Tuesday, 5 Mar 2024

Written Answers Nos. 371-391

Departmental Meetings

Ceisteanna (371)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

371. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she or any official in her Department or member of her staff was in receipt of, by any means written, electronic or otherwise, confirmation of RTÉ Remuneration Committee approval of any exit package in respect of any RTÉ employee after 26 September 2023 and before 14 February 2024; if so, if she will provide the details; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10728/24]

Freagraí scríofa

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

As I set out in response to questions at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media on 27 February 2024, no formal communication was received with regard to confirmation that RTÉ's Remuneration and Management Development Committee gave approval for an exit package in respect of any RTÉ employee after 26 September 2023 and before 14 February 2024.

Departmental Meetings

Ceisteanna (372)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

372. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the HR and culture report she commissioned into RTÉ will involve interaction with staff outside of the HR Department; if she is aware that one anonymised survey appears to be the only such engagement to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10729/24]

Freagraí scríofa

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

In July 2023, I appointed independent Expert Advisory Committees to undertake Reviews in respect of RTÉ of Governance and Culture; and of Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters, respectively.  

As the Expert Advisory Committees are independent, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the engagement of either Committee with relevant persons.

However, I expect that the Reviews will set out the range of stakeholders and persons consulted by each Expert Advisory Committee.

Television Licence Fee

Ceisteanna (373)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

373. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of live television and radio interviews she has given since 17 July 2023 where the primary purpose of the interview was to appeal for compliance with licence requirement and stopping the decline in TV licence revenues; if she will identify each interview; the amount of revenue lost to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10737/24]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Since July 2023 I have given a significant number of television and radio interviews as well as a number of press conferences, and announcements at which the media were present.

As Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht and Sports, not just Media, these interviews encompassed a range of topics.  Where relevant to the topic of the interview I have taken the opportunity to remind the public of both the statutory obligation to have a TV licence and its vital importance in the funding of public service content more generally.  I have also done so in my responses to parliamentary questions, as well as in addressing the Oireachtas more generally on matters relating to public service media.

Total TV licences sales recorded by An Post in 2023 amount to 824,278 compared to 947,924 in 2022;. This is a reduction of 123,646 TV license, or 13%. As a result, gross revenue from TV Licence sales for 2023 amounted to €131.884m, a decline of €19.783m in comparison to 2022.

While the sales figures over the last number of months are somewhat more promising, I will once again state that it is of vital importance that people continue to pay their TV licence, if liable. The proceeds from the licence fee not only go to RTÉ but also to the Broadcasting Fund to enable funding support for a wider range of content on broadcasters all over the country.

Post Office Network

Ceisteanna (374)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

374. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she agrees that a post office where the public can conduct their business through the Irish language is an essential public service for any Gaeltacht community; if she shares concerns that the West Waterford Gaeltacht may soon be left without a post office service as the terms of the contract offered by An Post to replace the Post Office in An Rinn are seen as unviable; if she accepts that there is a special case to be made to maintain a post office in this unique Irish language community; if she will engage with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and An Post to ensure that a viable service is maintained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10746/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Patrick O'Donovan)

The Deputy should note at the outset that issues relating to the post office network are an operational  matter directly for An Post and, accordingly, I have no function with regard to same.

However, it may also be worth noting in this context that the President signed the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 into law on 22 December 2021. This new legislation is a strengthening of the Official Languages Act 2003, and it is widely recognised that it will make a significant contribution to the quality of Irish language services provided to the public by State bodies. 

The primary objectives of the strengthened Act are that:

• 20% of recruits to the public sector will be competent in the Irish language by the end of 2030;

• all public services in the Gaeltacht and for the Gaeltacht will be provided through Irish;

• all public offices in the Gaeltacht will operate through the medium of Irish;

• a National Plan for Irish Language Public Services will be developed;

• a system of language standards will be introduced in place of the system of language schemes.

Central to these efforts will be the work of the Irish Language Services Advisory Committee. The Committee was established on 20 June 2022, and its initial work is primarily focused on the preparation of the first ever National Plan for Irish Language Public Services which is scheduled to be published later this year.

