Written Answers Nos. 262-281
262. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in submitting a planning application for the permanent school buildings for the Drogheda Educate Together second level school, Mill Road, Mornington, Drogheda, Co. Louth; when the planning application will be submitted; the timeline for the completion of the new permanent building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4894/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme and will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school building and accommodation, including 6 classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
Representatives of the school have viewed the plans for the new school in advance of submitting the planning application. A letter of consent is required from an adjacent landowner as part of the planning application. Once this has been received, the planning application will be submitted shortly thereafter.
It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the progression of the project to tender and construction stages until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.
My Department will continue to keep the school and its patron body updated as the project progresses.
263. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a schedule of second level school place deficits in Naas, Prosperous, Clane, Celbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth and Kilcock; if she will clarify if second round offers have been made in these districts; and detail the number of pupils that have not received school places for the 24/25 academic year in these districts. [4898/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in North Kildare.
A critical next step for the Department is to establish the actual number of additional first year places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Naas, Prosperous, Clane, Celbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth and Kilcock, have been requested to share data on applications for admissions. This data has been received by my officials and is currently being analysed with a view to establishing the actual requirement for places. Preliminary assessments indicate that duplications of applications, and applications from outside the local area, are very much contributing to enrolment pressures in the town.
The Department is working to clarify the actual requirement for additional school places and to identify particular further capacity requirements for 2024 and forthcoming years. The Department will engage with schools and patrons to put any required solutions in place - beyond those that are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in the area.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available at this time. The availability of places is a matter for each individual school in the context of the Admissions legislation.
264. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the supports available to a person (details supplied); what role the education welfare officer can play in finding a resolution for the educational deficit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4945/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Educational Welfare Service (EWS) is part of Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) and operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention.
The EWS work with children and families who have difficulties in relation to school attendance, participation and retention. This is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education; to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.
TESS offers advice and assistance to parents seeking school placements for their children. However, if there is oversubscription for schools in a particular geographical area it may be necessary to make applications to schools in a neighbouring town/village. Contact details for TESS can be found on the Tusla website: www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/
An Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) may have knowledge of schools that may have capacity and will advise parents to make an application to that school. Parental choice has to be taken into account when seeking a school place for a child but a place in a school of first choice is not always possible. The EWO can designate a school place for a student if it can be proven that the school has capacity and have refused to admit the child in accordance with their admissions policy.
If, having made applications to the schools in the area, the child remains without a school placement, the parents may be eligible to apply for home tuition as an interim measure. The EWO will advise the parent in relation to the application process. The application for home tuition is made by the parent.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE’s website: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is also published on the NCSE website: www.ncse.ie/special-classes
The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
265. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has requested a version of the Grant Thornton Toy Show The Musical report documenting names, where the published report only contains numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4653/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report into Toy Show The Musical was an RTÉ-commissioned report. Anonymisation was a matter for Grant Thornton who carried out the review for RTÉ. The terms of reference were set by RTÉ, including need to respect principles of natural justice.
The decision on anonymisation was taken with regard to the principles of natural justice and to ensure cooperation of interviewees. Therefore it is not appropriate to comment on its terms of reference or seek another version of the report other than which has been published.
The report makes important findings in relation to governance failings at RTÉ, including in respect of the Board. These findings have been accepted by the current Board.
The report will feed into the considerations and recommendations of the two independent Expert Advisory Committees established to examine Governance, Culture, HR and related matters in respect of RTÉ and which are expected to report at the end of February.
266. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to undertake an economic viability study for tourism-dependent hospitality businesses in light of the proposed extra costs announced in budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4761/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile elements of the hospitality sector are important parts of the wider tourism ecosystem, as Minister for Tourism I do not have responsibility for the general hospitality or food services sector. While these are important segments of the wider enterprise economy as they do not fall within my remit, I have no plans to undertake a study as referred to in the question.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I co-chair the Hospitality and Tourism Forum which brings together on a regular basis these two important and inter-related sectors. Key stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality sectors are represented in this Forum. The Forum provides a platform for structured engagement between the tourism and hospitality sectors and the relevant Government Departments where key matters can be discussed with a view to identifying practical solutions. Key stakeholders within tourism and hospitality sectors were present when this Forum recently met in person on 24 January 2024.
