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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 22 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 288-313

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (288, 289)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

288. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the cost incurred by her Department for the supply of Covid-19 related face masks and face coverings since March 2019 to date; the name of the supplier involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13901/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

289. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the cost incurred by her Department for the supply of Covid-19 related hand sanitiser since March 2019 to date; the name of the supplier involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13919/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together. 

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to my Department's Covid-19 related expenditure on face masks and hand sanitiser is set out below.   No expenditure was incurred in 2019.  

Value for money is always an important consideration for my Department when procuring goods and services.

Year  

Supplier  

Face Masks

Hand Sanitiser

Yearly Total

Year  

Supplier  

Face Masks

Hand Sanitiser

Yearly Total

2020

Codex Ltd

€490

€3,080

 

 

Office Depot

€1,212

€96

 

 

Total Cleaning Supplies

 

€73

 

 

Western Hygiene Supplies Ltd

 

€461

 

 

Snap Charlemont

 

€738

 

 

Total 2020

€5,412

2021

Jones Business Systems

€223

€7,192

 

 

Total Cleaning Supplies

 

€577

 

 

Western Hygiene Supplies

 

€92

 

 

Total 2021

 

 

€8,084

2022 to date

Jones Business Systems

€96

 

 

 

Total 2022 to date

 

 

€96

Question No. 289 answered with Question No. 288.

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Ceisteanna (290)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

290. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has signed off on the revised strategy for RTÉ 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13930/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under Section 99 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ is required to prepare a Statement of Strategy which is presented to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and to my Department every five years. The current RTÉ Strategy, for the period 2018-2022, was reviewed by the BAI prior to being submitted to my Department and was subsequently laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.

On foot of concerns regarding its financial position in 2019, RTÉ developed a revised financial strategy for the period up to 2024, which includes a range of measures to reduce costs and increase revenues, and commits RTÉ to achieving savings of €60 million over the three year period 2020–2022.

This revised financial strategy, which was submitted in August 2019, does not replace the existing statutory Statement of Strategy and as such did not require formal review by BAI. However, it was reviewed by my Department in consultation with NewERA, following which the Government decided to allocate an additional €9.3 million in funding to RTÉ as part of Budget 2020. This funding was provided through an increased contribution from the Department of Social Protection in respect of free TV licences, to enable the implementation by RTÉ of the package of agreed measures.  A new reporting process was also introduced to enable ongoing monitoring by NewERA and my Department of the delivery by RTÉ of the revised strategy cost savings.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (291)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

291. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding streams exist through her Department to support locally organised diversity and equality events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13958/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have primary responsibility for such events, and I understand funding opportunities may be available through the Community Foundation for Ireland. A core objective of funding from my Department is to promote the widest possible participation in cultural, sports and Irish language activities.   Culture 2025, the National Cultural Framework to 2025, recognises the right of everyone to participate in the cultural and creative life of the nation.

Primary funding for the arts is delivered through the Arts Council.   Across its various funding schemes, the Arts Council supports more than 160 festivals annually. Through its festival investment scheme, the council makes significant investment in festivals nationwide. The addition of festivals supported under the arts grant and strategic funding schemes ensures that there is a flexible and comprehensive support for festivals in Ireland. The Council recognises the distinctive role arts festivals play in sustaining a vibrant and sustainable arts profile at local level. Festivals provide opportunities for artists and audiences to experience new work and ways of making work.  The Arts Council introduced its equality, human rights and diversity policy in early 2019 and is being implemented through its awards.    Further information on gender, disability and ethnicity in individual awards can be found on the Arts Council’s website.

My Department also operates a small-scale local festivals and summer schools funding scheme. The scheme is designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools which are not in receipt of other essential Government moneys and which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council or similar bodies.  

