Seán Sherlock
Ceist:58. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent on social media advertising in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and the amount spent per platform. [62804/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Media
Ceisteanna (58)
Freagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that Departmental spend on social media in 2021 and to date in 2022 is outlined in the table below.
|
Division |
2022 |
2021 |
|
*Commission on Taxation |
Nil |
*€24,419.15 |
|
**FSD |
Nil |
Nil |
|
***Banking/FSPO |
Nil |
Nil |
|
****Fiscal |
Nil |
Nil |
*Commission on Taxation: This €24,419.15 relates to online advertising spend rather than specifically social media advertising and it may include some traditional forms of advertising. It is not possible at the moment to provide an exact breakdown as to what advertising campaigns this spend relates to. However, a total of €4,442 was spent across LinkedIn and Twitter as part of the Public Consultation and Extension campaign.
**There was no direct spending on advertising on social media platforms for the Financial Services Division. However, €4,879 was spent in 2021 on a consultancy contract with Daniel J Edelman. The consultancy was for specialist advice and support on the use of social media in international contexts for the international launches of the Government of Ireland’s Ireland for Finance strategy.
***Banking division had no direct spending on social media in either 2022 or 2021. However, Banking Division contributed €150,000 to help fund the CCPC bank switching campaign “Breaking Up with Your Bank” in August 2022. The CCPC managed how the advertising funds are spent across platforms in 2022.
****In addition, the Department also contributed €35,000 to the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government for a joint print and social media campaign regarding the Residential Zoned Land Tax.
Question No. 59 answered with Question No. 54.
EU Data
Ceisteanna (60)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:60. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of all fines, including the amounts, that his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department, have paid since the start of the 33rd Dáil term to the European Commission relating to cases for infringements of European Union law or failure to transpose EU law in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62426/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not incurred any EU Fines for failure to transpose EU Directives during the period specified. This is also the position for the bodies under the aegis of my Department.
My Department has received a notification of infringement from the Commission related to the transposition of Directive (EU) 2019/1937 on the protection or persons who report breaches of EU law. At the time the notification was received, the Protected Disclosure (Amendment) Bill, which would give effect to the transposition, had been published and was before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Since the receipt of the notification, the Bill has completed passage through the Oireachtas and was signed into law by the President as the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act, 2022 on 21 July, 2022. Following enactment, my Department has formally communicated the passage of the transposing legislation to the Commission. The new legislation will commence in full on 1 January, 2023.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (61)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure that public servants who contracted long-Covid due to their work commitments and who will be unable to resume employment for a considerable length of time, if at all, will be provided with proper financial supports taking into account their employment income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62454/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, my area of responsibility covers the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme.
The Public Service Sick Leave Scheme provides for the payment of the following to staff during periods of absence from work due to illness or injury:
A maximum of 92 days on full pay in a rolling one-year period
Followed by a maximum of 91 days on half pay in a rolling one-year period
Subject to an overriding threshold of 183 days’ paid sick leave in a rolling four-year period
For those individuals who may become incapacitated as a result of critical illness or serious physical injury, and who have supporting medical evidence for an extended period of sick leave, they may, on an exceptional basis, be granted paid sick leave extended as follows:
A maximum of 183 days on full pay in a rolling one-year period
Followed by a maximum of 182 days on half pay in a rolling one-year period
Subject to an overriding threshold of 365 days’ paid sick leave in a rolling four-year period
The Protocol does not distinguish between critical conditions. Access is based on the established criteria as per Part 4 of S.I. 124/2014 (Public Service Management [Sick Leave] Regulations 2014) and as laid out in relevant circulars.
Social Media
Ceisteanna (62)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:62. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent on social media advertising in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and the amount spent per platform. [62810/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department did not incur any social media advertising costs during 2022. The information in respect of 2021 is set out below.
|
Social Media Platform |
Cost in 2021 |
Details of Advertisement |
|
Google Ads |
€1,700 |
Passenger locator Form |
Culture Policy
Ceisteanna (63)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:63. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she agrees that the Book of Kells should be in public ownership and available for all to access free of charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62376/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has no role in the governance of Trinity College Dublin or with respect to its collection.
My Department does however have oversight of the National Cultural Institutions (NCIs), the custodians of our national collection of historic artefacts and artworks. In keeping with international best practice, the NCIs have carefully developed policies in relation to the acquisition, care and management of the national collection, underpinned, where relevant, by their establishing legislation. The NCIs ensure that the unique artefacts and artworks in the national collection are displayed to the public free of charge.
More recently, the NCIs have been enhancing access to the national collection through the digitisation of the collection. The use of technology in this way is considered critical in facilitating greater access to the collection, beyond the limits of the physical buildings that house them, as well as creating opportunities to view sensitive artefacts and artworks which might not otherwise be suitable for public display.
