Written Answers Nos. 258-271
258. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of arts studio spaces that have been made available in Dublin per year since the launch of the last Art Development Plan 2015-2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18971/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Art Development Plan 2015-2022 is a Dublin City Council publication. Its content and implementation is a matter for Dublin City Council. County and city councils prepare and implement plans for the development of the arts within their functional areas in accordance with their functions under the Section 6 of the Arts Act 2003 and Section 67 of the Planning and Development Act 2001.
The Deputy may be interested to know that my Department has allocated an amount of up to €3 million to Dublin City Council specifically to assist in the provision of artists’ workspaces in Dublin City. The City Council has been examining a range of sites for their suitability to best capitalise on the €3m investment. This investment together with that from the local authority is intended to assist in providing artist workspaces in Dublin City.
Recent decades have seen the development of a nationwide infrastructure of venues and arts centres, many of which were initiated and funded by local authorities. These centres also benefit from capital schemes operated by my Department. Annual support provided to these arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council is critical to ensuring that a stable and vibrant network can be maintained.
259. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the length of time it is expected to take for a decision to be made on appeals under the sports capital grant; if she will provide indicative timelines for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18974/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,100 applications were submitted. 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. This represented the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.
All unsuccessful applicants were invited to appeal the Department's decision. The deadline for submission of appeals was Monday 4 April and 146 appeals were received. Of the record €150 million made available for capital projects, €6 million has been kept in reserve for any successful appeals and it is hoped to have all appeals assessed by the end of this month.
260. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh ar iarratas ó ghrúpa (sonraí tugtha) atá ag lorg deontais le hathchóiriú a dhéanamh ar fhoirgneamh le fada; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19017/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs féidir liom a dheimhniú don Teachta go bhfuil iarratas faighte ag mo Roinn maidir leis an bhforbairt atá luaite ag an Teachta. Tá iarrtha agam ar mo chuid feidhmeannaigh an t-iarratas sin a scrúdú. Déanfar cinneadh ina leith sa tréimhse romhainn.
261. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of staff within her Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities that are currently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19042/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is one staff member in my Department assigned in the role of EU Attaché for this Department.
This purpose of the EU Attaché is to ensure that there is a full-time resource in Brussels to service the diverse tourism, culture, arts, Gaeltacht, sport and media briefs.
The Attaché participates in, monitors, and liaises with the European Commission, the Council Secretariat and the European Parliament, and with other state Member State representatives, while keeping in close contact with the Department and agencies in Ireland.
There are no posts currently vacant.
My Department was formed in September 2020 following a transfer of functions and therefore I am unable to provide corresponding figures for June 2016.
262. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if defibrillators are installed in all offices and buildings accessible by the public in her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19179/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not provide services to members of the public through the operation of public offices at its locations in Dublin, Killarney, Na Forbacha and Gaoth Dobhar.
With regard to those bodies under the aegis of my Department the provision of defibrillators in public offices is a day-to-day matter for each body.
Within that context, my Department is advised that defibrillators are available in those locations that are open to the public such as the National Cultural Institutions. With specific reference to Fáilte Ireland, I am advised that defibrillators are available in some but not all tourist information offices.
Regarding bodies under the aegis of this Department, I am advised that all of the public servicing buildings are equipped with defibrillators.
263. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total value of consultancy contracts awarded to an organisation (details supplied) for work with her Department and bodies under the auspices of her Department in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19198/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that neither my Department nor the bodies under its aegis have engaged the services of the named organisation during the period specified by the Deputy.
264. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of defective concrete blocks scheme applications received by Donegal and Mayo County Councils to the end of March 2022; the number approved in each county at stage 1 and at stage 2, respectively; if further information will be provided on the time taken with regard to point 3 in each county in tabular form; the length of time that is taken to process stage 2 eligibility applications in each county; and if he will take steps to ensure that the process for the approval of stage 2 applications is considerably speeded up in County Mayo in particular. [18924/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on the 30 November 2021. It included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn.
I aim to bring the required primary legislation to give effect to the enhanced scheme before the Oireachtas as soon as possible with Spring 2022 being the indicative target timeline.
