Written Answers Nos. 97-116
97. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way the new Croí Cónaithe fund will support villages and towns across rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55144/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur recently launched Housing for All plan sets out four pathways to a sustainable housing system. A key objective is that everyone in the State should have access to a home to purchase or rent at an affordable price, built to a high standard and in the right place, offering a high quality of life.
Aligned with our overall National Planning Framework (NPF) objective for compact growth, vibrant, liveable cities and towns must offer options for both owner occupiers and renters, at all income levels. The new Croí Cónaithe fund as outlined in Housing for All, is intended to ensure that aligned with the objectives of the NPF, additional choices are made available to home buyers in our urban cores, and town centres. It will do this by working to extend home ownership options, where the choice is currently limited:
- In urban areas, for apartment living in developments over a certain height/density threshold;
- In towns, where options for building new private dwellings have been constrained by the lack of serviced sites.
In relation to towns, particular challenges arise for facilitating owner-occupation in towns, where viable sites available for building of new homes are in short supply. There is significant potential for local authorities to support homeownership in these areas by making available serviced sites at a reduced cost or providing support towards the refurbishment of vacant properties where the level of vacancy or dereliction is high. A pathfinder programme will be initiated as part of a Croí Cónaithe (Towns) fund, to facilitate the making available of some 2,000 sites for homes by 2025.
Both the Towns and Cities elements of Croí Cónaithe will work alongside other related funds such as the Affordable Housing Fund and complement measures forthcoming in the Towns Centre First (TCF) policy framework, details of which are expected to be finalised before the end of 2021.
99. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the delivery of housing under the Housing for All plan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54957/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes.
The Plan is backed by historic levels of investment with in excess of €20bn through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency and the Housing Finance Agency over the next 5 years. This will provide the sector with the stability and certainty it needs.
Indications of increased construction activity are becoming evident which will help increase the supply and availability of housing.
There is a strong supply pipeline, with latest Commencement Notices data showing that in the year to September 2021, 30,519 residential units were commenced, up 40% year-on-year, when compared to the same period to September 2020. The number of homes for which Commencement Notices were provided in September 2021 (3,203) was up 48% on August’s figure.
11,150 units were granted planning permission in Q2 2021, a 16.6% increase compared with pre-pandemic levels in Q2 2019 (9,566).
The CSO’s Quarter 3 2021 New Dwellings Completion Report shows the number of new homes becoming available for use in the year was 24,156: a 7% increase when compared to the year to Q3 2020 (22,585).
With regard to social and affordable housing delivery, and in line with Housing for All, each local authority is required to develop a Housing Delivery Action Plan by end December 2021. The Plans will set out details of both social and affordable housing delivery, as appropriate, over the period 2022-2026, in line with targets set under Housing for All.
The Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) published by my Department outlines the ongoing delivery of social housing across the country. The CSR provides a breakdown of local authority and approved housing body social housing new-build activity from 2016 to date. The Report includes scheme level details on the completion of social housing new builds, as well as information on each construction scheme as it progresses through the design and tender processes.
The most recent report for Quarter 2, shows that there were 8,755 social homes onsite with an additional 9,128 homes at design and tender stage. During Quarter 2 2021, 137 new construction schemes, (1,883 homes) were added to the pipeline.
Early delivery of affordable housing will principally arise from previously approved Serviced Sites funding of local authority schemes where construction is commenced and, in early 2022, via the First Homes scheme. There are three Serviced Sites Fund projects on-site which will cumulatively assist in the delivery of 205 affordable homes. €55m has been allocated to the Affordable Housing Fund (formerly the Serviced sites Fund) which will support the delivery of 500 affordable purchase homes in 2022, to be delivered through local authorities.
In addition, the Affordable Housing Act, 2021 provides the statutory basis for a new tenure in Ireland: Cost Rental. Budget 2021 allocated €35 million to the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme which enabled the first Cost Rental homes to be delivered this year by the Clúid AHB at Taylor Hill, Balbriggan. The tenanting processes for further Cost Rental homes at Enniskerry Road in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and Barnhall, Leixlip, County Kildare, are currently underway. In total, 390 Cost Rental units will be delivered through this funding, with the initial focus being in the Greater Dublin Area and Cork. A further €75 million was allocated in Budget 2022 to help meet the Housing for All target of 750 Cost Rental homes in 2022.
Housing for All requires an innovative construction sector that will support the development of its existing workforce, including through lifelong learning, and presents an attractive and sustainable career for those preparing to enter the labour force.
