Written Answers Nos. 34-53
34. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects to launch the next sports capital and equipment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34597/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,106 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 €16.6 million 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.
Unsuccessful applicants were able to appeal the Department's decision. The deadline for submission of capital appeals was Monday 4 April and 146 appeals were received. The assessment of all appeals is complete and the consequent allocations amounting to €6.14 million were announced on Tuesday 31 May.
The priority in the short term is to advance the 2,895 successful applications under the 2020 round to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage which requires detailed engagement with all grantees. Now that the appeal process is complete, my Department will also undertake a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP and any recommendations arising will be reflected 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.
35. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide classes for Irish language learners in a community (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34699/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department directly funds a range of initiatives to support the learning of Irish that are available to the general public, including to members of the community to which the Deputy refers. Class providers range from education providers delivering free classes to others delivering classes on a commercial basis, some of which are delivered in-person and others online. The Department also funds a number of projects from which learning resources and teaching resources are available to the general public.
Below is a list of initiatives funded directly by the Department which may be of interest to the community to which the Deputy refers:
- The Fáilte ar Líne Project – this project provides 5 courses aimed at beginners covering Irish language and culture.
- Cill Dara le Gaeilge, a community-based organisation in Co. Kildare whose activities include the provision of Irish classes locally, some in conjunction with Kildare County Council library service.
- TEG – Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge is an Irish language proficiency exams and qualifications system for adult learners of Irish. Learning and teaching resources are available free of charge on its website www.teg.ie.
- Vifax is an Irish language learning resource available free of charge online at vifax.maynoothuniversity.ie.
- Scéim Teanga Tí – this scheme is provided by Glór na nGael as a resource for families who wish to raise their children through the medium of Irish, including conversation groups, Irish language classes and social events.
- Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha: A network of GAA clubs receive assistance from Glór na nGael to provide Irish language activities to club members. These activities include Irish language classes in some clubs.
- Na Gaeil Óga – this all-Irish GAA club has teams at all age levels and abilities and provides support to members and parents of members who wish to learn and improve their Irish.
- Linguistic resources such as Téarma.ie; Logainm.ie; Gaois.ie; Duchas.ie are provided to the public online free of charge.
The Department also funds two State agencies, Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta, who are responsible for promoting the Irish language outside and inside the Gaeltacht respectively, who, in turn, fund local groups who provide Irish classes in the community.
Foras na Gaeilge supports include the following:
- Irish Language Networks – Loughrea, Ennis and Clondalkin have been nominated as communities designated to be Irish Language Networks and structures and funding have been put in place to support and develop resources and activities already in place in these communities through the development of an Irish language plan. Irish language classes are available from the organisations selected to prepare these Irish language plans.
- Irish Language Communities Scheme – a total of 18 organisations are funded under this scheme through which Irish language activities including Irish classes are available.
Údarás na Gaeltachta supports include:
- A total of 26 Gaeltacht areas have been designated as Language Planning Areas for which language plans are being implemented. Some organisations implementing these plans already provide Irish classes in their respective communities. A total of 16 areas have been nominated as areas which may be designated as Gaeltacht Service Towns and there are currently 5 towns in the process of implementing plans, including Daingean Uí Chúis/Dingle, Letterkenny, Galway City, An Clochán Liath and Tralee. Further information is available from the Language Planning Officers in these Language Planning Areas and Gaeltacht Service Towns.
In addition, other classes may be available to parents of children enrolled in Irish language primary and post-primary schools. An associated resource to support parents by providing key Irish language phrases can be found at the following link: gaeloideachas.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/A5-booklet-11.pdf
36. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil i gceist aici coiste a bhunú ar a mbeidh ionadaíocht leathan ag earnáil na gColáistí Gaeilge, ar coiste é a dhéanfadh moltaí faoin gcaoi is fearr na coláistí a chur in oiriúint don saol comhaimseartha agus todhchaí na gColáistí a chinntiú ar mhaithe leis an nGaeilge sa tír ar fad, leis an nGaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus le geilleagar na Gaeltachta. [34725/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDéanfar an scéal uile maidir le staid reatha agus todhchaí na gcoláistí Gaeilge a bhreithniú san fhómhar.
Idir an dá linn, is í tosaíocht leanúnach na Roinne mar a bhaineann sé leis an earnáil na híocaíochtaí a bheidh á ndéanamh idir seo agus deireadh na gcúrsaí leis na teaghlaigh ábhartha atá cláraithe faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge de chuid mo Roinne a phróiseáil go pras.
37. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has received any request for additional funding from RTÉ in order to make settlements with the Revenue Commissioners and-or cover the cost of litigations. [34833/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out the public service objects of RTÉ. Section 98 of the Act provides that RTÉ shall be independent in the pursuance of its objects and as such, I have no role to play in the day-to-day operations of RTÉ.
