Tuesday, 28 Feb 2023

Written Answers Nos. 251-270

Museum Projects

Ceisteanna (251, 252)

Matt Shanahan

Ceist:

251. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if it is true that a complete shutdown is being proposed for the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History in order to carry out building conservation works; if so, if she will detail the timelines involved; the contingencies being made to possibly keep parts of the museum open while works are ongoing; if a plan is being developed for the movement of artifacts to a new temporary location if the closure is to extend into a period of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9537/23]

Matt Shanahan

Ceist:

252. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will confirm which portion of the Natural History Museum is closing for renovations; the length of time it will be closed for; if the exhibits will be moved to another building for public viewing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9559/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Catherine Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.

I recently gave my approval for the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) to proceed to the design phase for the redevelopment of the Natural History Museum. This important capital investment will restore the building fabric of this cherished historic building, address long-standing accessibility issues and enhance visitor experience, better supporting the museum to communicate the richness of biodiversity. In partnership with the OPW, the project will deliver new internal staircases, create fit for purpose exhibition spaces and enhance compliance with fire, health and safety regulations as well as modern sustainability and environmental control standards.

It is vital that the museum’s irreplaceable collections be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. In addition to the recent well-publicised decant of parts of the collection to facilitate preparatory works for the restoration of the roof, the NMI has carefully planned a full decant of the remaining collections into storage, which we envisage will commence in late 2023 to protect these precious artefacts during construction work. In the interim, and in recognition of the Natural History Museum’s important educational work with families and children, the NMI will keep open the ground floor galleries of the museum for as long as it remains safe to do so. Since the ground floor reopened in August 2022, nearly 200,000 members of the public have been able to access these galleries.

Ultimately the redevelopment work will necessitate a temporary closure of the building. The project programme is subject to a number of gateway decisions and milestones including planning application, tender etc. As such, it is not appropriate at this stage to provide a definitive date for closure, however, any closure will be signalled well in advance to the public. To ensure this important collection remains accessible to the public, I am pleased to note that the NMI is currently developing plans to present the natural history collections at Collins Barracks during the period of closure. This satellite “Dead Zoo” will ensure the continuity of programming and engagement with these unique artefacts for families, school children and other priority audiences.

Question No. 252 answered with Question No. 251.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (253)

Chris Andrews

Ceist:

253. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a breakdown of the funding an organisation (details supplied) has received from the State directly or via State bodies for each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9609/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Catherine Martin)

My Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. I wish to advise the Deputy that no funding was provided by my Department to this organisation in the period since then.

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (254, 255, 256, 257)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

254. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next round of sports capital funding will be open to applications. [9717/23]

Robert Troy

Ceist:

255. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the funding ceiling for clubs will be raised in the forthcoming round of sports capital funding. [9718/23]

Robert Troy

Ceist:

256. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will clarify whether a club that has already been approved for a sports capital grant can repurpose this grant to an alternative purpose, provided the alternative purpose is eligible for funding. [9719/23]

Robert Troy

Ceist:

257. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a club can reapply for a second tranche of sports capital funding for a project it already received funding for in 2021 (details supplied). [9720/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 to 257, inclusive, together.

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Thousands of projects have been completed under the scheme and the Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.

The final grants under the latest round were announced were announced on Tuesday 31 May last year and the total allocation of €166.6 million for the 2020 round represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.

The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage and my Department continues to support and guide grantees from past rounds as they manage their grants. This requires detailed engagement with all grantees. In relation to any extensions to timelines or requests for "change of purpose" for grants, my Department continues to adopt a sympathetic and reasonable approach provided any new proposal also adheres to the terms and conditions of the SCEP.

With regard to the timing of the next round, following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. The Review is nearing completion and I hope to publish it shortly. Amongst the items being considered as part of the Review is whether it is necessary to increase the amount that applicants can apply for. Any recommendations arising from the finalised Review will be reflected in the next round. Furthermore, my officials are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the next round of the SCEP. Once this process is concluded, I will announce the exact dates from which new applications will be accepted.