In addition, I understand that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is working with the Department of Social Protection on a report that examines the business impact of forthcoming changes to working conditions. The report is supported by evidence received from both employer and trade union perspectives and will be finalised in the coming weeks.
Finally, Government is supporting businesses through measures such as the Increased Costs of Business grant introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
267. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to advise of any possible funding to complete the set-up of a facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4786/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that my Department does not have any funding streams available for such a project.
In the event that there is a tourism element to the proposed project, I have referred this question to Fáilte Ireland for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
268. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an application by a club (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4798/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September, 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications, including one from the organisation to which the Deputy refers. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced and it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations likely to be announced later.
269. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide additional funding to independent broadcasters as a matter of urgency to support their existing news and current affairs coverage in the context of the proliferation of misinformation in public discourse; if she recognises the urgency of this extra funding, particularly in a year of numerous national elections and referendums; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4830/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe independent radio sector plays an essential role in sharing reliable and relevant news and bringing communities together. The wider media sector in Ireland, which is a vital element of our democracy and society as a whole, is undergoing fundamental change. This is in part due to the increased digitalisation of news and media content generally and the associated decline in advertising revenue as a consequence.
The Report of the Future of Media Commission examined the challenges faced by the media sector, including the radio sector, and consequent impact on the provision of public service content. The Report made a number of recommendations to counter these challenges and to support the provision of public service content.
One recommendation made by the Future of Media Commission was the establishment of a new Media Fund to provide support for the provision of public service content by the wider media and journalism sector at local, regional and national levels on a platform neutral basis. The Media Fund is being established on an administrative basis, with the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes being prioritised for implementation by Coimisiún na Meán, with €6m allocated in Budget 2024 for this purpose.
My officials have consulted extensively with members of the Future of Media Commission Stakeholder Consultative Forum, which includes representatives from the independent radio sector, throughout the year as part of the high level policy development process for the schemes. My officials will continue to engage with these members and indeed with all stakeholders to keep them informed of developments on this matter.
It is considered that the draft Schemes may constitute State Aid to economic operators in the news and current affairs market. Accordingly, the schemes may require a full State Aid notification to, and the approval of, the European Commission. The pre-notification form for the media fund schemes was received by the European Commission on 6th September 2023 and a response from the European Commission is awaited. Once the pre-notification process is complete, a formal State Aid notification, if required, will be submitted to the European Commission. Following State aid approval, Coimisiún na Meán will be in a position to implement the schemes.
Existing supports for the radio sector have been provided through the Sound and Vision Scheme which is administered by Coimisiún na Meán. I provided additional Exchequer funding for a special radio sector round of Sound and Vision (Round 50) which provided €2.4m in supports in Q4 2023. The radio sector also received significant funding from other Sound and Vision rounds announced last year. 35 projects received a total of €543,000 from announcements made last August, while another 67 radio projects received €636,000 from Round 47 which was announced last April.
Since 2020, independent commercial radio has received a total €10,388,988 in funding through the Sound and Vision Scheme. This includes €7.48m through three dedicated funding rounds (Round 35, Round 39 and Round 50)
270. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the level of Údarás na Gaeltachta supported jobs, by county at the end of 2019 and at the end of 2023, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4836/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to fulfill its reporting and planning requirments, Údaras na Gaeltachta gathers employment figures annually to the end of October.
Research conducted by ABSEI of Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies, in which ten or more employees were employed in 2022, demonstrated that Gaeltacht businesses had a significant positive economic impact. The client companies had estimated total sales of €1.14 billion in 2022, of which 60% was export sales.
The 2023 employment results show that specific sectors, such as medical devices, remain strong. This is because there is a mix of manufacturing, which supports a high level of employment, and innovation that links the enterprise to the area in which it is located. There were 9,526 jobs in companies that received support from Údarás na Gaeltachta at the end of 2023. Employment numbers for 2023 are reported based on full-time and other classification whereas the employment numbers for 2019 are reported on a fulltime equivalent basis.
1,075 new full-time positions were created in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies in 2023. When the number of jobs lost are accounted for, there was a net gain of 303 full time jobs on the previous year.