In addition, the Deputy  may be interested to note that a number of local authorities support small-scale festivals, in some cases, under the all-of-Government Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022, led by my Department.  The Programme seeks to enable each citizen to realise their full creative potential with implications for individual, community and national wellbeing.  Under its Creative Communities initiative, annual funding is provided to the 31 local authorities to enable them implement their individual Culture and Creativity Strategies 2018-2022, with €6.6 million provided in 2021. This funding also supports Cruinniú na nÓg, the national day of free creativity for children and young people. Across the programme of events and initiatives, it is open to local authorities to use some of this funding for creative programming in support of diversity and equality. Creative events have included the Virtual LGBT+ Awareness & Inclusion Youth Festival in Galway, as part of Cruinniú na nÓg 2021. In 2022, on World Down Syndrome Day, an exciting immersive, inclusive and highly participatory piece for children with additional needs, Lullaby Leaf by Ceol Connected, will take place in counties Monaghan, Cavan, Meath, Louth and Galway.

Fáilte Ireland as the National Tourism Development Authority, also provide supports for festivals and participative events focus predominantly on internationally-motivating festivals/events from the point of view of inbound international tourism and bednights. More information on these can be found on the agencies' websites.

Traveller Community

Ceisteanna (292)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

292. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the actions that her Department has taken to implement the relevant recommendations from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community report issued in November 2021. [14014/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised that none of the recommendations contained in the report of the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community in November 2021 referenced by the Deputy are addressed to my Department.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (NTRIS) is the Government policy framework for addressing the health and other needs of Travellers and Roma. Monitoring of the NTRIS is led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. My Department is represented on the Steering Committee chaired by Minister O’Gorman which meets quarterly to report on the implementation of the strategy.

World Economic Forum

Ceisteanna (293)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

293. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she or officials from her Department have engaged in any form of communication with the World Economic Forum or representatives of the World Economic Forum including by phone call, webinar, email or any event organised by the World Economic Forum from 1 January 2019 to date; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14169/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised that during the period referred to by the Deputy, Department officials have not attended World Economic Forum events or engaged in communication with the World Economic Forum.

Question No. 294 answered with Question No. 286.

Film Industry

Ceisteanna (295)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

295. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the films which received section 481 funding in each of the years 2019 to 2021; and the amount of funding for each film. [14399/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A list of the companies who have received relief from tax in relation to the production of a qualifying film under section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997), as amended, is available on the Revenue website at  www.revenue.ie/en/companies-and-charities/documents/beneficiaries-of-tax-relief-from-2016-2021.pdf.

This information is released under the authorisation granted by section 851A of the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997), as amended. This list is published to comply with the requirements of OJEU communication C332/01.

The details available on the Revenue website cover the scheme from 2016 to 2021.

Legislative Measures

Ceisteanna (296)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

296. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will include a provision on the regulation of digital marketing of breast milk substitutes in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022; if the Bill will explicitly state that the new Commission's Codes include regulating infant feeding products up to 36 months; the reason it is currently not included in the draft Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14532/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Regulation (EU) No. 609/2013 (as amended) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 (as amended) set out European Union (EU)-wide rules for information requirements in respect of infant (meaning a child under 12 years) and follow-on formulae. I am informed by the Minister for Health that these Regulations set out detailed compositional and labelling requirements for infant and follow-on formulae intended for use by infants in good health and recognise the importance of the World Health Organisation International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

Under section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) prepares codes governing standards and practices to be observed by broadcasters ('broadcasting codes'). The BAI, as independent regulator, has issued the General Commercial Communications Code, which provides that, inter alia, commercial communications for infant and follow-on formulae shall comply with all relevant Irish and European legislation and with rules regulations and codes of practice issued from to time by a relevant competent authority.

Section 9 of the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Bill 2022 provides that the new regulator established by the Bill, Coimisiún na Meán, may make codes governing the standards and practices of broadcasters and providers of audio-visual on-demand media services ('media service codes'). In particular section 9 inserts a new section 46N into the Broadcasting Act, which sets out that media services codes may provide for standards and practices to ensure that commercial communications protect the interests of children and that Coimisiún na Meán may consult with the relevant public health authorities regarding any provision made for that purpose.

The OSMR Bill 2022 provides that the existing broadcasting codes in place, including the General Commercial Communications Code, shall remain in force until amended or revoked by Coimisiún na Meán.