EU Data
Ceisteanna (64)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:64. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide details of all fines, including the amounts, that her Department or agencies under the remit of her Department, have paid since the start of the 33rd Dáil term to the European Commission relating to cases for infringements of European Union law or failure to transpose EU law in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62430/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 80 of 16 November 2022 and can confirm , I am advised that neither my Department or any of the agencies under its remit have paid fines in respect of infringements of EU law or failures to transpose EU Directives during the period specified by the Deputy.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (65)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:65. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of funding that has been allocated under the night-time economy pilot scheme to date, broken down by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62518/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I launched the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme (NTESS) earlier this year in support of two recommendations (1+12) in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, assets.gov.ie/198233/43608ada-27d4-4bb4-ad16-f1ea0f3ec1d0.pdf
The Taskforce recommended that a scheme should be developed to increase footfall in our cities, towns and villages, which could provide artists with paying gigs and customers with entertainment during off-peak times and also that funding should be available for cafés and other suitable, unlicensed venues to support an alternative, diverse and inclusive night-time offering.
I awarded funding totalling €3,664,783 million from the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme, to 433 organisations throughout the country. Applications were received from a wide range of venues including pubs, nightclubs, cafés, theatres, arts centres, galleries, museums and retail outlets.
The fund has been an important source of employment for Artists and Performers across the country with thousands of employment days generated by this Scheme.
The breakdown of funding allocation per county is as follows:
|
County |
Amount Allocated under NTESS |
|
Carlow |
52,600 |
|
Cavan |
43,700 |
|
Clare |
133,200 |
|
Cork |
337,800 |
|
Donegal |
189,950 |
|
Dublin |
939,843 |
|
Galway |
299,100 |
|
Kerry |
280,875 |
|
Kildare |
62,350 |
|
Kilkenny |
98,500 |
|
Laois |
55,000 |
|
Leitrim |
11,590 |
|
Limerick |
180,360 |
|
Longford |
14,500 |
|
Louth |
145,000 |
|
Mayo |
12,500 |
|
Meath |
65,000 |
|
Monaghan |
42,650 |
|
Offaly |
82,275 |
|
Roscommon |
26,000 |
|
Sligo |
70,520 |
|
Tipperary |
66,400 |
|
Waterford |
169,370 |
|
Westmeath |
24,500 |
|
Wexford |
120,750 |
|
Wicklow |
140,450 |
|
Total: |
3,664,783 |
Arts Policy
Ceisteanna (66)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:66. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 286 of 25 October 2022, if she will clarify the reason that the list of grantees of the live performance restart grant scheme has still not been published on the website as promised in the reply; and if she will provide a date as to when they will be published. [62569/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Live Performance Restart Grant Scheme (LPRGS) was launched in March to provide a new grant for businesses engaged in staging live events in the arts and culture live performance sector. This scheme has supported the live entertainment sector by providing business re-start grants to de-risk the planning of events and to assist with the costs of reopening following the lifting of COVID-19 public health restrictions.
The payments process for this scheme has now concluded and €14.8m has been paid to successful grantees. Details of grantees are published on gov.ie at the following location - www.gov.ie/en/publication/d1d0c-live-performance-restart-grant-scheme-lprgs-guidelines/.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (67)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:67. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated amount in euros that was allocated for the recently announced redevelopment of the National Concert Hall; the way that she intends to finance this redevelopment; and when it is expected or projected to be completed. [62570/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The NCH development is a flagship project under the National Cultural Institutions investment programme, part of the National Development Plan. Once completed, it will represent the largest single investment in a National Cultural Institution in a generation.
The initial funding envelope identified for the project in 2018 was €78 million, and was based on a very early stage outline project proposal. With the elaboration of the proposed project, coupled with the passage of time and recent construction inflation, the value of the project has inevitably increased.
The project budget will continue to be elaborated and refined as the project proceeds through the planning and detailed design stages, and, ultimately, the actual cost will be established when the project proceeds to tender stage. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on anticipated costs ahead of that process.
The project is adhering closely to the public spending code requirements and critically will be subject to an external assurance process at this stage and also prior to going to tender. This is important to ensure that projects are deliverable and deliver for the State.
Arts Policy
Ceisteanna (68)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:68. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the proposals outlined in an article (details supplied); if she intends to give consideration to the proposals outlined therein; and if she will outline her plans to support the development of the Irish traditional music sector. [62571/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am aware of proposals for development of traditional music sector contained in the article referred to by the Deputy. A number of measures are already in place to support this sector and these are referenced in the article. A few proposals come within the remit of other Departments and wider Government
Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland. The Council works under its 10 years Strategy to address its statutory remit through a policy-driven focus on investment, advice, advocacy and partnership including investment in the traditional arts. The traditional arts are seeing positive growth, and this is reinforced by the Arts Council's commitment to the sector. A record €130m annual funding for the Arts Council now in place for the third year running and this level is being retained under the 2023 Budget.