Regarding additional funding for a project with an existing provisional allocation, funding can be sought for any sports project provided work has not already commenced. If work has not commenced, an application can be submitted but the previous allocation will form part of the consideration if an additional grant amount is being recommended. Previous funding awarded to an organisation under the SCEP is also considered when scoring all applications.

Question No. 255 answered with Question No. 254.

Question No. 256 answered with Question No. 254.

Question No. 257 answered with Question No. 254.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (258)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

258. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a schedule of social media influencers and online personalities, television and or radio personalities engaged by her Department and bodies under her aegis in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; if she will include the fees expended, name of personality and campaign they were engaged on; and if she will also provide the key performance indicators in respect of their engagement. [9908/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Catherine Martin)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.

Programme Name	Name of Personality	Name of Campaign	Date of campaign from January 2021 – to date	Fee for Personality	Key performance indicators for Personality’s use in respect of their engagement
National Archives	Michael Portillo	The Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations under the magnifying glass with Michael Portillo in conversation with Professor Marie Coleman	28 October 2021 (Online event)	€1000 honorarium.	Given the critical acclaim and success of the ‘HAWKS AND DOVES- The Crown and Ireland's War of Independence' documentary on RTÉ 1, Mr Portillo was invited to a have a public conversation with a leading historian of modern Ireland which was streamed online.   Over 200 people watched the live recording on the night with over 400 having watched the recording on-line.

At all times value for money is a critical consideration when engaging in expenses for Department programmes and campaigns. The operation of such practices in the bodies under the aegis of my department is a day-to-day matter for the body concerned.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (259)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

259. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the awards made both with and without a tender process to management consultancy firms (details supplied) by her Department and bodies under its aegis for each of the years 2018 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form and classed by firm; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [10122/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Catherine Martin)

My Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. I wish to advise the Deputy that of the companies named, the following contracts only were awarded in the period since then:

Company Name	Purpose & description of contract(s)	Year	Duration of contract	Initial value of contract	Total Amount Paid
PricewaterhouseCoopers	PwC were engaged as independent expert reviewers to undertake an External Assurance Process (EAP) and review of the Preliminary Business Case for the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall	2022	3 months	€49,500	To be paid in 2023.
Ernst & Young	Observation, data validation, and report on random selection of successful applicants for participation in Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme	2022	To be governed by the Statement of Work.	Initial value in the range of €3,275 to €6,250 (plus VAT)	Nil to date, work ongoing.
Ernst & Young	Economic Advisory Services for a potential bid to host a Major Sporting Event in Ireland. Tender was to produce an economic impact assessment and Cost benefit analysis associated with hosting a major sports event	2021	6 weeks	€126,000	€122,994.34

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (260)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

260. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the awards made both with and without a tender process to an organisation (details supplied) by her Department and bodies under its aegis for each of the years 2018 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [10140/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Catherine Martin)

My Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. Procurement within the bodies under the aegis of my Department is a day-to-day operational matter for the bodies themselves. I wish to advise the Deputy that of the company named, the following contracts only were awarded by my Department  in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Year	Organisation	Purpose	Value Paid	Timeframe	Output
2020	Micromail    SoftwareOne	Visual Studio renewal   Office Standard Per Device 2019/ML Government License	€1,190.08   €125,223.43	Nil   Nil	Product Licensed   Product Licensed
2021	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
2022	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (261)

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

261. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider funding for an all-weather football pitch at (details supplied). [10158/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.

The Programme funds all-weather pitches, among other works, and any club can apply once it satisfies the terms and conditions of the scheme. Local authorities can also apply for funding and the terms and conditions of the Programme can be found at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.

In terms of future applications, the final grants under the latest round were announced on Tuesday 31 May last year and the total allocation of €166.6 million for the 2020 round represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage.