Section 44 of the OSMR Bill 2022 provides for the designation of online services for regulation and for the making of binding online safety codes applicable to those services by Coimisiún na Meán. In particular, section 44 inserts a new section 139K into the Broadcasting Act 2009 which sets out that an online safety code may make provision with a view to ensuring that service providers take any measures in relation to commercial communications on their services that are appropriate to protect the interests of users of their services, and in particular the interests of children.

I am satisfied that these provisions of the Bill as published are sufficient to enable Coimisiún na Meán, in making and applying media service codes and online safety codes, to rely on the appropriate public health advice from relevant Government Departments and public bodes and to reference and require adherence to the appropriate legislation regulating the marketing of infant and follow-on formulae. As the Minister with responsibility for media regulation, I will ultimately be guided by my colleague the Minister for Health on this matter.

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Ceisteanna (297)

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

297. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department or any agency funded by her Department require that any director of a charity whose term of office exceeds nine years is obliged to resign as a condition of that charity being allocated public funding. [14734/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As I advised the House in my reply to Dáil Question No. 74 of 9th March, 2022, my Department is responsible for a number of programmes and provides funding to a wide range of organisations from various sectors of society. 

Many of the beneficiaries of these programmes, for example sports clubs, are eligible for charitable status or operate on a non-profit basis.    

Details of funding schemes including eligibility criteria, rates of payment and how to apply are published from time to time on my Department's website.  All expenditure is undertaken in accordance with the Public Financial Procedures as set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Details of Department expenditure are published annually in the Department's Appropriation Accounts, which can be found here. 

Should the Deputy have a specific query in relation to funding provided to a particular group or organisation, my officials will seek to assist upon receipt of the relevant details.

Tourism Promotion

Ceisteanna (298)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

298. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to ask Fáilte Ireland to reopen a tourism information office at Dublin Airport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14814/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The management of Tourist Information Offices is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.  Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (299)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

299. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the review of the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14893/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, including swimming pools, with at least €100 million being made available over the period to 2027.

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 total funding applied for under the scheme significantly exceeded the amount available to allocate and it was not possible to provide all successful applicants the full amount sought.

While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the projects that were allocated funding, as it is now two years since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants. My Department has now met with all successful grantees and work is at an advanced stage in drafting the review. I expect this work to be finalised shortly.

Once that review is complete the scope for awarding any additional grants, adjusting the level  of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered.

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (300)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

300. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the appeals process for the sports capital grant applications that were unsuccessful; if clubs will be directly corresponded with on this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14981/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. 

The 2020 round of the Programme closed for applications on 1 March 2021.  By this date, 3,106 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 finalised and published prior to assessment work commencing and all applications were assessed in accordance with these procedures. All of the improvements which were introduced for recent rounds of the Programme to make the process as user-friendly as possible were maintained for this round. This included giving applicants a second chance to submit corrected documentation. The full scoring system and assessment procedures can be viewed on the sportscapitalprogramme.ie website.

Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6m were announced on 6 August 2021. The remaining capital applications were then assessed and 1,865 individual grant offers with a total value of over €143.8 million were announced on Friday 11 February 2022. 

In relation to unsuccessful applicants, my Department was in contact with relevant organisations earlier this month in relation to the appeals process. Appeals will be accepted if a mistake was made by the Department during the assessment process or if these organisations submit corrected documentation to validate their application.  Appeals will be accepted until Monday 4th April, 2022. Of the record €150 million made available for capital projects, €6 million has been kept in reserve for any successful appeals lodged by unsuccessful applicants. 

When the appeals process is complete, a full review of the 2020 round of the SCEP will be undertaken and any recommendations contained therein will be included in the terms and conditions of the next round.  The precise timing of this next round of the Programme will be announced once this review is complete. 

Swimming Pools

Ceisteanna (301)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

301. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to provide funding to public swimming pools to enable all young people to avail of the facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15067/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In relation to my Department's responsibilities, capital funding support is available for new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. Previously, this Government support was provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). A total of 52 pools have been completed under the LASPP and three swimming pool projects (Lucan, Buncrana and Edenderry) remain in the programme with the Lucan project currently under construction.