The following Budget measures will go some way in supporting the traditional music sector.
An additional €10 million in 2023 to fund the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme, a 3-year, €105 million scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers which will support each beneficiary in developing and sustaining a professional arts practice.
€2 million increase in funding for Culture Ireland for the promotion of Irish arts worldwide.
Much of the nationwide infrastructure of venues and arts centres were initiated and funded by local authorities including those serving rural areas. My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist and maintain these arts and cultural facilities. Funding is administered through applications received for specific Grant Schemes. Under Budget 2023, I announced €7m in additional capital funding for artists’ spaces and climate adaptation, including a new scheme, details of which will be announced shortly.
Additional supports for stakeholders in the Night Time Economy in the context of the implementation of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce Report. This is in addition to €4 million in current spending for a range of initiatives and pilot projects to support a more vibrant and diverse Night-Time Economy.
In addition to the above measures my Department continues to provide annual funding to support Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann which is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music both at community and national level. Annual funding is provided to CCÉ for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture.
My Department also supports smaller capital schemes on an annual basis, including the Music Capital Scheme which is managed by Music Network. This provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians.
In response to Covid-19, capital funding towards the pilot Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021 by my Department funds local authorities to adapt, equip or otherwise improve public spaces for cultural and events activities. Outdoor public spaces can provide year-round use can improve well-being and contribute positively to the public realm.
My Department and its agencies fund a wide range of community and national cultural events that include St Patrick’s Festival, Culture Night, Other Voices, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which in turns helps to sustain the traditional music sector. The Arts Council offers a range of financial supports for festivals. The Council provides financial support to a number of single art form festivals, as well as many multidisciplinary arts festivals across different art forms, including the traditional arts. Its festivals investment scheme, for example, is specifically designed to support local and voluntary organisations to develop arts festivals. Further details can be accessed on the Arts Council's website.
Through collaboration with the local authorities, Fáilte Ireland's regional festival scheme is available to local community festivals. Tourism Ireland is also working closely with many festivals to provide exposure for them in key markets oversea. Culture Night creates good opportunities for music artists. For example, the Arts Council, and RTÉ showcased activities particularly music taking place across the country, with complementary additional content on rte.ie/culture, RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ lyric fm, and RTÉ One.
My Department runs a small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme. The scheme is designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools which are not in receipt of other central Government moneys and which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. The maximum funding available under this scheme is capped at €5,000.
Some funding programmes within my Department within the Broadcasting, Gaeltacht and Tourism areas also serve to promote many artists and creative talents from across the music sectors. In wider Government traditional arts are supported to different extents through the Department of Education (music curriculum and Music Generation), the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science (courses provided in educational institutions).
Lastly, my colleague the Minister for Finance announced in the context of Budget 2023 the introduction of a tax relief for the maintenance and repair of uilleann pipes, early Irish harps and Irish lever harps. The relief provides for an income tax disregard of €20,000 on the portion of a soletrader's profits made from the manufacture, maintenance and repair of sets of uilleann pipes and Irish harps (both early Irish harps and Irish lever harps).
Straitéisí Ranna
Ceisteanna (69)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:69. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil aon chomhairliúchán déanta ag a Roinn le hearnáil scannánaíochta na Gaeilge agus le hearnáil na dtaibhealaíon Gaeilge, lena n-áirítear An Taibhdhearc, TG4, Léiritheoirí Scáileáin Éireann, agus oibrithe cruthaitheacha agus teicniúla sna héarnálacha sin, maidir leis an Straitéis Náisiúnta d'Ealaíona Teangabhunaithe na Gaeilge atá á cur le chéile ag a Roinn, agus an dtabharfaidh sí ráiteas i dtaobh an dul chun cinn atá déanta ar an Straitéis sin agus an dáta faoina mbeidh an Straitéis réidh. [62572/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ar mhaithe le tacú tuilleadh le cur chun cinn na n-ealaíon teangabhunaithe mar thaca breise d'fhorfheidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 agus an Phlean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 lena mbaineann, rinne mo Roinn, i gcomhar le hÉire Ildánach, tuairisc a choimisiúnú faoin ábhar in 2018. Is é Ollscoil Luimnigh faoi scáth Ealaín na Gaeltachta a ceapadh don chúram le maoiniú ón Roinn agus Éire Ildánach.
Tá obair ullmhúcháin idir lámha ag an Roinn faoi láthair i gcomhar le páirtithe leasmhara ina leith i dtreo an tuairisc a fhoilsiú chomh luath agus is féidir. Chun tacú le dlús a chur le feidhmiú príomh-mholtaí na tuairisce beidh cistíocht faoi leith á chur go leataobh ina leith in 2023.
