Tuesday, 21 Feb 2023

Written Answers Nos. 315-336

National Planning Framework

Ceisteanna (315)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

315. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends on reviewing the National Planning Framework in view of the unforeseen and extraordinary growth in population since the statistics and projections that underpinned the NPF were gathered and published and which make the assumptions in the NPF obsolete and the NPF particularly in housing provision provisions much too conservative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8678/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The National Planning Framework (NPF) is the long-term, 20 year strategy for the spatial development of Ireland to promote a better quality of life for all, with sustainable economic growth and an environment of the highest quality as key underlying principles. The National Planning Framework (NPF) published in 2018, replaced the National Spatial Strategy and is the overall spatial planning and development strategy for Ireland. The NPF, together with the National Development Plan 2021, combine to form Project Ireland 2040 the overarching policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland.

The NPF strategy is at an early stage in its implementation. The associated Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) were adopted in 2019 and 2020. The review of city and county development plans to align with the NPF is ongoing. When completed it will be the first time that there has been an integrated hierarchy of statutory spatial plans in Ireland. Sectoral strategies in areas such as transport, water and enterprise have also been reviewed and align to the NFP strategy. While the transition towards the NPF strategy will take time significant progress has been made in aligning policy across all levels of government with the NPF. This need to allow for transition overtime has been factored into growth targets at a regional and county level.

It is important to note that the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) includes in-built mechanisms to allow for regular revision and replacement of the NPF. Such revisions are relevant to reflect changing circumstances that have taken place since the NPF was published. It is also important to note that, at this early point in the lifecycle of the NPF, its population projections are, statistically, approximately matching those preliminary figures from Census 2022. For example, preliminary results from Census 2022 show that overall, national population growth is broadly in line with the NPF population projection for 2022. The NPF projected a population of just over 5.1m people in Ireland in 2022 and the Census now indicates 5.123m people (+20,000). However, the distribution of growth over the 2016-2022 period remains weighted in favour of the east with more than half of population growth happening in the Eastern and Midlands Region. This is counter-balanced by examples of counties that have under-performed in comparison to NPF projections for 2022, in particular Cork, Limerick and Galway.

While these NPF projections and the preliminary returns do indicate that the overall national population figures that are accurate, it is important to also acknowledge that since the Census took place, there are geo-political factors that could not have been factored into NPF projections on future growth. The war in Ukraine and the resultant refugee numbers arriving in Ireland since March 2022 will likely mean a significant increase in population numbers since Census 2022 was taken.

The Act requires the Government to either revise, replace or state why the Government has decided not to revise, every 6 years after the publication of the NPF. Section 20C (5) specifically states that:

“every 6 years after the date of publication of the National Planning Framework, the Government shall either –

(a) Revise the framework or replace it with a new one, or

(b) Publish a statement explaining why the Government has decided not to revise the framework and include in the statement an indication of a date by which it will be revised or a new National Planning Framework will be published”.

Therefore, such a revision, which would examine a range of factors that will influence how we manage future growth in a planned, productive and sustainable way, is currently being considered.

Departmental Advertising

Ceisteanna (316)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

316. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount expended on advertising and promotion in his Department and all agencies under the remit of his Department in 2022 and in January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8689/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The information requested relating to advertising and promotion in my Department in 2022 and in January 2023 is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

Please note that the information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table:

State Body	Contact E-mails
An Bord Pleanála	[e-mail]
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum)	[e-mail]
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum	[e-mail]
Ervia	[e-mail]
Gas Networks Ireland	[e-mail]
Heritage Council	[e-mail]
Housing Finance Agency	[e-mail]
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency	[e-mail]
Uisce Éireann	[e-mail]
Land Development Agency	[e-mail]
Local Government Management Agency	[e-mail]
National Oversight and Audit Commission	[e-mail]
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee	[e-mail]
Office of the Planning Regulator	[e-mail]
Ordnance Survey Ireland	[e-mail]
Property Registration Authority	[e-mail]
Pyrite Resolution Board	[e-mail]
Residential Tenancies Board	[e-mail]
Valuation Office	[e-mail]
Valuation Tribunal	[e-mail]
Water Advisory Body	[e-mail]
Waterways Ireland	[e-mail]

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.

My Department undertakes public information campaigns where there is important information to be brought to the public’s attention. Advertising and promotion in general, utilises traditional advertising methods including TV, radio, online and print as well as social media. Out of the figures below, significant expenditure was necessary for the Franchise Unit of my Department. This was for public information campaigns on electoral issues such as the annual Register of Electors Awareness campaign, the modernisation of the Electoral Register project following from the Electoral Reform Act 2022.