The industry will be supported in returning existing workers to full employment, and there will be proactive engagement to attract international labour, where supply is restricted locally. In this regard, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, recently announced changes to the employment permits system for workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), in order to increase the number of skilled construction workers.
In support of the development of Housing for All, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) undertook an analysis of the labour required to deliver on the Plan’s annual targets, including at occupational level. This analysis has informed the labour demand forecast of 67,500 i.e. an additional 27,500 workers, for the construction of new builds by 2025, in order to keep pace with an expected graduated increase in annual supply to 33,000 homes in that year. Efforts to expand the workforce will operate to this timeline.
These efforts are being informed by a range of forecasts, undertaken by the EGFSN, across all construction activities. Forecasts in the EGFSN’s 2020 report Building Future Skills: The Demand for Skills within Ireland’s Built Environment Sector to 2030 are being updated in line with the labour demand estimates for housing, as well as estimates from an EGFSN study on the Climate Action Plan’s retrofit targets and the construction of renewable energy projects.
Education and training output will also be aligned and expanded with these requirements, in order to accommodate the different demands on the construction sector, for example through implementation of the Action Plan on Apprenticeship 2021-2025, which aims to increase apprenticeship registrations to 10,000 per annum.
As of Q2 2021, CSO data indicates that there were 127,100 employed in the construction sector. It must be borne in mind that the workforce involved in new build construction is just a sub-set of this figure.
Through the EGFSN Secretariat's close engagement with relevant stakeholders, the analysis, which includes detailed breakdown and forecasts of skills needs at occupational level, as well as recommendations aimed at enhancing skills supply across the Built Environment sector, is informing skills planning across Government, industry and the education and training system, to ensure that the Government's ambitions in Housing for All are delivered upon.
100. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for an upgraded blueway along the Barrow river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53629/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe delivery of the 46km Barrow Blueway route from Lowtown to Athy in partnership with Kildare and Laois County Councils is a priority for Waterways Ireland. This development and others like it present valuable opportunities for rural communities to attract more visitors, stimulate local businesses and regenerate local areas.
Planning approval was received in March 2019. The project objectives are to:
(1) Provide upgraded and new physical infrastructure in accordance with planning permission;
(2) Provision of infrastructure to achieve ‘Accredited Blueway’ status for the route;
(3) Co-ordinate marketing activity to maximise the potential of the Blueway.
The project is being delivered through the partnership of Waterways Ireland, Kildare County Council and Laois County Council for a total project cost of €6.75 million.
Funding of over €5m was provided under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund with 25% matched funding provided by my Department.
The development and approval of a five-year strategic maintenance programme by Waterways Ireland will ensure that the Barrow Navigation remains navigable and as accessible as possible into the future for the benefit of all users.
Work commenced on site in the late summer of 2020 with completion expected in late 2022.
103. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta cad iad a tuairimí maidir le tacú le hiarrachtaí chun tithíocht phobalbhunaithe a fhorbairt sa Ghaeltacht; agus an gcuirfear talamh poiblí ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht chun tithíocht inacmhainne a fhorbairt; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [54839/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSeachadann an Straitéis Tithíochta do Chách tiomantas an Chláir Rialtas inacmhainneacht a chur i gcroílár an chórais tithíochta. Cuirtear maoiniú os cionn €4 billiún ar fáil gach bliain, ag léiriú an leibhéal is airde riamh d’infheistíocht Rialtais i dtógáil tithíochta sóisialta agus inacmhainne.
Seachadfar 54,000 teach inacmhainne go náisiúnta idir seo agus 2030, le héascú trí raon beart ag údaráis áitiúla, Comhlachtaí Ceadaithe Tithíochta, an Ghníomhaireacht Forbartha Talún agus trí chomhpháirtíocht straitéiseach idir an Stát agus bainc mhiondíola.
Beidh ullmhú Pleananna Gníomhaíochta um Sheachadadh Tithíochta ag Údaráis Áitiúla mar bhonn ag seachadadh tithíochta inacmhainne, de réir Scéim Ceannaigh Inacmhainne an Údaráis Áitiúil, a bunaíodh i gCuid 2 den Acht um Thithíocht Inacmhainne 2021.
Beidh Údaráis Áitiúla ag cur a bpleananna faoi bhráid chugam, chun tithíocht shóisialta agus inacmhainne a chur san áireamh, roimh dheireadh mhí na Nollag 2021. Ligfidh sé seo do gach Údarás Áitiúil, lena n-áirítear iad siúd atá ag feidhmiú sna ceantair Ghaeltachta, aon srianta inacmhainneachta ina gceantair a chinneadh, bunaithe ar an Measúnú ar Riachtanas agus ar Éileamh ar Thithíocht agus soláthar tithe inacmhainne a phleanáil dá réir.