Comhthreomhar leis seo uile, cuirtear maoiniú faoi leith ar fáil ar bhonn leanúnach chun tacú le cur chun cinn na n-ealaíon teangabhunaithe mar thaca don phróiseas pleanála teanga inter alia. I measc na n-eagraíochtaí a gcuirtear an maoiniú seo ar fáil dóibh chun tacú lena gcláir oibre a mbíonn baint dhíreach nó tánaisteach aige leis na healaíona, tá Ealaín na Gaeltachta, an tOireachtas, Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta, Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta agus An Taibhdhearc.
Media Sector
Ceisteanna (70)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:70. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the actions that have been taken to support and strengthen the media sector since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62770/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A diverse, vibrant and independent media sector is essential for our society, democracy, cultural development and indeed social cohesion. However, it is a sector that is undergoing profound change. Government recognised this, and established the Future of Media Commission to examine how media should serve Irish society, how well the current system meets these goals and what changes ought to be made to improve media in Ireland in the future.
Government accepted, in principle, 49 of the 50 Commission’s recommendations, demonstrating how committed the Government is to supporting the media sector, and in particular public service media. Following publication of the Report, Government established an Implementation Group to devise an action plan to give effect to the Report’s recommendations and to oversee their implementation. I intend to bring this action plan to Cabinet shortly.
A key element in supporting the future development of the media sector will be a new regulator which will underpin an enhanced regulatory and developmental framework. This new regulator – Coimisiún na Meán – will be established in early 2023 under the provisions of the recently signed Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, 2022. I secured funding of €7.5m to support this work in 2023. In addition to the regulation and support of the broadcasting sector, the new regulator will play a significant role in regulation of video on demand services, the wider media sector, and online safety.
As the Deputy will be aware, the main source of direct support to the media sector is provided through the Broadcasting Fund, in particular the Sound and Vision Scheme, which is administered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). Sound and Vision supports the production of programming on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and is funded primarily by 7% of television licence revenues, but can also be augmented by Exchequer funding.
Since taking office, I have secured significant additional resources for the Scheme. Since June 2020, additional Exchequer funding of €19.9m has been provided and this year alone, additional Sound and Vision allocations have enabled an extra €1.5m for general funding rounds; €5m for a first Climate Action and Climate Change round (jointly funded with Minister Ryan); €2m for the live music sector; and €2m for Irish language content productions. Most recently I announced an additional €2.5m for a funding round for the commercial radio sector which will be put in place in 2023.
Looking forward, the recommendations in the Future of Media Commission Report included the conversion of the Broadcasting Fund into a Media Fund to provide funding to the wider media sector. The Report also recommended that in addition to the two existing support schemes (the Sound and Vision Scheme, and Archiving Scheme), the Media Fund should support six new schemes. These include a Local Democracy Reporting Scheme and a Courts Reporting Scheme, which are being prioritised for roll out next year, and for which I secured an allocation of €6m in Budget 2023, and which should benefit the local and regional media outlets in particular.
In addition to increased levels of funding for Sound and Vision, this year the Government provided an additional allocation of €15m for RTÉ in response to the recommendations of the Future of Media Commission. I have also increased funding to TG4, securing, in line with recommendations, the largest increase in exchequer funding of €7.3 million for 2023, bringing their total allocation to over €52m. This increase follows on from increases of €3.5m in Budget 2021 and €4.2m in Budget 2022. These increases will enable TG4 to continue to better serve Irish-speaking communities, provide increased support to our regional creative companies, and introduce a new dedicated Irish language children’s channel, Cúla4.
Social Media
Ceisteanna (71)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:71. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent on social media advertising in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and the amount spent per platform. [62813/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The amount spent by my Department, and the campaigns per Social Media platform, between 1 January 2021 and 13 December 2022 are set out in the table below.
|
Programme |
Year |
Spend |
Social Media Platform |
|
Major Sports Events Consultation |
2022 |
€600 |
|
|
Major Sports Events Consultation |
2022 |
€79.84 |
|
|
Cruinniú na nÓg |
2021 |
€1,322 |
TikTok |
|
Cruinniú na nÓg |
2021 |
€2,417 |
YouTube |
|
Cruinniú na nÓg |
2021 |
€2,971 |
|
|
Creative Youth |
2021 |
€458 |
Twitter, Facebook & Instagram |
|
Creative Ireland Programme |
2022 |
€188 |
|
|
Creative Ireland Programme |
2022 |
€208 |
YouTube |
|
Cruinniú na nÓg |
2022 |
€2,473 |
|
|
Cruinniú na nÓg |
2022 |
€200 |
|
|
Cruinniú na nÓg |
2022 |
€50 |
|
|
Cruinniú na nÓg |
2022 |
€1,673 |
TikTok |
|
Cruinniú na nÓg |
2022 |
€1,231 |
Snapchat |
|
Cruinniú na nÓg |
2022 |
€3,525 |
Spotify |
|
Cruinniú na nÓg |
2022 |
€2,011 |
YouTube |
|
Culture Ireland - Seoda 2021 |
2021 |
€211.40 |
Facebook/Instagram |
|
Culture Ireland – Seoda 2022 |
2022 |
€322.42 |
Youtube |
|
Culture Ireland - Seoda 2022 |
2022 |
€205.00 |
Facebook/Instagram |
|
Culture Ireland - Seoda 2022 |
2022 |
€179.44 |
|
|
Total |
€20,325.10 |
Tourism Policy
Ceisteanna (72)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:72. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the actions that have been taken to support and strengthen the tourism sector since 27 June 2020; the priorities for 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62815/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, substantial supports have been provided to the tourism industry.