The table below provides a breakdown by county on the level of supported jobs in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies for the years 2019 and 2023:
|
Gaeltacht County |
Donegal |
Mayo |
Galway |
Meath |
Kerry |
Cork |
Waterford |
Total |
|
Employment in 2023 |
2,740 |
971 |
3,617 |
238 |
938 |
758 |
264 |
9,526 |
|
Employment in 2019* |
2,326 |
675 |
3,090 |
210 |
695 |
699 |
149 |
7,844 |
*Fulltime equivalent
271. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the dates he attended the public sector pay talks and the issues he raised at these attendances. [4657/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has responsibility for public pay policy including negotiating collective agreements. As is usually the case, the recent negotiations were led by his Department and facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission. The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform liaise with sectoral management in relation to specific issues as they arise.
272. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 131 of 9 February 2023, if he will provide an update on preparations for the referendum on public ownership of Uisce Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4660/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic ownership is a core principle governing the development of water services and the Government has given its full commitment to holding a referendum on ownership of water services. As I have previously noted, the establishment of Uisce Éireann in public ownership is already firmly secured under the Water Services Acts 2007 to 2022.
I have previously committed to bringing forward a referendum proposal on public ownership of water services for consideration by Government in conjunction with the anticipated recommendation of a proposed referendum on housing.
The Housing Commission has submitted its report and recommendations to me regarding a proposed constitutional amendment. In reaching its conclusions, the Commission examined inter alia the range of complex constitutional questions arising. It undertook a comprehensive consultation, researched international experience, evaluated various proposed wordings and considered other critical factors involved with introducing an amendment to the Constitution. I am currently considering the Commission's comprehensive analysis and report, together with the next steps in the process, and I expect to bring these to Government in the not too distant future.
I intend to take a similar approach to the proposed referendum on water ownership.
In this way, it is intended that definitive proposals, including next steps and timelines, for referendums on water and housing will be considered by Government in due course.
273. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what plans his Department has to deal with serial planning objections (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4666/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is of the utmost importance in the first instance to point out that provision for the handling and consideration of appeals where considered vexatious is currently already legislated for under section 138 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), under which An Bord Pleanála has powers to dismiss an appeal where it is of the opinion that is frivolous or vexatious, or has been made with the intention of delaying the development or the intention of securing money, gifts or other inducements. These provisions are replicated in the Planning and Development Bill 2023.
Notwithstanding this point, in July of this year I wrote to the Attorney General and to the Minister for Justice in relation to demands for financial compensation regarding planning objections. The Attorney General provided views that matters such as these are provided for under current legislation, notably, section 17 of Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act which states “It shall be an offence for any person who, with a view to gain for himself or another or with intent to cause loss to another, makes any unwarranted demand with menaces.” The Attorney General also advised that sections 6 & 7 of the Criminal Justice (Theft & Fraud Offences) Act may apply in instances such as these.
In order to protect the planning system, I am currently considering whether it is appropriate to provide additional sanctions in relation to spurious appeals in the Planning and Development Bill 2023. If required I will bring forward amendments to the Bill over the coming weeks as it progresses through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
It is important to reiterate that Government is opposed to the abuse of any process, including in relation to planning, for personal gain to the detriment of the process, this includes behaviour that would lead to a possible abuse of the courts system. Anyone with any concerns regarding a breach of law in respect to a planning application should contact Gardaí.
274. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage following the recent and welcome advancements towards the implementation of a deer management programme, to further consider the implementation of a similar programme for mink management and to introduce a mink cull, given their invasive nature and the threat they pose to our native species and ecosystems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4670/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the implementation of a suite of National and EU legislation in relation to invasive alien species in Ireland. There are currently 76 species listed on the Third Schedule to the 2011 Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations (Ireland's de facto national list of invasive alien species) and 88 species on the EU list of Invasive Species of Union Concern.
The American Mink is included on the national list and there are a range of ongoing efforts by NPWS to control mink in the country. These are primarily being managed by NPWS regional staff and under a number of LIFE projects, for example for Curlew and for Corncrake. These efforts are focussed on the protection of rare ground nesting birds and Nest Protection Officers are in place across the country to control and remove mink where they catch them.
The Irish Deer Management Strategy Group’s report on developing a sustainable deer management strategy for Ireland, published last December, recommended the establishment of local deer management units in known hotspot areas. This is somewhat similar to the approach NPWS takes with regard to the protection of ground nesting birds from predators such as mink.
There are no plans at present in my Department for a nationwide cull of American mink.
275. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that the US embassy has confirmed that it plans to demolish the old Jury's Hotel in Ballsbridge and construct a new embassy on the site; if he agrees that, given the current accommodation crisis, the site should be used to house homeless people and asylum seekers at this time; what actions he will take to ensure that the building is not demolished, in addition to securing this space for much needed accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4699/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
My Department has no involvement in the development referred to.
276. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the mortgage to rent scheme; and if any private operators are currently operating in the scheme. [4603/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme was introduced in 2012 for borrowers of commercial lending institutions and is targeted at those households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), who agree to the voluntary surrender of their home and who have very limited options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs themselves. In addition, the household must be deemed eligible for social housing support. The concept of the scheme is that a household with an unsustainable mortgage goes from being a homeowner to being a social housing tenant.
To the end of 2023, 2,388 households with unsustainable private mortgages have completed the MTR scheme since its introduction. A total of 6,750 individuals are benefitting from the scheme, which comprises of 3,760 adults and 2,990 children. A further 411 cases are being actively progressed though the scheme.
Both the Programme for Government and Housing for All commit to strengthening the Mortgage to Rent scheme and ensuring that it is helping those who need it. Building on the significant amendments already made to the scheme in 2017, a 2021 Review of the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme was undertaken and was published in January 2022.
One key priority action of this Review was to broaden the eligibility criteria of the scheme and this was implemented in February 2022. These include changes to the positive equity and property acquisition limits and more flexibility on over-accommodation where a member of the household is aged 65 or over, or has a disability. Also, the increase in the income threshold for social housing has also opened the MTR scheme up to more borrowers because households entering Mortgage to Rent must qualify for social housing support. These changes have enabled borrowers who would not previously been eligible, to apply for the scheme.
Another action from the review of the MTR scheme was for my Department to consider the policy options around the scheme and how the scheme might be funded, to ensure its continued operation as well as ensuring value for money for the State. My Department, in conjunction with the Housing Agency, has recently run an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process which invited participants from both the private and Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector to put forward their interest in becoming MTR providers that can deliver the scheme at scale. This EOI process was necessary to support the long-term sustainability of the scheme and will offer lenders more providers with whom they can engage and process cases. The EOI process has concluded and the new large-scale MTR providers will be in place imminently. These new large-scale MTR providers will be comprised of Approved Housing Bodies and private companies.
The Pilot scheme with the private MTR provider Home for Life, which had been in operation since 2018, was terminated from 25 May 2023 in anticipation of the EOI process being undertaken. However, it is important to note that the Department put in place arrangements which allowed Home for Life to continue processing all active MTR it had on hand on the 25 May 2023. These cases continue to be finalised by Home for Life.
277. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will include the lands at Castletown House in the biodiversity plan. [4730/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) 2023-2030 was published last week and sets out Ireland’s vision for biodiversity, that by 2050 “Biodiversity in Ireland is valued, conserved, restored and sustainably used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people”. The Plan strives for a “whole of government, whole of society” approach to the governance and conservation of biodiversity. The aim is to ensure that every citizen, community, business, local authority, semi-state and state agency has an awareness of biodiversity and its importance, and of the implications of its loss, while also understanding how they can act to address the biodiversity emergency as part of a renewed national effort to “act for nature”.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the management of Castletown House and the surrounding state-owned parkland. The OPW Biodiversity Action Strategy 2022 – 2026 sets out the OPW’s intention for protecting, promoting and enhancing biodiversity across its operations. It identifies strategic actions to help to deliver Government policy, including through contribution to the delivery of the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and includes a case study of the biodiversity-friendly measures taken on meadows at Castletown House. Further information of the OPW’s Biodiversity Action Strategy 2022-2026 is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/3c132-opw-biodiversity-action-strategy/
278. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that the level of successful prosecutions of wildlife crime is too low; that expectations of at least 200 prosecutions per year have not been reached, despite substantially more legislation and increased monitoring being in place; if the reason for the lack of prosecutions (details supplied), especially with regard to Ireland’s commitments under the new UN ’30 x 30’ Biodiversity Goals and new National Biodiversity Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4752/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the number of prosecutions for wildlife crimes by county for each of the years 2019 to 2023. [4900/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra291. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the function of the Wildlife Crime Committee within the National Parks and Wildlife Service; to provide an update on what progress it has made, and measures taken to address noticeable discrepancy between regions in the number of prosecutions taken. [4901/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 278, 290 and 291 together.
