Written Answers Nos. 315-336
315. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total spend by her Department and the agencies under her remit on cybersecurity measures since 2019 to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51182/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor reasons of operational and national security it would not be appropriate to disclose details, including costs, of my Department’s cyber security arrangements, or those of State Agencies under my remit.
316. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the proportion of her Department’s IT data that is stored in the cloud; the proportion of the data held by all agencies and subsidiaries of her Department in the cloud; if this represents an improvement; if so, the development that has been made towards cloud storage since 2019 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51206/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor operational and security reasons, we are advised by the NCSC not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts. Therefore, it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to cloud computing and services.
317. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the names of all special advisors working in her Department; the Minister and Junior Minister who each advisor is associated with and their respective salaries, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51265/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two Special Advisors appointed to my Department. They are paid on the Principal Officer (Standard) PPC scale.
The information requested is set out in tabular form below:
|
Name of Special Advisors |
Minister |
Annual Salary |
|
Juno McEnroe |
Catherine Martin T.D. |
€99,354 |
|
Tanya Warren |
Catherine Martin T.D. |
€99,354 |
As Chief Whip, Minister of State Jack Chambers has two Advisors. Both appointments are made and salaries paid by the Department of the Taoiseach.
318. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will provide the timeline for the roll-out of the €35 million in funding set aside in Budget 2023 to help sports clubs cope with the rising cost of energy this winter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51310/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023, €35 million is being made available to help alleviate the impact of increased energy costs for sports clubs and organisations with a view to ensuring that everyone can continue to enjoy the benefits of sport and physical activity over the winter months.
Officials in my Department are working with Sport Ireland on the development of an appropriate scheme or framework for the operation of this subsidy to ensure that the funding is directed to where it is most needed as expeditiously as possible, whilst having due regard to public financial procedures and guidelines. Full details of the operation of the subsidy will be made available once finalised.
319. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of funding that individual sport clubs draw down from the new funds of €35 million; if he will provide a timeline for when the said clubs will receive the funding following their application;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51311/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023, €35 million is being made available to help alleviate the impact of increased energy costs for sports clubs and organisations with a view to ensuring that everyone can continue to enjoy the benefits of sport and physical activity over the winter months.
Officials in my Department are working with Sport Ireland on the development of an appropriate scheme or framework for the operation of this subsidy to ensure that the funding is directed to where it is most needed as expeditiously as possible, whilst having due regard to public financial procedures and guidelines. This work includes identifying the complete cohort of organisations that may require assistance, which will in turn determine the distribution of the €35 million funding. Full details of the operation of the subsidy will be made available once finalised.
320. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding will be made available to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association to ensure that all those who have qualified for selection to represent Ireland at the world youth boxing championships can attend. [51471/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. This includes the allocation of funding to sporting organisations, including the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA), across its various programmes.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
321. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a list of the names of each special advisor employed by her Department since 2015, the relevant Minister they worked under and the date that their employment with the Department/Minister ceased where applicable [51788/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the formation of this Department in September 2020, two Special Advisors, Juno McEnroe and Tanya Warren have been appointed to this Department and both currently work as my advisors.
As Chief Whip, Minister of State Chamber's advisors are appointed by the Department of the Taoiseach.
322. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she or her officials have formally met with a person (details supplied) since 1 October 2021. [51860/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I have not had any formal meetings with the individual to which the Deputy refers, during the period specified, I am advised that officials of my Department have met with this person as set out in the table below.
|
Formal Meeting Details |
Date |
|
Meeting with Departmental officials and Fáilte Ireland in relation to the impact of hotel rates on events and the economy as a whole (Virtual). |
19/10/2021 |
|
Introductory meeting with senior officials in relation to sports policy (Virtual). |
14/12/2021 |
323. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount that Fáilte Ireland spent on marketing the Ireland’s ancient east initiative in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [51861/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe marketing of Fáilte Ireland's four tourism experience brands, including the Ireland's Ancient East brand, is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.
