Written Answers Nos. 55-74
55. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding his Department's progress in developing a second working paper, locating well-being within a public policy context focusing on issues in relation to the use of evidence to inform the process, when that work is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50564/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe working paper that locates well-being within a public policy context is currently being peer reviewed. It is anticipated that this process will take a number of weeks. It is my Department's intention to publish it once that process has been completed.
56. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the role, if any, that her Department has played in the integration of Ukrainian refugees into communities; if her Department and any agencies under its remit have had an involvement at local or national level in the response; the further steps that they intend on taking to ensure that services are provided to assist in this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50428/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I recently outlined to Government, my Department and the Agencies under my Department’s remit continue to have an ongoing positive role in the integration of the Ukrainian Community into our Communities across the various Sectors of my Department.
I would like to outline some examples of the type of integration measures and events my Department, and the Agencies under my remit, are engaged in for each Sector, outlined below:
Tourism
While not considered suitable for medium to longer term accommodation needs of families, hotel accommodation has been, and continues to be an important temporary part of the response to the arrival of citizens from Ukraine. Many citizens from Ukraine have also taken up employment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Culture
Arising from meetings that I and senior officials in my Department have had with the Minister for Culture and Information Policy, Ukraine, as well as two Ukrainian parliamentarians, my officials are examining a number of targeted measures to support Ukraine. These include:
- Possible future engagement on and advice from my Department and relevant agencies on the establishment of public place(s) of memory in Ukraine, drawing on Ireland’s recent experience of managing sensitive commemorations;
- Consideration of possible cooperation projects, for example, between Dublin and Lviv UNESCO Cities of Literature and initiatives such as town twinning between Irish and Ukrainian towns;
- Support for the protection of Ukrainian cultural heritage in cooperation with international organisations, notably UNESCO.
There are also numerous events to support and welcome the Ukrainian Community including:
- The National Museum of Ireland - Country Life – Turlough hosted an event for Culture Night called Sharing Harvest Traditions.
- The Crawford Art Gallery has recently organised a number of tours specifically for the Ukrainian community with another one planned for 21 October, as part of the Meat and Potatoes exhibition.
- The NCH also presented the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra who played a historic concert at the Concert Hall in August this year. Assembled by New York’s Metropolitan Opera and the Polish National Opera, the orchestra included recent refugees, Ukrainian members of European orchestras, and some of the top musicians from Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and elsewhere in Ukraine.
- The National Gallery has had several Ukrainian families taking part in its free family workshops. These workshops are a way to engage with people who are new to Ireland, to make them feel welcome and to give them a sense of ownership of the collection and building. The Gallery is also providing free access to all refugees to its paid exhibition programme. For the exhibition ‘Giacometti: From Life’ (from 09 April 2022 – 4 September 2022), 78 refugees availed of free tickets.
- The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) held a number events during its Summer School in June including a Keynote talk by Jessica Zychowicz, Director of the Fulbright programme in Ukraine. IMMA also hosted an event with a group of Ukrainian artists: Art Practice in times of War – Meeting with Visual Artists from Ukraine.
The Arts Council, is also playing a key role in supporting young Ukrainians arriving in Ireland. It is expanding its access costs protocol to ensure schools are aware they can apply for additional funding to engage translation, or other access services needed, to meet their needs and that of other migrant children.
The Arts Council and Screen Ireland, are making their grant and bursary schemes available to people arriving from Ukraine.
My Department’s Creative Ireland programme is also supporting events which are free of charge for children and young people and are now facilitating the full participation of young Ukrainians in a variety of ways. Many of these events were part of the Cruinniú na nÓg programme of activities on 11th June - Ireland’s annual national day of free creativity for children and young people under 18.
A number of events have also been organised in the context of the European Commission’s ongoing support for artists and cultural workers in Ukraine via the Creative Europe Programme and form part of the 2022 work programme of the Creative Europe Desk Ireland – Culture office. These include:
- A series of Ukrainian cultural events for the Culture Office in November in the Museum of Literature Ireland; and
- The Lighthouse Cinema and the Pálás in Galway are featuring Ukrainian composers, films and writers.
The Deputy may also wish to note that I have engaged with my counterparts at EU level on a number of occasions on this matter and expressed my strong support for the adaptation of the relevant EU programmes to make them accessible to Ukrainian artists and media operators, including Creative Europe, the flagship EU funding programme to support the arts, culture and audiovisual sectors in Member States and associate countries.