Wildlife crime is a serious issue seen across many jurisdictions that poses a threat to our biodiversity and the sustainable development of countless communities.
Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity contribute to the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework through National Biodiversity Action Plans. The 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan was launched on 25 January. It included a target to increase compliance with wildlife legislation in co-operation with agencies through enhanced detection, enforcement and awareness raising. This target will be underpinned by enhanced collaboration between the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, An Garda Síochána, Revenue’s Customs Service and other authorities to ensure adequate training and resourcing to enforce environmental and wildlife legislation.
A dedicated NPWS Directorate for Wildlife Enforcement and Nature Protection is now leading on the development of NPWS policies and strategies for wildlife crime. The NPWS Wildlife Crime Committee reports to this Directorate and assists in informing strategic direction and leadership in relation to wildlife crime and enforcement.
Taking a case from reporting and investigative stage through to successful prosecution can be challenging. Nevertheless, the work of NPWS staff across the organisation has seen an increase in prosecution cases taken of 39% in 2023 compared to 2022 figures, with 169 cases sent by NPWS to the Chief State Solicitors office since 2019 and it has successfully closed over 118 cases since 2020.
A breakdown of cases initiated by the NPWS with the CSSO for each of the years 2019 to 2023 is currently being compiled and when complete will be forwarded to the Deputy. From initial analysis, it appears cases for almost every county in the country were progressed for prosecution by NPWS in recent years.
NPWS's capability to take more enforcement action, detect and prevent wildlife crime is being greatly enhanced through the recruitment of additional NPWS staff. There are now more boots on the grounds patrolling, investigating, enforcing and educating. NPWS are also recruiting ecologists to add scientific expertise and ballast across NPWS to our wildlife crime efforts.
NPWS is building on its joint protocol with An Garda Síochána who have powers and functions to enforce wildlife legislation similar to NPWS authorised officers and in providing mutual support on wildlife crime issues. Citizen reporting is also an essential element in safeguarding nature and helping prevent wildlife crime. I would urge the public to report suspected wildlife crimes to An Garda Síochána or NPWS directly.
Additionally, the Wildlife Act is being reviewed to improve its enforceability, and a public consultation on this will be announced shortly.
279. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the drafting of an updated housing circular 46/2014, as committed to in the Youth Homelessness Strategy; if his Department will consult with the youth services sector on its provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4755/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with commitments made in both the Programme for Government and Housing for All, a national Youth Homelessness Strategy was published in November 2022. The Strategy aims to help young people aged 18-24 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It sets out 27 key actions to prevent youth homelessness; improve the experiences of young people accessing emergency accommodation; and assist young people in exiting homelessness.
A Steering Group has been established under the auspices of the National Homeless Action Committee to drive the delivery of all actions within the Strategy and ensure that an integrated, whole-of-Government approach will be taken when implementing the Strategy’s actions. A representative of the Irish Coalition to End Youth Homelessness sits on this Steering Group.
The Strategy recognises that there are certain cohorts of young people who face additional challenges as a result of their background or personal circumstances. These cohorts are particularly at risk of becoming homeless and are disproportionately represented in the young homeless population. Informed by research and recommendations received during consultation undertaken during the development of the Strategy, six vulnerable cohorts were identified and specific actions provided for each vulnerable cohort. Young people leaving state care are identified as one of these vulnerable cohorts.
Action 7 in the Youth Homeless Strategy is to review and update Housing Circular 46/2014 on the Protocol on Young People Leaving State Care. Representatives from Tusla, DCEDIY and my Department are currently in the process of drafting an updated version of the Circular 46/2014. Once drafted in it intended to consult with members of the National Homeless Action Committee. It is expected that the updated Circular will be issued in Q2 2024.
A copy of the Youth Homelessness Strategy 2023-2025 can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/69597-youth-homelessness-strategy/
280. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the revenue raised by each local authority from local property tax, commercial rates and service charges, and the funding each received from the Exchequer by way of the Local Government Fund in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4769/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities derive their income from a variety of central and local sources including from Local Property Tax (LPT), commercial rates, charges for goods and services and Exchequer funding from Central Government.
The Annual Financial Statement (AFS) of each local authority provides an analysis of their income; these financial statements are produced at the local authority level. The information is generally available on each individual local authority’s website. 2022 is the latest year for which audited AFS data is currently available. Accordingly, the data for 2023 in respect of commercial rates and income from the provision of goods and services is not yet available in my Department.