In accordance with the Committee’s functions under the Act, a research contract was agreed with the University of Galway in December 2022 to support this work, with this research still ongoing. This research and the Plan in general will look to:

• identify gaps in the current provision of public services through the medium of Irish and propose strategies to address them;

• identify the public services provided in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas (LPAs) and specify strategies to ensure that Irish is the working language of offices located in LPAs and that services are being provided through the medium of Irish;

• identify the current level of Irish language competence in the public sector; and

• make recommendations regarding recruitment of personnel with Irish language competence.

A specific commitment has also been given in the Civil Service Renewal 2030 Strategy to implement this National Plan.

Under the Act, it is intended to improve and increase the provision of public services through the medium of Irish, as well as create significant employment opportunities for those with a competency in the language. Through this work, it is hoped to greatly increase the Irish language customer experience, empowering Irish speakers to use the language in all aspects of their daily life - particularly in their dealings with the State.

The Department is working to commence all substantive sections and provisions of the Act on an incremental basis, but in any case before the end of this year.  

While the objective of the Act is to improve on the provision of public services in general through the medium of Irish, the issue of whether or not public offices, such as local Post Offices, should be located in Gaeltacht areas does not come under the scope of the Act.

Tourism Promotion

Ceisteanna (375)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

375. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures initiated and actioned for the night time economy by officers appointed in each city where a night time economy officer has been appointed, in tabular form. [10766/24]

Freagraí scríofa

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

In support of Action 19 of the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, I approved funding for a two-year full-time post at Local Authority Grade VII scale in each of the local authorities selected for the Night-Time Economy pilots, namely Dublin City, Cork City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Limerick City, Drogheda, Sligo, Longford and Buncrana.  Night-Time Advisors have been appointed in Dublin City, Cork City, Galway City, Limerick City, Kilkenny, Drogheda and Sligo and I understand the remaining post will be filled shortly.  It is important to note that the Night-Time Economy Advisor is recruited and directly employed by the local authority who provides the Advisor with a reporting structure within the local authority that can best facilitate the role.  

A Service Level Agreement is in place between my Department and the relevant local authorities. The agreement sets out the role of the Department, the role of the Advisor and the key objectives to be achieved during the two-year pilot, including a requirement to update the Night-Time Economy Implementation Group, which is chaired by my Department, of activities in relation to the pilots and share any wider policy issues impacting on the NTE at national level.  They must also provide end of year activity report to the Department.

On foot of this agreement, all the Advisors are currently in the process of carrying out a consultation exercise and establishing their Night-Time Economy committees in order to draft an action plan for their areas.  In parallel, a number of the Advisors have already begun the process of developing some initiatives around safety and late night cultural activities in their areas.   

I look forward to seeing the outcomes of the pilots and the development of a vibrant, inclusive and diverse Night-Time Economy in each of the pilot areas.

Brexit Supports

Ceisteanna (376)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Ceist:

376. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will work with the FAI to apply for Brexit adjustment funding from the EU in view of the radical effect Brexit has had on the development path for Irish football. [10790/24]

Freagraí scríofa

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

The allocation of funding from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.  Information on the BAR, including the applicable eligibility criteria, is accordingly available from that Department. 

If the FAI has a specific project in mind and wishes to submit it to my Department, my Department is happy to engage.

Energy Conservation

Ceisteanna (377, 378)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

377. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent and level of funding for retrofitting from his Department to Waterford City and County Council in the years 2019-2024, inclusive, by year and by funding stream, in tabular form. [10748/24]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

378. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent and level of funding for retrofitting from his Department to each local authority in the years 2019-2024, inclusive, by year and by funding stream, in tabular form. [10749/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 378 together.

Since 2013, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) to support local authorities with the retrofit of local authority owned homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Over the period 2013 to the end of 2023, local authorities received over €308 million in funding to carry out energy upgrade works on over 79,000 properties.