In 2020, a €10 million fund to help coach tourism businesses deal with the devastating impact of COVID-19 was launched together with a €10 million scheme for Ireland-based inbound agents. Other supports provided in 2020 were a €16 million Adaptation Fund to contribute to the costs of implementing Fáilte Ireland’s Guidelines for Re-Opening and an €8 million Restart Grant Plus Scheme for B&Bs which was funded by the then Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and administered by Fáilte Ireland.
In order to attract people back into public streets and spaces, particularly urban centres which were severely impacted by the pandemic, the Outdoor Dining Scheme and Fáilte Ireland’s Urban Animation Capital Investment Schemes were originally launched in early 2021.
Budget 2021 included €55 million for a dedicated Tourism Business Continuity Scheme to help strategic tourism businesses survive the pandemic and drive recovery.
In Budget 2022, the Government allocated €67.6 million in additional funding for tourism, thereby bringing the overall tourism services budget to €288 million. This included a further €50 million for Tourism Business Continuity and an additional €35 million allocated to the Tourism Marketing fund.
In line with a recommendation in the Tourism Recovery Plan, a reduced VAT 9% rate for the sector was introduced from 1 November 2020. Originally designed to apply until the end of 2021, the reduced rate was subsequently extended until 31 August 2022 and later to February 2023.
Tourism businesses have also benefitted from other horizontal supports such as the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and debt warehousing.
In terms of priorities and international outlook for next year, as global tourism competition heightens, sustaining extensive marketing campaigns will be vital to support the ongoing recovery effort, building on the initial inbound tourism demand seen to date. In Budget 2023 I secured additional funding of €15 million for overseas marketing of Ireland and the development of The Invitation project. An additional €15 million will underpin a range of measures to support the sector including domestic marketing, transforming the digital capabilities of tourism businesses, boosting the industry’s recruitment and retention efforts, sustainable tourism initiatives, long-term investment in the US College Football Classic series, and the establishment of a register of short-term letting properties as part of the Government’s “Housing for All” reforms. The tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, are currently finalising their Business Plans for 2023 to deliver on these and other measures.
Finally, I have initiated the development of a new national sustainable tourism policy that will seek to mainstream sustainability. The development of this new policy will involve extensive consultation with the tourism industry and our communities to help set out a path for the coming years which will support a sustainable recovery and subsequent growth in the sector. This new tourism policy, which I aim to publish in 2023, will seek to support sustainable development in communities throughout the country, whilst protecting our environment and natural resources, and with a greater spread of demand across the year.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (73)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:73. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of mortgage-to-rent approvals by provider to date in 2022, in tabular form. [62655/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme was introduced in 2012 for borrowers of commercial lending institutions and is targeted at those households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), who agree to the voluntary surrender of their home and who have very limited options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs themselves. In addition, the household must be deemed eligible for social housing support. The concept of the scheme is that a household with an unsustainable mortgage goes from being a homeowner to being a social housing tenant.
Under the MTR scheme, the borrower surrenders their property to their lender and it will be then sold to an MTR provider who can be either an Approved Housing Body (AHB) or since 2018 a private company, Home for Life Ltd. The AHB or local authority (in the case where the property is sold to a private company) becomes the landlord and the borrower remains in the property as a tenant paying a differential rent to the landlord based on his or her income.
To the end of September 2022, a total of 2,030 households with unsustainable private mortgages have completed the MTR process and 556 cases are being actively progressed. A total of 5,910 individuals are benefitting from the scheme, which comprises of 3,249 adults and 2,661 children. A total of 348 cases were completed between January 2022 and end September 2022. The providers associated with those completed cases are broken down as follows.