My Department's capital support for any new swimming pools is now being provided through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The National Development Plan provided a capital allocation of at least €100m for the Fund over the period to 2027. 

The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to local authorities and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of Sport. All applications were assessed in accordance with the published Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines and the first allocations were announced in January 2020. Thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. These initial allocations include funding for 8 swimming pool projects as follows:

Laois: Portarlington Leisure Centre Swimming Pool

Sligo: Waterpoint Aqua Park

Kilkenny: The Watershed Development,

Limerick: Askeaton Pool and Leisure          

Wicklow: Wicklow Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre    

Louth: Dundalk Leisure Centre

Galway: Galway Regional Aquatic & Fitness Centre

Dublin: Samuel Beckett Civic Campus Phase 2      

The priority in the short term is to advance all LSSIF projects, including these swimming pools, to  construction stage.

In relation to future swimming pool funding, my Department is currently undertaking a review of progress on all existing LSSIF grants. As part of this review, my Department is also considering the timing of any new call for proposals. The review work is at an advanced stage and is expected to be finalised shortly.

In addition, the National Sports Policy commits to the development of a National Swimming Strategy. As part of this, there will be a review of swimming pool provision to identify where gaps exist and how these can be met. Furthermore, the Sports Action Plan 2021-2023, which was published in November 2021, contains an action to develop and implement a National Swimming Strategy to provide additional swimming opportunities indoors and outdoors. Initial preparatory planning work has been undertaken by my Department in this regard. It is intended to establish a working group in the near future to take forward the detailed work of preparing a national swimming strategy, with a view to its completion and publication later this year.

The outcome of these reviews and strategies will be fully considered when deciding on the future funding provision for swimming pools.

Arts Policy

Ceisteanna (302)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

302. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to ensure that the supports offered under the live performance support scheme 4 are being distributed as quickly as possible to prevent the permanent closure of venues. [15068/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As part of the €50 million suite of supports for the Live performance sector in 2022, I recently announced details of a new €15 million Live Performance Restart Grant Scheme (LPRGS). 

This scheme will provide a new grant for businesses engaged in staging live events in the arts and culture live performance sector. The scheme aims to help underpin the recovery of the live performance sector by providing business restart grants to successful applicants as a support to de-risk the planning of events across spring and summer of 2022.

Grants of up to €100,000 will be available to eligible businesses under the scheme.  

This scheme opens for applications today and will remain open for four weeks via an online application portal on my Department’s website. 

Further information in relation to this scheme can be accessed on my Department’s website here - www.gov.ie/en/publication/d1d0c-live-performance-restart-grant-scheme-lprgs-guidelines/

Arts Policy

Ceisteanna (303)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

303. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the roll-out of the live performance support scheme 3; the amount of funding allocated as of 15 March 2022; and the timeline for the distribution of the remaining funding. [15069/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Throughout the pandemic I have been very cognisant of the challenges the restrictions caused for the arts, culture and live entertainment industry and I remain committed to supporting musicians and artists as the industry recovers following the lifting of all restrictions in January. 

To this end I have provided a €50 million suite of supports d for the live performance sector in 2022 including;

- €5m allocated for the LPSS 2 to support pantomime and seasonal musical theatre impacted by the Covid restrictions in place in December and January.

- €15 million allocated for the Live Performance Restart Grant Scheme to support the recovery of the live performance sector by providing business restart grants as a support to de-risk the planning of events across spring and summer of 2022.

- €4m allocated for the MEBAS 2022 (Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme) scheme specifically to support small music and entertainment businesses which do not operate out of a rateable premises;

- €5m for Local Authorities to support local artists and performances through the LLPSS (Local Live Performance Support Scheme).  This scheme in particular has provided thousands of hours of employment for local musicians, artists and crews, and;

- €5m to continue the capital supports scheme (CECGS) to venues, including for ventilation upgrades and other COVID adaptations. This scheme opens for applications today.

- €1m for the Saint Patrick's Festival 2022

Up to €20 million was allocated for the LPSS 3, another strand of the Live Performance Support Scheme to support events which were due to be staged in December 2021 and January 2022 and have been curtailed, cancelled or rescheduled due to the restrictions on audience capacity at live performances at 50% and a closing time of 8pm.