In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme (EERP), designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2 (BER)/Cost Optimal Equivalent standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.

Works eligible under my Department's revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works.

An annualised breakdown of the total funding provided and the number of properties upgraded under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme for the years 2013-2023, which includes Waterford City and County Council, is available on my Department's website at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/

My Department also introduced a pilot Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme in 2020, the details of which are found below. A further 674 properties were retrofitted to a BER of B2/ Cost Optimal Equivalent and these figures are in addition to the National Retrofit Programme.

www.gov.ie/en/publication/b86b3-midlands-energy-retrofit-programme-expenditure-and-units/#

The 2024 EERP budget provides an increase in funding support to €90 million. Further details in relation to the programme including allocations will be announced shortly.

Question No. 378 answered with Question No. 377.

Environmental Impact Assessments

Ceisteanna (379)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

379. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on extending environmental impact assessments to projects currently falling outside them because of type or scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9937/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive, Directive 2011/92/EU as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU, specifies projects which, by virtue of their nature, size or location are likely to have significant effects on the environment and should be subject to EIA. The Directive requires projects listed in Annex I of the Directive to be subject to mandatory EIA and provides that Member States may determine whether projects listed in Annex II of the Directive shall be subject to EIA.

Annex I and II of the EIA Directive are transposed in the planning code by Part 1 and Part 2 of Schedule 5 of the Planning and Developments Regulations 2001 (the Regulations).

Part 2 of Schedule 5 of the Regulations, transposes Annex II of the Directive, listing the projects that must be subject to EIA screening.

It is a matter for a Planning Authority or An Bord Pleanála to assess planning applications for these projects in accordance with the requirements of the EIA Directive, as transposed in the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Regulations, to determine if an EIA is required or not.

The EIA Directive is clear in that circumstances may arise in which any project, regardless of type or scale, may be subject to a requirement for EIA, based on the nature, size or location of that project.

Article 12 of the EIA Directive provides for a reporting and review mechanism, whereby the European Commission seeks information from Member States on the practical implementation of the Directive.

The Commission reports regularly on the application and effectiveness of the EIA Directive.  Further information can be accessed at the link below:  

environment.ec.europa.eu/law-and-governance/environmental-assessments/environmental-impact-assessment_en

Environmental Impact Assessments

Ceisteanna (380)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

380. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on amending the strategic environmental assessment to link it to relevant Council of Europe Conventions. [9938/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive, 2001/42/EC, is a process for the formal, systematic evaluation of the likely significant environmental effects of implementing a plan or programme, before a decision is made to adopt the plan or programme. The SEA Directive aims to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans with a view to promoting sustainable development. The Council of Europe Conventions are not part of EU law on SEA. Amending the Directive is a matter for the European Commission.

The Irish SEA Regulations were made under the European Communities Act 1972 for the purpose of giving effect to the SEA Directive and have to be confined to what the Directive requires. In any event, SEA has a wide scope and already requires consideration of archaeological and architectural heritage and landscape.

The European Commission monitors the implementation of EU law under its Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT). Article 12 of the SEA Directive provides for a reporting and review mechanism, whereby the European Commission seeks information from Member States on the practical implementation of the Directive. This process enables the Commission to produce an implementation report under its REFIT process, which can inform decisions on potential future amendments to the SEA Directive. The Commission report was most recently published in 2017 and can be accessed at the link below:

eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1494874134751&uri=COM:2017:234:FIN

Heritage Schemes

Ceisteanna (381)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

381. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is taking action to discourage private ownership of archaeological objects; for example, through the development of up-to-date standards on heritage protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9939/24]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Under section 2 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994 archaeological objects found in the State since that Act came into force and which have no known owner are the property of the State.

This provision was enacted in line with principles set out in the case of Webb v. Ireland relating to the Derrynaflan chalice and related objects.

This principle is not only being carried forward and strengthened in the recently enacted Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, but is being supplemented in that Act by provision which will enable Court orders to be sought declaring State ownership of archaeological objects found between the foundation of the State in 1922 and the coming into force of the Act of 1994 and provisions enabling compulsory acquisition (on payment of appropriate compensation) of privately owned archaeological objects not coming within the provisions providing for State ownership.