I am also providing supports, via UNESCO, to assist in the protection of Ukrainian cultural heritage.
Irish Language & the Gaeltacht
The special linguistic issues associated with relocating refugees from Ukraine to Gaeltacht areas both for Ukrainians and the Gaeltacht Communities alike, is being aided by my Department through the different schemes and programmes operating in the Gaeltacht.
My Department in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta is continuing to avail of opportunities in order to help acclimatise Ukrainian citizens to their surroundings from a linguistic perspective.
Sport
In relation to sport, the National Governing Bodies are doing all that they can to provide assistance with emergency accommodation for Ukrainian refugees. In addition, Sport Ireland has made available on a temporary basis, facilities at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown to provide emergency accommodation for refugees other than those from Ukraine, as a contribution to the overall temporary accommodation needs of those fleeing conflict.
More generally, the Irish sporting community is continuing to play an important role in welcoming people from Ukraine into their new communities in Ireland.
Broadcasting & Media
As part of the sixth sanctions package, which came into legal effect from 4th June 2022, the 1st March measures against media service providers (to prohibit the broadcast of any content by Russia Today, its regional subsidiaries and Sputnik throughout the European Union) will be subject to two amendments:
- The sixth sanctions package extends the reach of the existing sanctions on sanctioned media services to prohibit the advertising of products or services in any content produced or broadcast by sanctioned media services;
- The sixth sanctions package adds the following providers to the list of sanctioned media service providers:
- Rossiya RTR / RTR Planeta;
- Rossiya 24 / Russia 24;
- TV Centre International.
Russia Today is not been carried by any television provider in Ireland. The major social media companies – Google, Meta, Twitter, and Tiktok - have removed content from Russia Today and Sputnik from their services within the European Union in compliance with the restrictive measures.
Further information may be found on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-tourism-culture-arts-gaeltacht-sport-and-media/#.
57. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a schedule of the number of staff by grade who are assigned on a full-time basis to liaise and provide support to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in order for that Department to fulfil its areas of responsibility in respect of providing for the needs of those seeking international protection and persons categorised by virtue of the temporary protection directive by the European Union; and if she will provide a schedule of the services that her Department provides to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in that regard. [50459/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that, while my Department’s officials regularly engage with the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth across a range of programmes, there are no officials assigned from my Department, on a full-time basis, to that Department specifically for the purpose of implementing the Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55 EC) (as activated by EU Council Decision EU 2022/382 of 4 March 2022), to provide immediate protection in EU countries for people displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
While the Department is not engaged in direct service provision, support is being provided by the Department across its sectors and the bodies under its aegis, in facilitating access to accommodation through the tourism and sport sectors, as well as assistance with integration though the arrangement of Ukrainian cultural events.
58. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 5 October 2022, if funding from her Department to the National Aquatic Centre was used for services provided by an organisation (details supplied); if so, if she will provide the details; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50461/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of the Sport Ireland Campus. Sport Ireland Facilities DAC is a subsidiary of Sport Ireland and is the management company responsible for the management and operation of facilities on the Campus including the National Aquatic Centre.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to the matter mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
I refer to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Tourism; Culture; Arts; Gaeltacht; Sport and Media (50461/22) regarding services of security for the National Aquatic Centre:
To ask the Minister for Tourism; Culture; Arts; Gaeltacht; Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 5 October 2022, if funding from her Department to the National Aquatic Centre was used for services provided by an organisation (details supplied); if so, if she will provide the details; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The Minister has asked that Sport Ireland respond to you directly on this matter.
Top Security are the security company that is contracted to the Sport Ireland Campus.
The security costs for the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus were €315,974 for 2021, and so far in 2022 the costs come to €233,158.
The National Aquatic Centre is a part of the National Sports Campus, and therefore the overall spend on security for the NAC is included within the full costs above.
It is not possible to break down these costs, as the security is provided for the full campus and not individual buildings on site.
59. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if any funding has been given to an organisation (details supplied) over the past ten years; and if so, if she will provide details. [50464/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that there has been no funding, regulatory or accreditation relationship between my Department or its agencies with the organisation to which the Deputy refers.
60. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 299 of 4 October 2022, the number of applications to the NPWS farm plan scheme for each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022 and the number of applications refused in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50581/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of valid applications made to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme in each of the Years 2017 to 2022, inclusive, as well as the number of applications that were not selected for plan development is included in the table below. The NPWS prioritises the selection of lands that are in designated sites, including Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Natural Heritage Areas. Lands with species or habitats of conservation concern are also given priority. The NPWS pays for the development of the plans, which involves the input of the landowner in question. Applications that did not proceed to planning stage were generally those that were deemed more suited to other schemes, such as the Native Woodland Scheme or the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme.
|
Year |
Valid Applications |
Applications not selected for plan development |
|
2017 |
N/A |
0 |
|
2018 |
1 |
0 |
|
2019 |
6 |
0 |
|
2020 |
95 |
17 |
|
2021 |
168 |
48 |
|
2022 |
147 |
35 |
61. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department will increase the social housing income threshold for housing applicants in Tipperary County Council given that the increase is long overdue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50392/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra72. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to adjust income limits for social housing assessment to adequately reflect the impacts of inflation and changes set out in Budget 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50681/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 72 together.
I have recently approved proposals to scope and develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. This work will commence shortly under the aegis of the Housing Agency who have been tasked with commissioning it and I expect that the work will complete by the end of 2022. Pending completion of this work, I have approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands. Five local authorities - Carlow, Clare, Galway County, Laois and Westmeath - will be moved from Band 3 to Band 2. Accordingly, the baseline income eligibility threshold for these areas will increase from €25,000 to €30,000. The change reflects the movement in rents in recent years in these areas and will ensure local authority areas with similar accommodation costs continue to be grouped together in the respective bands. The changes came into effect from 1 October 2022.
It is now appropriate to await the report I referred to previously before considering the appropriate income threshold levels for all counties, and the potential impact of any changes that might arise.
In relation to Budget 2023, it should be noted that a number of the changes announced in the Budget come into effect in 2023, while others such as once-off financial payments may be disregarded as part of the income assessment for social housing eligibility.
62. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of the number of staff by grade who are assigned on a full-time basis to liaise and provide support to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in order for that Department to fulfil its areas of responsibility in respect of providing for the needs of those seeking international protection and persons categorised by virtue of the temporary protection directive by the European Union; and if he/she will provide a schedule of the services that his Department provides to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in that regard. [50453/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth continues to lead the initial humanitarian response, including the provision of accommodation and related supports, for persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. My Department is supporting the wider, cross-Government response in a number of ways, which involves the Housing, Local Government, Planning and Corporate Support Divisions of my Department.
As part of my Department's response, a dedicated unit to develop and oversee the emergency refurbishment project was established. The work of the unit involves the review of properties identified as potentially suitable for refurbishment for use as multi-occupancy accommodation for the purposes of accommodating Ukrainians. The process is ongoing to identify, assess and validate buildings that could be refurbished to accommodate larger groups of people. This unit is currently comprised of 1 Principal Officer, 1 Assistant Principal Office, 1 Higher Executive Officer and 1 Executive Officer.
63. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to introduce a green certificate for homes where there is evidence of Pyrite but not yet of physical damage, and where the home is not currently eligible for redress under the Pyrite Resolution Board. [50465/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraReferences to “red”, “amber” and “green” as originally referred to in the Report of the Pyrite Panel (June 2012) and I.S. 398-1:2013 have been removed in I.S. 398-1:2017, which was introduced in August, 2017 and replaced its predecessor.
I.S. 398-1:2017 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and Categorisation Protocol , sets out the process for assessing and determining whether a building has been damaged by reactive pyrite, or is likely to be in the future and it categorises the building.
Building categories A, B, C, and D have been redefined in terms of the extent of susceptibility to expansion of the hardcore material in the sub-floor and the potential for future damage to the building from pyritic heave.
Buildings are categorised by means of a ‘Certificate of Building Categorisation for Reactive Pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material’ as per Annex B of I.S. 398-1:2017, based on the results of the Building Condition Assessment and the classification of the hardcore material.
To obtain a Category A Certificate following assessment under the requirements of I.S. 398-1:2017 (previously referred to as a "green" Certificate) the building must have a;
- Damage Condition Rating of 0 and hardcore which has negligible susceptibility to expansion; or
- Damage Condition Rating of 1(with or without progression) or 2, and hardcore which has negligible susceptibility to expansion and also has an alternative probable cause for the damage.
The Category A certificate is issued in respect of dwellings that have been assessed, at the request of the homeowner, in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2017. The issuing of such certificates is a matter entirely for the homeowner and the professional they engage; it is not part of the pyrite remediation scheme.