Following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. A draft of the Review is complete and I expect to be in a position to publish this Review shortly. Any recommendations arising from the finalised Review will be reflected in the next round. Furthermore, my officials are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the next round of the SCEP. Once this process is concluded, I will announce the exact dates from which new applications will be accepted.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (262, 311)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

262. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10326/23]

Robert Troy

Ceist:

311. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is taking to ensure self-catering tourist accommodation providers operating from their primary place of residence in rural sections of rent pressure zones will be exempted from the specific planning permissions required under the Short-Term Lettings Enforcement Bill 2022; and if accommodations, through granted planning or planning exemptions, will be made for self-catering properties in which bedrooms are not attached to the main home, but are still indivisible parts of the property folio. [10228/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 311 together.

On 7 December 2022 the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and the priority drafting of the Bill which provides for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All, the Government's housing policy and action plan. This work is being led by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Updated Planning Guidelines on short-term letting, which are aimed at providing clarity on the planning permission and exemption requirements for properties operating in this area in both rent pressure zones and more rural areas and which will also address the issue of properties where bedrooms may not be attached to the main home, are currently being prepared by my Department to supplement the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill. It is intended that the updated guidelines will be published on the enactment of the Bill. In light of the commitment in Housing for All to address this issue, it is not intended to amend the planning requirements in respect of short-term letting.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (263)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

263. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will set out in detail his ministerial directions on county development plans in 2021, 2022, and January 2023 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9470/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Minister is empowered under section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to direct a planning authority to take measures to ensure that its development plan complies with national or regional planning policy, upon receipt of a recommendation from the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR).

The decision to issue or not to issue a Direction rests with the Minister, or the Minister of State where this function has been formally delegated. The process is informed by a period of public consultation and detailed assessment of the issues arising, including consideration of the views of the elected members and the recommendation(s) of the local authority’s chief executive.

In the period in question, final Directions have issued to the following planning authorities in connection with their development plans.

Local Authority

Cork City Council

Cork County Council

Donegal County Council (Variation 2)

Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown County Council

Galway County Council

Kerry County Council

Laois County Council

Limerick City & County Council

Mayo County Council

Meath County Council

South Dublin County Council

Westmeath County Council

Wicklow County Council

With the exception of the Direction to Wicklow County Council, which issued in February 2023, all of the above Directions issued in 2022. In addition, final decisions are yet to be made with regard to draft directions issued to Galway City Council and Kilkenny County Council.

The Directions issued in the period in question covered a broad range of complex planning issues, including, but not limited to, inappropriate land use zoning objectives, renewable energy policy, and flood risk. Copies of the Directions issued may be accessed on the OPR’s website at the following link: www.opr.ie/recommendations-made-by-the-opr-to-the-minister/

Directions issued are also laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and are placed on my Department's website. Where I, as Minister, do not agree with a recommendation of the Office a written statement of reasons is prepared, and this statement is also laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and placed on my Department’s website.

It is worth noting that the OPR publishes quarterly activity reports on its website that provide an overview of its plan evaluation activity.

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (264)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

264. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given to extending the HAP scheme to the sponsor prior to the arrival of the family in relation to cases of family reunification; if so, if there is an outcome regarding the consideration; and, if not, if this is something his Department will consider. [9499/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Persons granted international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) can access State provided supports and services on the same basis as Irish nationals. The rights to family reunification are set out in the International Protection Act 2015.

Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for housing support through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme. Once a household has been deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, including the HAP scheme, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority. Where household composition changes, such as in the case of family reunification, an application can be made to the local authority for a new HAP payment for another property.

Broader policy in relation to such matters is set out in the White Paper to end direct provision and to establish a new International Protection Support Service. My Department supports the work of my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in the detailed design of the new model of accommodation as set out in the White Paper. It is within that context that any adjustments will be examined as part of the broader social housing reform agenda.

Homeless Accommodation

Ceisteanna (265)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

265. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will allow asylum seekers to engage with homeless services at local authority level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9506/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), a division of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), is responsible for the provision of accommodation and related services to people in the International Protection (asylum) process. My Department has no role in this regard.