These provisions ensure that the vast majority of finds of archaeological objects are State property and that the State can act to secure privately owned archaeological objects without acting contrary to Constitutionally guaranteed property rights.

International Agreements

Ceisteanna (382)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

382. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how Ireland is delivering on commitments on metal detecting made under the Valletta Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9940/24]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Under section 2 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1987, it is a criminal offence to either be in possession of a detection device on any of the monuments legally protected under the National Monuments Acts or to use such a device anywhere else for the purpose of searching for archaeological objects, other than with a consent issued by me as Minister responsible for heritage.

This provision is not only carried forward but will be strengthened under the recently enacted Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (when commenced). In particular, section 148 of that Act extends the restriction on possession of a detection device to the immediate surroundings of a monument entered in the Register of Monuments under that Act. Further to this, section 180 provides for inferences to be drawn from the failure of an accused person to account for possession of a detection device in certain circumstances.

Both the National Monuments Service of my Department and the National Museum of Ireland engage actively with An Garda Síochána in relation to reports of contravention of the above provisions. Where consent is granted for the appropriate use of detection devices by professional archaeologists or other qualified and suitable persons, conditions are attached to such consents to ensure that appropriate methodologies are adhered to and reports submitted to the National Monuments Service on the results of the work.

I believe that the above legislative framework and practice ensures that Ireland is fully compliant with the relevant provisions of the Valletta Convention (i.e. the 1992 Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage, in particular Article 3 thereof).

My Department has also issued a guidance note setting out in clear  language, the legal position regarding use of detection devices to search for archaeological heritage, and explaining the need to regulate use of detection devices for archaeological purposes.

Water Quality

Ceisteanna (383)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

383. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to address the remaining trihalomethanes non-compliances in drinking water, in respect of the ECJ ruling that Ireland has failed to meet its obligations under the EU directive on safe drinking water since at least 2012. [9961/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

While the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on 25 January that Ireland had failed to fully implement the Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC), it is important to note that the Court’s findings refer to the historical position in September 2020. Considerable progress has been made since then to the water supplies concerned in this case.

The ruling is in relation to breaches of the limit for Trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water in (30) drinking water supplies. The European Commission’s case was upheld in respect of 21 Uisce Éireann water supplies and 9 private group water supplies. 18 of these 30 water supplies have already had capital upgrades completed to ensure that treatment levels are compliant with the requirements of the Drinking Water Directive. The remainder are undergoing capital upgrades and improvements and are due to be completed by the end of 2026.

There are over 1,000 water supplies in Ireland. Overall, Ireland has good drinking water quality. In its Drinking Water Quality Report for 2022, which was published in 2023, the EPA confirmed that “water quality from public supplies remains high and consumers can be confident that it is safe to drink” and “compliance rates are consistently high year to year” with over 99.7% of samples compliant with bacterial and chemical limits in 2022.

My Department continues to work closely with Uisce Éireann, the EPA, local authorities and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes to resolve issues and risks with water supplies.

Electoral Process

Ceisteanna (384)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

384. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in light of the numerous referenda and elections being held in 2024, he will consider alternative locations for polling stations to national schools to reduce the need for repeated school closures and many parents being forced to take unpaid leave; and if these considerations will be taken before the next referendum. [9962/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local Returning Officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums. This includes, in accordance with section 94 of the Electoral Act 1992, the provision of a sufficient number of polling stations, conveniently distributed for the accommodation of the electors entitled to vote there.

Electoral law provides that a Returning Officer may, for the purposes of taking a poll and counting the votes, use a school or any room in a school free of charge.

Guidance issued to Returning Officers by my Department in advance of electoral events advises that when schools are used as polling stations, every step should be taken to ensure that schools are not closed unnecessarily and that disruption of school work should be kept to a minimum. The Guidance advises that, where possible, school halls should be used instead of classrooms and that voting compartments and other equipment should be fitted up and dismantled outside school hours. Guidance also advises that it is open to Returning Officers to hire a hall or other premises if they consider it to be appropriate.