The pyrite remediation scheme is applicable to dwellings which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave, established in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2017. In this regard, it is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a Damage Condition Rating of 2. Dwellings which do not have a Damage Condition Rating of 2 are not eligible to apply under the scheme. This ensures that, having regard to the available resources, the focus of the scheme is on dwellings which are most severely damaged by pyritic heave.
Any proposal to amend the scheme is, in the first instance, a matter for the Pyrite Resolution Board and any such proposal would require detailed consideration of the evidence.
64. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses in which HAP and RAS tenants are under threat of eviction that have been purchased by local authorities by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50478/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 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 and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency. Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. 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. However, acquisitions of second hand properties for social housing fall under a number of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) acquisitions programmes.
On 19 January my Department issued a circular letter to local authorities advising that social housing acquisitions by local authorities and AHB CALF acquisitions in 2022 would 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;
Local authorities were also advised that limited acquisitions through the Capital Assistance Scheme will also be approved, subject to the available budget for specific vulnerable cohorts, such as housing for older people, accommodation for individuals and families who are homeless and for people with a disability.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) 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. I have requested local authorities to be proactive in acquiring properties which can prevent homelessness, including properties where a notice of termination has been issued to the tenant.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity in all local authorities, including information on social housing acquisitions. This data is available until the end of Quarter 2 2022 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 does not hold data on the occupation status of properties acquired for social housing. This information may be available from the individual local authorities.
65. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request that Irish Water and the Environmental Protection Agency investigate the cause of the confirmed presence of methylisoborneol in the water supply for County Wicklow and south County Dublin; if methylisoborneol has been found in other water supplies nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50487/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level, including investment in wastewater treatment plants and returning wastewater safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner. My Department has no operational function in this matter.
It may be helpful to note that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578. Irish Water’s website contains information on methylisoborneol in the water supply www.water.ie/help/water-quality/unusual-taste-or-smell/.
Irish Water is closely regulated by the Health Services Executive and the Environmental Protection Agency in respect of public health protection and environmental compliance.
The Environmental Protection Agency as environmental regulator, is responsible for setting quality standards and enforcing compliance with EU Directives and national regulations for the provision of drinking water.
My Department maintains an ongoing engagement with Irish Water regarding strategic, financial and general operational matters.
66. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request local authorities to allow their housing tenants to change a gas or electricity meter from prepaid to credit; if they will cover any fees for doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50509/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra67. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any local authorities have a policy of automatically installing prepaid gas or electricity meters on their housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50510/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 67 together.
Local authorities are legally responsible for the management and maintenance of their housing stock under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities also have a legal obligation to ensure that all of their tenanted properties are compliant with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations, 2019. Therefore it is a matter for each individual local authority, as landlord, to decide as to whether alterations to a local authority owned home are allowable. Further information may be available by contacting the relevant local authority or authorities directly.
68. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the allocation of Croí Cónaithe funding by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50557/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.Schemes under the Fund, which are delivered by local authorities, provide new choices for people to live in towns and villages in Ireland, through the provision of a grant to support the refurbishment of vacant properties and by providing serviced sites in towns and villages to people in order to build their own homes.On the 14 July, I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.On 21 September, I launched the Ready to Build Scheme, also funded by the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund. Under the Ready to Build Scheme, local authorities will make serviced sites in towns and villages available to potential individual purchasers to build their homes. These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of the purchaser.
The operation of both schemes under the fund is delegated to and managed by local authorities. In 2022, a €50 million fund is available and it is not anticipated that there will be a constraint on allocations. Expenditure and associated allocations will be kept under review for 2023.
69. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the instructions and information that was provided to local authorities regarding the way to account for and administrate the purchase of a residential property in the context of a tenant being in receipt of HAP and the owner seeks to sell this property to the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50560/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 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 and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency. Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. 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. However, acquisitions of second hand properties for social housing fall under a number of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) acquisitions programmes. On 19 January my Department issued a circular letter to local authorities advising that social housing acquisitions by local authorities and AHB CALF acquisitions in 2022 would be focused on a number of priority areas, as follows:(i) One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category; (ii) Other properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; and (iii) Specific housing required for/suitable for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs;
Local authorities were also advised that limited acquisitions through the Capital Assistance Scheme will also be approved, subject to the available budget for specific vulnerable cohorts, such as housing for older people, accommodation for individuals and families who are homeless and for people with a disability.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) 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. I have requested local authorities to be proactive in acquiring properties which can prevent homelessness, including properties where a notice of termination has been issued to the tenant. My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery activity in all local authorities, including information on social housing acquisitions. This data is available until the end of Quarter 2 2022 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 does not hold data on the occupation status of properties acquired for social housing. This information may be available from individual local authorities.
70. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Wildlife Advisory Council last met; if he will report on its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50571/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 13 of the Wildlife Act 1976 provided for the establishment of the Wildlife Advisory Council to advise the Minister on policy, objectives, and programmes relating to the conservation of wildlife. This section was repealed by Section 4 of the Heritage Act 1995, in effect ceasing the Wildlife Advisory Council Order (S.I No.79 of 1978).
The Heritage Act 1995 established the Heritage Council and provided that references to the Wildlife Advisory Council should be construed as references to the Heritage Council. The functions of the Heritage Council include proposing policies and priorities for the identification, protection, preservation, and enhancement of flora, fauna, and wildlife habitats.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department, including the Heritage Council, to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for the Heritage Council is oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie.
71. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role that his Department or the National Parks and Wildlife Service has following the instances of swan mortalities at a location (details supplied) in August 2022; if a full investigation as to the cause of mortalities has been conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50572/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has responsibly for avian influenza testing in Ireland. I can confirm that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has contacted DAFM and made them aware of the issue referred to. Avian Influenza has to be ruled out in the first instance and DAFM always need to be contacted in such cases so they can have records and enact their own biosecurity measures. NPWS has asked for information on the outcomes of that testing to be provided along with other evidence material to assist in ascertaining possible poisoning and any potential investigation requirement. The NPWS has also informed Cavan Co. Co. (Environment Section) and the EPA of the matter.
73. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of wheelchair liveable houses that are required by each local authority across all 13 basis of need categories in view of the 2021 Summary of Social Housing Assessments; his plans to ensure the delivery of these wheelchair liveable houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50687/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra74. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of wheelchair liveable houses that have been allocated in the past 12 months by each local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50688/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra75. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of wheelchair liveable houses that each local authority have in their current plans, broken down by municipal district in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50689/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 74 and 75 together.
The annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) outlines details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area. The purpose of the SSHA is to capture the total number of households qualified for social housing support across the country whose social housing need has not yet been met, in order to better understand the level of need for such support. It sets out the categories of need under which all applicants have applied for social housing supports, including those with a disability.
My Department introduced a revised social housing application form in March 2021 in consultation with the local authority sector. The changes made provided an application form that is more customer focused, and which is more streamlined and accessible for the applicant. The application form already provided for applicants to identify housing requirements arising from a disability or medical condition, but now also includes an identifier for persons requiring 'wheelchair liveable' accommodation. In order to ensure that data captured in the SSHA aligns with the changes to the application form my Department recently collaborated with the Local Government Management Agency and the Housing Agency on a project to assess how this can best be achieved. This work is completed and the SSHA 2022 report will include the number of applicants on the housing waiting list who require ‘wheelchair liveable’ accommodation.
My Department does not hold information on the allocation of housing supports and the oversight and practical management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is solely a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations. Section 22 of the 2009 Act requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.
In addition, information on the number of ‘wheelchair liveable’ housing provided by each local authority is not available in my Department. This information may be available directly from local authorities.
The National Planning Framework (Objective 37) requires each local authority to carry out a Housing Needs Demand Assessment (HNDA) in order to correlate and accurately align overall future housing requirements, as an evolution of their existing Housing Strategy requirements under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000. The HNDA framework also aims to ensure support of independent living for people requiring more specialised types of housing or support needs, including accessible and wheelchair housing.
The initiation, design, planning, development and management of housing projects is a matter for local authorities in exercise of their statutory functions. Each local authority also has a Housing and Disability Steering Group (HDSG) whose role it is to plan for the housing of disabled people in their areas in collaboration with the statutory agencies, including the preparation of strategic plans. The knowledge and experience of these groups on the ground plays a key role in advocating for the housing needs of disabled people when local authorities are putting housing plans in place.
I launched the second joint National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027., on 14 January 2022 together with Minister of State Peter Burke, T.D. and Ms. Anne Rabbitte, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability. The new Strategy operates within the framework of Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which is committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing with an appropriate mix of housing design types provided within social housing, including universally designed units, is available to everyone in Irish society, including those with disabilities and older people. The role of the Housing and Disability Steering Groups will be strengthened over the lifetime of the national Strategy.
Preparation of the Implementation Plan for the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People is at an advanced stage and will be completed by year end.
