Thomas Gould
Ceist:374. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average response time for the fire brigade in Ballincollig, County Cork. [11526/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFire Service
Ceisteanna (374)
Freagraí scríofa
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Service Acts, 1981 and 2003. Furthermore, under the Local Government Act 2001, arrangements in relation to staffing in each local authority are the responsibility of the relevant Chief Executive of that Authority. My Department supports fire authorities through general policy setting and preparing legislation, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
Following the City boundary extension, in 2019, the retained fire service in Ballincollig - previously part of Cork County Council's fire service - was incorporated in the City Council fire service. I understand that a number of the City Council's retained firefighters from Ballincollig Fire Station have been successful in securing whole-time positions in the Council's fire service. This has resulted in vacancies in the retained fire service in Ballincollig. Cork City Council deployed a crew of whole-time firefighters to Ballincollig as a temporary measure, but I understand that arrangement has now ceased and that fire risk in the area is being managed by an appropriate arrangement of fire cover response from the network of fire stations in the region, together with statutory and community fire safety measures.
It is important to note that the non-availability of any particular fire station does not mean that fire risk management, including fire service response, is diminished. The systemic approach to fire risk management, which has been the policy in use in this country for a more than a decade, has seen a welcome and steady downward trend in fire losses in Ireland. While each fire death is one too many, the fire death rate per million of population, averaged over three years, stands at 4.2, a figure which is one third of what it was 10 years ago.
Provision of a retained fire service in Ballincollig remains the objective of the City Council, and a new recruitment campaign is underway for retained firefighters in Ballincollig. It is hoped that suitable candidates will be interested in taking up roles as retained firefighters, and that the local business community will consider facilitating any staff that go forward for this valuable community service.
In relation to average response times of individual fire stations, my Department does not collect that granular level of information. That information would be available from the relevant Council.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (375)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:375. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline grant schemes that are available to private homeowners on low incomes who need to extend their homes (details supplied) but who do not have the means to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11533/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provides capital funding to Local Authorities for Improvement Works in Lieu of local authority housing (IWIL) to enable them to repair, improve or extend privately owned houses that are occupied or will be occupied by approved housing applicants as an alternative to the provision of local authority housing. It is aimed at owner-occupiers whose homes are overcrowded or sub-standard and who cannot afford to carry out improvements. The homeowner must be registered on the local authority housing waiting list to qualify. The scheme may also be used to improve private houses intended for occupation by a person surrendering a local authority house.
There are specific terms and conditions which govern the administration of the scheme and local authorities are responsible for such administration, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications.
In addition, local authority home improvement loans are available to owner-occupiers towards the cost of necessary works to improve, repair or extend their existing houses. These loans are only available from some local authorities.
Homeowners may be eligible for a local authority home improvement loan if they can show the local authority that they cannot get a loan from a bank or building society and their house needs to be improved, repaired or extended due to overcrowding. An income test applies to the local authority home improvement loan.
Applications for the IWIL scheme or the local authority home improvement loan should be made directly to a local authority.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (376)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:376. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a comprehensive list of the number of new social housing support units provided in 2021 by delivery method that is LA direct build; LA Acquisition programme; Part V divided by lease or buy, including length of leases AHB build; HAP including whether the new HAPs are replacements or for new RAS tenancies, other long-term leasing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11534/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on all social housing delivery activity. This data is available to the end of Quarter 3 2021 and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
Data on local authority build, local authority acquisition, Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and leasing can be found at the above link, including data on HAP transfers from Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS).
Details on Part V delivery by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/fd048-affordable-housing-and-part-v-statistics/. The average length of a Part V Lease agreement in 2021 was 24.5 years.
Regeneration Projects
Ceisteanna (377)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:377. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a plan (details supplied) to regenerate Westgate, Drogheda through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund; the expected dates for progression of the project to a category an application and any other relevant details following the appointment of consultants and subsequent public consultation on the plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11556/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
€476,000 was allocated to Louth County Council in respect of the Westgate Vision Project under Call 1 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). This project will provide technical assistance including project management, concept development, feasibility and detailed design and planning associated with “Westgate Vision”.