|
MTR Provider |
Completed Cases Jan. - Sept. 2022 |
|
Home for Life Ltd. |
291 |
|
iCare Housing |
48 |
|
Tuath Housing |
4 |
|
Tinteán |
3 |
|
Carberry |
1 |
|
North & East Housing Association |
1 |
The Housing Agency publishes, on a quarterly basis, detailed statistical information on the operation of the MTR scheme including a breakdown of the number of cases by MTR provider. This information is available on the Housing Agency's website at the following link: www.housingagency.ie/housing-information/mortgage-rent-statistics
Water Services
Ceisteanna (74)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:74. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the risk to public health caused by blockages on private drains which are no longer addressed as an environmental health hazard by the environmental health officers attached to the HSE, and which are not addressed by the councils or by Irish Water; and his views on whether this lacuna should be addressed by giving local authorities the power to serve a notice on all the houses connected to a blockage informing them that they have an obligation to address a potential public health hazard. [62769/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 70 of the Water Services Act 2007 requires the occupier or owner of a premises to keep all drains, manholes, gully traps and storage and treatment systems (which are not in the charge of a water services provider) serving the premises in such condition as not to cause a risk to human health or the environment or a nuisance through odours. Irish Water, as the water services authority, or any person affected by a failure of a third party may complain to the District Court in relation to a breach of the duty of care under section 70 once they have notified the third party in advance of their intention to make such a complaint. A prescribed form of notice of such complaint is available for general use under S.I. No. 141 of 2009.
In addition, local authorities have been given appropriate powers of inspection, investigation and enforcement under the Water Services Act 2007 and under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 and 1990 in respect of privately-owned onsite domestic waste water treatment systems in order to protect water quality, public health and the environment from risks posed by failures in such systems.
EU Data
Ceisteanna (75)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:75. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of all fines, including the amounts, that his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department, have paid since the start of the 33rd Dáil term to the European Commission relating to cases for infringements of European Union law or failure to transpose EU law in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62424/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On Tuesday 12 November 2019, the Court of Justice of the European Union issued its judgment in case C-261/18 (Commission v Ireland, the Derrybrien Wind farm case), which followed on from the judgment in case C-215/06. The judgment ruled against Ireland and imposed a lump sum fine of €5m and a daily fine of €15,000 until compliance is achieved, plus legal costs.
To date the State has paid €15,980,000 in fines to the European Commission in relation to this case. All payments have been made by my Department.
The lump sum fine of €5m was paid in January 2020. The Commission advised that compliance with the judgment would be assessed on a six monthly basis, with a payment demand notice to issue in respect of each assessment period. Four instalments of daily fines have been paid to date totalling €10,980,000, broken down as follows:
- €2,745,000 was paid in October 2020 covering the period of November 2019 to May 2020.
- €2,745,000, was paid in June 2021 covering the period of May 2020 to November 2020.
- €2,730,000 paid in December 2021 covering the period of November 2020 to May 2021.
- €2,760,000, paid in July 2022 covering the period May 2021 to November 2021.
In relation to the closure of this case, I can advise that a decision on the substitute consent application for the Derrybrien Wind Farm in County Galway was signed by An Bord Pleanála on Friday 4 February 2022.
In their decision, the Board refused to grant substitute consent for ESB’s wind farm, which ends the statutory process seeking to retrospectively regularise the environmental impact assessment status of the wind farm, (the subject matter of the EU court judgment in case C-261/18).
On 16 March 2022, ESB decided to cease operations at the Derrybrien wind farm permanently, and it is understood that ESB is preparing to decommission the wind farm in line with regulatory and legal requirements.
Planning legislation specifies that a development that has been refused substitute consent is deemed to be an ‘unauthorised development’ development by primary legislation, Galway County Council, the relevant planning authority, is required to issue a planning enforcement notice in accordance with sections 154 and 177O(5) of the Planning and Development Act, which among other things shall require the cessation of activity on site.
On 30 May 2022 officials in my Department wrote to the Commission, and a follow up letter issued on 23 September 2022, to seek to close out the related infringement case against Ireland on the basis of the Board’s decision to refuse permission for the wind farm, which unauthorised development is now an enforcement matter for the relevant planning authority. A response is awaited.
The Derrybrien case is the only Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) case managed by my Department that has incurred fines during the period covered by the question.
Local Authorities
Ceisteanna (76, 77, 78)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:76. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the amount that each council will receive in tabular form in relation to the announcement that local authorities will be offered €100 million to pay off debts on condition they develop modular homes for accelerated social housing in the next two years. [62437/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:77. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the debts that have been built up by local authorities, per local authority and the way that these debts were incurred in relation to the announcement that local authorities will be offered €100 million to pay off debts on condition they develop modular homes for accelerated social housing in the next two years; the person or body that will refund the local authorities; and the reason for the urgency for them to repay the debts. [62438/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:78. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if councils will be permitted to borrow funds to enable them to directly engage builders to construct meaningful numbers of dwellings on their land banks in relation to the announcement that local authorities will be offered €100 million to pay off debts on condition that they develop modular homes for accelerated social housing in the next two years (details supplied). [62439/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 to 78, inclusive, together.
Housing 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, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. 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; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing and 28,500 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2026.
Under my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme, funding is available to all local authorities to deliver additional social housing stock through direct construction or in partnership with developers under turnkey arrangements. These delivery approaches are 100% funded by my Department, with funding being provided to local authorities on a just in time basis as liabilities mature. Therefore, the requirement for local authorities to borrow funds to support delivery under the Social Housing Investment Programme does not arise.
