Written Answers Nos. 50-72
50. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if there are any exemptions for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in sitting an examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10359/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDriver CPC is a Certificate of Professional Competence, which is required by truck and bus drivers who intend to drive for a living. Step 1 of the initial CPC qualification is a theory test for category C or D (truck or bus). Step 2 is a two hour case study theory test.
Steps 1 and 2 are conducted by Prometric on behalf of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). To assist candidates with dyslexia, an audio voice-over is provided for each test and candidates are given additional time to complete the tests. If required, Prometric can provide a reader for the candidate during both of these exams. This service is confidential and conducted in private at each exam centre. Prometric has engaged with the Dyslexia Association of Ireland to ensure the presentation of these exams supports best practice and deals with the needs of people with dyslexia.
In addition, to aid candidates to prepare for the tests, RSA-approved driver CPC training organisations can provide one-to-one assistance.
Further information can found on the driver theory test website, www.theorytest.ie, or by calling 0818 606 106.
51. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the CIÉ 1951 Pension Scheme, which has now met minimum funding standards and is solvent; if he plans to approve any amending statutory instruments for the scheme; if he will ask CIÉ to provide a report on outstanding information sought by the Committee of Trustees and the preliminary questions in the Elected Trustee Bulletin; if he will ask CIÉ to provide a report on outstanding questions asked by the Elected Trustees in relation to Agreed Actuarial Protocols; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10425/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra52. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if a proposal has been made to him to sign an amending statutory instrument changing the benefits of members of the CIÉ 1951 Pension Scheme; if not, if his attention has been drawn to any proposal to present such a draft statutory instrument to him; if it is his intention to refuse to sign any such instrument on the basis that it has been confirmed by the 1951 Committee of Trustees independent actuary that the 1951 Scheme now meets the Minimum Funding Standard provisions of the Pensions Act 1990 and is solvent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10442/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.
CIÉ have advised that the Group’s two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), are currently not in compliance with the Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) as defined in the Pensions Act 1990.
As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to the schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard required by the Pensions Authority.
In relation to the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to proposed changes to the 1951 scheme which is being considered by my Department in conjunction with NewERA. However, the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days and the outcome from the Hearing is expected in the coming months.
The questions raised by the Deputy in relation in relation to the 1951 scheme are an operational matter for CIÉ. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
53. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the total number of scheduled weekly departures that will be provided as a result of the recently announced improvements in rural transport links; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10466/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
54. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport the capital projects that have been undertaken by his Department in Westmeath since June 2020; the funding allocated each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10557/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not directly undertaken projects in Westmeath in the period June 2020 – present. A significant quantity of capital funding issued by my Department, for active travel, public transport and national roads, is delivered via investment programmes under the remit of Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority. I have requested that the two agencies respond with details of investment in Co. Westmeath in the period sought. I have forwarded the question to the Agencies for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within ten working days please contact my private office.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State Road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
As regards the funding allocated to Westmeath County Council for capital projects since June 2020, details of this Department’s regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
55. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if he will increase the number of carriages on the Sunday train services from Limerick to Galway and vice versa, in view of the fact it is an incredibly busy day for travel in respect of students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10578/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue of increasing the number of carriages on Sunday train services on the Limerick to Galway route is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
56. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure all public buses serving Bantry, County Cork, have the facility to accommodate mobility scooters for individuals who require them. [10588/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing an accessible, integrated and sustainable public transport network.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for progressively making transport accessible, including the bus fleets servicing Bantry, Co. Cork, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
57. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance his intentions regarding Recommendation 16.1 of the report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare; the steps he intends to take to ensure adequate evaluation data on tax expenditures are collected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10378/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra58. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance his intentions regarding Recommendation 16.3 of the report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare; his intentions in relation to the retrospective inclusion of sunset clauses for existing tax expenditures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10379/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together.