There is an Oversight Agreement in place between RTÉ and my Department which provides for ongoing engagement between senior RTÉ representatives and my Departmental officials. This includes quarterly meetings, or more frequently as required, to provide updates on developments.
With regard to any settlements between RTÉ and the Revenue Commissioners, or the costs of any litigation, I have not received any requests for additional funding from RTÉ.
38. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of complaints received by the Residential Tenancies Board relating to the €200 electricity credit payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35028/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra41. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of complaints that the Residential Tenancies Board has received from landlords in respect of non-payment of rent and other disciplinary matters; the average time taken to deal with these issues and in the event of non-payment, the number of cases that were successful in collection of arrears for landlord; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34624/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 41 together.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2021, to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
This matter is an operational one for the RTB and 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.
39. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way local authorities determine who is homeless; the powers local authorities have to decide who is homeless and eligible for emergency accommodation; the criteria used by local authorities to decide who is homeless and eligible for emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35167/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra56. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority has the power to add additional criteria to the definition of homelessness as expressed in sections 2 and 10 of the Housing Act 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34878/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra57. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority has the power to refuse to provide emergency accommodation to a person who cannot provide proof of exhausting all other accommodation options, including family mediation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34879/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra58. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority has the power to refuse to provide emergency accommodation to a person who has been made homeless because of rent arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34880/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra59. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority has the power to refuse to provide emergency accommodation to a person who has been made homeless because of anti-social behaviour in a previous tenancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34881/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra60. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grounds, if any, on which a local authority can refuse to provide emergency accommodation to someone who presents as homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34882/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 56 to 60, inclusive, together.
Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities. My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. This allows local authorities to provide an immediate response to ensure households are provided with the accommodation and supports required while the ultimate aim is to work with households to exit homelessness in the shortest timeframe possible. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise. Local authorities also assess applications for social housing supports, ensuring housing supports are available to households unable to meet their accommodation needs from their own resources.
40. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will indicate each of the programmes or work streams of the Land Development Agency and, in each case, the target volume of land that it will release for housing development and the target number of homes to be developed, that is, public lands acquired and master-planned by the agency; the existing outstanding private planning permissions it activated for affordable construction through joint venture arrangements and other joint ventures with local authorities or other housing bodies; and the nature of the public subsidy in each case that will ensure they are delivered at an affordable price. [34602/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.
The Land Development Agency (LDA) has an immediate focus on managing the State’s own lands to develop new homes, and regenerate under-utilised sites. In the longer-term, it will assemble strategic land-banks from a mix of public and private lands making these available for housing in a controlled manner, which is expected to bring essential more long-term stability to the Irish housing market. It is also tasked with unlocking stalled private, planning-consented developments in the shorter-term through its market engagement initiative - Project Tosaigh.
The target under Project Tosaigh is the delivery of 5,000 new homes by 2026 for affordable cost rental or sale to eligible households under affordable purchase arrangements. This is in addition to the 2,800 affordable and social homes to be delivered from the initial state lands that the LDA are currently working on.
Housing for All identified a further 20 sites for transfer to the LDA with the potential to deliver up to 15,000 homes and in many cases form part of a major revitalisation of urban centres, with benefits to the wider community from the scale of associated social and community infrastructure which will be planned and delivered in tandem with the residential units. Government departments will work closely together to identify further appropriate lands that could be developed for housing.
The LDA is also working in partnership with local authorities to support housing delivery on key strategic local authority sites. A good example of this is the Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council scheme at Shanganagh, Shankill which received planning permission from An Bord Pleanála in July 2020 and is projected to deliver 597 new homes: 306 Cost Rental, 200 social housing and 91 to be sold under the affordable purchase scheme.
The Q1 2022 Housing for All progress report detailing proposals and progress on the LDA's active sites over both the short and long term can be accessed on the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/9f667-housing-for-all-q1-2022-progress-report/
42. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a licensed boat owner who has had their boat moored in Killarney, County Kerry (details supplied) for the past ten years has been asked by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to remove the boat; if this decision will be immediately reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34660/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 20 boat moorings on the Lakes and these moorings are subject to a local lottery and are allocated annually for a twelve month period. With regard to the use of fishing/pleasure boats at the site mentioned my Department does not issue new permanent mooring spots.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is happy to include all names in the annual lottery and interested parties should contact the Duty Ranger in the National Park with a view to being included in the next lottery allocation.
43. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the results of the focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines relating to minimum setback distance for wind turbines from homes and residential areas will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34696/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including noise, setback distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
Guidance on the noise aspect is currently being finalised by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, which has primary responsibility for environmental noise matters. Significant work has been undertaken on the noise elements and engagement between the two Departments is ongoing to discuss new developments in this regard including consideration of the impact of the revised 2030 target to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources and the need to ensure that proposals regarding the measurement and assessment of noise from wind turbines are fit for purpose. Following this inter-departmental engagement, I will be in a better position to provide an update on the expected publication date of the revised Guidelines, the finalisation of which remains a priority.