128 applications were submitted for this scheme and grants of €8.1m have been offered to date.  Payments of €1.5m have been made under this scheme so far and payments will continue to issue on a weekly basis as grantees submit their documentation and payment requests.

Greenways Provision

Ceisteanna (304)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

304. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding that has been provided by her Department and a statutory body for a project (details supplied) in each of the past four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15078/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

At the outset I should clarify that, although Greenways form part of our overall tourism offering, lead responsibility for their development rests with my colleague, Eamon Ryan, T.D., Minister for Transport. Accordingly, queries regarding core funding for Greenway projects such as the one referenced by the Deputy might be more appropriately addressed to Minister Ryan. 

On the general matter of any possible capital funding from my Department or the statutory body specified, it should be noted that all Exchequer funding voted to my Department for tourism product development is channelled through Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority.  On the specific matter of whether any tourism funding was provided for this particular Greenway project over the past four years, I can confirm that it received no tourism funding.

Local Authorities

Ceisteanna (305)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

305. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans that are in place to recruit extra staff for local authorities to deal with the unprecedented level of demand for services if the estimated number of Ukrainian refugees arrive in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14523/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.  My Department will continue to work with the local government sector in respect of its involvement in the response to the Ukrainian situation.

Water Services

Ceisteanna (306)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

306. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when maintenance payments will be made available to three group water schemes (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13813/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department’s Rural Water Programme provides funding under an annual subsidy to group water schemes towards their operational and management costs of supplying water for domestic use. The day-to-day administration of the Programme, including for subsidy payments, is devolved to local authorities. Kerry County Council, which is the local authority for the schemes named in the details supplied may be able to update the Deputy on the position.

Rental Sector

Ceisteanna (307)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

307. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is legislation in relation to the prohibiting the practice of landlords requesting and then withholding a refund of holding deposits in the private rented sector; and if not, if he will consider introducing legislation to ban this practice. [13814/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021 regulates the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector. The Acts require that a landlord not charge anyone more than 1 month’s rent in advance and/or a deposit equal to more than 1 month’s rent for the purpose of securing a tenancy.

Section 12 of the Acts obliges a landlord to return or repay promptly any deposit paid by the tenant to the landlord on entering into the agreement for the tenancy or lease, less any amount for rent arrears, lawful charges or damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Where there is a dispute regarding the retention or refund of a deposit, the tenant may bring a dispute to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for resolution.

My Department and the RTB keep the operation of the rental market and the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021 under constant review to ensure that the legislation is fit for purpose.

Fire Service

Ceisteanna (308)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

308. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of the retained fire services’ staffing which included recruitment and retention of staff and the need for this to be addressed. [13822/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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 Services Acts 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing the legislative framework, running a central training programme and issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects. The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management manages fire service issues in my Department.  

Fire services in Ireland are provided by the local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, 31 authorities provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 217 fire stations nationwide deliver local authority fire services. 16 of these stations being staffed by full-time firefighters, a further 4 are mixed full-time and retained, and 197 are staffed by retained firefighters, with approximately 2,065 retained firefighters around the country. It is important to note that the numbers of fire service front-line staff have been maintained at a constant high level throughout the economic challenges of the past number of years, even when staffing numbers, by necessity, were reduced in other areas of the local authority sector.  

In 2013, my Department published 'Keeping Communities Safe (KCS) - A Framework for Fire Safety in Ireland'. The adoption of KCS as national policy saw national norms/ standards established for fire services in Ireland for the first time, against which local authority fire services could benchmark themselves.   The report of the Fire Service Validation Group, 'Fire Services in Ireland, Local Delivery - National Consistency', published in 2016, noted the staffing arrangements in place in fire services across Ireland to achieve these standards and that fire services manage staffing levels in fire stations to achieve the national standards of fire service response. 