The Commission on Taxation and Welfare was an independent group that was established in April 2021 as a result of a commitment in the Programme for Government. It was asked to independently consider how best the taxation and welfare systems can support economic activity, and promote increased employment and prosperity while ensuring that there are sufficient resources available to meet the costs of the public services and supports in the medium and longer term. ‘Foundations for the Future’, the Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare, was published on 14 September 2022. It is a wide ranging report that contains over 500 pages and 116 recommendations relating to the future of our taxation and welfare systems. This includes several recommendations in relation to Tax Expenditures, including ensuring the availability of adequate data and the insertion of retrospective sunset clauses, which my officials are currently examining. As the Deputy is aware, it is clearly set out in the Commission’s report that the recommendations are not intended to be implemented all at once, but rather provide a clear direction of travel for this and future Governments around how the sustainability of the taxation and welfare systems may be improved in a fair and equitable manner.
My Department is currently working on updating the Guidelines for Tax Expenditure Evaluation, with particular focus on the recommendations set out in chapter 16 of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare report; which includes the area of evaluation and sunset clauses. The updated guidelines will form the basis for reviews and material for the annual report on tax expenditures which is typically published with the Budget papers every year.
59. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the reason tenants who have a formal rental agreement that is registered with the RTB, but who are renting off a family member such as a parent, are precluded from getting the rent credit via the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10431/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rent tax credit was introduced under Finance Act 2022 and is, subject to a number of conditions, broadly available in the following three circumstances:
1. where the claimant makes a qualifying payment in respect of a residential property which he or she uses as his or her principal private residence;
2. where the claimant makes a qualifying payment in respect of a residential property which he or she uses to facilitate his or her attendance at or participation in his or her employment, office holding, trade, profession or an approved course; and
3. where the claimant makes a qualifying payment in respect of a residential property which his or her child uses to facilitate his or her child’s attendance at or participation in an approved course.
One of the conditions attached to the credit relates to the relationship between the claimant, tenant and landlord.
Where the relationship between the claimant and the landlord is that of parent and child, or vice versa, the rent tax credit will not be available in any instance. This will be the case irrespective of the nature of the tenancy concerned and its Residential Tenancy Board registration status.
The rationale behind the prohibition on tenancies of this nature is that if such arrangements were allowed to qualify for the relief, it would leave the tax credit open to possible manipulation where parents and their children could collude to create a tax advantage for either party, which was not warranted.
Where the claimant and the landlord are otherwise related, such as grandparent and grandchild, siblings or aunt/uncle and niece/nephew, the credit is available only where:
1) the tenancy is of a type which is required to be registered with the RTB, and 2) the landlord has complied with any such registration requirement.
The credit is not available in these circumstances where the tenancy is of a type which is exempt from RTB registration, such as a ‘rent-a-room’ or ‘digs’ type arrangement.
Further details in respect of the rent tax credit, including comprehensive guidance on the eligibility criteria, can be found in Tax and Duty Manual Part 15-01-11A at the link below:
www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-15/15-01-11A.pdf
The operation of the Rent Tax Credit will be closely monitored by my Department in conjunction with Revenue in the coming months and the question of whether any further adjustments are needed will be considered in the context of the Budget and Finance Bill process later this year.
60. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Finance if the rental tax credits introduced by the Government apply to parents of a student from this State but now renting and studying in a recognised third level course in the North of Ireland. [10463/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFinance Act 2022 introduced the Rent Tax Credit, which is provided for in s. 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. This is an income tax credit of up to €500 per year (or up to €1,000 for jointly assessed couples) which may be claimed in respect of qualifying rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025.
In relation to the question of parents paying rent for their children who are studying and in a tenancy outside the State, the purpose behind the rent tax credit is to assist as part of the overall response to the accommodation shortage in the private rented residential sector within the State. More specifically, the aim is to provide some financial assistance to renters in that particular sector who may face high rental costs and who do not receive any other housing supports from the State. As such, the eligibility criteria for the credit specify that the rental property concerned must be a residential property located in the State. Full details of the conditions that apply are set out in the relevant Tax and Duty Manual (Part 15-01-11A) available on the Revenue website at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/land-and-property/rent-credit/index.aspx
61. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW will replace a bridge in treacherous condition with a new bridge (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10282/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has a statutory remit for the maintenance of the Moy Arterial Drainage Scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. The bridge at Mullahowney is a footbridge on channel C1/16/1 of the Moy Arterial Drainage Scheme. The OPW has a maintenance responsibility for both the channel and this bridge.