Cinnteoidh an Rialtas soláthar leordhóthanach de thalamh criosaithe seirbhíse atá ar fáil, lena n-áirítear tailte Stáit a sholáthar don LDA, a bheidh in ann freastal ar suas le 15,000 teach. Tá ról lárnach ag Údaráis Áitiúla agus baill tofa maidir le dóthain talún a chriosú chun riachtanais tithíochta cónaithe a chomhlíonadh, agus ag an am céanna urramaíonn siad na ceanglais maidir le forbairt réigiúnach chothromaithe agus an gá atá le sraoilleáil uirbeach a chosc.
De bhreis air sin, déantar foráil i gCuid 4 den Acht um Thithíocht Inacmhainne don Scéim Cothromais Roinnte Ceannaigh Inacmhainne ‘An Chéad Bhaile’, a thosóidh i 2022 agus a bheidh ar fáil i ngach contae. Tá an Scéim Cabhair le Ceannach agus Scéim Iasachtaí um Cheannach Tí an Údaráis Áitiúil fós ar fáil go náisiúnta agus déanann siad tithíocht níos inacmhainne do cheannaitheoirí.
Beidh na scéimeanna seo díríthe go príomha ar cheannaitheoirí céaduaire, sna ceantair Údaráis Áitiúil sin a bhfuil an riachtanas tithíochta agus na dúshláin inacmhainneachta is mó acu, toisc go bhfuil bearta inacmhainneachta dírithe orthu siúd nach bhfuil in ann cíosanna margaidh a íoc faoi láthair nó orthu siúd a dteastaíonn cúnamh uathu chun a dtithe féin a cheannach, seachas codanna den phobal. Beidh catagóirí eile incháilithe freisin, lena n-áirítear daoine a d’fhulaing cliseadh caidrimh nó dócmhainneacht phearsanta.
112. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to promote the use of Irish outside Gaeltacht areas particularly in the capital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55121/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides both current and capital funding through the Irish Language Supports Schemes to promote the Irish language outside of the Gaeltacht. These schemes support a wide range of Irish language initiatives. Funding is provided to organisations on an annual basis to promote the Irish language outside of the Gaeltacht and some of these include Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Gnó Mhaigh Eo, Cill Dara le Gaeilge, An Taibhdhearc, and An Cumann Scoildrámaíochta. I also hope to be in a position to announce specific funding for the promotion of the language in Dublin shortly. The aim of these organisations is to implement a strategy that will increase the visibility of the Irish language, increase opportunities for the use of the language, especially within the business community, and ensure that the language is more heard in the cities.
Glór na nGael's schemes, Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha and Scéim Teanga Tí are also supported through the Irish Language Support Schemes - the former supporting the use of the language in the GAA and the latter aimed at communities of Gaelscoileanna.
The purpose of the capital assistance provided under this fund is the strengthening of Irish as a community and family language in accordance with the objectives of The Gaeltacht Act 2012 and the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. This funding is provided to assist with the cost of refurbishing existing Irish Language Centres, developing new builds, and to purchase equipment for such venues. The following organisations in the capital are being funded from my Department:
Conradh na Gaeilge The flagship headquarters of Conradh na Gaeilge at no. 6 Harcourt Street has received planning permission and its development as an Irish Language Centre is referenced in the National Development Plan.
Gaelphobal Thamhlachta This project involved the development of an Irish Language Centre situated in Tallaght village.
Áras Chrónáin, Cluain Dolcáin This long-standing Irish Language Centre situated in Clondalkin was provided with funding for the upgrade of facilities.
As the Deputy is no doubt already aware, a firm commitment was made in the Programme for Government that a network of Irish Language and Cultural Centres, promoting a community-based approach in the promotion of the Irish Language, would be developed in Dublin and on a nationwide basis.
This commitment builds on commitments made in the past in relation to Irish Language and Cultural Centres under the 5-Year Plan for the Irish Language 2018-2022 and under the National Development Plan 2018-2027. A commitment to developing a comprehensive language plan for Dublin City is also contained in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
Significant progress has been achieved in regards to the implementation of the Language Planning Process as defined under the Gaeltacht Act 2012. To date, Language Plans have been approved in respect 24 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, 4 Gaeltacht Service Towns and 3 Irish Language Networks.