While my Department works closely with the successful applicants in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency, in this case Louth County Council.
In this regard it should be noted that all URDF supported projects must be carefully developed and managed by the Sponsoring Agency in accordance with the normal conditions and arrangements that apply to public sector managed projects including, exercising appropriate cost control and delivering projects as approved, and in full compliance with the Public Spending Code.
With regard to the present position, Louth County Council has advised my Department that as an Environmental Impact Assessment is required the Council will be applying to An Bord Pleanála for planning permission for the Westgate Vision Project. Environmental reports which are required for this process are being prepared in parallel with the final design for submission to An Bord Pleanála in Q3 2022.
Planning Issues
Ceisteanna (378)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:378. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policy instructions or policy documents that he has brought to the attention of An Bord Pleanála since coming into office [11602/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is not possible in the time allowed to provide a comprehensive response to the question, as clarified by the Deputy, to include policy instructions or policy documents issued to An Bord Pleanala across all Divisions and functions of my Department, and not solely limited to planning functions. My Department will compile a comprehensive list of such policy instructions or policy documents that have been brought to the attention of the Board since June 2020 to the present and will forward it to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
It is also worth noting that arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas from those agencies. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
In accordance with Dáil Standing Order (SO 42A) in regard to deferred PQ replies (i.e. PQs where the information requested is to be compiled and sent to the Deputy), I now include below a list of the policy instructions or policy documents that my Department has brought to the attention of An Bord Pleanála since June 2020.
Where documents have been published online, links have been provided.
Policy Documents Issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to An Bord Pleanála from June 2020 to March 2022
Planning Circular PL 09/2020
Operation of the Planning System during Covid-19 Level 5 Restrictions
Planning Circular PL 10/2020 Derelict Sites Act 1990 - Data Return and Prescription of Urban Areas
Planning Circular PL 11/2020 Telecommunications Services – Planning Exemptions and Section 254 Licences
Planning Circular PL 01/2021
Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I 9 of 2021)
Planning Circular PL 02/2021
Event licensing in 2021 in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic
Planning Circular PL 03/2021
Progress on Collection of the Vacant Site Levy
Planning Circular PL 04/2021
Planning and Development (Exempted Development) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 114 of 2021) and Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No.2) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 115 of 2021)
Planning Circular PL 05/2021
Working hours conditions attached to planning permissions in the context of Covid-19
Planning Circular PL 06/2021
Takeaway and Outdoor dining
Planning Circular PL 07/2021
Overground Cable Licenses
Planning Circular PL 09/2021
Derelict Sites Act 1990 – Data Return and Prescription of Urban Areas
Planning Circular PL 10/2021
Update on legislation to replace the SHD planning arrangements
Planning Circular PL 11/2021
Planning Statistics update December 2021
Planning Circular PL 12/2021
Policy Statement on Energy Security
Policy Statement on Security of Electricity Supply November 2021
Planning Circular PL 13/2021
Large-scale Residential Development Act and Regulations
Planning Circular PL 01/2022
Timeline for determining compliance condition submission from developers
Planning Circular PL 02/2022
Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 75 of 2022)
Planning Circular EUIPR 02/2020 Section 173C of the Planning and Development Act 2000 on Environmental impact assessment relating to waste water discharges as inserted by the European Union (Waste Water Discharge) Regulations 2020
Planning Circular EUIPR 03/2020 Clarification on the scope of Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU, on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (“the EIA Directive”) as it applies to solar farm developments.
Planning Circular EUIPR 04/2020
Amendments to Part XA of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (the 2000 Act) and Part 19 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (the 2001 Regulations) concerning Substitute Consent procedures derived from the following new legislative provisions:
• sections 6, 7 and 8 of the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020 (No. 27 of 2020) (the 2020 Act), as enacted on 19 December 2020; and
• the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 692 of 2020) (the 2020 Regulations), which were signed and came into force on the 23 December 2020.
