Written Answers Nos. 245-258
245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her Department support the potential hosting of various global sporting events in this country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32779/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMajor Sports Events have the potential to drive participation in sport, contribute to trade and tourism as well as boost national and community pride. Major Sports Events often require Government support and input to win bids and to support delivery. This can involve supports such as funding, commercial protections, transport and security provisions as well as political support.
As set out in the Programme for Government, my Department is currently developing a Major Sports Events policy and strategy. As part of the policy development process, I launched a public consultation in April and this closed on 26 May. The inputs gathered will assist in the development of a policy and strategy that will guide future Government support for major international sports events.
In the recent past Ireland has won bids to host Ryder Cup 2027, UEFA EURO 2020, the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2017, the European Cross Country Championships in 2021 and is preferred bidder for the T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2030. It also engaged in an all-island bid for Rugby World Cup 2023 and is currently part of a potential joint bid with the U.K. to host UEFA EURO 2028.
246. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding land designations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32514/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, launched by the European Commission in May 2020, proposes that by 2030, member states would legally protect at least 30% of the EU’s land and marine areas, and that 10% (or one-third of the protected areas) would be strictly protected. This is an overall EU target and discussions around how this will be achieved are ongoing. Fair and transparent burden-sharing among member states is a crucial consideration in discussions around implementation of the Strategy at national level.
An increased percentage of designated land at EU level and nationally is a core ambition of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Member States will be expected to demonstrate significant progress in designating new protected areas and integrating ecological corridors by the end 2023. On this basis the Commission will assess in 2024 whether new EU legislation or other further actions should be proposed.
The implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy will require significant buy-in from a variety of sectors and by landowners. Consideration will have to be given to the resources and funding needed to implement the Strategy, with regard to the implications for farming, forestry, fisheries and the commercial activities.
Throughout this process, I am committed to stakeholder engagement and my Department has already engaged with farming representative bodies and other Departments and will continue to do so as implementation of the Strategy continues in the coming years.
247. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the compliance with the new requirement for landlords to register their tenancies with the Residential Tenancies Board annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32884/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra272. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the rate of compliance with the new requirement for landlords to register their tenancies with the Residential Tenancies Board annually. [32806/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 272 together.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as a quasi-judicial independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021 (RTA), to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
My Department does not collect the data sought. However, the Clerk of the Dáil requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P) 05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose. The RTB may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.
248. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider raising the maximum contribution of housing adaptation grants towards building costs given the huge rise in the cost of building works making it impossible for persons in need of these grants to make up the difference between the maximum grant and the cost of the adaptation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31792/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. These schemes assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Funding of €81.25 million is available nationally in 2022 which is an increase of €6.25 million on the 2021 provision of €75 million, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
Housing for All commits to undertaking a review of the range of housing grants available to assist with meeting specific housing needs both for our ageing population and people with a disability. The review is currently underway, and will be completed by the end of 2022. The existing grant limits are being examined as part of the review.
249. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department will confirm the successful applications for inclusion on the new tentative list of potential world heritage properties for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31809/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with UNESCO advice that World Heritage Tentative Lists be reviewed at least every ten years, my Department launched a call for applications in January 2019 to update Ireland’s Tentative List of World Heritage Properties. The Tentative List is essentially an inventory of sites that demonstrate potential Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and which Ireland intends to nominate for inclusion on the World Heritage List.
My Department received the following six applications for inclusion on a new Tentative List by the deadline of 30 June 2021, as follows:
1. The Cultural Landscape of the Burren Uplands, County Clare;
2. Iniscealtra (Inis Cealtra / Inishcaltra / Holy Island), County Clare;
3. Trans-Atlantic Cable Ensemble: Valentia, County Kerry-Heart's Content, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada;
4. The Royal Sites of Ireland;
5. The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo; and
6. Glendalough Valley, County Wicklow.
I established an independent Expert Advisory Group (EAG) to evaluate each of the applications based on their ability to demonstrate OUV, integrity, authenticity, long-term protection and management frameworks, and evidence of local stakeholder support - all critical components of a future nomination dossier. The recommendations of the EAG were issued to the applicants last November 2021.
My Department then established a Technical Group to provide detailed advice and support to the applicants in addressing issues raised in terms of the EAG recommendations, and to offer further specific guidance in terms of the future management of a World Heritage Property. We have engaged intensively with all applicants over recent months and are grateful to all relevant local authorities for their contributions.
This support process is now concluding and I intend to make an announcement on the composition of a new Tentative List in July. Only those sites whose applications clearly demonstrate potential OUV and which have addressed long-term issues of management and conservation will be included on the new Tentative List.
It is envisaged that Ireland’s Tentative List process going forward will allow sites which demonstrate OUV and which have addressed those issues as mentioned above to be considered on a more regular basis for inclusion.
It is important to note however that the subsequent nomination process can take up to a decade and it is UNESCO that will finally decide if a site demonstrates OUV and add it to the World Heritage List. My Department is committed to providing support to applicants in relation to developing their nomination dossiers.
250. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will be expanding the €50 million scheme providing funding for water services’ infrastructure in rural villages that currently are outside Irish Water’s investment programmes; if he has received an application in respect of Carrigaholt, Cooraclare and Doolin, County Clare; if he will consider their inclusion in any expanded scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31810/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced funding on 28 April 2022 for a new funding measure under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025, for the Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs of Villages and Settlements that do not have access to public waste water services. Details of the announcement can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/f2fa6-minister-obrien-announces-50-million-in-funding-to-improve-the-waste-water-needs-of-rural-villages/.
An allocation of €50 million has been committed under the National Development Plan for the new measure, which will focus on areas of most need based on housing and environmental criteria. It is expected that at least ten demonstration projects will be supported under this first round of funding. The demonstration project model will allow for the development of appropriate longer-term strategies, protocols and better inform future funding needs for the progressive development of public waste water collection and treatment infrastructure in villages/settlements that are currently without these services.
Details of the scheme, including terms and conditions and the relevant accompanying documents are available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/a524a-group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues/#waste-water-collection-and-treatment-needs-for-villages-and-settlements-without-access-to-public-waste-water-services.
It is now open to all local authorities to submit applications for funding and I would strongly encourage them to do so. Completed applications should be submitted in advance of the deadline of 15 September 2022.
My Department has not yet received any applications as the scheme was only launched recently. It is a matter for Clare County Council to decide which villages or settlements meet the criteria set out in the framework.
251. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position in relation to the joint application by Ireland and Canada for UNESCO World Heritage status in respect of the transatlantic cable project between Valentia Island and Hearts Content, Newfoundland; if he will provide the latest anticipated timelines for the progression of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31815/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with UNESCO advice that World Heritage Tentative Lists be reviewed at least every ten years, my Department launched a call for applications in January 2019 to update Ireland’s Tentative List of World Heritage Properties. The Tentative List is essentially an inventory of sites that demonstrate potential Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and which Ireland intends to nominate for inclusion on the World Heritage List.
My Department received six applications for inclusion on a new Tentative List by the deadline of 30 June 2021, including the Trans-Atlantic Cable Ensemble: Valentia, County Kerry-Heart's Content, Newfoundland, Canada.
I established an independent Expert Advisory Group (EAG) to evaluate each of the applications based on their ability to demonstrate OUV, integrity, authenticity, long-term protection and management frameworks, and evidence of local stakeholder support - all critical components of a future nomination dossier. The recommendations of the EAG were issued to the applicants last November 2021. My Department subsequently established a Technical Group of World Heritage experts to provide detailed advice and support to the applicants to address the issues raised in the EAG recommendations, and to offer further specific guidance in terms of the future management of a World Heritage Property.
This support process has now concluded and I intend to make an announcement on the composition of a new Tentative List in July. It is important to note that the nomination process can take up to a decade and it is UNESCO that will finally decide if a site demonstrates OUV and add it to the World Heritage List.
252. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the shared equity scheme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31878/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 4 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides for the establishment of the ‘First Home’ affordable purchase shared equity scheme to support purchases in the private market. The Scheme aims to support c. 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026.
First Home will help applicants to afford new homes in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The Scheme will primarily support First Time Buyers in the purchase of new homes within designated regional price ceilings, set with reference to the median prices for new homes purchased by first-time buyers in the area.
Subject to the necessary final approvals process of all founders to the scheme, which will see the State operate the scheme in a strategic partnership with participating mortgage lenders, it is anticipated that First Home will become operational in the coming weeks. Full information, including full eligibility criteria and regional price ceilings for homes, will be available on the First Home website upon the Scheme’s launch.
253. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if urgent steps will be taken to resolve an issue with a HAP payment to a landlord for a person (details supplied) given that they are at risk of imminent homelessness if the issue with the HAP collections team is not resolved urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31914/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTenants in the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme are required to sign a rent contribution agreement to pay a weekly rental contribution to the relevant local authority, in line with the local authority’s differential rent scheme. As set out in the rent contribution agreement, this weekly rental contribution must be paid by them so that they remain eligible for the HAP scheme.
The HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages the collection of all HAP tenants’ differential rents, on behalf of the relevant local authority, and the payment of all HAP rents to landlords on behalf of tenants supported by the HAP scheme. The HAP SSC follows a clear communication policy if rental arrears issues arise. This policy includes regular and early written communication with tenants, landlords and the relevant local authority.
The approach taken by the HAP SSC has been very effective with minimal levels of rent arrears arising for HAP tenants. In 2019, the scheme had a 96% differential rent collection rate, with minimal arrears arising for tenants or local authorities. At Q4 2021, the scheme had a 99% differential rent collection rate. Therefore, only a very small number of tenants have fallen into difficulty with their differential rent.
