more generally. This information comes from local authorities; from the Nitrates Section of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine and from Teagasc advisory services as well as through communications from programmes such as the Agricultural Catchments Programme and the Signpost Farms programme.

On compliance assurance, inspections are currently conducted by local authorities with assistance from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides support and coordination to each county council and has a statutory role to supervise the local authorites’ environmental activities.

Question No. 322 answered with Question No. 137.