Legacy lands debts arose from moneys advanced to local authorities from the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) for land purchased in the period 2000 to 2009. The impact of the loans on local authority balance sheets, along with the cost of repayment has been presenting serious challenges to the Local Government Sector for a number of years. It has prevented or deterred local authorities from purchasing further land and limited their capacity to borrow for other purposes.
In order to unlock the potential of some sites where local authorities have outstanding legacy loan balances so that they can be made immediately available for social housing development and to support additional local authority borrowing for other key delivery priorities, including Affordable and Cost Rental housing, the Government has agreed to the allocation of up to €100m to pay down loans which can deliver social housing projects linked to accelerated delivery. The Government has agreed to the allocation of this funding subject to sites meeting a number of criteria:
- The immediate development of a proposal for social housing delivery;
- That construction would commence in 2023 or no later than 2024; and
- The use of accelerated delivery models, principally off-site / Modern Methods of Construction.
My Department is currently engaging with local authorities on relevant sites that meet the aforementioned criteria and payment to local authorities will issue on qualifying sites before the end of the year.
Question No. 77 answered with Question No. 76.
Question No. 78 answered with Question No. 76.
Housing Schemes
Ceisteanna (79)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:79. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider expanding the number of mortgage protection insurance providers available to local authority home loan applicants under the compulsory local authority mortgage protection insurance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62484/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage for those on modest or low incomes who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. It has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
The local authority mortgage protection insurance (MPI) scheme has applied to all house purchase loans approved by local authorities after 1 July 1986, including the Local Authority Home Loan.
One of the conditions of local authority lending is that it is obligatory for all local authority borrowers who meet the eligibility criteria to join the local authority MPI scheme. Altering this condition would have a negative impact on the scheme and increase the cost for all existing borrowers. A local authority housing loan applicant, who is not eligible for the local authority MPI scheme, must source a suitable comparable individual MPI policy from the market.
The local authority MPI is a group scheme provided by a single insurer. Providing MPI through a single provider simplifies the administration of the scheme for local authorities, ensures that all local authority borrowers are treated equally and receive the same cover at the same cost, and enables the local authority sector secure value for money through economies of scale. I have no plans to change this policy.
The MPI scheme is subject to periodic review and competitive tendering in accordance with the terms of EU Directives relating to the award of public service contracts. This is to ensure that the most appropriate cover at the best value for money is secured for local authority borrowers over the entire life of their mortgages. The most recent public procurement competition for the provision and administration of this MPI scheme was conducted by the Local Government Management Agency. The contract resulting from this open tender competition will come into effect from 1 January 2023 and is due to expire on 31 December 2027.
As part of this new contract, I issued a ministerial direction that from 1 January 2023, the level of cover for new LA MPI applicants will change from life and disability cover to life only cover. Existing local authority borrowers who currently have life and disability cover, will retain this level of cover under the LA MPI scheme. However, in the later part of 2023, this cohort will be given the opportunity to change their level of LA MPI from life and disability cover to life only cover, should they wish to do so. This process will be managed by the new scheme administrator.
Legislative Reviews
Ceisteanna (80)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:80. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the scope of the review of section 25 of the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019; when the review is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62485/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As provided for in the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019 (the Act), the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was formally established on 1 February 2021.
AHBRA is an independent body tasked with the regulation of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the purposes of protecting housing assets provided or managed by such bodies. The powers and functions of AHBRA, conferred upon it under the Act, commenced on a phased basis beginning on 1 February 2021. Phased implementation of the Act continued through 2021 and 2022. Some key milestones include: -
- On 1 January 2022 responsibility for the register of AHBs, previously managed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, was transferred to AHBRA; and
- On 15 February 2022, the standards for the sector that include the governance of AHBs; financial management and reporting of AHBs; property and asset management; and tenancy management were approved.
- All remaining sections of the Act were commenced on 1 July 2022, ensuring AHBRA has all of the powers provided for under the Act.
I can confirm that a formal review of the Act is not being carried out. However, as with all legislation, in the implementation period, the practical application is monitored. An issue that has arisen with the implementation of Section 25 of the Act is being examined and the issue of further legislative amendments is currently being considered by my Department.
Traveller Accommodation
Ceisteanna (81)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:81. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of successful and unsuccessful applications to the caravan loan scheme in relation to supporting the provision of Traveller-specific accommodation by county in tabular form. [62486/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 nationwide pilot Caravan Loan Scheme was introduced to support the provision of Traveller-specific accommodation through local authorities to provide preferential loans to Travellers to purchase their own caravan or mobile home for use as their primary residence. A circular issued from my Department to all local authorities on 18 July 2022 informing them of the extended nationwide pilot Caravan Loan Scheme. The pilot scheme is limited to the provision of up to 75 caravans or €3 million, whichever is the lesser, across all local authorities, until the end of 2022.