It should also be noted that the review and finalisation of the Guidelines has been included as a specific action in the recently published Climate Action Plan.
When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála, must have regard to guidelines issued under section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
44. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the income limits in the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, of 19 April 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34698/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra49. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the income thresholds for a couple (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34821/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 49 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 6 of 23 June 2022 which sets out the position in the matter.
45. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made on the programme for Government commitment to commence a national hedgerow survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34747/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra46. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of carrying out a national hedgerow survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34748/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.
Teagasc has previously undertaken national hedgerow mapping using remote technologies, and while no comprehensive national survey has been carried out to date, a number of Local Authorities have commissioned hedgerow surveys at county level.
My Department, however, does not have an overarching responsibility for the coordination of hedgerow surveys and does not collect data from local authorities in relation to surveys carried out by them from their own resources.
47. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any form of rental assistance is available to a person who has split from their spouse and who has left the family home but is connected to the mortgage of that home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34754/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, as amended, and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations.
A household shall be ineligible for social housing support if it has alternative accommodation it could reasonably be expected to use to meet its housing need. However, where an applicant for social housing support owns accommodation occupied by a spouse, from whom they are formally separated or divorced, a deed of separation is sufficient to set aside this ineligibility ground. It is not necessary to await judicial separation or divorce to get a decision on social housing support in these cases.
Local authorities may provide households with social housing support under RAS or HAP until ownership of the family home is resolved in a formal separation or divorce settlement.
Support in these circumstances will be reviewed by the local authority at prescribed intervals. The household will not be able to transfer to other forms of social housing support while ownership of the family home remains to be determined. If the household ultimately qualifies for the full range of social housing supports, the length of time it was supported under RAS or HAP will be reckonable for the purposes of determining the household’s relative priority for a transfer.
48. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider refusing the granting of hare coursing licences for the 2022-2023 coursing season taking into account the ongoing suffering, stress, injury and death caused to hares at coursing meets and concerns of the spread of the HD2 virus and as a protected species in Ireland; if he will provide an update in relation to the monitoring of the RHD2 in hares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34769/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has received an application from the Irish Coursing Club for licences to capture and tag hares for the forthcoming 2022/23 hare coursing season. This is being considered at present, and a decision will be made on the application in due course.
Following initial concerns about the potential impact of RHD2 on the Irish hare after the disease was first reported in the wild in Ireland, the number of records declined significantly. Only two positive records were recorded in 2021 - one hare and one rabbit - and one rabbit in 2022. Nonetheless the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, together with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, are continuing to monitor for RHD2 in the wild in Ireland.
50. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date on which he received the results of the urban gulls consultative committee; and the number of local authorities and community committees he has circulated them to. [34841/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra51. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged with the EU Commission in respect of urban gulls and-or if it has issued advice and-or direction to him on the matter. [34842/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra52. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date on which he will bring forward the next wild bird declaration as per a recommendation of the aniar project 2018 . [34843/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra53. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of local authorities he has collaborated with in respect of public relations campaigns regarding the way in which persons should mitigate disruption caused by seagulls. [34844/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra54. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has engaged a consultancy firm regarding urban gulls in 2021 and 2022; if so, the cost of same; and if the consultancy has provided him with a report on the matters to date. [34845/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 50 to 54, inclusive, together.
The current Wild Bird Declarations (General & Air Safety) that were signed in April 2021, allowing for the control of certain wild bird species, are due to expire on 31st July 2022. A decision on new Declarations covering the period 1st August 2022 to 30 April 2023 will be made prior to the expiry of the current Declarations.
The First Interim Report on progress of the Urban Gull Consultative Committee was received by my predecessor, Minister Josepha Madigan, in April 2020. This was circulated to all the Consultative Committee members which included officials from Fingal County Council as well as a Community Committee. The Report is available to download at the following link: www.npws.ie/legislation/eu-directives/birds-directive/review-use-article-9-1-a-birds-directive-ireland
My officials have engaged with the EU Commission in respect of urban gulls. The Commission advises that this issue was not of particular concern to Member States or requiring a special discussion in the Ornis Committee that assists the Commission in the implementation of the Birds Directive nor in the NADEG Committee (Expert Group on Birds and Habitats Directive).
My officials have engaged with Fingal County Council in relation to implementing agreed next steps on the development and implementation of actions, where appropriate e.g. a public relations campaign.
A total of €92,557.50 including VAT was paid to a consultancy firm for the Urban Gull Survey in 2021.