As the bridge is scheduled as a footbridge in the Moy Arterial Drainage Scheme, the OPW is precluded from providing a vehicular type access bridge.
The OPW has continued to monitor the bridge and has scheduled the installation of parapet railings to the required standard to provide edge protection to users as part of the 2023 bridge maintenance programme. The OPW requests that the landowner contacts the Ballina Office on 096-22065 to arrange to have the parapet railings installed.
The OPW has no objection to the landowner widening the bridge subject to the following conditions:
- Any design proposal to be submitted to OPW for review.
- The bridge should be constructed according to current best practice.
- Advice on any planning permission requirements should be sought from the relevant Local Authority.
- Consultation should occur with the National Parks and Wildlife Service with respect to any environmental assessments that may be required before undertaking any construction works.
62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 15 November 2022, the status of his Department's work to date on the implementation of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021; if he will provide an update on his Department's role on the Irish Languages Services Advisory Committee, particularly in relation to the preparation of the national plan to increase the provision of services through Irish and survey the number of Irish speakers employed by the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10383/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the deputy is aware, the Irish Language Services Advisory Committee was established by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in June 2022 pursuant to section 18 of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021. Since then, representatives from my Department and the Public Appointments Service have been actively participating in this Committee through attendance at regular meetings and other bilateral conversations.
Under the Act, the primary focus of this Committee is to prepare a National Plan for Irish Language Services, which is to be submitted to the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for approval by mid-2024. The overarching goal of this plan is to reach the ambitious recruitment target laid down in Act that at least 20% of staff in the public sector will be competent in the Irish language by 31 December 2030. Arising from that Plan, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media will also set dates by which all public services in and for the Gaeltacht will be made available in the Irish language and by which all public offices in the Gaeltacht will operate through the medium of Irish.
In line with its functions under the Act, the Committee approved the commissioning of research at its first meeting, which will inform the preparation of the National Plan. A Request for Tender for this contract was announced at the end of August last (2022) and the awarding of a one year research contract to the University of Galway was announced before Christmas. This research will look to:
· identify the gaps in the current provision of public services through the medium of Irish and recommend strategies to address them;
· identify the public services provided in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas (“LPAs”) and recommend strategies to ensure that Irish is the working language of those offices located in LPAs and that these services are provided through the medium of Irish;
o identify the current level of Irish language competence in the public sector;
o Make recommendations on recruiting Irish speakers.
In relation to the survey on the number of Irish speakers employed by the public service, the Deputy will note that it is stipulated under the Act that every 5 years after the establishment of the Advisory Committee, it will carry out and submit to the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, a survey on the level of competence in the Irish language of staff of public bodies, and such survey will include the following:
I. the total number of staff of public bodies who are competent in the Irish language;
II. the total number of staff of public bodies who have undertaken an Irish language training course; and
III. the total number of staff of public bodies who speak the Irish language in the workplace, whether when carrying out their duties or otherwise, and the frequency with which they speak the Irish language.
In line with this, the first survey on the matter is to be submitted to the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media by 19 June 2027.
In addition, existing civil servants are being encouraged to pursue Irish language training courses via OneLearning, the Learning and Development Centre for the civil service based in my Department. At the start of 2023, OneLearning launched a new term of Irish language courses which will commence on 6th of March, 2023. Under a pilot scheme offered since the autumn of last year, courses provided by Gaelchultúr to civil servants on behalf of OneLearning are now certified by Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (“TEG”). TEG, provides a series of general Irish language proficiency examinations and qualifications and is the first certified system of its kind for adult learners of the Irish language in Ireland. A mix of full and partial TEG certification, depending on level, has been offered under the pilot scheme to date with the intention of full TEG certification being rolled out for all levels by the end of 2023. 583 enrolled in OneLearning Irish Language training in 2022. The enrolment for 2023 Irish language training is currently underway and 280 individuals are currently enrolled.
