Written Answers Nos. 714-733
714. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the present status of an application under the large scale sports infrastructure fund (details supplied); whether a further announcement will be made in relation to this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1225/24]
View answerThe National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the LSSIF is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects where the Exchequer investment would be greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to Local Authorities and National Governing Bodies of Sport. New swimming pool projects and the refurbishment of existing swimming pools were eligible to apply for a LSSIF grant funding subject to published guidelines. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 with €86.4 million subsequently awarded to 33 different projects which included a project proposal from Galway City Council for the construction of a new swimming pool in Knocknacarra, Galway City. €8,003,415 was allocated to the Galway Regional Aquatic and Fitness Centre project.
Subsequently, following engagement with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and in recognition of challenges in recent years, such as construction inflation, officials in my Department wrote to all LSSIF grantees, including Galway City Council regarding the Galway Regional Aquatic and Fitness Centre project, inviting them to apply for additional support by 4 August 2023. To be considered for additional funding, grantees were advised that the key elements of the project should remain as set out in the original application and that priority would be given to those providing evidence-based documentation to support their application. Galway City Council did not apply for additional LSSIF funding for this project.
Minister Martin and I recently announced additional funding amounting to a total of €37.6 million, with 27 existing LSSIF projects benefitting, bringing the total awarded to date to LSSIF funded projects to €124 million.
715. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whether it is intended to seek further applications this year under the large scale sports infrastructure fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1226/24]
View answerThe National Sports Policy which was published in 2018 provided for a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports projects and facilities where the required Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). In terms of the initial allocations, approximately €86.4 million was awarded to 33 different proposals.
Minister Martin and I recently announced additional funding amounting to a total of €37.6 million, with 27 existing LSSIF projects benefitting, bringing the total awarded to date to LSSIF-funded projects to €124 million. The additional funding for projects is being provided, in response to delays experienced by grantees arising from the pandemic and construction inflation, following engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
Minister Martin and I also recently confirmed that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website in due course.
716. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the present status of an application under the large scale sports infrastructure fund (details supplied); whether a further announcement will be made in relation to this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1227/24]
View answerThe application to which the Deputy refers has been made under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) rather than the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
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 latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September. 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, and it is evident that the total number will exceed the previous record of 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and I hope to have this published shortly. Simultaneously, I also plan to publish the full list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. Once these documents are published, the detailed assessment work can commence. In this regard, 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 in 2024.
It should be noted that all future funding for capital investment will be conditional on men and women having similar access to the facility.
717. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will examine a funding line for the construction and enhancement of swimming pools in local authority areas. [1254/24]
View answerThe National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the LSSIF is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects where the Exchequer investment would be greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
Applications for improvements or renovations to existing, publicly accessible swimming pools were accepted under the most recent round of the SCEP which closed for applications on Friday 8 September 2023. The scope of that programme was extended to include, for the first time, consideration of applications for renovation works on local authority swimming pools.
Minister Martin and I also recently announced that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website in due course. New swimming pool projects and refurbishment of existing swimming pools will be eligible to apply for funding under the new round of LSSIF subject to terms and conditions.
Both the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and the Sports Action Plan 2021-2023 commit to the development of a National Swimming Strategy. A Working Group chaired by my Department was established in 2022 and tasked with developing the Strategy, which is based on a vision to ‘provide everyone in Ireland with an opportunity to swim’. The working group comprises representatives from relevant National Governing Bodies for sport and stakeholders, specifically Swim Ireland, Sport Ireland, Active Disability Ireland (formerly CARA), Ireland Active and the Local Authorities.
Extensive stakeholder and public engagement has allowed for a wide range of viewpoints to be considered in shaping this Strategy. Over 5,800 submissions were received during the public consultation process which is testament to the popularity of the sport and the critical role it can play in terms of our physical health and mental well-being. The National Swimming Strategy is due to be published in Quarter 1 of 2024.
718. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the up-to-date position regarding the construction of a new state of the art national velodrome and badminton centre; and when her Department expects this project move to the next stage of works. [1294/24]
View answerIn November 2022, the Government approved a new Masterplan for the development of the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus. The Masterplan provides a framework for the further development of the campus over the next 15 to 20 years and identifies the next key high-level projects for development.