A significant increase was provided in budget 2021 in respect of the Language Planning Process. An overall budget of €5m has been provided for the preparation and implementation of language plans along with a range of initiatives central to the process as follows, Family, Early Years and the Traditional Arts. This budget has been increased again to €5.8m for 2022. As it relates to Dublin, it is worth noting that one of the approved Irish Language Networks under the Act is Clondalkin, the language plan for which was approved in January 2020. Further information on the scheme can be found on my Department's website here .
115. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of and position regarding the stream 1 large-scale sport infrastructure fund grant to Dublin City Council towards the overall design cost for the redevelopment of Dalymount Park; the funds drawn down to date; the expected completion date of that phase of work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54698/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her Department's role in supporting the redevelopment of Dalymount Park; and the plans that exist for the retention of Tolka Park as a soccer venue independent of that process. [54703/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 117 together.
My Department provides grant assistance for sporting facilities through the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Under the SCEP, grants of up to €300,000 are available to community organisations, sports clubs, national governing bodies of sport and local authorities to develop or refurbish sports facilities. The LSSIF is designed to provide financial support to sports projects where the grant sought is greater than the maximum available under the SCEP. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and to date approximately €86.4m has been provisionally awarded to 33 different proposals.
Dublin City Council's proposal for the development of Dalymount Park was among the successful projects and a grant of €918,750 was awarded towards the cost of bringing the project to tender stage. The evaluation procedures and guidelines for the LSSIF provide that once provisional allocations are announced, the projects being suggested for funding undergo a further process of due diligence. This process has been completed for the Dalymount project and a formal grant agreement has been signed by Dublin City Council and my Department. Design work has commenced and it is expected that it should advance so that planning permission for the development can be sought in the second quarter of 2022. This is with a view to tendering for construction works later that year subject to funds being available for same. Dublin City Council has yet to drawdown funds in respect of the project but I understand that a request for funding will be made to my Department before the end of the year.
In relation to Tolka Park, as the stadium is owned by Dublin City Council, any future plan for the ground is a matter for the Council in the first instance and I understand that no definitive decision has been taken in that regard.
While it is not proposed to open the LSSIF for new applications at present, my Department is undertaking a review of the LSSIF which is expected to be complete shortly. This review will look at, inter alia, progress on all existing grants and the timing of a new call for proposals will also be considered.
Any future application for funding for either Dalymount or Tolka Park under either the SCEP or LSSIF will be considered on its own merits in line with the relevant assessment criteria.
116. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports available for sustainable tourism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55116/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy primary focus over the course of the last 18 months in relation to tourism has been on the survival of the sector. Tourism has been devastated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary public health restrictions introduced to control it. Now, as our economy and society begins to open up, we have an opportunity to reconfigure our tourism sector and to more meaningfully address sustainable development and management within the tourism ecosystem.
I recently brought a report to Government, developed by the Sustainable Tourism Working Group, which identifies a suite of actions that will promote sustainable tourism practices which can be implemented prior to the development of a new national tourism policy. The actions identified in this interim action plan will help to form a clear narrative for communicating about the sustainability agenda, build a better understanding and awareness among tourism stakeholders and allow for visitors to practice responsible tourism. The successful implementation of the interim action plan, along with the guiding principles that were developed in 2019, will underpin the advancement of a new tourism policy which will mainstream sustainability.
As the Deputy will be aware, in Budget 2022, I secured a record level of funding for tourism. This funding will support measures to help address short-term survival-related concerns and also enable recovery across industry as we reopen to international tourism and begin to transition to a more sustainable future. This funding will also allow the tourism agencies to deliver on their commitments in the interim action plan. For example, next year Fáilte Ireland will develop and roll out a suite of supports and workshops to help tourism businesses to implement sustainability best practice and leverage the benefits for their business. Tourism Ireland will create new sales and marketing opportunities for those sustainable tourism businesses that want to grow their international business.
Measures such as these will shine a light on areas and destinations at home that are striving to be best in class in terms of sustainability and provide better access to information and tools for the tourism industry and visitors to practice responsible tourism. As we rebuild our tourism sector we will seek to realise Ireland’s ambition to be amongst the world-leaders in sustainable tourism practices and set out a path for a green transition of the tourism industry and our destinations to become leading sustainable tourism destinations. Many parts of Ireland are very well positioned to advance down this path, including the Deputy's own West Cork which, with its strong food and cultural focus and spectacular scenery and natural heritage, has built a very strong international awareness of all that it has to offer.