Letter to An Bord Pleanála 16 July 2021 re amendments to Section 181 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (‘the 2000 Act’) concerning Development by State Authorities as made by Section 9 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2021 (No. 18 of 2021) (‘the 2021 Act’).
Planning Circular EUIPR 01/2021
Amendment to section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and associated Planning and Development Regulations 2001
Planning Circular EUIPR 02/2021 Publication of Consultation Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidelines for Regional Assemblies and Planning Authorities
Planning Circular EUIPR 01/2022 Adoption of updated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Guidelines for Regional Assemblies and Planning Authorities and Update to the Government’s Website with information on SEA
National Marine Planning Framework Marine Planning Policy Statement
Marine Planning Policy Statement
Housing for All
Circular NRUP 02-2020 Planning Update
Circular NRUP 01-2021 EPA Code of Practice
Circular NRUP 02-2021 Application of Residential Densities in Towns and Villages
Circular NRUP 03-2021 S28
Guidelines, Regulation of Institutional Investment
Circular NRUP 04-2021
Draft Guidelines on Development Plans
Circular NRUP 05-2021
Student Accommodation
Circular NRUP 06-2021
Active Land Management Measures
Circular NRUP 01 2022
Town Centre First
Policy Statement - Co-living Development Proposals 23.12.2020
Updated Apartment Guidelines to give effect to restrictions on Co-living Development 23.12.2020
Section 28 guidelines:
Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments
Section 28 guidelines:
Guidelines for Planning Authorities: Enforcement of certain planning conditions during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (379)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:379. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering changes to the tenant purchase scheme which would allow very long-term tenants of local authority homes an opportunity of purchasing the home; the implications of the earnings requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11635/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Tenant Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme.
The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides that, as the Minister, I may set a minimum income required to purchase under the scheme. The minimum income requirement has a dual purpose - it ensures the scheme is sustainable, and the tenant purchasing the house has the financial means to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period.
The scheme was reviewed in 2021 in line with Programme for Government and Housing for All commitments. The Government approved a number of amendments on foot of the review and these came into effect on 1st February 2022.
The amendments include a reduction in the minimum reckonable income required from €15,000 to €12,500. This means older tenants, whose only income might be the contributory or non-contributory State pension, will be eligible to buy their homes if they have the financial means to do so. The time an applicant is required to be in receipt of social housing supports to be able to apply under the scheme has also been revised. This has been increased from one to ten years.
Further changes to the scheme are currently being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (380)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:380. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will revise the local authority home loan scheme in order that the purchase of a house above the value of €320,000 can be considered given the level of the house prices in the Dublin area; if the 10% deposit sought from purchasers can be increased in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11644/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build. It is the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan.
With a Local Authority Home Loan you can borrow up to 90% of the market value of a residential property. Therefore, to avail of the loan applicants must have a deposit equivalent to 10% of the market value of the property.
The applicant(s) must provide bank or similar statements (post office, credit union, etc.) for a 12-month period immediately prior to making an application clearly showing a credible and consistent track record of savings. The cash savings should be no less than 3% of the market value of the property. Gifts are permissible up to 7% of the market value of the property where their source is verified. However, the availability of the Help To Buy Scheme for first-time-buyers offers additional assistance to purchasers of newly built properties.
The maximum market values of the property that can be purchased or self-built are:
- €320,000 in the counties of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow, and
- €250,000 in the rest of the country.
This limits the amount that can be borrowed to no more than €288,000 in the counties Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow and no more than €225,000 in the rest of the country.
There are no plans at present to change the house price limits.
Further information on the scheme is available on the dedicated website localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (381, 382)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:381. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the person or body whose decision it is ultimately to approve local authority mortgages; and if it is the decision of the local authority or a decision of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in each individual case [11742/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThomas Pringle
Ceist:382. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that the one parent allowance payment is considered a temporary payment and is not taken into account for local authority home loans given that the payment is guaranteed for a specific number of years unless the parent's circumstances change and is therefore no more temporary than any other source of income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11743/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together.