The first high-level project for delivery under the new masterplan is likely to be the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre which is specifically highlighted in the current National Development Plan. This project will address the need to provide world-class track cycling facilities for our athletes who currently have to travel abroad for both training and competition as well as providing the sport of badminton with integrated training, gym and medical facilities. Planning permission for this project was awarded by Fingal County Council in January 2023 and the project is now at pre-tender approval stage under the Public Spending Code.
Subject to further engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with regard to my Department’s capital funding allocations, it is expected the project could move to tender stage in the first part of this year.
719. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the work of the Irish Language Services Advisory Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1435/24]
View answer720. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress her Department is making to achieve the overall objective of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 to increase the number of recruits to the public service who are Irish speakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1459/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 719 and 720 together.
The Irish Language Services Advisory Committee was established by my Department in June 2022 in accordance with section 18A of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021. The Committee has held 11 meetings to date, with another planned for the end of the month.
The Committee’s primary focus during its first two years is the preparation of the first National Plan for Irish Language Public Services and to ensure its delivery by the statutory deadline of 19 June 2024. Upon the approval of the National Plan, dates will be set by which public services in and for Gaeltacht areas will be provided through the medium of the Irish language and by which public offices in the Gaeltacht will operate through the medium of Irish - measures which have been sought by Gaeltacht communities for many years.
In this regard, and in accordance with its functions under the Act, the Committee decided at its first meeting to commission research which will form the basis of this first National Plan. A contract was subsequently agreed by my Department with the University of Galway at the end of 2022. This research and the overall Plan will look to:
• identify the 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 these services are 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 competence in the Irish language.
The preparation of the National Plan is in line with achieving the overarching objective of the Act; that 20% of recruits to the public sector will be competent in Irish by 31 December 2030. Furthermore, a specific commitment is included in the Government's Civil Service Renewal Strategy 2030 to implement this plan.
A wide range of stakeholders at a senior level are represented on this statutory committee – including the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, and the Public Appointments Service. Representation on the Committee was carefully selected to ensure maximum impact and buy-in across the public sector, particularly in the context of central recruitment for Government Departments and public offices.
The work of the Committee will be an important element in supporting all Departments and public bodies in meeting their statutory obligations and ensuring the full and successful implementation of the Act.
The Act also stipulates that the Committee will have a specific function in advising public bodies on the level of competence required by a person to provide public services through the medium of Irish, in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The Committee will also have a particular role in increasing the services provided by public bodies through the medium of Irish - particularly those provided in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks.
In regard to increasing the number of individuals with Irish language competence available to provide Irish-medium public services, the following measures are underway:
• I allocated an increased grant to Conradh na Gaeilge for the administration and provision of Gluaiseacht - a roadshow in which interactive workshops are provided to young people attending post-primary schools, third level institutions or summer colleges - to influence over 28,000 young people per year in relation to the employment opportunities with Irish;
• I recently allocated a grant of over €1m across a three-year period to Oireachtas na Gaeilge to establish an Irish language network to support Irish speakers and learners, who are already working in the public sector, in using their Irish in the workplace;
• A tender process will soon be announced by my Department in relation to the expansion of the Advanced Irish Language Skills Initiative to focus further on training and recruitment in Ireland;
• My Department has committed in the Government's Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025 to the development of a Speisialtóir Gaeilge - Irish Language Specialist programme (EO generalist with Irish language competency) - which is to be rolled out by Quarter 3 of 2025;
• A campaign will be launched by my Department in the coming months to foster awareness of the employment opportunities that exist in the public sector for those with Irish language competence;
• A wide range of other measures in this space are also being examined, including competitions for communications specialist roles with Irish.
Of course another key facet in achieving the statutory targets included in the Act will be the development of the existing public sector Irish language capacity by supporting employees in using the language in the workplace. In this context, existing civil servants are being encouraged to pursue Irish language training courses provided by Gaelchultúr on behalf of OneLearning - the Learning and Development Centre for the Civil Service - with Maynooth University now certifying these courses using the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (“TEG”) language testing regime. This certification is of particular importance, with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, on which TEG is based, being mentioned specifically in the Act, as noted above. TEG qualifications will, therefore, be of particular value in the coming years for both learners and employers alike, as individuals with particular language skills will be sought for a wide variety of diverse roles across the public sector.
