Written Answers Nos. 171-192
171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she can influence practice and high standards throughout social media in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57213/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial media has become a big part of everyone’s lives. It is important that people, in particular young people, can feel safe using social media while they are online. The Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Bill will establish a regulatory framework for online safety, to be overseen by an Online Safety Commissioner, who will be part of a multi-person new Media Commission (to be known as Coimisiún na Meán).
The Online Safety Commissioner will devise binding online safety codes that set out how designated online services, including certain social media platforms, are expected to deal with defined categories of harmful online content. The codes will help instil a culture of best practice.
Harmful online content includes that which is linked to one or more of 42 existing criminal offences, serious cyber-bullying, material which promotes or encourages eating disorders, self-harm, or suicide, or makes available knowledge of the means of self-harm or suicide. The Bill will allow Coimisiún na Meán to propose additional categories of harmful online content, subject to Oireachtas approval, which will help to ensure that the regulatory framework is flexible and responsive.
The OSMR Bill completed Dáil Committee stage on 26 October 2022. It is scheduled to undergo Report Stage in the coming weeks with the aim of enactment before year-end.
172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the emphasis that she expects to place on sport in the coming year, with particular reference to the need of facilities in all areas throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57214/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she expects an emphasis on sport and sporting activities to be supported in the future, having particular regard to the successes achieved to date and given the need to compete effectively internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57215/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which it is intended to offer grant assistance to all major and minor sporting activities throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57217/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 172, 173 and 175 together.
Sport 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 current funding to sporting organisations across its various programmes such as the Core Funding Programme and High Performance Programme. Sport Ireland also provides funding to individual athletes through the International Carding Scheme.
As decisions on funding support are a matter for Sport Ireland, 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.
In relation to capital support for sports organisations, two schemes overseen by my Department are of relevance.
The 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, including many football developments, have now benefited from 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 the 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. The final allocations under this latest round were announced in May of this year and the total allocation of over €166 million represented the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications under the 2020 round to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage which requires detailed engagement with all grantees. My Department is now undertaking 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. Following the completion of the review, I hope to announce the exact timing of the next round but it is hoped to have it open for applications early in the new year.
Funding is also provided by my Department for sports facilities under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), designed for projects where the grant sought is greater than the maximum available under the SCEP. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the projects that were allocated funding, as it is now over two years since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants. My Department has now met with all successful grantees and work is at an advanced stage in drafting the review. Once the review is complete the scope for awarding any additional grants, adjusting the level of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered.
174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which Ireland’s traditional culture of welcome, friendship and support continues notwithstanding worldwide threats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57216/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy rightly notes, Ireland has long held a reputation for the warmth of its welcome to visitors. The famous céad míle fáilte that awaits visitors to Ireland, combined with the beauty of our landscape and the richness of our culture, are enduring strengths and have been instrumental in making tourism one of our most important economic sectors.
Our hospitality is a really important component of the holiday experience in Ireland for our overseas visitors and a key promotional theme for Tourism Ireland in all of our overseas markets. Tourism Ireland’s key target audience is the ‘Culturally Curious’ traveller; these are people who have a strong desire and high propensity to travel internationally and who are interested in our rich heritage, our people and our culture. We therefore take every opportunity to highlight these aspects to this audience, through Tourism Ireland's programme of global promotions.
Tourism Ireland continue to leverage the motivators to travel to Ireland and the opportunities presented by key events and global opportunities. Tourism Ireland’s activity to engage the all-important diaspora audience is focused on building urgency among potential visitors to begin planning and to get back to the things that matter most – reconnecting with family and friends and enjoying the very best of Ireland, including our wonderful scenery, welcoming people, food, culture and heritage.
In Budgets 2022 and 2023, I was pleased to secure additional funding for overseas marketing, some of which is being used to develop a new global marketing initiative which will seek to further promote and build on the warmth of our welcome, the beauty of our landscape and the richness of our culture.
While tourism faces many challenges, I am confident that our traditional virtues of support, friendship and welcome towards visitors will continue to be strong as ever and that the sector is well positioned to maintain current levels of recovery and to grow sustainably in the coming years.
