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Thursday, 16 Jun 2022

Written Answers Nos. 228-240

Flexible Work Practices

Ceisteanna (229)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

229. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has had any discussions regarding the re-instatement of the working-from-home advice given the cost-of-living crisis and the cost of commuting for workers with no option but to drive to work. [31257/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are no plans to reinstate the working from home advice. The working from home guidance was a public health measure introduced in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government announced, on 10 February this year, a suite of measures to mitigate the impact of recent inflation on citizens and assist with rising costs of living. This package builds on the measures announced as part of Budget 2022, which included a range of measures to support citizens including social protection rate increases, increases in tax bands and other affordability measures.

These expenditure measures, along with the excise duty reduction on petrol and diesel introduced by my colleague the Minister for Finance and now extended until Budget day in October 2022, and the VAT reduction from 13.5% to 9% on gas and electricity bills until end October, amount to €1 billion in aggregate.

These measures provide substantial assistance towards mitigating the impact of rising prices. They have focused on temporary support measures that can quickly provide assistance while also reflecting the need to return the public finances to a sustainable position.

In terms of working from home, remote working for Civil Servants will be facilitated into the future on a blended basis. Access to blended working by civil servants will be dependent on Departments/Offices having the ability to meet the needs of the business. In general, remote working will not be available to employees on a 100 percent basis, as some physical attendance at workplaces will be required to facilitate face-to-face meetings, training and other key events deemed necessary by the employer.

My Department, in collaboration with Civil Service employers, Trade Unions and Staff Associations, has developed a Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations. I, along with Minister of State Smyth, published the Framework on 31 March.

The Framework focuses on the longer-term approach to remote working in the Civil Service and will assist in providing a consistent approach across the wider public service. The Framework supports commitments contained in a number of strategies which this Government has launched. These include, the National Remote Working Strategy, Our Rural Future, the Climate Action Plan and the National Planning Framework.

The Framework provides broad strategic direction to individual organisations in the Civil Service to develop tailored policies on blended working that are appropriate to their business needs and employees. It is anticipated that Departments and Offices will have these policies completed no later than end-Q2 2022. In developing their own policies, Civil Service Departments and Offices will have the flexibility to determine matters such as the proportion of time individual employees work remotely versus onsite and the roles that are suitable for blended working.

Departmental Transport

Ceisteanna (230)

Richard O'Donoghue

Ceist:

230. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of the car and driver expenses in her Department that were claimed by junior and senior Ministers in 2021, in tabular form. [31392/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In accordance with arrangements agreed by Government, I use my own personal car and have two civilian drivers appointed to undertake driving duties in the performance of my official duties.

The details regarding car and driver expenses for 2021 are set out in tabular form as follows:

Description of Expense

Total Amount 2021

Minister Catherine Martin

Mileage expense claimed under the Ministerial Travel Scheme

€7,198.66*

Civilian Driver 1

Travel and Subsistence (Civil Service Rates)

€530.35

Civilian Driver 2

Travel and Subsistence (Civil Service Rates)

€352.32

* This amount includes mileage expenses for 2020 totalling €1,640.80, claimed during 2021.

There are no car or driver expenses paid by my Department in relation to Minister of State, Jack Chambers in 2021.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (231, 232)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

231. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are any live applications in her Department or documentation received for funding (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31403/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Peter Burke

Ceist:

232. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a decision was made on a sports capital grant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31404/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together.

My Department provides grant assistance for facilities through the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The LSSIF is designed to provide financial support to sports projects where the grant sought is greater than the maximum available under the SCEP. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, to date, approximately €86.4 million has been provisionally awarded to 33 different proposals. Details of all projects and applications are available here:

ttps://www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/

My Department is undertaking a review of the LSSIF Programme and has now met with all successful grantees and work is at an advanced stage in drafting the review which will address any appeals received. 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

Question No. 232 answered with Question No. 231.

Departmental Policies

Ceisteanna (233, 234)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

233. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit that operate in direct contact with members of the public have policies in place for members of the public to report instances of sexual harassment or assault that occur on the property of her Department or each public body and agency under her remit; if so, if these policies are publicly accessible on the relevant website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31751/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

234. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit have policies in place for employees to report instances of sexual harassment or assault that occur involving other employees or members of the public or on the property of her Department or each public body and agency that operate under her remit; if so, if these policies are publicly accessible on the relevant website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31770/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department is committed to protecting dignity and respect across the organisation. Under the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour, all staff in my Department are obliged to treat colleagues and members of the public with dignity and respect to observe and support civil service policy on harassment, sexual harassment and bullying.