The other significant spend would have been from my Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management - including expenditure on a suite of important public health and safety campaigns such as National Fire Safety Week.

Having reviewed the advertising and promotion expenditure for 2022 and January 2023, my Department’s records indicate the following spend on advertising and promotion as set out in the table below:

Time Period	Spend
01/01/2022 – 31/12/2022	€986,476
01/1/2023 – 31/01/2023	€48,739
Total Spend 1/1/2022 – 31/1/2023	€1,035,215

The information requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table:

State Body	Contact E-mails
An Bord Pleanála	[e-mail]
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum)	[e-mail]
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum	[e-mail]
Ervia	[e-mail]
Gas Networks Ireland	[e-mail]
Heritage Council	[e-mail]
Housing Finance Agency	[e-mail]
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency	[e-mail]
Uisce Éireann	[e-mail]
Land Development Agency	[e-mail]
Local Government Management Agency	[e-mail]
National Oversight and Audit Commission	[e-mail]
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee	[e-mail]
Office of the Planning Regulator	[e-mail]
Ordnance Survey Ireland	[e-mail]
Property Registration Authority	[e-mail]
Pyrite Resolution Board	[e-mail]??
Valuation Office	[e-mail]
Residential Tenancies Board	[e-mail]
Valuation Tribunal	[e-mail]
Water Advisory Body	[e-mail]
Waterways Ireland	[e-mail]

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (317)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

317. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of communications staff currently employed in his Department; the cost of these staff for 2022; the expected cost for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8707/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

There are 13 staff working in my Department’s Communications Team. The team works on a cross-functional and collaborative basis to manage, co-ordinate and develop the Department’s external communications and media relations functions.

They also provide communications expertise, advice and support to colleagues in Business Units; develop and maintain the content and presentation of the Department’s online and social media platforms; manage and develop stakeholder relationships with other Departments as well as agencies under the aegis of my own Department.

In addition they design, develop and deliver public information campaigns to raise awareness of supports and services available; provide an effective internal communications service; manage the Department’s customer relations through the Quality Customer Service system and provide an internal publishing advice and desktop publishing service for the Department.

A breakdown of these staff by grade is set out in the table below.

Grade	Number of staff	Payscale	PPC/Non PPC
Principal Officer	1	€90,537 - €111,896	Non PPC
Assistant Principal	3	€73,326 - €91,270	PPC
Higher Executive Officer (Higher Scale)	2	€53,285 - €65,446	Non PPC
Higher Executive Officer	2	€52,897 - €66,619	PPC
Administrative Officer	1	€35,406 - €66,619	PPC
Executive Officer	3	€33,149 - €55,026	PPC
Clerical Officer	1	€26,599 - €43,249	PPC
Total	13

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (318)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

318. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on his Department’s engagement with the Department of Health regarding the rolling out of State-funded old age villages; the number of old age villages built or under construction by the State (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8742/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

Housing for All (published in September 2021) provides a new housing plan for Ireland to 2030 with the overall objective that every citizen in the State should have access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system. The strategy sets out, over four pathways, a broad suite of measures to achieve its policy objectives together with a financial commitment of in excess of €4 billion per annum.

Under Housing for All, there is a policy objective to increase and improve housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence. Housing for All builds on and takes forward the ongoing actions in "Housing Options for Our Ageing Population" policy statement from 2019, published jointly by my Department and the Department of Health, which provides policy options in support of a range of housing and accommodation alternatives for older people.

The actions included the development of a catalogue of housing options that provide a range of choices that meet the diverse need of an ageing population, spanning owner occupier, private rental and social housing, whilst providing accessible care and the associated support needs.

My Department, together with the local authorities and the Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), is guiding and delivering age-friendly housing within this framework. Given this broader approach to housing options for older people, there are no specific plans of the nature referred to by the Deputy. Rather local authorities and AHBs are providing older persons housing in a variety of ways. More information on the range of age friendly homes is available at https://agefriendlyhomes.ie/topics/age-friendly-homes/.

The policy statement, together with the third and final Implementation Group report, are available on the Government's website at:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/83781d-housing-options-for-our-ageing-population-policy-statement/.

My Department continues to collaborate with the Department of Health on the implementation of relevant ongoing actions, together with engagement on advancing the most appropriate framework, under the strategic framework of Housing for All, to ensure the effective integration of health and housing policies at national and local level.

