Tuesday, 18 Apr 2023

Written Answers Nos. 688-709

Tourism Revenue

Ceisteanna (688)

Richard O'Donoghue

Ceist:

688. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media given that over 90% of the short-term rental business is transacted online, the reason the sanctions that can be issued against the online platform is so small in comparison to the sanctions that can be imposed on the individual - the online platforms (referred to in the legislation as ISS - information service system) are subject to €5,000 fine maximum, whereas the individual is subject to penalties of up to €50,000 or imprisonment of up to five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17760/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

On 7 December 2022 the Government approved the priority drafting of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and publication of the General Scheme of the Bill which provides for the registration of short-term tourist lettings with Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All, the Government's housing policy.

The General Scheme of the Bill is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media and will be subject to further amendment by the Oireachtas. The points raised by the Deputy will be considered as the Bill is further developed.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (689)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

689. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of Departmental staff currently on sick or stress leave; and the number who took stress or sick leave in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [17788/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I am advised that the number of staff in my Department currently on sick leave is 16 and none of these staff have reported stress leave as the nature of their illness. My Department was established following a transfer of functions in September 2020 and the information provided in tabular form below sets out the number of staff from Q4 2020 to date who took stress or sick leave:

Year	No of Staff who reported sick leave	of which stress leave disclosed *
Q4 2020	31	2
2021	104	5
2022	172	7
2023 to date	84	3

* Please note that employees are not obliged to state the nature of illness on medical certificates or on the NSSO portal when self-reporting illness and absence.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (690)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

690. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of allegations of bullying made by departmental staff against departmental staff in each of the past five years, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will detail what actions are being taken by her Department to investigate the allegations or if they are being investigated. [17806/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I am advised that since the formation of this Department in September 2020, no allegations of bullying have been made by departmental staff against departmental staff to date in 2023.

Complaints regarding bullying, harassment or sexual harassment are extremely serious, and it is policy that these are treated as such by Management. I am assured that the Civil Service Dignity at Work policy is implemented in my Department. All staff receive training and the policy includes procedures for addressing and dealing with complaints. All staff receive a copy of the Dignity at Work policy and are required to sign and confirm they have read this policy.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (691)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

691. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of Departmental staff dismissed in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [17824/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I am advised that since the formation of this Department in September 2020, no Departmental staff have been dismissed from September 2020 to date in 2023.

Enterprise Policy

Ceisteanna (692)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

692. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the budget that has been specifically ring fenced for the implementation of the recommendations set out in the Sustainable Enterprise - Creative Economy Report in March 2022, by the Western Development Commission, given the identification of her Department as the primary entity responsible for driving creative enterprise in the west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17871/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

In December 2022 the Government extended the Creative Ireland Programme. For the period 2023-2027, the programme will focus on five areas: Creative Youth; Creative Communities; Creative Industries; Creative Health and Well-being; and Creative Climate Action and Sustainability.

The “Creative Industries Framework” referred to in the WDC report is the Roadmap for the Digital Creative Industries, which is a commitment of the Programme for Government. My Department has made constructive progress working with officials across Departments and agencies to prepare a draft Roadmap for agreement. In partnership with the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment I am aiming publish the Roadmap for the Digital Creative Industries later this year.

In 2022 Creative Ireland piloted the first Creative Communities Economic Action fund. This supported eight local authorities with resources to grow the potential of local creative industries. These included support for animation clusters in Munster; immersive games development in Galway; the activation of design practice in wider industry across the North West, in partnership with the Western Development Commission; development of fabric production in Donegal; typography skills development in Kells Co Meath, and exploring the links between the business and art of hairdressing in Leitrim.

The Creative Communities Economic Action Fund 2023 will continue the work undertaken in the first round of funding to develop creative economies at local level. In particular we are asking local authorities, Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) agencies such as the Western Development Commission and their partners to support projects in the following sectors:

• Design sectors (including industrial design, product design, visual communications, graphic design, Ui/Ux and interaction design, service design and strategic design);

• Digital creative sectors including the games sectors; and

• Content creation sectors including advertising and brand agencies, visual and audiovisual content for commercial social media, multimedia content for mobile applications (‘apps’), and content for newer and emerging platforms such as AR/VR/XR.

I will be announcing the 2023 successful recipients shortly.