Finally, and in addition to the projects and measures I have already mentioned, I secured a further allocation of €0.5m in Budget 2024, in addition to the €1m already in place to achieve this ambitious recruitment target as well as the overall objectives of the Act. This additional funding will be used to bolster the efforts of my Department to embed the provisions of the Act across the public sector to the benefit of the Irish speaking community within and outside the Gaeltacht.
I am hopeful that, through these measures, the Irish language customer experience will be greatly enhanced, empowering Irish speakers to use the language in all aspects their lives - particularly in their dealings with the State.
721. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will ensure a club (details supplied) is awarded a suitable sports capital grant. [1584/24]
View answerThe 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. 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, and it is evident that the total number will exceed the previous record of 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and I hope to have this published shortly. Simultaneously, I also plan to publish the full list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. Once these documents are published, the detailed assessment work can commence. In this regard, 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 in 2024.
722. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the percentage and number of bed spaces currently not available for use out of the total number due to same being used to accommodate those seeking asylum and those fleeing the war in Ukraine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1602/24]
View answerThe war in Ukraine, combined with the high number of international protection applicants has resulted in the largest humanitarian effort in the State's history. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is engaged across Government concerning temporary accommodation for those in need of shelter and is responsible for all contracted accommodation used to house Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and other International Protection applicants.
In June and November 2023, Fáilte Ireland carried out detailed analyses of data provided by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth concerning the bed stock under contract to accommodate Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and International Protection applicants and established that, in June, 13% of all registered tourism accommodation stock nationally was under contract to the State reducing to 12% by November 2023. An additional quantum of tourism-type accommodation that is not registered with Fáilte Ireland is also contracted to the State. This analysis also identified that, in five counties, more than 20% of the registered tourism accommodation stock is used for humanitarian purposes.
During 2023, Fáilte Ireland also undertook research on the impact of tourism accommodation stock displacement on tourist attraction and activity providers. The overall findings were that most attractions, experiences and activity providers experienced a drop in business volume during 2023 compared to 2019 across all three markets (ROI, NI and overseas). The research also indicated that competition from overseas destinations was a major issue, especially when trying to attract Irish holidaymakers who are able to travel abroad again. Public contracts for accommodation were also seen as a key contributor to the decline in business, especially in the overseas market.
As part of the Budget 2024 I am making up to €10 million available for a programme of supports targeted at those downstream tourism businesses experiencing particular challenges linked to the reduction in footfall in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement. This programme of supports includes investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives.
Fáilte Ireland has developed an outline business support scheme to help the most affected tourism activities and attractions and my officials and Fáilte Ireland are engaging intensively on this scheme. I am advised that the scheme details will be finalised and published soon.
723. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the recently announced Failte Ireland business support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1616/24]
View answerAs part of the Budget 2024, I am making up to €10 million available for a programme of supports targeted at those downstream tourism businesses experiencing particular challenges linked to the reduction in footfall in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement. This programme of supports includes investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives.
Fáilte Ireland has developed an outline business support scheme to help the most affected tourism activities and attractions and my officials and Fáilte Ireland are engaging intensively on this scheme. I am advised that the details of the scheme will be finalised and published soon.
724. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if Failte Ireland plans to provide a new food and drink strategy for 2024-2028 period. [1635/24]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies.
The matter raised regarding any new food and drink strategy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to it for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
725. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address concerns regarding extensive changes made to a building (details supplied) in preparation for use as an international protection accommodation centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56292/23]
View answerMy Department has no role in the provision of accommodation for International Protection applicants. However, as part of the whole of Government response to the invasion of Ukraine and the associated humanitarian situation, my Department is providing support on certain accommodation options for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from Ukraine, including the Offer a Home scheme and the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme (ERUP).
Any property which has been referred to ERUP and which is the subject of an agreement with the Department of Children, Equality, Integration, Disability and Youth, may be eligible to benefit from the European Union (Planning and Development)(Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022, S.I. 306 of 2022. These regulations provide that certain classes of temporary development, including residential accommodation undertaken by or on behalf of a State authority, to provide protection to displaced persons from Ukraine, may be exempt from the provisions of the Planning and Development Acts, other than environmental considerations.