Rental Sector

Ceisteanna (319)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

319. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 14 February 2023, if a landlord may request a tenant to leave the property where the tenant has been offered social housing by the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8754/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Section 34 of the Residential Tenancies Acts provides that a landlord must state a reason for the termination in any tenancy termination notice (NoT) served, and the termination will not be valid unless that reason relates to one of the following: - the tenant has failed to comply with the obligations (other than the obligation to pay rent) of the tenancy;

- the tenant has failed to comply with the obligation to pay rent under the tenancy;

- the dwelling is no longer suited to the needs of the occupying household;

- the landlord intends to sell the dwelling within the next 9 months;

- the landlord requires the dwelling for own or family member occupation;

- vacant possession is required for substantial refurbishment of the dwelling; and/or

- the landlord intends to change the use of the dwelling.

Further information can be found on the website of the Residential Tenancies Board at: www.rtb.ie.

The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the rented residential sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.

It should be noted that the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022 makes emergency provision to defer the termination dates of certain residential tenancies that fall, or would fall, during the 'winter emergency period', beginning on 30 October 2022 and ending on 31 March 2023. The lawful serving of notices of termination can continue as normal during this period.

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (320)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

320. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable cost rental homes delivered by AHBs and the LDA in 2022; the breakdown by local authority area; the number of units in each scheme; and the average rent being charged. [8758/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Cost Rental was introduced through the Affordable Housing Act 2021. Cost rental is targeted to deliver at least 25% below market level and at households with incomes above the social housing limits, but who cannot afford to purchase or rent their own home on the open market. Cost Rental provides tenants with secure tenancies in sustainable, long-term homes. Under the Cost Rental model, rents for homes are set to cover only the cost of financing, building, managing and maintaining the homes. Importantly, one of the conditions of this scheme is that households must have net income (i.e. the level of income after tax) of less than €53,000.

The first Cost Rental homes were delivered in 2021, and 2022 saw significant delivery of further Cost Rental homes by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) via the Cost Rental Equity Loan and the first Cost Rental homes delivered via the Land Development Agency (LDA).

Local authorities have begun systematically collating information on delivery of affordable purchase and cost rental homes in their administrative areas, including validated delivery from AHBs and the LDA, in the same manner as is currently undertaken for social housing. 2022 year end returns are currently being submitted by local authorities to my Department. Informed by this data, I expect that my Department will be in a position to report the confirmed local authority wide 2022 social, affordable purchase and cost rental housing delivery by the end of Q1 2023.

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (321)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

321. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable purchase homes delivered via the affordable housing fund in 2022; the breakdown by local authority area; the number of homes per scheme; and the average cost of the home with and without the AHF discount. [8759/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Housing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing to the required 33,000 homes, on average, per year over the next decade. 54,000 affordable home interventions will be delivered between now and 2030 to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.

In implementing the key objectives under Housing for All, each local authority has prepared and published a Housing Delivery Action Plan in respect of local authority supported or overseen delivery from 2022 to 2026. I have set individual five-year Housing delivery targets for local authorities. 18 local authorities with a strong and identified affordable housing need were also set affordable housing delivery targets and asked to include their planned affordable housing delivery in their Housing Delivery Action Plans. These plans were published on the local authorities’ respective websites in July 2022.

2022 represented the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. This momentum will continue with delivery significantly increasing in 2023. A pipeline of housing delivery is in place and being developed by local authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and by the LDA.

Local authorities have begun the process of submitting data returns and information on delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is currently done for social housing. It is intended that information on delivery across all delivery streams will be gathered by my Department and I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on affordable delivery in national quarterly delivery statistics by the end of Q1 2023.

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (322)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

322. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is monitoring the impact of the introduction of the fresh start principle in the housing schemes run by his Department, and in particular whether his Department is tracking applications, approvals or drawdowns of monies from these schemes for those whose applications include the fresh start principal. [8761/23]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Rental Sector

Ceisteanna (323)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

323. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the long delay in hearings and mediation at the Residential Tenancies Board. [8769/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants and as such, the hearing of disputes is an operational matter for the RTB.

There are statutory time periods laid down in the Residential Tenancies Act to provide for due process.

Following recommendations in the RTB Workforce Plan (2018 – 2021) and engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the RTB received sanction for significant additional staff over the past three years and my Department continues to work with the RTB to ensure it is sufficiently resourced to deliver on its mandate. To this end, additional funding of €2.352M is being provided to the RTB for 2023, bringing its total allocation to €13.370M.

Arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P) 05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose. The RTB may be contacted at [e-mail] to establish the extent to which it may hold the additional information sought.

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (324, 326)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

324. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional funding that will be provided to local authorities to enable them to take in charge housing estates which were partially finished prior to 2008, and which require additional work to be carried out before they are taken in charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8770/23]

Colm Burke

Ceist:

326. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing estates including the number of houses which were completed prior to 31 December 2008, and which have still not been taken in charge in each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8772/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 326 together.

Financial decision-making and the accountability of local authorities is a matter for the elected members of a local authority who have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which includes adopting the annual budget. Section 103 of the Local Government Act, 2001, as amended, provides for the local authority budgetary process. It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process, having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. This includes the taking in charge of housing estates.

The taking in charge of housing estates is a reserved function of the elected members of local authorities under Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), and it is a matter for the relevant planning authority to consider the taking in charge of estates on a case by case basis. Taking in charge is an iterative process and the number of developments in any given local authority area is subject to ongoing change as new developments commence, while other developments progress and move towards the completion phase, and may become the subject of an application to be taken in charge under Section 180 of the Act.The intention of the relevant provisions in the Act is that once a residential estate is completed, the planning authority can be requested to take over the roads and footpaths, public lighting and open spaces. However, where work has not been completed to satisfactory standards, there can be a delay in this process as enforcement proceedings against concerned developers, including invocation of bonds, are progressed.Subsection 2 of section 180 requires a planning authority, where requested by the majority of the owners of the dwellings involved, to take in charge a residential estate even if it has not been completed to the satisfaction of the authority, if four years have elapsed since the expiry of the planning permission and no enforcement action has been initiated.Ultimately, progression of individual developments through the taking-in-charge process is a matter for the relevant housing developer, the residents in such developments and the relevant local authorities, following the procedures set out in section 180 of the Act.Under Section 30 of the Act, I, in my role as Minister with responsibility for planning, am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned.

My Department does not compile data regarding housing developments that remain to be taken in charge. Such data should be sought directly from the relevant local authority.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (325)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

325. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will put in place a regulation which will require local authorities to take action within three years from the date that a commencement notice is submitted to them in respect of the completion of housing estates, in particular where a substantial portion of the houses have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8771/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The design and construction of buildings is regulated under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2020. The Act provides for the making of Building Regulations and Building Control Regulations.

The Building Regulations set out the minimum legal performance requirements for the construction of new buildings and certain works to existing buildings. The purpose of the Building Regulations is primarily to protect the health, safety and welfare of people in and around buildings. The Building Control Regulations set out the system of administrative controls to support compliance with the Building Regulations.

The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 require greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction by registered construction professionals and builders, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates.

In this context, a Commencement Notice is a notification to a Building Control Authority that a person intends to carry out works or to make a material change of use to a building to which the Building Regulations apply. The notice must be given to the authority not more than 28 days and not less than 14 days before the commencement of works or the change of use. Once validated by the building control authority, works must commence on site between day 14 and day 28. The legislation does not set down any timeframe within which such building work is to be completed and I have no plans to change this.

Notices and documents lodged at commencement inform the Building Control Authority’s decisions in relation to inspections. Under the Building Control Acts, primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Enforcement of the Building Regulations is a matter for the 31 local building control authorities, who are independent in the exercise of this function.

Question No. 326 answered with Question No. 324.

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (327)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

327. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the supports that his Department has provided for Ukraine and for Ukrainian people since February 2022, whether in Ukraine or within the State; the number of people supported where relevant; the estimated cost and value of the support where available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8870/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department has no role in the provision of direct supports to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from Ukraine (BoTPs) but is supporting the whole of Government response to the humanitarian situation that has arisen as a consequence of the invasion. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is the Department with lead responsibility for the provision of accommodation for BoTPs. My Department has taken responsibility for some elements in order to provide support and assistance to the DCEDIY.

One of these measures includes the call for unoccupied homes, which is being led by local authorities, with oversight and funding from my Department. Under this programme, local authorities will accept offers of houses, apartments or holiday homes for temporary accommodation, liaise with owners to assess suitability, and arrange for their use by Ukrainian people and families.