It is important to note that the wide distribution of schools around the country helps to fulfil the requirement under electoral law to provide polling stations conveniently distributed for the accommodation of electors.

Hen Harriers

Ceisteanna (385)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

385. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to restore all critical breeding and wintering sites for hen harriers; what steps he is taking to guarantee absolute protection for all nationally important hen harrier breeding and wintering grounds from afforestation, forestry activities, and wind farm development; and how he aims to provide support to farmers to ensure hen harrier protection across all key breeding and wintering grounds. [9964/24]

Freagraí scríofa

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

The latest report on the status of breeding Hen Harrier in Ireland was published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department last month. The conservation of Hen Harrier is considered one of the most urgent bird conservation priorities in Ireland.

A draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan has been developed over a number of years in close consultation with the many stakeholders who have a role to play in ensuring that the decline of this species is reversed. A public consultation on the draft Plan was launched on 13 January. The draft Plan identifies over 50 key actions to address and reverse the key threats and pressures on the species, arising from the agricultural, forestry and wind energy development sectors, particularly but not only within Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas.

The public and statutory consultation period on the draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan concluded on 20 February 2024.  Over 2000 submissions were received.  These are currently being compiled and reviewed by my officials, with a view to finalising a Plan that will seek to proactively halt and reverse the decline of the Hen Harrier. The draft plan includes a number of actions to address the threats mentioned. Once the Plan has been finalised, I will be able to provide more detail in terms of the next steps in relation to the implementation of the Plan, in partnership with the relevant stakeholders.

Housing Provision

Ceisteanna (386)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

386. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to provide funding in 2024 to support local authorities with taking in charge applications in respect of unfinished housing estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10007/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The taking in charge of housing estates by local authorities is provided for under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), and the procedures for this are initiated under section 11 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended. The taking in charge of residential estates is also a reserved function of the elected members. It is generally a standard condition of granting permission for housing development that the developer must lodge a security bond to ensure the satisfactory completion of the development to enable it to be taken in charge by the local authority.Therefore, ultimately, progression of individual developments through the taking-in-charge process is a matter for the relevant housing developer, the residents in such developments, the relevant local authorities and elected members to consider on a case-by-case basis.Under Section 30 of the Act, I, in my role as Minister with responsibility for planning, am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned.

Water Services

Ceisteanna (387, 388)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

387. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has any plans to seek a new round of bids under the Multi-Annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme. [10008/24]

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

388. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason two housing estates in County Roscommon (details supplied) were not recommended for funding under the Multi-Annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme 2019-2021 [10009/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together.

There are a number of housing estates across the country that rely on developer provided infrastructure for their water services networks. These estates have not been taken-in-charge and their water services networks are not, currently, connected to the public (Uisce Éireann) network. The water services infrastructure, provided by the developer of such estates, is more commonly called DPI.

Using funding provided under the National Development Plan, my Departments’ Multi-annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme (DPI Programme) provides funding to assist in progressively resolving issues with DPI across the country.

All applications received under the DPI Programme are referred to an Expert Panel that was established and tasked with evaluating each request for funding. The Panel is independently chaired and membership includes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Uisce Éireann as well as Departmental representation.

For each application received, the Panel completes a critical analysis of the proposed project and based on an agreed criteria as set out in the detailed framework document provided to all local authorities, makes a recommendation to the Department for Ministerial approval of funding.

In addition to having the required technical expertise, the Panel also has wide knowledge and experience across the local authority, housing and water sector. The experience of using the Panel has shown that they bring objectivity and transparency to the evaluation process.

I can confirm that in the case of the locations in the details supplied, that applications under the DPI Programme were received from the local authority concerned. Both applications were referred to the Expert Panel for their analysis and recommendation. The Panel examined the specifics of each application and did not recommend funding on the basis that connecting these locations to the Uisce Éireann network was not technically feasible.