My Department has no function in regard to the budget for the implementation of the recommendations set out in the Sustainable Enterprise – Creative Economy Report in March 2022, by the Western Development Commission. The Creative Ireland Programme will however continue to work with various sectors, stakeholders and other public sector bodies with a view to realising the potential of the creative economy.

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (693)

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

693. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next round of sports capital applications will open for clubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17974/23]

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 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.

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. 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 launch of the next cycle of the SCEP. Once this engagement is concluded, I will announce the exact dates from which new applications will be accepted.

Íocaíochtaí Deontas

Ceisteanna (694)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

694. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a íocfar deontas (sonraí tugtha) le duine i nDáilcheantar Ghaillimh Thiar; údar na moille leis seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [18001/23]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Mar is eol don Teachta, ardaíodh an deontas aon uaire atá ar fáil do theaghlaigh cháilithe na scéime ó €2,000 go €6,000 mar thaca breise do theaghlaigh Ghaeltachta agus tá na hiarratais ina leith á bpróiseáil ag an Roinn i rith an ama - an t-iarratas atá mar ábhar na ceiste san áireamh.

Is féidir leis an Teachta a bheith cinnte de go mbrúfar gach cás go ceann scríbe chomh luath in Éirinn agus is féidir ach an cháipéisíocht ina leith a bheith in ord agus in eagar.

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (695)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

695. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the misclassification of pension entitlements for workers in local authorities; and if he can provide an update and a timeline for resolution. [16047/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I refer to my reply to Question No. 168 of 30 March 2023, which outlines the situation in respect of Dublin City Council. Matters are currently with that local authority for resolution. My Department is not currently aware of any significant, systematic employee misclassification of pay-related social insurance categories in any other local authority.

Regeneration Projects

Ceisteanna (696, 697)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

696. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the updated position regarding a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; the stage this project is at; the funding that has been drawn down to date for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16048/23]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

697. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when works will be completed on a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16049/23]

Freagraí scríofa

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

In line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is currently providing part-funding to applicant-led projects, enabling more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns.

To this end, the URDF has already provisionally allocated in excess of €1.6 billion under two separate calls for proposals since its inception in 2018. Providing assistance to 132 proposals, comprising of almost 400 subprojects, URDF projects are now active in every local authority area in the country.

In 2021, following the second call for proposals under the URDF, I announced a provisional allocation of €11,027,500 in URDF support for Mayo County Council's two successful projects - Castlebar Historic Core Reactivation Initiative Project (€8,527,500) and Castlebar Military Barracks Project (€2,500,000).

This followed Mayo County Council's three successful proposals under the URDF’s first call in 2018 – Ballina Innovation Quarter project (€6,232,172), Castlebar Urban Greenway Link project (€1,875,000) and technical assistance for the advancement of the Castlebar Military Barracks project (€141,391) taking the total amount of URDF funding for Mayo County Council to €19,276,063.

In reference to the Ballina Innovation Quarter project, I can confirm that this project is onsite with construction works well advanced. As per the most recent update from Mayo County Council, the project is expected to be substantially completed in Q3 2023.

To date, €3,284,668 of the URDF allocation has been drawn down towards this project, with the URDF providing support up to the maximum 75% of the overall costs.

While my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Mayo County Council in respect of project development, responsibility for the advancement of these URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for Mayo County Council. Accordingly, detailed queries regarding the projects should be directed to the Council.

Question No. 697 answered with Question No. 696.

Grant Payments

Ceisteanna (698)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

698. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grants are in place from his Department for the repair and restoration for wrought iron gates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16050/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department provides financial support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS).

The HSF is for conservation and enhancement to heritage structures and historic buildings, in both private and public ownership, for the benefit of communities and the public. The BHIS is a scheme for the repair and conservation of structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures (RPS). It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small-scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals. Further details of both schemes, including guidance material, can be found on the website of all local authorities and my Department’s website.

I announced the awards for both schemes for 2023 last month and the schemes are now closed for this year. However, should the works and relevant structure be eligible, an application would be welcomed for next year's schemes, which I intend to launch towards the end of this year. Applications should be made to the local authority. It is advised to contact the Architectural Conservation Officer or Heritage Officer in the local authority in question for more information on the schemes as well as advice on the eligibility of the project at hand.