My Department provides funding for caravan loans to be drawn down by local authorities. The following table outlines the number of caravan loans drawn down by each local authority to date in 2022.
|
Local Authority |
Number of Caravan Loans drawn down to date under the Nationwide Pilot Scheme 2022 |
|
Carlow |
- |
|
Cavan |
- |
|
Clare |
- |
|
Cork City* |
11 |
|
Cork County |
1 |
|
Donegal |
- |
|
Dublin City |
18 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown* |
6 |
|
Fingal* |
10 |
|
South Dublin |
13 |
|
Galway City |
4 |
|
Galway County |
- |
|
Kerry |
- |
|
Kildare |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
- |
|
Laois |
- |
|
Leitrim |
- |
|
Limerick City & County |
3 |
|
Longford |
- |
|
Louth |
1 |
|
Mayo |
- |
|
Meath |
- |
|
Monaghan |
- |
|
Offaly |
- |
|
Roscommon |
- |
|
Sligo* |
6 |
|
Tipperary |
- |
|
Waterford City & County |
- |
|
Westmeath |
- |
|
Wexford |
- |
|
Wicklow |
- |
|
Total |
75 |
* Applications made and being processed.
The information sought on applications not proceeded with by local authorities is not available in my Department and may be available from the local authority.
On completion of the pilot, my Department will review the operation of the pilot scheme with input from the local authorities and other stakeholders. A report will be prepared for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and options for an enduring scheme will be considered at the conclusion of this process.
Rental Sector
Ceisteanna (82)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:82. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that he is taking to ensure that those residing in digs have the same rights as those in traditional tenancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62539/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 (RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants.
The RTA apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy, subject to a limited number of exceptions. The dwellings to which the RTA do not apply are set out in section 3(2) of the RTA, and include for example, a dwelling within which the landlord also resides.
The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the RTA to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.
Where a dwelling is occupied by a person under an arrangement or agreement which is not a tenancy covered by the RTA, for example, where a bona fide licensing arrangement exists, the RTB does not have any jurisdiction or function. It is a private contractual matter between the parties as to type of agreement/arrangement to put in place. If a dispute arises as to whether a purported licence is in fact a tenancy, the RTB can determine on the matter and if it is a tenancy, the RTA apply.
Traditionally, persons residing in ‘digs’ or family homes benefit from the goodwill that exists to ensure that both lodgers and home owners are happy with the arrangement. It is possible for the arrangements to be formalised by way of a licence between the parties, but this is a matter of choice for the parties themselves to agree on.
I do not consider that there is a need for a legal regulatory framework in this area. Digs accommodation is an integral housing solution that suits both lodgers and home owners, providing an important source of revenue and, in some circumstances, social interaction. Any attempt at regulating ‘digs’ is highly likely to impact negatively on the supply of this traditional and important source of accommodation.
I have no plans at this time to alter this position but will keep the matter under review.
Housing Policy
Ceisteanna (83)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:83. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has plans that will rapidly shift the focus of building companies towards the building and renovating of social and affordable homes for local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62580/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Housing 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, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. 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 (LDA) and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes; 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing and 28,500 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2026. Local authorities have also published Housing Delivery Action Plans, setting out details of social and affordable housing delivery over a five-year period, which includes details of the locations of housing projects. The high level of ambition in Housing for All, backed by record levels of State investment in public housing, provides clear evidence of Government commitment to residential construction and provides significant opportunities to the construction sector.
Separately, the LDA has an immediate focus on managing the State’s own lands to develop new homes, and regenerate under-utilised sites. In the longer-term, it will assemble strategic land-banks from a mix of public and private lands making these available for housing in a controlled manner, which is expected to bring essential more long-term stability to the Irish housing market.
The LDA is also tasked with unlocking stalled private, planning-consented developments in the shorter-term through its market engagement initiative, Project Tosaigh. An expressions of interest process was launched at the end of 2021 and the LDA now has a pipeline of projects anticipated to deliver affordable for sale and cost rental homes. The LDA recently launched a renewed expressions of interest process under Project Tosaigh seeking proposals from the homebuilding sector for the forward purchase of unbuilt residential units. Work is underway in assessing proposals submitted.
Measures have also been introduced to support regeneration and refurbishment. Addressing vacancy is a central element of Housing for All, and in their Housing Delivery Acton Plans, local authorities have addressed measures to deliver social homes and address vacancy through the Repair and Lease and Buy and Renew schemes. In 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. The grant was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages but I am pleased to say that as of the 15 November, the expanded grant also includes eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas (in addition to those in towns and villages, which have been eligible since July). Further information is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/969fb-vacant-property-refurbishment-grant-expanded-to-cities-and-remote-rural-areas/.
In 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. All available sites will be advertised on the relevant local authority’s website and / or in relevant local publications along with a closing date for receipt of applications. As the scheme has recently launched, each local authority has been asked to assess suitable sites for the scheme.