In the interim three enhancements from the new scheme have been brought into effect through amendments to the existing scheme regulations.
- to make provision, in the case of an application for confirmation of eligibility received before the date of the coming into operation of these regulations, for the recoupment of the fees connected with the provision of the engineer’s report without the need for a prior stage 1 confirmation of eligibility
- to make provision for the inclusion as an allowable cost ‘essential immediate repair works’, up to a value of €5,555, which are identified by a competent engineer in a ‘building condition assessment report’ and relate to the structural stability of any part of a home affected by defective concrete blocks
- to make provision for an increase from 75% to 85% in the value of stage payments which can be recouped to an approved applicant prior to the final grant payment.
The table below sets out the number of applications received as at 5 April 2022 and the numbers that have progressed to Stage 1 and Stage 2 approval.
|
Local Authority |
Donegal |
Mayo |
Total |
|
Applications Received |
748 |
225 |
973 |
|
Stage 1 Approval |
370 |
101 |
471 |
|
Stage 2 Approval |
40 |
14 |
54 |
Local authorities have responsibility for the administration of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme. This includes the assessment of applications for eligibility and payment of grants to successful applicants under the specific remediation option approved. Officials from my Department are in regular contact with the relevant local authorities to ensure that applications are processed as quickly as possible and ensure that there are no blockages in system.
265. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an updated timeline on the review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service; when this will be published; the documentation that will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18928/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 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 engagement and due diligence preliminary to submitting the Strategic Action Plan to Government for consideration in the coming weeks. Subject to Cabinet approval, 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 outcomes of the Review will be disaggregated or published separately ahead of a Government decision on the Strategic Action Plan for the NPWS.
266. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that An Bord Pleanála has the necessary resources to effectively process applications for renewable energy projects; if he has carried out a capacity and demand analysis of a company (details supplied) to address any staffing needs ahead of large-scale infrastructure applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18934/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bord Pleanála’s Workforce Plan for 2021-2022 was approved by my Department in October 2021. This Plan provided for an initial 8 additional staff for a new Marine/Climate Unit, which would include responsibility for processing offshore wind energy applications.
I understand that the Board is currently preparing a Maritime Resource Plan to identify the additional staffing needs to implement its new functions expected under the Maritime Area Planning Act. It is expected that this Maritime Resource Plan will be submitted by An Bord Pleanála to my Department for consideration in the coming weeks.
267. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clear the lengthy backlog of foreshore licence applications for offshore renewables by redeploying into his Department three ecologists to the foreshore unit to address renewable energy applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18935/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021, enacted in December 2021, establishes a new plan-led marine planning system, which is underpinned by a statutory Marine Planning Policy Statement guided by the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF), consisting of a new licensing and development management regime from the high water mark to the outer limit of the State’s continental shelf. This new regime will be administered in due course by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), and by An Bord Pleanála and the coastal local authorities and will be replace the existing consenting regime for maritime development underpinned by the Foreshore act 1933.
My Department currently has responsibility for assessing applications for a foreshore licence under the Foreshore Act 1933 for site investigations within the foreshore area linked to the proposed development of offshore renewable energy projects. The site investigations are critical activities developers undertake in order to investigate viability and prepare environmental impact assessments of potential future offshore renewable energy (ORE) infrastructure. The majority of these applications have been received in the last 12 months which is strong indication of the appetite and commercial interest in the developing ORE sector in Ireland. The Foreshore Section of my Department also assesses foreshore consent applications for a range of other proposed activities and developments relating to ports and harbours, strategic infrastructure projects like water and waste water infrastructure, local authorities’ infrastructural works such as bridges, marinas, coastal protection works, flood relief works, as well as strategically important telecommunications and interconnector projects.