Furthermore, following engagement with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and as part of the response to the continuing unprecedented demand for the accommodation of those seeking international protection and assisting in meeting Ireland’s international obligations in this regard, the Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No 4) Regulations 2023, S.I. 376 of 2023, extended the planning permission exemptions for specified structures that can be used for the purposes of providing temporary accommodation for such persons.
Any concerns regarding planning issues, fire certification or building control should be addressed to the relevant local authority. While the building referred to was notified to my Department's Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme, it is privately owned and my Department does not have any further information regarding its current status.
726. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage a list of affordable housing fund approvals by his Department broken down by local authority and detailing the number of units in each scheme, the location of each scheme, the amount of AHF per unit in each scheme and confirmation of those schemes completed where the AHF has been drawn down, in tabular form. [2231/24]
View answer837. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all affordable housing schemes that have drawn down their affordable housing fund, by the name of the scheme, the local authority responsible for the scheme and the amount of AHF per unit in each scheme, in tabular form. [1781/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 726 and 837 together.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes, including 36,000 affordable purchase and 18,000 cost rental homes, by 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
Following the publication of Housing for All in September 2021, I asked all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. Each local authority was asked to assess the level of new housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment Tool and plan their provision accordingly. A copy of each Council’s Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on their individual websites where some information about local authority's plans for delivery of affordable purchase and cost rental housing (where relevant) is available.
Local authorities complete and submit data returns to my Department on delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is done for social housing. Statistical data on affordable housing delivery by tenure and by local authority area during 2022 and for Quarters 1, 2 and 3 of 2023 is published on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery
The information provided is currently not, however, collated in a manner that would allow my Department to provide the detailed data sought in the format requested.
Individual scheme information has been published in advertisements on local authority websites. Schemes being advertised are now also available in a single location on the Affordable Homes website, www.affordablehomes.ie.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is made available for the provision of affordable homes by local authorities. Subventions ranging from €50,000 to €150,000 are available to support local authorities to bring forward suitable schemes whereby homes can be offered for purchase or rent to eligible applicants at an affordable price. The Exchequer contribution represents 95% of the subvention with the remaining 5% being contributed by the Local Authority.Housing delivery being supported by funding approved originally under the earlier Serviced Sites Fund is also progressing with funding comprised of 89% Exchequer contribution matched by an 11% Local Authority contribution.
To date, funding approval has been given for the delivery of 4,317 local authority affordable homes (affordable purchase and cost rental) across 21 local authorities with the support of almost €373m funding from the Affordable Housing Fund/Serviced Sites Fund.
However, funding is often only drawn down on completion or conveyance of the homes made available. 10 Local Authorities have drawn down AHF/SSF exchequer funding to date as set out in the following table:
|
Cork City Council |
€9,733,639 |
|
Cork County Council |
€5,486,250 |
|
Dublin City Council |
€3,295,283 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
€4,038,404 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€2,487,360 |
|
Meath County Council |
€570,000 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€855,000 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
€3,847,500 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€641,250 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€1,710,000 |
727. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applications for the social housing tenant-in-situ scheme to date in 2023; the number of applications rejected; the number being processed; the number sale agreed; and the number where sales have concluded, in tabular form. [56291/23]
View answer738. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many landlords have applied to Fingal County Council for the tenant-in-situ scheme since the scheme commenced; how many have subsequently withdrawn their applications; the reasons given for the withdrawals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56474/23]
View answer768. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of any properties in the north Fingal area that have been bought in the past six months by approved housing bodies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56964/23]
View answer771. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many properties have been purchased under the tenant-in-situ scheme for the purposes of social housing since January 2022, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57077/23]
View answer772. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total cost of all the properties that have been purchased under the tenant-in-situ scheme for the purposes of social housing since January 2022, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57078/23]
View answer815. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 48 of 6 July 2023, whether the statistical data referred to in relation to the tenant-in-situ scheme has been published yet; if not, when it will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1340/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 727, 738, 768, 771, 772 and 815 together.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
Social Housing is delivered through a range of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) delivery programmes across the build acquisition and lease delivery streams.