Land Issues

Ceisteanna (699, 751)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

699. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of instances in each local authority in each of the past five years in which residential zoned land was later rezoned on the recommendation of the Office of the Planning Regulator; and the number of cases in which he issued a draft Ministerial direction to overrule any such decision undertaken by a local authority; his reason for doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16051/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

751. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out in tabular form a list of all notices of intention to direct local authorities under Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act to amend their draft development plan or other plans with a brief summary of the direction; and to further to set out in tabular form all cases where a recommendation of the Office of the Planning Regulator for such a draft direction was not accepted by him, again providing a summary in each case including the issue, location and rationale. [16396/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 699 and 751 together.

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 on the matter from the Office of the Planning Regulator (the Office).

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.

Since its establishment in April 2019, the Office of the Planning Regulator has had responsibility for the evaluation and assessment of local authority development plans, and variations thereof. In the performance of this function the Office may make submissions to the relevant planning authority including such recommendations as it considers necessary to ensure effective co-ordination of national, regional and local planning requirements by the relevant planning authority in the discharge of its development planning functions.

In accordance with the requirements set out in section 31AM(8) of the Act, where merited, the Office may recommend that the Minister exercise his or her function to issue a Direction to ensure that the development plan, or the development plan as varied, sets out an overall strategy for proper planning and sustainable development. In such instances the Office issues a notice letter to the Minister setting out its recommendation.

The table below lists the local authorities where development plans or variations thereof, as the case may be, have been subject of a notice letter from the Office recommending that a notice of a proposed draft Direction, or a final Direction be issued. The table also lists the local authorities where the associated statutory processes have concluded and a final Ministerial Direction has issued.

It is worth noting that the Office keeps a regularly updated repository of this information on its website where documentation associated with each recommended Direction can be accessed: www.opr.ie/recommendations-made-by-the-opr-to-the-minister/

Local authority to which an OPR Notice Letter related	Local authority to which a final Direction issued following an OPR recommendation
Local authority to which an OPR Notice Letter related	Local authority to which a final Direction issued following an OPR recommendation
Clare County Council
Cork County Council	Cork County Council
Cork City Council	Cork City Council
Donegal County Council	Donegal County Council
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council	Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
Fingal County Council
Galway City Council
Galway County Council	Galway County Council
Kerry County Council	Kerry County Council
Kilkenny County Council
Laois County Council	Laois County Council
Limerick City and County Council	Limerick City and County Council
Mayo County Council	Mayo County Council
Meath County Council	Meath County Council
South Dublin County Council	South Dublin County Council
Westmeath County Council	Westmeath County Council
Wicklow County Council	Wicklow County Council

Statutory processes remain ongoing in the case of four development plans and are yet to reach conclusion. In this regard the following link to a general overview of the Direction process on the Office’s website is provided, for the Deputy’s information:

www.opr.ie/directions-process/

On occasions where the Minister decides not to follow, either in full or in part, the recommendations made by the Office, in issuing either a draft or a final Direction, the Minister is required to prepare and submit a statement of reasons to both Houses of the Oireachtas and this information is available for review and the Deputy may wish to consult the Oireachtas Library for a record of these statements.

The Minister’s Direction and/or statement is also published on the Office of the Planning Regulator’s, and the Department’s respective websites.

Local Authorities

Ceisteanna (700)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

700. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities have any flexibility when applying the underaccommodation rule in assessing tenant purchase applications. [16088/23]

Freagraí scríofa

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

The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme 2016 is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme.

The scheme is governed by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015. While the regulations provide for specified classes of houses to be excluded from sale, they do not prohibit the sale of 'under-accommodated' houses to eligible tenants.

That said, local authorities may, within the provisions of the regulations, exclude houses which they consider should not be sold for reasons such as proper stock or estate management. Such decisions are matters solely for local authorities having regard to their respective housing requirements.

Housing Policy

Ceisteanna (701)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

701. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many housing units were supplied to the State in the past ten years through NARPS; the average length of each of these tenancies; the average cost to the State for the rental of each of these units; and if there are any agreements with NARPS for extension of leases in the future on these properties. [16319/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

In 2013, the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) established a special purpose vehicle, National Asset Residential Property Services Limited (NARPS), to take direct ownership of properties, where there was an established demand for social housing, and lease those properties on a long-term basis to an approved housing body (AHB) or local authority.