Accordingly, I am referring the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
324. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason for which 27 artists declined the offer of the basic income for the arts. [51918/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs expected not all applicants were in a position to avail of the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Research Scheme (BIA) and 27 or 1.4% turned down the grant for a variety of reasons including no longer living in Ireland, having taken up full-time education and no longer working in the arts.
When an applicant was declining their offer, we did not make giving a reason mandatory. The question that was asked on the ‘Decline Offer Form’ was: If you wish, please explain your reason(s) for declining your offer of the BIA grant. This is helpful from a research point of view as it will record the reasons applicants declined the BIA Pilot payment.
Applicants gave the following reasons:
|
Reason |
Number of applicants |
|
Freeing up place for another |
2 |
|
Full time studies |
4 |
|
Location change |
6 |
|
No longer in arts |
3 |
|
Social Protection |
1 |
|
Unable to become self-employed |
1 |
|
Personal reasons or opted not to say |
10 |
I wanted to ensure that all 2,000 places were availed of, therefore all eligible applicants who were not previously selected to participate were included in further randomised selection to fill the 27 places. These have now been allocated and the applicants notified.
325. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a list of all individuals and entities who obtained funding from Screen Ireland under the Covid-19 production fund; and the monetary amount which they received and the date of payment in tabular form. [51999/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, along with having responsibility for policy within the audiovisual industry, I allocate funding to Screen Ireland, the development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry. Regarding the specific query on who obtained funding from Screen Ireland under the Covid-19 production fund, I have referred your question to Screen Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
326. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of current Screen Ireland board members who are directors or shareholders in companies that have received finance, grants or other financial supports from the state agency. [52000/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, along with having responsibility for policy within the audiovisual industry, I allocate funding to Screen Ireland, the development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry. Regarding the specific query on the number of current Screen Ireland board members who are directors or shareholders in companies that have received finance, grants or other financial supports from the state agency, I have referred your question to Screen Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
327. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all farmers with special areas of conservation lands will be entitled to apply for the scheme and be admitted to National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) farm plan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51150/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll farmers are encouraged to make applications for the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. However, as with any scheme, numbers will be limited and it is not possible to guarantee every applicant will be accepted. Applications from farmers with designated lands, including Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Natural Heritage Areas, are prioritised for consideration.
It is my intention to make an open call for further applications in early 2023.
328. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total spend by his Department and the agencies under his remit on cybersecurity measures since 2019 to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51176/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recognises fully that cybersecurity measures are key in ensuring the safety and integrity of its infrastructure, systems and data. This is achieved through a combination of staff training, security policies and processes and appropriate technological solutions. My Department has cybersecurity measures built into the fabric of its IT infrastructure and costs are not separated between security and IT. For security reasons, my Department does not comment on details of its IT Security apparatus or external suppliers supporting this infrastructure.
The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table:
|
State Body |
Contact e-mail |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Body Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@valoff.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
329. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proportion of his Department’s IT data that is stored in the cloud; the proportion of the data held by all agencies and subsidiaries of his Department in the cloud; if this represents an improvement; if so, the development that has been made towards cloud storage since 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51200/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department fully supports the National and EU Digital Strategies calling for the wider adoption of cloud where suitable to deliver better IT efficiencies and services to the public. Since 2019, my Department assesses all new services and the upgrading of existing services with the focus on utilising cloud solutions. This in conjunction with wider adoption of government build to share cloud based applications and desktop solutions has resulted in a significant proportion of data residing in cloud based solutions. For security reasons, my Department does not comment on details of its IT data apparatus or external suppliers supporting this infrastructure.
The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table:
|
State Body |
Contact e-mail |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Body Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@valoff.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
330. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the proposed new planning legislation in preparation by his Department (details supplied); and the expected timeline for the introduction. [51216/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review and consolidation of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) is progressing in line with the timeline set out by the Office of the Attorney General, who is leading on the project. A Bill is expected to be brought to Government by the end of the year. The Attorney General has established a working group of planning law experts to assist him with the review and there is ongoing, intensive engagement between the working group and my Department. There is also ongoing engagement with stakeholders from a broad range of sectors, including the public sector, business, environmental, social and knowledge based sectors through the Planning Advisory Forum, which plays an important role in contributing to the emerging policy considerations of the Review. My Department officials have also attended a series of meetings with the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on key aspects of the legislation.