For 2023, the Government agreed that there would be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department provided funding local authorities to acquire at least 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions have focused on properties where a tenant is in receipt of social housing supports and has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter in March 2023, setting out details of these arrangements and each local authority was provided with a provisional allocation for social housing acquisitions in 2023.
Local authorities have delegated sanction in relation to these acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within Acquisition Cost Guidelines issued by the Department. An independent valuation must also be obtained for each acquisition, in line with established practice for local authorities for social housing acquisitions.
The current Acquisition Cost Guidelines (ACGs) were updated and issued to local authorities in April 2023. These guidelines are reviewed and updated as appropriate by my Department usually on an annual basis.
The ACGs provide cost guidelines for the acquisition by housing authorities, of second-hand properties for the provision of social housing. These guidelines reference lower and upper cost ranges, along with an average/benchmark cost, which is representative of the average range of current (at the time of issue) prices across the local authority area. It is matter for each local authority to decide on appropriate acquisitions having regard to the arrangements for the scheme.
Local authorities will work with all social housing supported tenants who receive a Notice of Termination and offer the available supports, which may include a tenant in situ acquisition or support to obtain an alternative tenancy, including a HAP-supported tenancy or an allocation to local authority stock. It is a matter for individual local authorities to identify suitable acquisitions in line with local circumstances and their social housing allocations policy. My Department does not hold data on the number of social housing acquisitions applications that have been withdrawn or rejected. Further information may be available from individual local authorities.
The Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) funding is capital support provided to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) by local authorities to facilitate the funding of acquisition of social housing units.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social and affordable housing delivery activity by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in each local authority, including completed acquisitions. From 2023, this data includes a breakdown of acquisitions completed by each local authority where a Notice of Termination issued to a tenant and is available, for all local authorities, to the end of Quarter 3 2023 on the statistics page of my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
728. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the income thresholds for housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability will be increased; and if so, when these will apply. [56312/23]
View answer741. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review of the housing adaptation grants, housing aid for older people grants and mobility aids grants will be complete; if the income thresholds will be increased; if the level of funding for works will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56506/23]
View answer826. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the report carried out on the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability; when the report will be published and available to review [1553/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 728, 741 and 826 together.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department. The review was informed by engagement with external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Written submissions were also invited and considered as part of this process. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds that apply and the grant limits.
On foot of my consideration of the Review report, my Department shared the report and supplementary analysis with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and is engaging with that Department on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes.
729. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the agreed additional benefits, pay and improvements to the working conditions of retained firefighters will be implemented in 2023, following the accepted pay deal; if not, the date set for the final settlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56349/23]
View answer730. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the extra staffing levels promised for the retained fire fighters will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56350/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 729 and 730 together.
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing the legislative framework, running a central training programme and issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects. The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management manages fire service issues in my Department.
Fire services in Ireland are provided by the local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, 31 authorities provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures.
In May 2021, I commissioned the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) to review the delivery and sustainability of the local authority ‘Retained’ Fire Services, with particular emphasis on the recruitment and retention of personnel.
My Department published the resulting report, entitled “Retained Fire Services in Ireland – A Review of Recruitment and Retention and the Future Sustainability of Service Delivery” in December 2022. The report’s conclusions were accepted by the Government in January 2023, who noted the thirteen recommendations contained to address the issues of recruitment and retention and ensure the sustainability of retained fire services into the future.
Though substantial progress was made during early discussions in 2023 on the implementation of those recommendations, unfortunately, the parties were unable to reach a positive conclusion on the provision of a revised model of retained fire service delivery that would provide both an effective service delivery and a suitable work/life balance to their mutual satisfaction at that time. This resulted in a period of industrial action by Retained firefighters in June 2023.
The key deliverable, agreed by all stakeholders, is a revised composite agreement that will standardise future retained fire service employment terms and conditions across all local authorities.