NAMA funded the remediation of the common areas and the completion of unfinished units, which were often the last remaining incomplete and vacant units in estates. When the units were complete, NARPS purchased the finished properties and leased them immediately to an AHB or local authority. Information in relation to the number of leases, broken down by AHB and local authority, is available on the NAMA website at the following link:

www.nama.ie/our-work/social-initiatives/social-housing

All NARPS leases are 20 years and 9 months in duration. At end 2022, the average cost of a NARPS property supported under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) was €11,683 per annum. To date, there have been no extensions granted by my Department on any of the existing NARPS leases.

Local Authorities

Ceisteanna (702, 727)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

702. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent by the State in each of the past five years on properties rented by local authorities for the social housing list. [16356/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

727. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm the total spend on the housing assistance programme and the rental accommodation scheme for 2022. [16727/23]

Freagraí scríofa

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 702 and 727 together.

My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing delivery and spend activity, including HAP and RAS, in all local authority areas, on the statistics page of its website.

The specific queries relating to RAS spend over the last 5 years can be found at the following link - gov.ie - Overall social and affordable housing provision (www.gov.ie)

In relation to the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) queries, HAP is funded through a combination of Exchequer monies and tenant differential rents collected in respect of HAP tenancies.

Limerick City and County Council provides a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP-related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Accordingly, my Department does not recoup individual local authorities in respect of HAP rental payments in their administrative areas but, rather, recoups all landlord costs via the HAP SSC.

The table below shows the exchequer spend on the HAP scheme for the last 5 years.

Year	HAP Outturn €M
2018	276.60
2019	382.40
2020	464.65
2021	541.69
2022	538.96

Vacant Properties

Ceisteanna (703)

Steven Matthews

Ceist:

703. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the report published by an organisation (details supplied) in relation to bringing vacant and derelict properties back into residential use; if he intends to review and ultimately action any of the recommendations contained therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16362/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins the policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.

In July 2022, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant, which was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages, was expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from 15 November, 2022.

A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence, including the conversion of a property which has not previously been used as residential.

Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €30,000, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or if the property is on the Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €50,000.

Properties considered for inclusion must be vacant for two years or more and built before 1993. Proof of both vacancy and ownership are required to support the grant payment.

I note the report referenced on bringing vacant and derelict residential properties back into use. It very clearly sets out the value of bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use, delivering housing, regenerating communities and meeting sustainability objectives and the opportunities posed. The report also welcomes the contribution of the Vacant Property Grant which has been made available under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, while making further recommendations to support the viability of renovating a vacant or derelict property.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant has been kept under ongoing review since its launch. The Government and I have recently decided to further expand the grant eligibility to increase the number of vacant and derelict properties being brought back into use. This includes changing the eligibility date for properties to include properties built prior to 2007, expanding the grant to include properties which are made available for rent and not solely for owner occupation as well as reviewing the current grant rates. My Department is currently working on details of this expansion and will also consider recommendations made in this report. Further announcements on the changes to the scheme will be made when this work has concluded.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (704)

James Lawless

Ceist:

704. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the cost in relation to the requirement for both a passport and a birth certificate when applying for housing will be examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16412/23]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Ultimately, it is a matter for each local authority to determine the information required in each case to confirm an applicant's identity.

Generally, birth certificates for all household members and a current passport or driving licence are requested as part of the application form for social housing support. However, where a particular document cannot be provided, the local authority may request alternative documentation to satisfy itself in relation to the specific information being sought.

Vacant Properties

Ceisteanna (705, 789)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

705. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the number of vacant housing officers in each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16460/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

789. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional funding that has been made available to local authorities to ensure that their vacant homes officers are full-time; the amount of additional funding that was made available; the local authorities that have availed of the funding; and to provide a list of local authorities that have full-time vacant home officers. [17164/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 705 and 789 together.

Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.

In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that funding, made available since 2018 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer (VHO), would be increased from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum, from mid-2022. This supports the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that the VHO role in each local authority is full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of VHOs, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction. 30 out of 31 local authorities now have a full time VHO in place and I understand that recruitment is ongoing for the remaining post in Donegal County Council. The role of the VHO in each local authority is:

• To actively promote and lead the uptake within the local authority of various initiatives, schemes and funding programmes to address vacancy and bring vacant properties into residential use;

• To actively engage with owners of vacant properties and other relevant stakeholders and promote use of relevant schemes and supports to bring vacant properties into use;

• To collect, monitor and assess vacancy data locally and use that data to actively engage with property owners and promote schemes to encourage activation of properties; and

• Play a communication, promotion and advisory role both internally within the local authority and externally as a contact point for members of the public and key interested parties on vacant homes/properties.