Each application must be assessed appropriately in accordance with the applicable requirements of domestic and EU law including the EIA Directive, Birds and Habitats Regulations and the Foreshore Act. Over the last eighteen months, my Department has more than doubled the staffing resources available within the Foreshore Section to address this increasing workload. In parallel, the processes underpinning the statutory assessment processes have been refined allowing the various procedures to run in parallel, where appropriate. This should reduce the average time taken to assess an application. In addition, a panel of external specialist environmental consultants is in operation to assist in the technical assessment of applications. Recognising the increasing complexity and volume of applications being received; the importance of expediting the advancement of activities to assist in achieving our Climate Action Plan targets, as well as the competition for what is a limited pool of technical expertise in this area, my Department is exploring how it can further expand the technical expertise available to it to meet these demands.
In relation to foreshore licence applications from ORE related developers, my Department is continuing to prioritise site investigation licence applications linked to a set of seven qualified ORE projects, known as "relevant projects" or Phase 1 project, which qualify to make an application to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications for a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) as part of the transition provisions in the MAP Act 2021. Any project in this category granted a MAC by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications must then apply for the necessary development permission from An Bord Pleanála under the new marine planning system.
The first phase of offshore wind development in Ireland will be necessary but not sufficient to reach our 2030 5GW ambition. An additional phase is required, comprised of projects which can deliver by 2030. The Minister for Energy, Climate and Communications is currently considering the Phase Two selection process, with a public consultation recently having been held on this matter. Applications for a foreshore licence for site investigations linked to proposed ORE projects outside of the first Phase are currently being processed in my Department on a chronological basis, with a degree of flexibility provided to cater for situations, for example, where a developer has several applications lodged and wishes to progress one ahead of the other for commercial or other reasons. The basis on which these applications are prioritised, and the public interest matters associated with the assessment process, will be revisited when the policy approach to the management of the Phase 2, including matters relating to grid capacity, have been settled.
MACs for the Phase Two projects will be granted by the MARA. The aim is to have MARA established by Q1 2023 and, to facilitate this, a dedicated Unit has been set up within my Department to progress the Implementation Plan to establish this new agency. Extensive preparatory work will be required over the coming months to enable MARA to undertake the wide range of its statutory functions post-establishment. This work includes drafting commencement orders, and preparing a series of regulations and statutory guidelines as well as developing the processes dependent on same. The MAP Act will also introduce the possibility of applying for a licence for marine environmental surveys for the purposes of site investigations in the maritime area, without the requirement for a MAC, upon the commencement of MARA and its consenting functions. While I and Government colleagues are delighted to see the strong interest from developers in seeking to advance offshore wind projects and other strategically important infrastructural projects on the State’s foreshore, it is Government’s position that the continuing development of the ORE industry and related energy infrastructure must be progressed under a plan-led centralised approach as provided for under the MAP Act.
268. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the progress, if any, made by the working group examining building defects; when the working group is expected to finalise its report; when its recommendations are likely to be brought to Government for consideration; the position of residents in developments where necessary repairs have already been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18947/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments in respect of the important policy area of addressing building defects. It commits to an examination of defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing’s report "Safe as Houses?". Housing for All, the Government’s national plan on housing to 2030, reiterates this commitment.
In this regard, I established a working group to examine defects in housing. This working group has been meeting monthly since March 2021 (except for August). In addition, regular subgroup meetings take place to advance elements of the work.
The group’s terms of reference, adopted in May 2021, are focused on fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The full terms of reference of the Working Group are to:
1. Examine defects in housing having regard to the recommendations in Item 4 “Addressing the legacy of bad building and poor regulation” in Chapter 4 of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government report - ‘Safe as Houses? A Report on Building Standards, Building Controls and Consumer Protection’.
2. Establish the nature of significant, wide-spread fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 – 2013 in Ireland through consultation with affected homeowners, homeowner representative organisations, owners’ management companies, relevant managing agents, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals, industry stakeholders, insurance providers, mortgage providers and other relevant parties. Including such matters as:
- Identification and description of defect,
- Nature of defect – design, product, workmanship,
- Non-compliance with building regulations or actual damage,
- Severity/risk to life or serviceability of dwelling,
- Period of construction affected,
- Type of dwelling affected,
- Location of dwellings affected.
3. Establish the scale of the issue – estimate number of dwellings affected by the defects identified including those already remediated.