Complaints regarding bullying (including physical aggressive behaviour, unwelcome physical contact up to and including assault), harassment or sexual harassment are extremely serious, and it is policy that these are treated as such by Management and that criminal allegations will be reported to An Garda Síochána.

Members of the public may use the Department’s formal complaints procedure to raise any concerns or complaints they may have, all which will be dealt with promptly and in confidence. Details for making a formal complaint are available on the Department’s website - www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/93f51-customer-service/#complaints-procedure.

The Department has a duty to promote the safety and well-being of children with whom it is in contact in any capacity and adheres to the recommendations of Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. The Department’s Child Protection Policy and Children First: Sectoral Implementation Plan are both available on the Department’s website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/8f1d1e-child-protection/

I am also assured that the Civil Service Dignity at Work policy,is implemented in my Department. All staff receive training and the policy includes procedures for addressing and dealing with complaints. Complaints may also be dealt with under the provisions of the Civil Service Disciplinary Code (19/2016). All staff receive a copy of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour, Dignity at Work policy and the Disciplinary Code Circular (19/2016) and are required to sign and confirm they have read these.

These documents are available on the Department's Intranet for staff and also on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website: hr.per.gov.ie/en/

In respect of State Bodies under the Department's remit, the following information has been provided, set out in tabular form below:

State Body

Policies in place to report instances of sexual harassment or assault

Website/Other

Arts Council

Yes, relevant policies sit within Arts Council Corporate Governance

Yes

Chester Beatty Library

Yes

Yes. Chester Beatty’s Child Protection and Welfare Policy and Child Safeguarding Statement are on the website.

Information is also contained in relevant sections of our Employee Handbook

Crawford Art Gallery

Yes

Yes

Foras na Gaeilge

Yes

No

Fáilte Ireland

Yes

No

Irish Museum of Modern Art

IMMA has developed a Dignity at Work Policy which provides a mechanism for staff members to be able to report instances of harassment, bullying, sexual harassment and assault.

Customer Charter is available on the public website

National Concert Hall

Yes

No

National Gallery of Ireland

This policy covers all employees and volunteers. The Gallery has ensured that all staff and volunteers have had the opportunity to attend Dignity at Work training. This policy is widely available internally on our intranet and in the Gallery’s Employee handbook.

Members of the public can raise any concerns through the complaints procedure which is publicly accessible.

Yes

National Library of Ireland

Dignity in the Workplace policies are in place in the NLI to take into account any potential instance of sexual harassment or assault

Yes

National Museum of Ireland

Yes

Yes

Screen Ireland

Yes - Dignity at Workplace policy recently updated

Available on Internal Staff Portal

Sport Ireland

Yes

No

Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch

Dignity at Work Policy which covers various types of harassment including sexual harassment and subsequent procedures relating to involvements by colleagues, staff from other departments, volunteers and members of the public.

Yes

Tourism Ireland

Dignity and Respect in the workplace policy

No

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Yes

No

In relation to the following public bodies (Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, RTÉ and TG4), this is an operational matter for these bodies concerned, Section 24 and Section 98 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the independence in the performance of their functions. I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.

Question No. 234 answered with Question No. 233.

Íocaíochtaí Deontas

Ceisteanna (235)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

235. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén dul chun cinn atá déanta le trí mhí ag measúnú iarratais (sonraí tugtha) ar dheontas le huasghrádú a dhéanamh ar fhoirgneamh atá tábhachtach do shaol na Gaeilge [31772/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Is féidir liom a dheimhniú don Teachta go bhfuil plé á dhéanamh idir an Roinn agus an eagraíocht atá luaite aige ar bhonn leanúnach chun an togra seo a bhogadh ar aghaidh. Déanfar cinneadh ina leith chomh luath agus is féidir.

Swimming Pools

Ceisteanna (236)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

236. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if assistance will be provided to run a community-run swimming pool that has been affected by rising energy prices.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31776/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In response to Covid-19 my Department provided funding of €2.5 million in 2020 to support publicly accessible swimming pools in responding to the challenges associated with maintaining swimming pools and re-opening within Covid-19 safety protocols. A further amount of €3.2 million was provided in 2021 for this purpose in recognition of the importance of the sector and the positive impact swimming has on the nation’s health. The funding was administered by Ireland Active on behalf of Sport Ireland and supported 280 pools throughout the country. The day to day financial management of these public facilities is a matter for the operators of the facilities themselves.