Under the Local Authority Home Loan scheme social welfare payments are not generally considered as part of repayment capacity. However, certain long-term State benefit payments may be considered as repayment income only where the main income source is of an earned nature (i.e., more than 50% of the income that forms the full Home Loan application is from a source other than State benefits payments).
Long-term State benefit payments considered will be:
- State Pension (Contributory and Non-contributory);
- Widow’s/Widower’s Pension;
- Blind Pension;
- Invalidity Pension;
- Disability Allowance.
The long-term nature of the payment must be confirmed by the Department of Social Protection or other relevant Government Department.
The One-Parent Family Payment is not taken into account as income for repayment capacity for local authority lending. As noted above, social welfare payments may only be considered where the main source of income is earned, therefore where One-Parent Family Payment is the main source of income it cannot be counted. As the One-Parent Family Payment can also be impacted if the borrower's circumstances change it cannot be factored in as a long term source of income.
The final decision regarding Local Authority Home Loan applications are made by the relevant Local Authority Credit Committee on a case by case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and the lending local authority. My Department is not involved in individual loan decisions.
Further details can be found on localauthorityhomeloan.ie/.
Question No. 382 answered with Question No. 381.
Presidential Elections
Ceisteanna (383)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:383. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to hold a referendum on extending the franchise in Presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside the State as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11756/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs have worked closely on this issue and, on 16 September 2019, the Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill 2019 was initiated in Dáil Éireann by the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to facilitate the holding of a referendum on this issue.
The Bill provides for amendments to Article 12 of the Constitution which, if passed by the people in a referendum, would extend the right to vote for the office of President to all citizens, irrespective of where they may reside, for elections held on or after 1 January 2025, which would be the beginning of the year in which the next scheduled election for the office of President would fall due.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future - commits to holding a referendum on extending the franchise at presidential elections to Irish citizens resident outside of the State. While the Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill 2019 lapsed with the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil Éireann, in support of the Government commitment, the Bill was restored to the Dáil Order Paper in July 2020.
When the Bill is passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, section 10 of the Referendum Act 1994 requires the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make an order appointing the day upon which the poll for the proposed referendum will take place. The Act provides that the polling day shall be not less than thirty days and not more than ninety days after the date of the order.
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (384, 385, 386)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:384. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of rental inspections undertaken in the past 12 months; the number of these that were virtual inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11760/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCian O'Callaghan
Ceist:385. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the analysis that has been carried out on the effectiveness of virtual rental inspections; the way that virtual inspections are verified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11761/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCian O'Callaghan
Ceist:386. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of virtual rental inspections that took place in 2020 and 2021; the target for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11762/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 to 386, inclusive, together.
The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
The number of inspections undertaken in 2020 and in 2021 to the end of Q3 are set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Physical Inspections carried out |
Virtual Inspections carried out |
Total Inspections carried out |
|
2020 |
24,315 |
1,388 |
25,703 |
|
2021 to Q3 |
7,174 |
4,643 |
11,817 |
Local authority data in respect of Q4 2021 is currently being collated and verified by my Department but indications are that virtual inspections only accounted for circa 5% of all inspections undertaken in that period.
Under this Government’s housing plan - Housing for All - targets for the inspection of rental properties will be set at 25% of all private residential tenancies, as soon as Covid-19 public health restrictions permit. No target is set specifically for virtual inspections and local authorities have the discretion to use whichever inspection type they deem most appropriate to a situation.
Pandemic restrictions greatly impacted on inspection activity since March 2020. The County and City Management Association’s (CCMA) Local Authority Services Frameworks for Future Covid-19 Pandemic Response did not permit on-site rental inspections for long periods in 2020 and 2021. This was in order to protect tenants, landlords and inspectors. Even when restrictions were relaxed there was still a reluctance on the part of some tenants to allow authorised inspectors access their homes. Inspections have been and continue to be frustrated by some tenants needing to self-isolate due to having Covid-19 or being a close contact.