Furthermore my Department is continuing to develop and oversee work under the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) project, which involves the review of properties identified as potentially suitable for refurbishment for use as multi-occupancy accommodation for the purposes of accommodating Ukrainians. The process is ongoing to identify, examine and validate buildings that could be refurbished to accommodate larger groups of people. In cases where buildings identified as vacant do not require refurbishment, my Department notifies DCEDIY, so that the appropriate follow up can take place.

My Department is also assisting the Office of Public Works (OPW) to identify sites that may be suitable for rapid build homes to help accommodate Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs), on behalf of DCEDIY.

Special Areas of Conservation

Ceisteanna (328)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

328. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether Ireland has proposed any new SACs or SPAs in 2022 and 2023; and if he will list these. [8878/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Ireland proposed and notified 2 new offshore Marine Special Areas of Conservation for designation in 2022.

These are Porcupine Shelf cSAC 002267 and Southern Canyons cSAC 002278.

Departmental Legal Cases

Ceisteanna (329)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

329. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of discrimination cases taken and won against his Department over the past ten years, under each of the grounds as applicable, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8898/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.

From records available to me, the number of complaints taken to the Workplace Relations Commission by employees of my Department, in the past 10 years are set out in the table below.

Year	No. of Cases	Grounds	Outcome
2014	1	Discrimination - Disability	WRC found in favour of Department
2023	1	Discrimination – Family Status	Ongoing

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (330)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

330. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position with respect to relationship breakdown for couples on the local authority housing list; if he will outline the best practice in the situation; if there is any statutory basis to provide for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8908/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

There is no statutory provision dealing with the issues as outlined in the Question. Such issues are managed by local authorities on a case-by-case basis as part of their day-to-day administration of the social housing system. My Department has no role in this regard.

Patent Applications

Ceisteanna (331)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

331. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application (details supplied) can be re-considered given the individual’s Irish citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8252/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was cancelled on 4 April 2022 following a request by the applicant's parent. The Passport Service subsequently refunded the paid passport fee to the parent on 5 June 2022.

It is, of course, open to the legal guardian(s) of the applicant to apply again on behalf of the child. All passport applications are subject to the Passports Act, 2008 (as amended). It is important to note that in the case of minors, documentation is required to support any submitted application to demonstrate a child’s entitlement to Irish citizenship and that the witnessed consent of that child’s legal guardian(s) is provided for the issue of a passport.

It should be noted that Passport Online is the quickest way to apply for a passport. For further information on this and the documents that are required to support passport applications for children, please see www.dfa.ie/passports/children.

Repatriation Costs

Ceisteanna (332)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

332. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being made by his Department to assist in the repatriation of the remains of a person (details supplied) to Ireland. [8139/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I am aware of recent media reports indicating that researchers have succeeded in identifying the possible location of the remains of Patrick Sarsfield, first Earl of Lucan, in Belgium.

This is a welcome development and one of great historical significance if confirmed. I applaud the efforts of all those involved including the Honorary Consul of France in Limerick, Dr Loïc Guyon, Limerick Civic Trust, the Belgian Embassy in Dublin and the local authorities in Huy, Belgium. It is obviously likely to be some time yet, possibly not until next year, before any excavation and confirmed identification of remains can be made.

Our Embassy in Brussels will continue to monitor developments in relation to this issue and stands ready to engage further on this matter if requested.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (333, 334)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

333. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a schedule of the time backlog on all accepted first-time passport applications; how these timelines compare with those from February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8192/23]

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

334. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications currently being processed; how that figure compares with February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8193/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 334 together.

2022 was an exceptionally busy year for the Passport Service, with over 1,085,000 passports issued.

2023 is set to be a similarly busy year, with demand forecasts showing that just under 1.1 million passports are projected to be issued again.

Thanks to significant investment by the Government and the dedicated work of the Passport Service staff, substantial improvements were made in 2022 following disruptions to the service during the pandemic.

Over the past few months my Department has been planning to ensure that demand for passports continues to be met in 2023 with target processing times maintained throughout the year.

My Department is currently rolling out a Digital First media and communications campaign for the Passport Service for 2023. The campaign aims to encourage citizens to check their passport before booking travel, and to apply for their passport online and in plenty of time.

This campaign began in December, with digital, print and social media advertisements. Radio advertisements commenced last month, followed by outdoor advertising in February.

All ads will remind citizens to check the validity of their passports before booking travel. The first few weeks of the campaign saw a 245% increase in traffic to the Passport Service website, compared to the weeks preceding the campaign.