With the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, on which the TEG system is based, specifically mentioned in the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, TEG qualifications will hold a particular value in the coming years for both learners and employers alike, as people with specific language skills will be sought for a wide variety of diverse roles across the civil and public service. Both Departments are examining ways to further support Irish-language learners within the system as well as creating more awareness around the language. One such additional measure to be taken is the addition of language awareness elements to some of OneLearning’s courses, focusing initially on customer service and junior managers.
In relation to the dedicated recruitment and promotion competitions targeted at Irish language speakers, PAS has held general civil service competitions for individuals with fluency in Irish at Clerical Officer, Executive Officer, Higher Executive Officer and Principal Officer levels. There are currently panels in place for Irish posts at CO, EO and HEO levels and these panels will be drawn from as requests are received from Departments and Offices. The CO panel is due to expire on 30th June 2023, the EO panel is due to expire on 29th February 2024 and HEO panel on 31st December 2023. New competitions will be considered closer to the expiry date of each current panel.
In addition, some Departments or Government Officers may also plan to recruit fluent speakers directly under their local recruitment licence instead of through PAS.
63. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the timeframe for the completion of the design and planning of the family law court at Hammond Lane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10399/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the Family Law Court Complex scheme has only been recently signed off by the Court Service . The planning documentation is in preparation and will be lodged for planning permission approval in March/ April 2023.
64. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the reason the construction of new Garda stations at Clonmel and Macroom have not commenced, notwithstanding that they have planning permission; if he can provide an indication when they will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10400/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the construction of the new Garda stations in Macroom and Clonmel is to proceed on the basis of a major SMART Public Private Partnership (PPP) project.
Planning permission for the new Garda stations in Macroom and Clonmel has been approved.
The OPW continues to engage with the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána and the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), which is the procuring authority for PPPs, to progress these projects. The tender process for this Garda SMART PPP projects is expected to commence in 2023.
65. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the capital projects that have been undertaken by his Department in Westmeath since June 2020; the funding allocated each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10553/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. My Department therefore allocates expenditure on a departmental basis, not a geographic basis.
The NDP published in October 2021 provides a detailed and positive vision for Ireland out to 2030 and delivers total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030. The NDP establishes the Government’s over-arching investment framework and broad direction for investment priorities for this decade.
The Government will continue to detail the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This will be achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and map as well as the publication of annual reports and regional reports giving a detailed overview of the public investments which have been made throughout the country.
The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, including smaller investments such as schools and social housing projects. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
In addition, Regional Reports on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040 have been published for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The reports set out the regional projects and programmes, which are being planned and delivered in the regions, including in Westmeath, as part of the public investment detailed in Project Ireland 2040. While these reports do not provide an exhaustive list of all public capital expenditure in the region, they serve to highlight the diverse range of investments being made by the State under Project Ireland 2040, including in County Westmeath.
The Project Ireland 2040 Regional Reports, capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
66. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the implementation of Chapter 17 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10558/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 (NDP) published in October 2021 provides a detailed and positive vision for Ireland over the next 10 years, and delivers total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030. In 2023, over €12 billion will be made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects, which will provide more schools, homes, hospitals and other pieces of vital infrastructure.
The Shared Island Fund aims to create a more prosperous, connected and sustainable island. It has a funding envelope of €500 million between 2021 and 2025. This fund provides significant new, multi-annual capital funding for investment on a strategic basis in collaborative North/South projects that will support the commitments and objectives of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Shared Island Fund provides for the establishment of a new North South Research programme. €20 million of the €40m is from the Shared Island to support strengthening of links between higher education institutions, researchers and research communities on the island. This will create centres for Transformative Research and Collaboration, to support enterprise growth and to attract investment.
This funding will also support investments in North/South projects such as the Ulster Canal restoration and Narrow Water Bridge projects, supporting the delivery of sustainable tourism and recreation amenities for the border region. The phase 2 of the Ulster Canal Restoration is being delivered through funding commitments of €6 million from the Shared Island Fund, a further €6 million from the Rural Regeneration Development Fund and €8 million from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, bringing the total allocation for this phase of the project to €20 million.