Building Regulations

Ceisteanna (266)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

266. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide clarification on who is responsible for investigating complaints and enforcing remedial action in housing provided to local authority housing support applicants by a housing agency, where there is reason to believe the housing may be structurally unsound and potentially a danger to the tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9512/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let. All landlords, including Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in the Regulations.

Responsibility for the enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 in the private rental sector rests with the relevant local authority.

Local authorities regularly select AHB properties for inspection for compliance with the minimum rental standards Regulations. They are also very responsive to requests to inspect private rented dwellings where a tenant believes the standard is not being met and in this regard I would encourage tenants, including AHB tenants, to contact their local authority and request an inspection to assess whether their accommodation meets the minimum requirements. Contact details for all local authorities can be found on my Department's website at: www.gov.ie/en/help/departments/#local-authorities

Local Elections

Ceisteanna (267)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

267. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the boundaries for local electoral areas will be reviewed ahead of the 2024 local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9513/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Electoral Reform Act 2022, which provides for, among other matters, the establishment of a statutory, independent Electoral Commission - An Coimisiún Toghcháin, amends Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 in respect of the review of local electoral areas. Under Chapter 8 of Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, future reviews of local electoral areas are now a function of the newly-established An Coimisiún Toghcháin.

Section 23 of the Local Government Act 2001 empowers the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to divide a local authority area into local electoral areas and to amend those areas. However, in advance of deciding to make an order under section 23 of the Act, the Minister must, in accordance Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 (as amended), request An Coimisiún Toghcháin to make a report having regard to such matters as may be specified by the Minister.

Following the completion of a review, the Minister must publish the report of An Coimisiún and must have regard to the report in deciding whether to make an order in relation to any amendment to local electoral area boundaries.

Notwithstanding the above, I have no plans to make an order under section 23 of the Local Government Act 2001 amending local electoral areas in advance of the 2024 local elections.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (268)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

268. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a quarterly breakdown of commencement notices and completion certificates as recorded by the Building Control Management System for 2020, 2021 and 2022, broken down by local authority and unit type, in tabular form. [9519/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Building Control Management System (BCMS) is centrally hosted by the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office on behalf of the 31 local authorities. The BCMS is readily available and searchable at the following weblink: nbco.localgov.ie/

Using the BCMS as its data source, my Department publishes commencement notice data, broken down by local authority area, on a monthly basis which can be accessed via the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/a5cb1-construction-activity-starts/

Legislative Measures

Ceisteanna (269)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

269. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of concerns that the draft planning Bill has reduced legal protection for the evolution of community gardens, which are playing a growing role in our communities in promoting sustainability and valuing the regenerative power of nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9524/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Schedule 1 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as inserted through the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 allows for “Reserving land for use and cultivation as allotments and regulating, promoting, facilitating or controlling the provision of land for that use.”

The identification and implementation of recreational and amenity spaces is a matter for local authorities, primarily through City/County Development Plans and identifying land for allotment development in a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members in considering and making the plan. The provision of allotment or similar facilities on local authority land is a matter for each individual local authority including their elected members and is subject to availability of resources and community inputs and support for such proposals.

The draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 was published in January and a final Bill will be published once pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill has been finalised. It is intended that the final Bill will then commence in the Houses of the Oireachtas with the intention that it will be enacted by this summer, subject to the Oireachtas schedule. There are some further changes to be made to the draft Bill before the final Bill is published and I can confirm that allotments will be provided for in the final Bill, in line with existing provisions.

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (270)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

270. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 284 of 14 February 2023, if he will consider extending the review of the mobility aids grant and the housing aid for older people grant to look at the grant limits, given the increase in construction costs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9541/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department provides funding to local authorities in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist eligible people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (max grant €30,000), the Mobility Aids Grant (max grant €6,000) and the Housing Aid for Older People (max grant €8,000).

Housing for All commits to reviewing the full suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. A report on the review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability has been prepared by my Department. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds and grant limits for all three grant schemes. I will be giving careful consideration to the review report and expect to make a decision on the recommendations in the report as soon as possible.