LPT is administered and collected by the Revenue Commissioners and subsequently transferred into the Local Government Fund (LGF). The funds are ultimately redistributed to local authorities in accordance with the Government’s allocation policies. The Revenue Commissioners publish detailed information on LPT collected, broken down by local authority, on its website at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/property-taxes/index.aspx
In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, the LPT allocation mechanism for 2023 was changed to allow for 100% of the estimated yield to be retained locally within the local authority area where it is collected. The underlying principle of the LPT distribution model is that every local authority should have a minimum level of funding, known as the baseline, available to it to support the provision of local services. Baseline funding comes from LPT and is supplemented by the Exchequer where a local authority’s LPT income is less than their baseline level. Detailed information regarding the 2023 LPT allocations, paid from the LGF, amounting to €609.9m is published by my Department at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/02b73-local-property-tax-final-allocations-to-local-authorities-for-2023/
The LGF in any given year, comprises of a combination of LPT receipts and Exchequer funding for various supports and programmes. While a large portion of the LGF is made up of LPT yield, an annual contribution is made from the Exchequer towards LPT equalisation, increased pay and pensions costs associated with national pay agreements, miscellaneous schemes and any other exceptional allocations that may be required. A summary of the funding allocated by my Department to each local authority from the LGF in 2023 (excluding the LPT allocations as previously outlined), is provided in the table below.
Please note, these figures represent the cash spent from the LG Fund during the 2023 calendar year less the LPT. This includes spend in relation to allocations in both 2022 and 2023.
|
Local Authority |
Payments from the Local Government Fund in 2023 (apart from LPT) |
|
Carlow County Council |
€5,344,512.65 |
|
Cavan County Council |
€5,442,818.69 |
|
Clare County Council |
€21,415,300.81 |
|
Cork County Council |
€24,762,117.98 |
|
Cork City Council |
€18,996,189.38 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€12,482,661.61 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
€13,717,479.93 |
|
Dublin City Council |
€71,447,598.26 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€16,724,258.17 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€15,004,794.24 |
|
Galway City Council |
€5,796,797.93 |
|
Galway County Council |
€13,546,483.65 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€13,330,304.82 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
€6,964,553.27 |
|
Kildare County Council |
€11,963,819.65 |
|
Laois County Council |
€6,138,308.64 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
€3,609,727.18 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
€18,490,880.05 |
|
Longford County Council |
€5,434,104.67 |
|
Louth County Council |
€8,130,791.14 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€12,285,815.05 |
|
Meath County Council |
€10,026,885.65 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
€4,632,887.47 |
|
Offaly County Council |
€7,292,378.23 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
€5,552,145.32 |
|
Sligo County Council |
€6,031,264.09 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
€14,329,092.21 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
€11,134,784.50 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€6,407,029.67 |
|
Wexford County Council |
€11,146,217.10 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€8,765,063.65 |
281. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict sites and their total market value, by each local authority in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4770/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.
Local Authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Act in their functional areas. These returns are collected in Q2 of the following year and so information in relation to 2023 is not yet available.
The table below contains information on the number of sites listed on derelict site registers on 31 December 2022, as per the most recent returns from local authorities relating to the year 2022. Information on the market value of these sites is not collected by my Department.
|
Local Authority |
No. of Derelict Sites on Register at 31 December 2022 |
|
Carlow |
24 |
|
Cavan |
9 |
|
Clare |
41 |
|
Cork County |
59 |
|
Cork City |
109 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
78 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
11 |
|
Fingal |
6 |
|
Galway City |
9 |
|
Galway County |
4 |
|
Kerry |
50 |
|
Kildare |
27 |
|
Kilkenny |
20 |
|
Laois |
16 |
|
Leitrim |
21 |
|
Limerick City & County |
386 |
|
Longford |
35 |
|
Louth |
6 |
|
Mayo |
284 |
|
Meath |
37 |
|
Monaghan |
38 |
|
Offaly |
16 |
|
Roscommon |
14 |
|
Sligo |
30 |
|
South Dublin |
11 |
|
Tipperary |
41 |
|
Waterford City & County |
30 |
|
Westmeath |
83 |
|
Wexford |
54 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
|
Total |
1551 |