In response some local authorities piloted virtual inspections which my Department supported with Exchequer funding. Dublin City Council led this initiative and commenced virtual inspections in May 2020. My Department incorporated and standardised the approach taken countrywide into a pilot programme, requesting business cases from participating local authorities to ensure that processes are suitably robust and comprehensive.
The Department deems a virtual inspection to have been carried out when a decision is made on whether or not a dwelling is compliant with the Regulations, based on a review of the:
- landlord’s completed self-assessment checklist
- photographic/video evidence provided
- local authority’s engagement with the tenant in respect of any non-compliance issues they may be aware of and whether or not they can confirm if the landlord’s checklist answers are correct.
It is a key component of the virtual inspection model that local authorities reserve the right to conduct a physical on-site inspection when it is safe to do so and landlords were advised accordingly. Many rented dwellings have been subsequently re-inspected physically, since pandemic restrictions have eased.
As set down in Housing for All I believe that the potential offered by a virtual inspection approach needs to be fully explored. This is being done through an ongoing process of evaluation.
Question No. 385 answered with Question No. 384.
Question No. 386 answered with Question No. 384.
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (387)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:387. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions that he has taken to stop sex for rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11763/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I condemn in the strongest terms any instances where properties are offered for rent in return for sexual acts.
This Government is totally committed to preventing and addressing sexual abuse and gender-based violence in all its forms. I have sought and received advice from the Attorney General in relation to this matter, which I am currently considering in consultation with my colleague the Minister for Justice.
It is a complex area and we need to look at all of the potential elements involved. The correct approach to dealing with this issue needs to be carefully considered and both my Department and the Department of Justice are working together on appropriate options to do so. This includes assessing whether changes may be required to Residential Tenancies legislation or through the introduction of criminal charges.
This is utterly unacceptable behaviour which attempts to prey on the vulnerability of people seeking accommodation and all possible avenues to address it will be considered.
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (388)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:388. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions that have been taken to reform short-term let regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11764/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Legislative reforms to regulate the short-term letting sector through the planning code, in areas designated as “rent pressure zones” (RPZs), were introduced under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 which came into effect on 1 July 2019.
Notwithstanding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, significant work on the implementation and enforcement of the Regulations has been undertaken by planning authorities since they came into effect.
The Government's new housing plan, Housing for All, contains a specific action (Action 20.4) - to "develop new regulatory controls requiring short-term and holiday lets to register with Fáilte Ireland with a view to ensuring that houses are used to best effect in areas of housing need". Minister O’Brien has engaged with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media to progress this action, and a number of meetings have been held between officials of the two Departments and with Fáilte Ireland, and further engagement is expected to take place in the near future.
Funding was allocated in Budget 2022 to Fáilte Ireland which has been tasked with the design and implementation of a new short term lettings registration system. The agency is currently recruiting staff to work on this project. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is also presently scoping out the legislative provisions that will be required to underpin the new registration system with a view to these provisions being enacted in 2022.
Traveller Accommodation
Ceisteanna (389)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:389. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the mid-term review for local authority Traveller accommodation programmes to occur in view of the delay announced in December 2021 as well as the impacts of Covid-19 on progressing capital projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11788/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. Progressing Capital projects is a matter for each local authority.
My Department circulated a copy of the Office of the Planning Regulator - OPR Case Study Paper CSP03 -Traveller Accommodation and the Local Authority Development Plan to local authorities for their consideration as part of the forthcoming mid-term review of the Traveller Accommodation Programmes 2019-2024. This research forms part of one of the recommendations in the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report being progressed by the Programme Board. My Department will be communicating further with local authorities on the mid-term review shortly.