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will indicate the sporting organisations throughout the country that were impeded from meeting their targets arising from previous sport grant allocations and continue to be allowed to rearrange their schedules on foot of departmental approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57218/22]
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. The final set of allocations were announced in May of this year and the total allocation of €166.6 million represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.
While the priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications, which number almost 2,900, under the 2020 round of the SCEP to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage, my Department continues to support and guide grantees from past rounds as they manage the grants awarded. This support entails, inter alia, detailed, ongoing engagement with all grantees. Where grantees demonstrate reasons for unavoidable delays, my Department's approach is to accommodate any reasonable requests for extensions. Any organisation requiring an extension to the timeframe for drawing down a grant should contact the Sports Capital Division of my Department.
177. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 301 of 16 December 2021, when her officials will furnish her with the review of the LSSIF considering that confirmation was given that officials had met with all successful grantees of the last LSSIF and that the review would be completed early in 2022. [57241/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of the €86.4 million that was approved under the last LSSIF that has been drawn down to date. [57242/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra179. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if any of the applicants that were approved funding under the last LSSIF decided not to proceed and informed her Department of their decision. [57243/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra180. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the monetary value of the five projects that appealed under the stream 1 of LSSIF; and the value of the one project that appealed under stream 2 of the LSSI. [57244/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 177, 178, 179 and 180 together.
The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, with at least €100 million being made available over the period to 2027.
The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. The projects that received provisional allocations and the amounts provisionally awarded to them are published on the Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/.
The total funding applied for under the scheme significantly exceeded the amount available to allocate and it was not possible to allocate grants to many worthy projects. It was also not possible to provide all successful applicants with the full amount sought.
It should be noted that the allocations were announced in January 2020 just prior to the arrival of the Covid 19 pandemic. The pandemic obviously gave rise to significant financial challenges for all grantees with many of them having to reprioritise their own expenditure plans due to reductions in their income streams. In more recent times, the high level of construction inflation has also presented considerable challenges for grantees. In view of these issues, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants and meetings with all grantees have now taken place. While only €1,646,319 has been drawn down by three LSSIF projects to date, it is encouraging that, based on these discussions with grantees, 22 of the 33 projects should be in a position to draw down funding in 2023. Accordingly, I expect to see significant progress on many of the LSSIF projects in the short to medium term. I am also aware that progress has been made by a number of grantees in securing additional sources of funding outside of the LSSIF process.
In relation to appeals, all unsuccessful LSSIF applicants were given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision if it was felt that an error was made in the assessment process. By the deadline, (14th February 2020), 6 appeals were received, consisting of five under Stream 1 (Design) and one under Stream 2 (Construction). The table below provides further detail of these appeals
|
Organisation |
Project |
Funding Sought |
Stream |
|
Westmeath County Council |
Mullingar Regional Sports Centre |
€407,546 |
1 |
|
Dublin GAA |
Spawell Cluster Facilities |
€635,000 |
1 |
|
Irish Squash CLG |
Irish Squash Regional Training Centre |
€46,970 |
1 |
|
Kildare County Council |
Development of a swimming pool / multi use facility in Maynooth |
€700,000 |
1 |
|
FAI |
Drogheda Stadium |
€420,000 |
1 |
|
Clare County Council |
A Flood-Lit All-Weather pitch at Clare GAA Centre of Excellence, Tulla |
€1,161,129.28 |
2 |
All appeals were assessed by officials who were not involved in the initial assessment process but no errors were discovered which warranted an automatic allocation.
All provisional grants awarded for Stream 1 and Stream 2 remain. In the medium term, I will continue to explore all options to assist those LSSIF projects that have not progressed to date and those that narrowly missed out on receiving an allocation.
181. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant properties that have been refurbished for use as accommodation for Ukrainians. [57090/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is continuing to work closely with local authorities and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), as well as engaging with private owners, the Department of Justice, the OPW, the HSE, and the Department of Education to identify, refurbish, and bring into use, multi-unit vacant properties that may be suitable and available as accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine.