HAP tenants in arrears should contact their local authority and the HAP SSC to discuss the options that are available to them to ensure the continuation of their HAP support.
254. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will fully answer the progress report on the establishment of the wildlife crime unit; the roles that will be included; the number of staff that will be in the unit; the current number of staff; the timeline for the recruitment of staff for the number of roles; the structure and location of the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31925/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe function of the enhanced Wildlife Crime Unit (to be known as Wildlife Crime Operations) is to support the law enforcement work that has been, and continues to be done by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Regional staff.
Some 110 staff are working across all regions of the country to address wildlife crime. These include District Conservation Officers and Conservation Rangers, supported by Regional Managers and Divisional Managers. Some 86 Conservation Rangers are stationed across the country, and as I have announced previously, it is my intention to further increase ranger numbers up to 120. Work towards achieving this goal is ongoing as part of an increase in resourcing being made available to NPWS.
255. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the delivery of affordable cost rental at a location (details supplied); the level of affordable housing fund allocated; and the estimated cost of the cost rental homes. [32018/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July 2020, my Department received an application for Serviced Sites funding (SSF) from Dublin City Council for 375 Cost Rental units at Emmet Road. Approval in principle was granted for funding of €18,750,000 (€50,000 per affordable unit), the maximum amount allowable under the SSF. The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) has now replaced the SSF. Dublin City Council advised my Department of their intention to reapply for the higher level of funding available under the AHF for this project.
Dublin City Council submitted a revised application to my Department under the AHF last week seeking funding of €37,600,000 for 376 Cost Rental units (or €100,000 per affordable unit). A Project Board is currently in place to oversee the application, development and delivery of the scheme. I understand that there will be 582 homes on this development, 376 of which will be Cost Rental homes.
As there will be in excess of 500 residential homes on this development, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required. The project is currently at planning and design phase and it is anticipated that a Part 10 planning application will be lodged with An Bord Pleanala in the 3rd quarter of 2022.
The AHF application that has been submitted will be assessed by the Housing Agency and my Department against the eligibility criteria for the Fund and Dublin City Council will be advised of the outcome in due course.
256. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the delivery of affordable homes on the glass bottle factory site in the Poolbeg SDZ; if he will provide a list of meetings held by him in the past six months with stakeholders; the name of the stakeholders; and the details of progress on the delivery of affordable purchase or affordable cost rental homes on the site. [32019/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regeneration of Poolbeg West is an important step in the transformation of the Dublin Docklands area, with the potential to provide for 3,500 homes. In June 2021 following a comprehensive international open market campaign, a consortium of Ronan Group Real Estate, Oaktree Capital Management, and Lioncor Developments (“the Consortium”) acquired a controlling 80% shareholding in the company which owns the glass bottle site. NAMA maintains a 20% minority interest. The development of the site will be undertaken by the Consortium.
A condition of the planning scheme, as modified by An Bord Pleanála on 9 April 2019, is the provision of 15% social and affordable homes on this site in addition to the 10% statutory requirement under Part V arrangements.
On the 24 of March 2022, Dublin City Council approved an application for the first 570 residential homes at the former glass bottle site.
In the past 6 months I attended one meeting with Dublin City Council on 9 June in respect of the site, and expect to meet the Irish Glass Bottle Housing Action Group this week.
My Department remains committed to working with Dublin City Council, and the developers of the Poolbeg SDZ area to progress this site, subject to agreement on all the normal and relevant terms, including value for money aspects.
257. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of social housing delivery to date; the number of schemes and units that have been delivered as part of the new build and acquisitions by each local authority and including approved housing body activity to the most recent date for which data is available. [32020/22]
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 publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and pre-tender process. The most recent publication was for Q4 2021. The report is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/af746-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q4-2021/.
A version of CSR file can be downloaded at the link below and used for analysis in terms of local authority, funding programme, project status, location, approved housing body and completion date : www.data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q4-2021?package_type=dataset.
Data for Quarter 1 2022 is currently being collated by my Department and will be published shortly.
258. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 289 of 24 February 2021, if there is a plan in place at national level to control and eradicate Japanese knotweed; if so, the details of the plan; if not, the reason therefor; the analysis undertaken to establish the area of land and or the number of households affected; the body coordinating this effort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32080/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species.
There is a legislative framework in place for dealing with invasive alien species, including Japanese Knotweed. Public bodies, departments and agencies throughout the country work within this framework, in the context of species listed both nationally and on the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (the Union list), to manage, control and, where practicable, eradicate these species.
Under this legislative framework, responsibility for dealing with invasive alien species rests with the landowner. Much of the work in tackling Japanese Knotweed happens at local level and is carried out by local authorities in their areas through their own biodiversity action plans.
A National Invasive Alien Species Management Plan is included in the Programme for Government. This Plan is in the early stages of development. It will operate on a national scale but the involvement and cooperation of key stakeholders at local level will be crucial to its successful implementation.
My Department does not gather information concerning the number of households where Japanese knotweed occurs.