The Review is a key commitment in the Government’s Housing for All plan, with the aim of improving the functioning of the planning system. Public participation is a hallmark of the current planning system and will remain a central component of the planning system in the updated legislation.
331. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the way the waiver system for domestic water charges operates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51227/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no national waiver scheme for household waste collection. The waste management market in Ireland is now serviced by private companies, where prices charged are matters between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.
332. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the number of appeals to An Bord Pleanála that are currently in excess of the 18-week timeframe; the number that have exceeded this timeframe to date in 2022; and the total number of appeals to date in 2022, in tabular form. [51239/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra333. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the number of An Bord Pleanála decisions that have been set aside by judicial review decisions in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [51240/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra334. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the names of all special advisors working in his Department; the Minister and Junior Minister who each advisor is associated with and their respective salaries, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51259/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra356. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of the names of each special advisor employed by his Department since 2015, the relevant Minister they worked under and the date that their employment with the Department/Minister ceased where applicable. [51783/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 356 together.
The information requested in relation to the appointment of Special Advisers is set out in the tables below and covers the period from 2015 to date. All advisers served in the role until the end of the relevant Minister's term except where indicated.
|
Minister |
Adviser |
Payscale |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Kevin Dillon |
€95,301 - €110,811 |
|
Minister Darragh O'Brien |
Ciara Shaughnessy |
€95,301 - €110,811 |
|
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan |
Hannah Hamilton |
€73,236 - €85,370 |
|
Minister |
Adviser |
Payscale |
|
Minister Eoghan Murphy |
Jack O'Donnell |
€81,767 - €95,521 |
|
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill* |
€84,973 - €98,391 |
|
|
Paul Melia |
€85,823 - €99,375 |
* Jennifer Carroll MacNeill finished in her role as a Special Adviser on 2nd February 2019 and was replaced by Paul Melia.
|
Minister |
Adviser |
Payscale |
|
Minister Simon Coveney |
Caitriona Fitzpatrick |
€75,647 - €87,258 |
|
Bob Jordan |
€79,401 - €91,624 |
|
Minister |
Adviser |
Payscale |
|
Minister Alan Kelly |
Conan O'Broin* |
€79,401 - €91,624 |
|
James McGrath |
€75,647 - €87,258 |
|
|
Liam Cahill |
€79,401 - €91,624 |
*James McGrath finished in his role as Special Adviser on 7th May 2016 and was replaced by Conan O'Broin.
335. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the number of acquisitions that have been made by local authorities of homes with tenants in situ and at risk of homelessness, broken down by local authority, the amount paid and type of unit in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51437/22]
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, and hence do not hold data on the related expenditure on properties acquired for the reasons specified by the Deputy. This information may be available from individual local authorities.
336. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the Government’s intended response to TRIS notification numbers 2022/376/IRL and 2022/184/IRL with respect to the Electoral Reform Act 2022; the expected timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51438/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provisions in Parts 4 and 5 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 were formally notified in draft form to the European Commission in accordance with the requirements of Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical regulations and of rules on Information Society services (codification).
This notification procedure (known as Technical Regulation Information System or TRIS) aims to prevent the creation of barriers to trade in the internal market before they materialise. Under the notification procedure, a 90 day standstill period applies to the draft instrument following notification to the Commission to allow for the consideration of any relevant observations/comments received from the European Commission, Member States and other affected stakeholders.
During the concluding Dáil debate on the Bill on 13 July 2022, I highlighted that both Parts 4 and 5 of the Bill had been notified to the European Commission in order to provide an opportunity for Commission, Member States and other affected stakeholders to make comments or observations on the relevant provisions in the Bill.
In addition, I stressed that any comments or observations that might arise from the Commission from this formal consultative process could be considered in advance of the commencement of Parts 4 and 5 both of which are subject to commencement orders under section 1(5) of the Act. Now that the standstill periods under notifications 2022/184/IRL and 2022/376/IRL have elapsed, my Department is examining the comments received from the European Commission in response to the TRIS notification procedure.