Final decisions on whether such properties progress for use, including whether they are suitable for refurbishment or conversion into multi-unit emergency accommodation for Ukrainian refugees are made by DCEDIY with input from my Department.
The table below provides an overview of the Programme:
|
- |
No. of Projects |
Capacity |
|
Completed or works advanced |
10 |
435 |
|
Procurement Underway |
23 |
873 |
|
Survey under review |
1 |
26 |
|
Further information/consideration required |
44 |
1380 |
|
Total in Scope November 2022 |
78 |
2714 |
In cases where buildings identified as vacant do not require refurbishment, my Department notifies DCEDIY, so that the appropriate follow up can take place. To date, approximately 30 such properties have been notified to the DCEDIY.
182. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional money will be given for housing grants for disability modifications due to the high costs of materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57045/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. These schemes assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs, with Exchequer funding of €65 million available nationally in 2022. As part of the annual budgetary process the Exchequer funding provision for 2023 has been increased by €2 million to a total of €67 million, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. Among the areas which the review, currently underway, will consider are the income thresholds, the grant limits, the application and decision making processes, including supplementary documentation required. The review is to be completed by the end of 2022.
183. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of chief fire officers, senior assistant chiefs and fire officers that are in the retained fire service across the country by county council and by grade; and the details of all salary ranges of all grades referenced above. [57064/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRetained local authority fire services are made up of both the senior fire officer ranks the Question refers to who are are whole-time fire service officer grades employed by local authorities, as well as ‘retained’ local authority firefighters. Retained firefighters are men and women who are ‘on call’ to respond to a range of fire service emergencies. Many retained firefighters have other full or part-time jobs but when called upon they are ready to drop whatever they are doing to respond to an emergency. Although they are ‘part-time’ they are fully trained and capable of saving life and property. All new recruits undergo extensive initial training with a requirement to undertake refresher training at regular intervals. Local authorities pay retained firefighters an annual retainer, based on years of service, with additional payments made for attendance to drill nights and incidents. They are at the core of their local authority provision of fire services to their respective communities 24/7.
Under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible. My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis.
However, granular data, in terms of the detailed breakdown of the local authorities which have numbers employed at these grades is not collected and consequently is not available in my Department. The relevant information would be available from individual local authorities.
The current salary scales for chief fire officer, senior assistant chief fire officer and assistant chief fire officer are attached.
CHIEF FIRE OFFICER:
|
Point |
01/10/2022 |
|
1 |
€86,381 |
|
2 |
€88,427 |
|
3 |
€90,463 |
|
4 |
€92,508 |
|
5 |
€94,550 |
|
6 |
€96,599 |
|
LSI 1 |
€99,684 |
|
LSI2 |
€102,772 |
SENIOR ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE OFFICER:
|
Point |
01/10/2022 |
|
1 |
€71,093 |
|
2 |
€73,273 |
|
3 |
€74,316 |
|
4 |
€76,511 |
|
5 |
€78,724 |
|
6 |
€80,930 |
|
7 |
€83,152 |
|
LSI 1 |
€85,943 |
|
LSI 2 |
€88,727 |
ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE OFFICER:
|
Point |
01/10/2022 |
|
1 |
€53,626 |
|
2 |
€55,578 |
|
3 |
€57,529 |
|
4 |
€59,483 |
|
5 |
€61,438 |
|
6 |
€63,390 |
|
7 |
€65,345 |
|
8 |
€67,289 |
|
9 |
€69,253 |
|
10 |
€71,200 |
|
LSI 1 |
€73,445 |
|
LSI 2 |
€74,544 |
184. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will investigate the reason that South Dublin County Council did not build the housing promised to residents of Owendoher Haven Ballyboden, given that just over one-third of the annual budget for Traveller-specific accommodation had been spent up until August 2022 with SDCC listed as a local authority that had not drawn down any funding yet. [57078/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. It is therefore a matter for the local authority concerned, in this case South Dublin County Council, regarding the assessment and provision of accommodation for Travellers. Further information may be available from the local authority.
I wrote recently to all local authorities encouraging them to continue to seek funding from the €18 million budget provision for 2022 to ensure continued full spend of the budget to deliver the necessary provision and maintenance of Traveller-specific accommodation.
185. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that €72 million in funding to provide Traveller accommodation was unspent from 2008 to 2019 (details supplied); and his plans to ensure this money is no longer going unspent. [57079/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. The fifth round of Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) commenced in July 2019 covering the 5-year period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2024.
My Department ceased the practice of allocating specific budgets to individual local authorities, as it was leading to underspends, and implemented a new allocation process following a review of arrangements for the disbursement of funding provision and related supports for Traveller-specific accommodation. Since 2020, it is open to all local authorities to apply for and draw down funds at any time throughout the year and this is actively encouraged by my Department.
186. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the outcome of the audit on quarries that he ordered arising from the defective blocks scandal. [57105/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn October of last year I requested National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office, in partnership with Donegal County Council and Geological Survey Ireland, to carry out an audit of all quarries in Donegal to evaluate relevant economic operators’ compliance with the Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 when placing relevant construction products (aggregate concrete blocks and/or aggregates for use in concrete products) on the market.
I received a draft report of this audit in June and, on examination, some queries arose and additional information was sought from the authors of the report. I expect to receive the final report shortly and would propose to publish it once I have considered it.
187. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied). [57119/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal Authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) in their functional areas. The derelict sites returns are collected in Q2 of the following year. The information requested in respect of 2021 is provided in the Table below. Figures for 2022 are not yet available.
My Department continues to liaise with local authorities, including Cork County Council, on the implementation of the Act with a view to improving its effectiveness. In this regard, my Department initiated a review of the Act in November 2021 and has sought initial submissions from local authorities on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. My Department has now established a focused working group to progress this matter further.
Under the Act, local authorities are required to maintain a derelict sites register, which includes the name and address of each owner and occupier, where these can be ascertained by reasonable enquiry, of any land which, in the opinion of the local authority, is a derelict site. Section 8(5) of the Act, provides that "The register shall be kept at the offices of the local authority and shall be available for inspection at the offices of the local authority during office hours." There is no legislative requirement for local authorities to publish their Derelict Sites Registers on their website.
A property can be placed on the derelict site register where it is deemed by a local authority to satisfy the criteria of a derelict site under the terms of section 3 of the Act i.e. (i) it is in a dangerous or ruinous condition; (ii) it is in a neglected or unsightly condition; or (iii) there is a presence of litter, waste or debris on the site. It is not the case that a property can be placed on the derelict site register of a local authority simply by being a vacant property.
It is also worth noting that placing sites on the derelict sites register, and collecting levies in respect of those sites, is not the sole mechanism that local authorities apply in relation to bringing sites back into use. They often engage collaboratively with property owners with a view to necessary works being undertaken to bring sites back into use while also occasionally using their powers under the Act to compulsorily acquire derelict sites. This latter approach is something that my Department has recently been engaging on with local authorities with a view to the relevant powers being utilised more. My Department has also requested local authorities to be more proactive in collecting levies, including utilising debt recovery procedures as appropriate.
Pathway 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.
In July, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant as part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund was launched. The Grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages but as of the 15 November, the grant has been expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas (in addition to those in towns and villages, which have been eligible since July).
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.
In September, the Ready to Build Scheme, also funded by the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund was launched. 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.