Fire Stations
Ceisteanna (390)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Ceist:390. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the proposed new fire station for Clonakilty, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11796/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In December 2020, I announced a new Fire Services Capital Programme for the period 2021-2025, with a funding allocation of €61m. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities, a number of proposals for station works etc. were received. The proposals were evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
- Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.);
- established Health and Safety needs;
- state of development of the project (is site acquired?, etc.); and
- value for money offered by the proposal.
This new Programme will see six new fire stations built, continued support for the construction of a further 12 new fire stations, nine fire station refurbishments as well as the allocation of 35 new fire engines. In order to maximise the available Capital Programme funding, my Department re-assesses the status of projects in the Programme on an annual basis, and some flexibility is normally available to advance projects that are ready and that offer best value-for-money taking account of the state of readiness of projects more generally.
Cork County Council has indicated that Clonakilty is one of their fire station priority projects, and a new fire station at Clonakilty is provided for in this Capital Programme.
Cork County Council has submitted a detailed design brief and summary cost plan for the project, and these are currently being assessed by my Department. My Department will continue to work with Cork County Council to progress the Clonakilty fire station project.
Election Monitoring Missions
Ceisteanna (391)
Peter Burke
Ceist:391. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in relation to overseas election monitors and observers, there are currently vacancies on the current roster; the number of positions that are available; the process for applying for these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11320/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions No. 387 of 8 February 2022 and No. 401 of 22 February 2022 for matters relating to the Election Observation Roster.
The current roster was established by my Department on 1 January 2019 for a period of five years and runs until 31 December 2023. It comprises 197 volunteers who were selected following an open and competitive application process to participate at short notice for Election Observation Missions organized by the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The roster is sufficient for Ireland to nominate observers in response to calls from the EU and the OSCE.
Emigrant Support Services
Ceisteanna (392)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:392. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding prioritising the emigrant support programme to ensure that the most vulnerable members of the overseas communities are supported as outlined in the Programme for Government [11757/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) is a tangible expression of the Government’s support, commitment to, and interest in, global Irish communities, as outlined in Global Ireland: Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025.
The new strategy, a key commitment in the Programme for Government, keeps the welfare of the Irish Abroad at the heart of the ESP and it takes a more inclusive approach to that engagement - both geographically and toward traditionally underrepresented groups.
The funding of frontline welfare services remains the single largest element of the Government's support to Irish community organisations abroad. Projects funded range in scale from large welfare support programmes in cities with traditionally large Irish communities such as New York, Boston, London and Sydney to smaller events run by Irish community organisations in all regions of the world.
This assistance is particularly focused on the most vulnerable. The importance of the Emigrant Support Programme in this regard was underscored in our reponse to the Covid-19 pandemic with the creation of a dedicated Covid Response Fund of nearly €2 million tailored to help Irish communities abroad work collectively to protect our most vulnerable emigrants.
My Department also provides significant funding to a number of organisations based in Ireland, including Crosscare and Safe Home, to support returning emigrants in crisis situations. We recently expanded our support to the Samaritans, to provide 24-hour Freephone access to their helpline in Ireland for Irish people abroad.
The Government is committed to the continued development of these projects to provide advice and assistance for the Irish abroad who are in distress, struggling to cope or who are in need of emotional support.
The Government's new Diaspora Strategy recognises that the well-being of our Diaspora is dependent on having strong and active community engagement. To this end we also support projects which preserve and build that sense of community, promoting vibrant networks and a sense of Irishness. In this regard, substantial support is provided to sporting, cultural and heritage organisations such as the GAA and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for the important role they play in keeping our communities abroad connected to each other and to Ireland.
The 2022 Emigrant Support Programme funding round was launched in January. It prioritises outreach to those who are less connected to our existing networks, or who may have disengaged or been unable to access supports during the pandemic. It recognises the need to heal the relationship with our emigrants who left Ireland in crisis, as a result of discrimination or as victims of institutional abuse, with a particular focus on initiatives to support those survivors living abroad. Announcements on the disbursement of this year's ESP funding round will be made in the coming months.