Capital funding for new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools was previously 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.

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

In relation to future capital funding for pools, 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 is at an advanced stage and is expected to be finalised shortly.

In terms of future policy, 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.

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (237)

David Stanton

Ceist:

237. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the report entitled Analysis of Social Housing Acquisitions published by his Department; the actions, if any, that he has taken as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31079/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In August 2019 the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) published a Spending Review Paper 'Analysis of Social Housing Acquisitions'. The objective of the paper was to provide an overview of the acquisition delivery mechanisms, and other related mechanisms, including an analysis of the level of expenditure and social housing output in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. The paper is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/5915ad-spending-review/.

As part of Budget 2022 Spending Reviews the IGEES published Budget 2022 Analysis of Social Housing Acquisitions examining social housing acquisitions for 2019, which builds on the Spending Review paper from 2019 examining social housing acquisition taking place between 2016 and 2018. The paper Budget 2022 Analysis of Social Housing is available at the link:

assets.gov.ie/201254/778b0b52-e69b-4572-b59d-52331efe45a2.pdf.

In September 2021, the Government published the Housing for All. This strategy is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. The annual targets include the delivery of 88,400 new social homes and 53,800 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency (LDA) and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.

Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) and, with this, to reduce the numbers of social homes delivered through acquisition programmes. Under Housing for All social housing acquisitions by local authorities and AHBs have been advised to avoid competition with first time buyers and that acquisitions should be focussed on a number of priority areas, as follows:

- One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category;

- Other properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; and

- Specific housing required for/suitable for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs.

On 20 April, a further circular letter issued to local authorities in relation to social housing acquisitions. The key purpose of this circular was to advise local authorities that I had reinstated the delegated sanction to local authorities in respect of social housing acquisitions which are: (i) in one of the priority categories set out in the January circular letter; (ii) are in line with acquisition cost guidelines; and (iii) can be completed during 2022. The reinstatement of delegated sanction will allow local authorities to respond more flexibility to secure acquisitions which support a household to exit or to prevent homelessness, in the context of increasing numbers in emergency accommodation. It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy.

Departmental Transport

Ceisteanna (238)

Richard O'Donoghue

Ceist:

238. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the car and driver expenses in his Department that were claimed by junior and senior Ministers in 2021, in tabular form. [31392/22]

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 details of the car and driver expenses in my Department that were claimed by junior and senior Ministers in 2021 is set out in the table below:

Expense Claimant

Total Annual Value

Minister for Housing Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’ Brien

€9,668.47

Minister’s Driver 1

€1,811.67

Minister’s Driver 2

€67.79

Minister of State Malcolm Noonan

€13,925.00

Minister of State's Driver 1

€1559.32

Minister of State's Driver 2

€2,590.01

Minister of State Peter Burke

€13,892.13

Minister of State's Driver 1

€831.86

Minister of State's Driver 2

€1474.36

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (239)

Richard O'Donoghue

Ceist:

239. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants on the housing list in all areas in County Limerick, in tabular form. [31394/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA).

The most recently published summary for all counties, conducted in November 2021, is available at:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/f6119-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2021-key-findings/

Water Supply

Ceisteanna (240)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

240. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when local authorities will receive funds to support emergency and planned upgrade works to rural water schemes (details supplied). [31478/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Departments Multi-annual Rural Water Programme provides capital funding under a number of measures to enable group water schemes to resolve infrastructural deficiencies including their taking in charge by Irish Water.

Under the Rural Water Programme an annual subsidy is also payable by local authorities to group water schemes towards their operational and management costs of supplying water for domestic use. An essential requirement of schemes availing of this subsidy is that they actively managing water leakage.

I understand from Clare County Council that the public group water scheme in the details supplied has been in correspondence with the Council since early 2021 regarding supply issues being experienced. Arising from this engagement the scheme, at their own initiative, carried out emergency works to resolve a supply issue. I also understand that the scheme are experiencing water supply disruptions due to issues with the Irish Water service in the area - these matters are outside the control of the scheme.

I also understand that the Council has advised the scheme that their best long term option is to progress a taking in charge application to Irish Water and to apply for funding to do this under the upcoming multi-annual programme.

My Department will be launching a new multi-annual programme later this year and local authorities will be invited to submit bids. This will present an opportunity for Clare County Council to put forward a bid to address the issues affecting the water supply referred to in the question.

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