|
Local Authority |
Amount received in respect of sites levied during 2021 |
|
Carlow |
€5,000.00 |
|
Cavan |
€ - |
|
Clare |
€ - |
|
Cork County |
€ - |
|
Cork City |
€ 570,000.00 |
|
Donegal |
€ - |
|
Dublin City |
€417,447.00 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
€7,500.00 |
|
Fingal |
€ - |
|
Galway City |
€ - |
|
Galway County |
€ - |
|
Kerry |
€ - |
|
Kildare |
€3,300.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
€ - |
|
Laois |
€ - |
|
Leitrim |
€ - |
|
Limerick City & County |
€41,138.00 |
|
Longford |
€ - |
|
Louth |
€ - |
|
Mayo |
€10,383.00 |
|
Meath |
€ - |
|
Monaghan |
€ - |
|
Offaly |
€ - |
|
Roscommon |
€ - |
|
Sligo |
€ - |
|
South Dublin |
€ - |
|
Tipperary |
€ - |
|
Waterford City & County |
€ - |
|
Westmeath |
€32,250.00 |
|
Wexford |
€ - |
|
Wicklow |
€ - |
|
Total |
€1,097,018.00 |
188. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can confirm that his Department, and by extension, the State is on track to achieve their legal obligations by the final European Union deadline of 2027 given Ireland's failure in 2015 to honour its legal obligations under the European Union Water Framework Directive by attaining good qualitative and quantitative status of all Irish water bodies particularly Lough Corrib SAC. [57126/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently preparing the third River Basin Management Plan for Ireland, to cover the period up to 2027. This plan will build on the work of the second-cycle, and will again describe the main pressures and activities affecting water status, set out the environmental objectives to be achieved up to 2027 and identify the measures needed to achieve these objectives, including those highlighted by the EPA.
This plan is being prepared in response to the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy) which establishes a common framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater. The overall aim of the Directive is to maintain high and good status waters where they exist and to restore waters that do not currently reach these standards with varying deadlines from 2015 through to 2027. River Basin Management Plan (with its associated programme of measures) is the tool prescribed by the Directive for achieving these aims.
189. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can confirm that Ireland's legal obligations under the EU Habitats Directive will be met regarding the presence and proliferation of non-native fish species, as defined under the EU Water Framework Directive, in Lough Corrib SAC, given his Department's introduction of the European Union Habitats (Lough Corrib Special Area of Conservation 000297) Regulations 2022 - S.I. No. 384 of 2022) on 27 July 2022. [57127/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Union’s Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) (as amended) requires Member States to protect habitats and wildlife areas of European interest by, among other things, designating sites as Special Areas of Conservation.
The European Union Habitats (Lough Corrib Special Area of Conservation 000297) Regulations 2022 completes the formal designation of Lough Corrib site as a Special Area of Conservation in accordance with Article 4 of the Directive.
The natural habitat types and animal and plant species lists cited in Schedule 3 of the Regulations are specified, in accordance with the Directive, in order to ensure their conservation (i.e. the measures required to maintain or restore the natural habitats and the populations of species of wild fauna and flora at a favourable status).
190. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is an obligation on approved housing bodies to conduct virtual property inspections at the request of a local authority in order to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019; and if so, if he will outline the legislative basis for this requirement. [57150/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll landlords, including Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. Responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations rests with the relevant local authority. There is no legal obligation to conduct virtual inspections, however a number of local authorities piloted the use of virtual inspections during the Covid pandemic, given the public health restrictions then in place. Since on-site inspections recommenced in July 2021, a number of local authorities have continued to incorporate virtual inspections into their wider inspection regime and they are conducted where deemed appropriate. Co-operation with virtual inspections is not currently mandatory under existing legislation. However, local authorities work on a collaborative basis with AHBs to ensure that such inspections are carried out in a manner and at a time that works for all concerned including of course the tenants. As set out in Housing for All, I envisage virtual inspections playing an important supporting role to the traditional on-site inspection regime. The aim is to ensure that renters can be assured of the highest possible quality accommodation in the rental market sector.
191. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57195/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is continuing to liaise with the Office of Public Works, which is the lead, on this matter. The question of the suggested legislation does not arise at this point.
192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he may be in a position to alter the income thresholds for eligibility for local authority housing, given the fact that these threshold have not been adjusted for several years, that the tenants are being forced to remain in high-cost rental accommodation at substantial cost to the Exchequer through HAP; if it is expected that any such changes in the income thresholds are likely to take place in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57230/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am currently considering potential changes to the social housing income eligibility model.
In the meantime, I have approved proposals to scope and develop options for a new 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 in the next few months.
I have also recently approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands. Five local authorities - Carlow, Clare, Galway County, Laois and Westmeath - have moved from Band 3 to Band 2. Accordingly, the baseline income threshold for these areas has increased 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.
Households currently in receipt of HAP have already been assessed and deemed eligible for social housing support. Accordingly, any alteration to the current income thresholds will have no bearing on those households.