The Passport Service is in an excellent position to meet the demand forecast for 2023. All turnaround times are at their target level and there are no backlogs. The majority of online adult renewal applications are being processed in 3 working days or less. 100% of customers who call the Passport Service are getting through each day.

The current turnaround for first time online applications is 20 working days. In February 2022, this turnaround time was 40 working days. Turnaround time begins from the date the Passport Service receives the supporting documents, not the date the application is made online. Turnaround times apply to fully complete applications with all required supporting documentation submitted. Applications that require further supporting documents can take longer.

The turnaround time for all paper applications, for first time or renewals, is 8 weeks. Due to the limitations of the paper processing system it is not possible to breakdown the number of paper applications in the system into first time applications and renewals. I can confirm however that there is no backlog of paper applications.

A comparison of passport applications between February 14 2022 and February 16 2023 is outlined below in tabular form. This table breaks the applications down into those with the Passport Service for processing, and those awaiting further action by the applicant. The table also shows figures for first time applications, and figures for the number of applications received in each year from 1 January to 14 and 16 February respectively.

Passport Applications	14 February 2022	16 February 2023
Fully complete applications with the Passport Service for processing	90,000	65,000
Applications awaiting further action from the applicant	70,000	64,000
First time applications with the Passport Service for processing	40,000	25,000
First time applications awaiting further action from the applicant	37,000	34,000
Total applications received since 1 January	223,000	212,000

Question No. 334 answered with Question No. 333.

Emigrant Support Services

Ceisteanna (335, 336)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

335. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of all applications made under the emigrant support programme from the US and Canada in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8213/23]

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

336. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of organisations and groups that were awarded funding under the 2022 emigrant support programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8214/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 336 together.

My Department attaches a high priority to the continued delivery of Global Ireland – Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025. This Strategy is built around five pillars, People, Culture, Influence, Prosperity and Values. The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) is a tangible expression of the importance attached to our Diaspora. The ESP is administered by the Irish Abroad Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with our Embassies and Consulates General abroad. Since its inception in 2004, the ESP has assisted over 530 organisations in some 40 countries with grants totalling over €220 million. It is a tangible expression of the Government’s support, commitment to, and interest in, Global Irish communities.

ESP grants facilitate Irish Government investment in global Irish communities via a range of welfare, cultural, community and heritage projects.

Through the ESP, the Government provides financial support to organisations engaged in the delivery of front line advisory services and community care to Irish emigrants, particularly to the more vulnerable and marginalised members of our community abroad, including the elderly. In addition, the ESP also facilitates Irish Government investment in a range of cultural, community and heritage projects, which foster a vibrant sense of Irish community and identity, as well as strategic capital projects.

Applications for 2022-23 ESP grants closed in February 2022 and the Irish Abroad Unit received funding requests from over 340 organisations.

With regard to the US and Canada for that funding year, ESP grant applications were received for 227 projects/programmes from 164 separate organisations based in US and Canada. Following consultation with the relevant Embassy or Consulate General, funding was awarded to 147 organisations in those two countries.

In respect of the US, applications were received for 183 projects/programmes from 125 separate organisations. For ESP grants in the 2022-2023 funding round, 114 organisations were recommended for funding, total payments were €4,225,301.

From Canada, applications were received for 44 projects/programmes from 39 separate organisations. For ESP grants in the 2022-2023 funding round, 33 organisations were recommended for funding, total payments were €657,315.

It should also be borne in mind that only organisations based in the United States and Canada are included.

However, certain ESP recipients based in Ireland may disburse grant funds in the United States and Canada, for example the Gaelic Athletic Association.

An overview of ESP spending in 2022 by region is given in the table below, while a detailed breakdown on the funding being provided to organisations in each country is being finalised and will be published shortly.

To further develop engagement with our Diaspora, and to assess progress in implementation of our strategy, the third Global Irish Civic Forum will be held in Dublin Castle on 20-21 April 2023. It will build on the work of the two previous forums (2015 and 2017) which brought together more than 200 participants from 150 Irish diaspora organisations worldwide. The working theme is “Together Again – Le Chéile Arís” - an opportunity to renew, in person, our relationship with the Irish diaspora, to take stock and discuss the wider challenges facing the Irish abroad.

Regions	ESP Regional Spend
Britain	€6,388,704
USA	€4,225,301
Ireland	€1,154,055
Canada	€657,316
Australia	€536,594
RoW	€315,492
Total	€13,277,462

Question No. 336 answered with Question No. 335.