Under the DPI Programme I have approved two tranches of funding of over €18m to benefit 1,800 houses across the country that will allow the estates concerned to be taken in charge by the local authority, with Uisce Éireann taking responsibility for the water services.

I can confirm that from 1 January 2024 Uisce Éireann, as the national water authority, have assumed responsibility for the remediation of DPI infrastructure. 

I have no plans to invite a new round of applications for funding under the DPI Programme.

Question No. 388 answered with Question No. 387.

Defective Building Materials

Ceisteanna (389)

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

389. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if County Leitrim will be included in the defective concrete blocks scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10010/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023 which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023. The new scheme is now open to applications in four counties: Clare, Donegal, Limerick and Mayo with comprehensive information of all aspects of the Scheme available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/8002e-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.

When a local authority that is not designated under the Scheme determines through the established mechanisms that homes within their functional area have been damaged by defective concrete blocks, they can seek to have the scheme extended to include any such county or part of such county.

Section 5 of the Act contains details on this process.  This statutory designation process can commence upon a request by a local authority or by myself, as Minister, to the Housing Agency. The Agency thereafter carries out technical testing of dwellings in a given local authority administrative area. As soon as practicable after the completion of any testing, the Housing Agency shall make a recommendation to me whether an order to designate the whole or part of a local authority's administrative area should or should not be made by the Government.

In the first instance a homeowner should make contact with their local authority, in this case Leitrim County Council. Upon a request from the local authority, officials in the Housing Agency will meet with the council to discuss the process and what is required under the 2022 Act.

I received correspondence dated 20 February 2024 regarding a motion from Manorhamilton Municipal District regarding the DCB Scheme and my Department will write back to Leitrim County Council outlining the steps involved and offering appropriate assistance if required.

Wildlife Protection

Ceisteanna (390)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

390. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a licence is required for the hunting of Irish hares with packs of hounds and if so, how many licences have been issued over the past five years; and the recipients of the licences and how many hares have been killed in hunting during that period. [10036/24]

Freagraí scríofa

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

Under Statutory Instrument 550 of 2005 - Wildlife (Wild Mammals)(Open Seasons) Order 2005, hares may be hunted, with packs of beagles and harriers from 26 September each year and ending on 28 February in the year immediately following, without the requirement for a separate licence.

On dates outside of the Open Seasons Order, a licence may be granted, under section 26(2) of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended, to the master or other person having charge for the time being of a pack of beagles or harriers to hunt hares. No applications have been received for such licences over the past five years.

Wildlife Protection

Ceisteanna (391)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

391. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an animal trap for rats and mice (details supplied) is unlawful under the Wildlife Act, 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003 and if so, what action his Department is taking against those selling or using them in Ireland. [10038/24]

Freagraí scríofa

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

The legality or otherwise of traps used against wildlife is not determined by reference to a list of certain brands or individual traps. S.I. No. 620/2003 - Wildlife Act 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003 sets down the following general specifications in relation to traps:

"The following traps, snares and nets are declared to be approved of for the purposes of section 34 of the Act of 1976, as amended by section 42 of the Act of 2000

(a)(i) a cage or net trap designed to capture alive wild birds or wild animals, and

(ii) a spring trap which is not a gin trap and which is designed to secure either-

(I) the immediate death, or

(II) the immediate unconsciousness and subsequent death without intervening consciousness

, of wild birds or wild animals which it is designed to trap,...”

Under section 34 (1) of the Wildlife Act, there are significant restrictions on the use of traps against wild animals.

An exception to this is set down in section 34 (2) which disapplies section 34 (1) of the Act where the trap “is used pursuant to a statute (other than this Act) or statutory instrument, which is permitted to be done under such a statute or instrument or which is done pursuant to and in accordance with a licence or other permission granted or issued pursuant to such a statute or instrument or anything caused by or which results from, or is consequent upon or the effect of any other act or thing which is lawfully done.” Where these circumstances apply, the use of traps is not considered unlawful.