In addition to this, the new North South Interconnector will allow for the flow of 900 MW electricity between Ireland and Northern Ireland, which will enhance the operation of the all-island single electricity market, increase security of supply, and facilitate higher levels of renewable electricity. Currently, the Business case is at a final review stage, with construction expected to start in 2023.
67. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she or persons within any statutory agencies under her remit have met with an organisation (details supplied). [10467/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is honoured to have Hurling inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Inscription on the Representative List raises awareness of the diversity of the world’s intangible cultural heritage and highlights the importance of safeguarding measures to protect and promote the cultural heritage practices inscribed.
In this regard, my Department is engaged with the GAA and the Camogie Association, including meeting with them on an intermittent basis, as the key bearers and practitioners of this indigenous ancient tradition to work with, and support them, on plans and initiatives to help ensure that hurling and camogie continue to thrive now and for generations to come. This engagement includes information and guidance on the provisions of the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, as well as participation in aforementioned meetings to plan future safeguarding measures for the game in line with the Convention and other requirements, as decided.
68. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the capital projects that have been undertaken by her Department in Westmeath since June 2020; the funding allocated each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10556/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has funded a number of capital projects in Westmeath in the period in question. Typically, these are grant aided projects as opposed to those undertaken directly by the Department.
Expenditure on cultural projects in Westmeath through grants provided by this Department can be found at the following link for the years 2020 and 2021. Expenditure for 2022 will be published in the near future. See: www.gov.ie/en/publication/b1eab-creative-arts-grants-and-funding-previous-schemes/#cultural-development-expenditure
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) provides grant assistance to sports organisations to develop sports and recreation facilities and purchase non-personal sports equipment. A list of all allocations under all recent rounds, including Westmeath, can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/
Whilst the question relates only to the Department, projects may also be undertaken by agencies of the Department and those details can be requested from the agencies directly.
69. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any investigations into the Meenbog landslide, caused by wind farm construction in County Donegal in November 2020, have been completed; the recommendations; how it is planned to implement the recommendations; if any other reports are due from other agencies that he may be aware of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10293/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn inter-agency group led by the Loughs Agency was tasked to address the incident at Meenbog, Co. Donegal. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department (NPWS) are represented on that group in an advisory capacity and have provided input in terms of the provision of ecological and scientific advice.
I understand that an investigation into this incident is ongoing at present, It would therefore be inappropriate for me to provide further details at this juncture.
More generally, NPWS has commissioned a study to investigate peat slides in Ireland and explore potential mitigation for such events. Meenbog is one of the chosen case study sites. This study is nearing completion and it is expected that a final report will be provided before the end of 2023.
70. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the proposed amendment to the Planning and Development Act 2020, currently before Dáil Éireann, will impact in any way on current regulations and provisions that deal with allotments and the provision of allotments by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10304/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra72. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider amending the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 to ensure local authorities are obliged to reserve land for allotments and community gardens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10406/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 72 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 269 of 28 February 2023, which set out the position in this matter.
71. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify the position on clawback in respect of a dwelling purchased via the affordable housing scheme (details supplied). [10374/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislation governing the clawback on an affordable home purchased 14 years ago is Section 99 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 or Section 9 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002, depending on the home in question. Both of these pieces of legislation set the same clawback rule: where the property is resold within 20 years, the homeowner must pay a clawback amount equal to a percentage of the proceeds of the sale. The clawback is a legal requirement which all relevant parties would have been made aware of in advance of the purchase, but the percentage reduces over time and withers after 20 years. All issues pertaining to the clawback are processed by the relevant local authority, which as a contracted party to the agreement, is the more appropriate and best placed party to inform the owner of an affordable home on their current position.
The Affordable Housing Act 2021 now applies to all homes currently being made available under the new Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. Rather than a withering clawback, as was the case previously, there is an equity share interest which is effectively the local authority’s share in the value of the affordable home. The equity share is equal to the discount from market price on the home at the time of purchase.