The provision of fire services by local authorities is based on a risk management approach, which involves an analysis of the nature of the fire hazards and the incidence and extent of fires that occur, as well as the fire protection measures in place. There has been a welcome downward trend in the incidence of fire, with the fire fatality rate per million of population, using a three-year average, currently at 4.3 deaths per million of population. While each death is one too many, this figure is a third of what it was twenty years ago when it stood at 12.9 deaths per million of population and positions Ireland among countries with very low fire fatality rates. 

In May 2021, the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management mandated a small internal project team to undertake a review of the model of local authority ‘Retained’ fire services delivery. This review will have a particular emphasis on the recruitment and retention of staff, with the proviso that due consideration also be given to input from the County and City Management Association. 

The objective of the review is to explore and understand the issues that are impacting on service delivery, to undertake research and analysis and to propose options that will underpin the continuing provision of effective and inclusive local authority fire services into the future. The Project Team will work with and report to the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management Fire Service Operations Committee in the performance of its functions. 

The initial engagement element of the review is the gathering of appropriate data and information, to inform the needs analysis and option appraisals for further development. To that end, the project team undertook a procurement process and engaged the services of an independent consultant to survey the views of the personnel who work in the retained fire services and those that have recently retired from the retained fire services. In preparing the survey, the project team sought the views of retained services trade union representatives through the Fire Services National Oversight and Implementation Group. 

That feedback in conjunction with consultation at appropriate stages with all key stakeholders during the review process, including central and local government, fire service management/staff, and the staffing interest groups will form the basis of the final review report. It is the expectation of the project team that the final review report will be submitted to the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management before the end of the year.  

Wildlife Conservation

Ceisteanna (309, 310)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

309. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 278, 279, 283, 285, 290 and 291 of 14 December 2021, if he will provide a list of the bodies with which his officials are engaging; if he will provide copies of correspondence between his Department and the bodies on this topic; and the extent to which he is reliant upon and or still waiting for responses from each of these bodies towards finalisation of the wild bird derogation declarations for 2022-2023. [13836/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

310. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 278, 279, 283, 285, 290 and 291 of 14 December 2021, the licensing and or other protective options for schools, schoolchildren and staff which have large flocks of gulls which are not nesting on the school properties but are visiting the schools at food break times, aggressively foraging and attacking the children and staff (details supplied). [13837/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 310 together.

My Officials have made contact with the Department of Health, Fingal County Council, the European Commission and its own Legal Advisor in relation to progressing the recommendations contained in the first interim report of the Urban Gulls Consultative Committee. My Officials will continue to progress these issues towards the conclusion of this work. Submissions, will, as is customary, be published.

In terms of schools, and/or any other location, there is a facility under Section 35 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 which allows licence applications to be made to apply to use a decoy, or an instrument or appliance, including electrical or other recording apparatus emitting or imitating birdcalls (including distress calls), intended for the purpose of repelling, scaring or capturing a protected wild bird. All such applications are investigated by local NPWS staff and recommendations made on the most practical method of stopping or controlling the problem. 

Question No. 310 answered with Question No. 309.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (311)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

311. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost incurred by his Department for the supply of Covid-19 related face masks and face coverings since March 2019 to date; the name of the supplier involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13895/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
The costs incurred by my Department in relation to the supply of face masks and face coverings since March 2019 to date are outlined in the following table:

Supplier

2019

2020

2021

2022

TOTAL

Anchor Safety

€1,183.75

€106.71

€110.70

€1,401.16

Aurivo

€90.23

€90.23

James Boylan Safety

€708.48

€708.48

Bunzl

€1,168.50

€1,083.57

€697.53

€2,949.60

BWG Foods

€123.00

€1,070.10

€1,193.10

Classic Environmental Solutions

€850.62

€811.09

€1,661.71

Clonleigh Co-Op

€192.55

€192.55

Codex

€4,920.00

€4,920.00

Commercial Hygiene

€9,440.25

€9,440.25

Donegal Shores

€580.56

€653.50

€1,234.06

First Aid Systems

€400.00

€400.00

Flashpoint Medical Systems

€1,063.96

€1,063.96

M.A. Healy

€24.56

€24.56

Charles Hughes Ltd

€175.04

€175.04

Hunt Office Supplies

€199.64

€199.64

JBS Group

€3,271.80

€19.50

€3,291.30

Jones Business Systems

€146.25

€146.25

Medguard

€6,796.92

€6,796.92

Mount Charles Group

€1,711.58

€1,053.28

€2,764.86

Office Depot Online

€1,211.55

€1,211.55

Office Stuff

€146.25

€146.25

Oliver Kellegher Ltd.