4. Consider a methodology for the categorisation of defects and the prioritisation of remedial action.
- In the case of defects with fire safety implications, consider how the framework for enhancing fire safety in dwellings can be applied to mitigate the risks arising from fire safety defects pending the remediation of defects and the Code of Practice for Fire Safety Assessment of Premises and Buildings, which is currently being developed by National Directorate of Fire and Emergency Management.
5. Suggest mechanisms for resolving defects, in the context of the legal rights, duties and obligations of developers, builders, building professionals, insurers, mortgage providers, building control authorities, fire authorities, owners’ management companies, owner occupiers, renters and landlords, including:
- Technical options for the remediation of dwellings,
- Efficient means of carrying out work,
- individual dwellings or whole building approach,
- routine maintenance/refurbishment or remediation,
- Structures or delivery channels needed to facilitate resolution – advice and support.
6. Evaluate the potential cost of technical remediation options.
7. Pursue options on possible financial solutions to effect a resolution, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to identify options for those impacted by defects to access low-cost, long-term finance.
8. Report to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the Examination of Defects in Housing.
As part of its deliberations, the working group is consulting with a wide range of relevant stakeholders. As part of this stakeholder engagement, the Working Group conducted a series of online surveys between 31 January and 14 March 2022 seeking the experiences of homeowners, landlords, Directors of Owners’ Management Companies and Property Management Agents. These submissions are currently being analysed.
The insights gained through engagement with stakeholders as well as the outcome of the online consultation are informing the ongoing deliberations of the Working Group and are supporting the delivery on its extensive terms of reference and finalisation of its report.
I am satisfied that the Working Group is working effectively and efficiently on this complex matter, and will require sufficient time to complete its work. In that context, I look forward to a report later this year following completion of their consultations and deliberations. Once I receive the report I will give full consideration to its contents.
269. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is revising the macro housing delivery targets in the housing plan from an average 33,000 per year in view of the Ukrainian refugee crisis; and if so, the new targets and additional funding that is being provided. [18950/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is continuing to develop its humanitarian response to address the accommodation issues arising in the short, medium and long-term for persons arriving in Ireland fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. As part of this response, Government is working to ensure local capacity, resources and knowledge are brought to bear on the overall humanitarian response and is working closely with local authorities to ensure a well-coordinated approach. In this regard, a cross-sectoral and cross-departmental housing taskforce, chaired by my Department, has been established to develop the longer-term accommodation options needed.
The Government also remains committed to full delivery of Housing for All which targets the delivery of an average of 33,000 homes a year over the lifetime of the plan. This will progress in parallel with any new measures identified to meet the Ukrainian refugee needs. As these measures progress in parallel, I, along with the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Housing, the Housing for All Secretary Delivery Group and dedicated Workstreams, will monitor delivery of Housing for All and recommend adjustment to priorities, as required, on an ongoing basis.
270. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the social housing new build delivery for 2021 by social housing capital investment programme construction, social housing capital investment programme turnkey, capital advance leasing facility construction, capital advance leasing facility turnkey, capital assistance scheme construction, capital assistance scheme turnkey, part V acquisition and private public partnership. [18951/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity. This data is available to the end of 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/.
My Department also published the Quarter 4 2021 Social Housing Construction Status Report, which provides details of all social housing developments, which have been completed or were under construction in each local authority at the end of 2021. The report is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/af746-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2021/.
The following table provides the breakdown of social housing delivery requested by the Deputy.
|
Programme |
2021 |
|
CALF CONSTRUCTION |
127 |
|
CALF CONSTRUCTION TURNKEY |
2023 |
|
CALF PART V |
517 |
|
CAS CONSTRUCTION |
96 |
|
CAS CONSTRUCTION TURNKEY |
45 |
|
CAS PART V |
1 |
|
PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP |
615 |
|
SHCIP CONSTRUCTION |
823 |
|
SHCIP CONSTRUCTION TURNKEY |
558 |
|
SHCIP PART V |
337 |
271. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the tenant purchase scheme is open to those receiving a non-contributory pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18952/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme.
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 to be eligible under the scheme from €15,000 to €12,500. This means older tenants, whose only income might be the contributory or non-contributory State pension, can qualify 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.