Thankfully, following negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), which were conducted in the context of an earlier Labour Court recommendation rejected by Retained firefighters, an agreement was reached on a revised service model that will see,
• a minimum of 12 firefighters per station, with 6 available to respond through a structured week on week off roster,
• an increase in staff numbers of circa 20% to provide a minimum of 12 firefighters in all fire stations;
• the creation of 50 additional promotional positions;
• structured time off, that would enable a retained firefighter to be away from their station fire ground area for up to 24 weeks a year,
• individual flexibility with regard to availability;
• flexibility to attend calls when scheduled on leave, if desired.
I am aware that each local authority is currently in the process of implementing the WRC recommendations. The adjustments to pay are being processed by all local authorities and it is expected that the majority of local authorities will have adjusted their payroll system and made payments to retained firefighters shortly. All retained firefighters will move to a fortnightly pay cycle in 2024.
Each local authority has established a local implementation group with management and staff representatives to implement the new model of Fire Service delivery. In fire stations where there are currently 10-12 firefighters, it is hoped that this will progress quickly. In stations with less than 10 firefighters, management and staff are examining interim options to allow for flexible working until a full complement of 12 firefighters can be achieved through recruitment.
Recruitment of new firefighters is underway across the fire service. It will take some time to reach the 12 crew in all fire stations as the time from advertising a retained firefighter post to completion of training includes a number of stages. Fire Services are prioritising recruit training for 2024.
I believe that the full implementation of the WRC agreement and the recommendations of the Retained Review report provide the basis to resolve the issues of recruitment and retention in our Retained fire services. I wish to thank all stakeholders for their constructive engagements over the course of negotiations in 2023 and I commend their efforts in seeking a resolution to the issues.
731. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an assessment will be carried out of a recorded archaeological monument (details supplied) in County Cork to assess if the structure is suitable for a future planed works programme owing to a decline in the structure; if the local authority can apply for funding under the Community Monuments Fund for repair works under future tranches of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56371/23]
View answerThe site in question is a national monument in state care and is therefore subject to a preservation order. It is managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and it is my understanding that Ministerial consent will be applied for in order that OPW can carry out necessary works at the monument. The OPW are not eligible to apply for an award under the Community Monuments Fund given that the monument is in state care.
732. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will support plans by Cork County Council to put in place flood mitigation measures in Castlemartyr in east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56395/23]
View answerMy Department undertakes the Lead Government Department role, as set out in the Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) Framework (2017), in relation to the coordination of national level responses to flooding emergencies, where warranted. My Department's National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management undertakes this role and works closely with Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams. My Department has no responsibility for flood mitigation measures.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is the lead organisation for flood risk management in Ireland. The OPW has set out in Flood Plans how that flood risk is to be managed through investment in flood relief schemes and other policy measures. The Flood Plans detail the flood risk and proposed feasible flood risk management measures for 300 areas of significant flood risk throughout the country.
Any decisions in relation to the placement of flood mitigation measures in Castlemartyr in East Cork is a matter for the OPW in co-operation with Cork County Council.
733. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it has been drawn to his attention that two local authority tenants (details supplied) applied to purchase their home under the tenant (incremental) purchase scheme 2016 and that the local authority would not allow a discount on the price of the house for the ‘material improvements’ carried out; if he will consider modifying the scheme, if necessary, in order that the local authority can be allowed to apply the discount for the ‘material improvements’ carried out on the house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56425/23]
View answer735. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it has been drawn to his attention that council tenants (details supplied) applied to purchase their home under the tenant (incremental) purchase scheme 2016 and that the local authority would not allow a discount on the price of the house for the ‘material improvements’ carried out if he will consider modifying the scheme, if necessary, in order that the council can allow apply the discount for the ‘material improvements’ carried out on the house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56460/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 733 and 735 together.
The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme provides for the purchase by eligible tenants of local authority houses which are available for sale under the scheme. All applications for the Scheme must satisfy the requirements outlined in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and the associated regulations.
The Act includes provision for a local authority to take into consideration any material improvements made to the house by tenants, where written permission has been obtained in advance of these material improvements taking place. Local authorities have been issued with detailed written guidance regarding the operation of the Scheme.
Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. The operation of and any decisions made in respect of the Scheme is therefore, entirely a matter for the local authority and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on an individual case.
My Department monitors schemes on an ongoing basis to ensure that they remain effective and sustainable. However, no changes to the method by which local authorities determine a purchase price or determine the allowance for material improvements are being considered at this time.