€201.47

€201.47

Dan McInerney & Sons

€43.60

€43.60

Polbrook Trading Ltd

€1,714.38

€283.75

€283.75

€2,281.88

Purple Panda

€1,440.10

€4,631.21

€6,071.31

MJ Scannell

€342.43

€32.47

€374.90

Seerys of Athlone

€400.37

€400.37

Superior Signs

€147.60

€147.60

The Brand Geeks

€123.00

€123.00

Traynor's, Wexford

€89.98

€89.98

Totals

€38,151.26

€9,848.84

€1,745.48

€49,745.58

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (312)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

312. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost incurred by his Department for the supply of Covid-19 related hand sanitiser since March 2019 to date; the name of the supplier involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13913/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
The costs incurred by my Department in relation to the supply of Covid-19 related hand sanitiser since March 2019 to date are outlined in the following table:

Supplier

2019

2020

2021

2022

TOTAL

Advanced Cleaning

€1,433.25

€492.00

€324.72

€2,249.97

Anchor Safety

€108.24

€55.35

€163.59

Apleona

€85.24

€85.24

James Boylan Safety Ltd

€1,579.50

€1,579.50

Bunzl

€5,086.42

€1,869.19

€6,955.61

Classic Environmental Solutions

€742.93

€416.39

€1,159.32

Codex

€486.19

€486.19

Daybreak, Crusheen

€24.00

€24.00

Donegal Shores

€2,874.24

€836.28

€221.40

€3,931.92

Flashpoint Medical Systems

€193.73

€193.73

ISS Facility Services

€2,020.88

€2,020.88

Hunt Office

€1,243.53

€1,243.53

Jones Business Systems

€26.86

€26.86

Oliver Kelleher Ltd

€728.53

€728.53

MedGuard

€6,755.16

€627.30

€7,382.46

Mount Charles Ireland

€285.76

€285.76

Polar Office Supplies

€43.85

€43.85

Polbrook Trading Ltd.

€2,793.91

€510.75

€88.39

€3,393.05

Retink Ltd.

€1,980.30

€48.40

€2,028.70

MJ Scannell

€598.95

€598.95

Seerys of Athlone

€972.58

€972.58

Sheehans Cash & Carry

€252.38

€95.36

€347.74

TDP Ltd., Wicklow

€369.00

€369.00

Totals

€28,000.29

€7,580.81

€689.86

€36,270.96

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ceisteanna (313)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

313. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review by the National Parks and Wildlife Service will be published. and if he will report on his work on this matter. [13951/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government is committed to a significant investment in, and a renewal of, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as set out in the Programme for Government.

I am pleased to say that the review which will underpin this renewal has now been concluded by the independent authors, and the resulting Strategic Action Plan for renewal of the NPWS has been completed. 

This has been a multi-phase Review across three phases. The first, Review phase, involved extensive research, consultation, orientation and feedback work, and feeds into the remaining phases. Secondly, the Reflect phase considered the outcomes of this work and then synthesised the resourcing gains of the past 18 months with a detailed, expert analysis of governance, organisational structures, communications, data systems and future resourcing, and outlines the NPWS’ specific requirements across those areas. The final phase details the objectives and prioritised actions required to equip the NPWS to continue to deliver on the ambitious goals, objectives and targets emerging from our Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, Heritage Ireland 2030 and the new National Biodiversity Action Plan.

My officials are now preparing the necessary background documentation to bring the Strategic Action Plan before Government for consideration in the coming weeks, following which the Strategic Action Plan, together with the underpinning review documents, will be published. Then we will have a robust roadmap for a 21st Century NPWS, which we will proceed to implement.

None of the component parts of the Review will be disaggregated or published separately ahead of a Government decision on the Strategic Action Plan for the NPWS, which is the planned outcome of the Review process.

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