In acknowledgement of the administrative overheads for local authorities in managing the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Ready to Build Scheme, the Department provides a supporting allocation of up to €180,000 to each local authority in respect of processing applications for both schemes, which are funded under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. 22 local authorities claimed support funding in 2022/23.

My Department is currently examining the resources needed to enable local authorities to carry out the important work of activating vacant and derelict properties. VHOs across local authorities will continue to be supported in their work by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department.

Departmental Policies

Ceisteanna (706)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

706. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what decision-making led to declaring certain species on the open season list as being under threat; and what part the National Association of Regional Game Councils’ (NARGC) data on bag returns played in that process, if any. [16468/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Article 12 of the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) requires Member States to report on the implementation of national provisions taken under this Directive, including specific reporting on status and trends of bird species. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department considered the results of its 2019 Birds Directive Article 12 reporting to the European Commission. This report is informed by surveys and monitoring undertaken by or commissioned by NPWS. NPWS does not currently have access to the bag return data held by the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) discussions are ongoing with NARGC on this matter.

Grant Payments

Ceisteanna (707, 708, 752, 759)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

707. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the number of applications to the croí cónaithe towns scheme; the number of applications awarded, both refurbishment and dereliction grants; the average value of the grant awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16470/23]

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

708. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the number of applications to the croí cónaithe cities scheme; the number of applications awarded, both refurbishment and dereliction grants; the average value of the grant awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16471/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

752. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of croí cónaithe town grants drawn down to date and to explain why data for drawdowns is not included in the quarterly updates published by his Department. [16400/23]

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

759. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant home grant applications received, approved, partially drawn down, and fully drawn down in each county since the scheme was launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16634/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 707, 708, 752 and 759 together.

Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. The Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund is a key initiative which underpins these policy objectives set out in Pathway Four of Housing for All.

In July 2022, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched as part of the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund. The grant benefits those who wish to turn a formerly vacant house or building into their principal private residence. The grant, which was initially launched in respect of vacant properties in towns and villages, was expanded to include eligible vacant properties in both cities and rural areas from November 15 2022.

A grant of up to €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence. Where a property is derelict, a top up grant of €20,000 is available, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to €50,000.

My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which can be accessed at the following link: gov.ie - Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Statistics (www.gov.ie).

Question No. 708 answered with Question No. 707.

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Ceisteanna (709)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

709. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown by local authority of the number of CPOs of vacant properties completed, ongoing and under consideration, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16472/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. Many areas of cities, towns and villages of all sizes face the blight of vacant properties, which, if brought back into use, could add real vibrancy and provide new accommodation in those areas. While the reasons for vacancy are often complex, the re-use and regeneration of vacant properties in cities, towns, villages and rural areas can provide much needed housing while also transforming areas and the communities living in them.

The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I launched in January, outlines the progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return as many vacant properties back to viable use as possible. A copy of the Plan can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/df86c-vacant-homes-action-plan-2023-2026/

As part of the Action Plan, my Department recently launched a new CPO Activation Programme, with targets identified for each local authority. This Programme includes guidance and supports for local authorities to actively use their legislative powers to acquire vacant and derelict properties, where engagement with owners has been unsuccessful.

Under this Programme, local authorities are now required to adopt a proactive, planned and systematic approach to the identification and activation of vacant and derelict properties. Such an approach is already in place in a number of local authorities. The key objective is the activation of vacant and derelict properties, bringing them into residential use as quickly as possible. The main steps of the Programme include:

• identification of vacant and derelict properties,

• identification of and engagement with owners,

• communication regarding the various schemes and measures in place to support bringing the property back into use, and

• where owners of vacant and derelict properties cannot be identified or where they are unwilling to engage, use of available legislative powers to compulsory purchase or acquire such properties using either the Housing Act,1966 or the Derelict Sites Act, 1990.

Each local authority will be required, on an ongoing basis, to provide data in relation to the properties entering the Programme, activity undertaken and progress made, along with outcomes. My Department will publish the relevant data in due course.