Written Answers Nos. 206-222
206. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide details of how often she has met the new chairperson of RTE; if these meetings were in person or via video link; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42315/24]
View answerI have met with the Chairperson of RTÉ, Mr. Terence O’Rourke on six occasions, since his appointment by the Government on 5 March 2024. Meetings with the Chairperson took place on the following dates:
• 7 March 2024 (Video link meeting);
• 19 March 2024 (In-person meeting);
• 7 May 2024 (Video link meeting);
• 29 May 2024 (In-person meeting);
• 1 July 2024 (Video link meeting); and
• 23 July 2024 (Video link meeting).
These meetings are an important element of the ongoing dialogue and engagement with RTÉ as it continues the process of governance reform, while also delivering its key strategic objectives to ensure it meets the needs and expectations of Irish audiences, and I look forward to meeting further with the Chairperson in the coming weeks.
207. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide details of progress made by her Department regarding the implementation of recommendations made in the EAC review of governance and culture in RTE; if she will provide a breakdown of each recommendation, stating the status of action on each; which target dates have been missed to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42316/24]
View answerOn 7 May 2024, the Government accepted in principle the 90 recommendations of the Expert Advisory Committee appointed to carry out a review of the Governance and Culture in RTÉ. While the majority of the recommendations require implementation by RTÉ, 15 require measures or actions to be carried out by my Department.
An implementation plan, setting out how my Department would give effect to the relevant recommendations, including 8 that require amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009, was published in 25 June. Since then, work has been underway within my Department to give effect to these 15 recommendations, and a summary of the progress made is attached.
As set out above, a total of 8 recommendations required amendment of the Broadcasting Act, and on 8 October, I secured Government approval for a General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, which I subsequently published.
208. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she or her Department have been made aware of any exit packages paid out by RTE in 2024 in respect of former executives; if she will provide a breakdown of the individual amounts paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42317/24]
View answerThe RTÉ Chairperson advised me at a meeting on 29 May 2024, that RTÉ was in the process of negotiating a mediated exit settlement through the Workplace Relations (WRC) for a senior member of staff, that the process was ongoing, would be considered by the Board’s Remuneration Committee, and that the Chairperson would provide me with an update on the matter in due course.
On 20 August 2024, the Chairperson advised me that the matter had been concluded, however, given that it was mediated through the WRC, the details of the settlement were, and remain, confidential and as such could not be disclosed. I respect this legal process and the confidentiality provisions of the resulting agreements.
209. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects RTE to come under the remit of the comptroller and auditor general; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42318/24]
View answerOn 7 May 2024, the Government accepted in principle the 116 recommendations of the Expert Advisory Committees appointed to carry out reviews of RTÉ in relation to Governance and Culture and Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters. The re-assignment of the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ was a key recommendation of the Expert Advisory Committee on Governance and Culture.
On the 25 June 2024, I published an implementation plan setting out how my Department would give effect to the 15 recommendations made by the Expert Advisory Committees which fall to my Department. The plan identified 8 recommendations that require amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009.
On the 8th of October 2024, following Government approval, I published the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill which, inter alia, provides for the implementation of recommendations of the Expert Advisory Committees.
The General Scheme provides that the Comptroller and Auditor General will undertake the following activities in relation to RTÉ:
• carry out an audit of the RTÉ's annual accounts under section 5 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993;
• carry out, where the Comptroller and Auditor General considers it appropriate, a value-for-money examination under section 9 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993;
• submit, under section 11 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993;
• on foot of its annual audit, an audit report;
• on foot of an annual audit or any value-for-money examination, a special report.
An audit, for both the auditor and the audited body, is a rigorous process that requires appropriate preparation. For that reason, Head 16 of the General Scheme provides that the Minister may, by order, designate an 'appointed day'. The General Scheme provides that if the 'appointed day' is designated before 30 June 2025, the first financial year for which the Comptroller and Auditor General shall audit the accounts under section 5 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 will be 2025. If the 'appointed day' is after 1 July 2025 the General Scheme provides that the first financial year will be 2026. It is intended that, following enactment, the Minister of the day would have regard to the advice of the Comptroller and Auditor General prior to determining the 'appointed day'
210. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects an announcement on allocations in respect of the latest rounds of the large-scale sporting infrastructure fund; the budget that will be available to her; what demand exists in respect of valid applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42319/24]
View answerThe National Sports Policy 2018 – 2027 provided for the establishment of a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) with the aim of providing support to sports facilities where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the SCEP.
Earlier this year Minister Martin and I announced funding of up to €120 million under the new round of the LSSIF which closed for applications on 1 July 2024.
Assessment of applications is at an advanced stage and has taken into account such factors as population size, sustainability and ensuring that similar access is provided to accommodate access by men and women to LSSIF-funded facilities. I expect to confirm allocations under this round of LSSIF in the coming weeks.
211. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the budget that will be available to her to allocate to successful appellants under the latest round of the sports capital and equipment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42320/24]
View answerOn 25 September, Minister Martin and I announced €230 million in grants for sports clubs and facilities under phase 2 of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme).
Over a quarter of a billion euro has been allocated to community sports clubs and facilities in 2024, taking account of the earlier equipment-only allocation of €26 million, with a total investment of €256 million. This will facilitate the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
An initial sum of €4m has been provided to address the costs of grants arising from successful appeals. This will be kept under review as the appeals process progresses.
212. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of the refuge units delivered by her Department since 2020, and to provide in tabular form the cost of each unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42254/24]
View answerMy Department currently supports an agreed programme of new Domestic Violence Refuges via the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). CAS also supports the acquisition of individual properties as 'Safe Houses'. Operational costs for Refuges are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice.
Domestic Violence Refuge units and Safe Houses can also be provided through other sources outside of my Department's funding role.
Since 2020, there have been 28 Domestic Violence units/Safe Houses delivered that were funded via CAS, as set out below.
|
Location |
Funding Scheme |
DV Service Provider |
Year Delivered |
No. Units |
Approved Budget |
Cost per Unit |
|
Wexford |
CAS Construction |
Wexford Women's Refuge |
2024 |
12 |
€6,457,789 |
€538,149 |
|
Galway |
CAS Construction |
Modh Eile & COPE Galway |
2020 |
9 |
€2,515,352 |
€279,484 |
|
Drogheda |
CAS Acquisition |
Drogheda Women's & Children's Refuge |
2024 |
1 |
€245,752 |
€245,752 |
|
Offaly |
CAS Acquisition |
Offaly DVSS & Oaklee AHB |
2024 |
3 |
790442 |
€263,481 |
|
Donegal |
CAS Acquisition |
Donegal Women's VHA |
2021 |
3 |
€316,345 |
€105,448 |
|
28 |
€10,325,680 |
€286,463 |
213. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of the cost of delivering 150 more refuge units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42258/24]
View answerMy Department currently supports an agreed programme of new Domestic Violence Refuges via the Capital Assistance Scheme/CAS. Operational costs for such Refuges are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice.
New Domestic Violence Refuges currently under development as part of this programme, or recently completed via CAS, as part of the 3rd National DSGBV Strategy, are averaging €560,000 per family refuge unit, including all ancillary facilities such as counselling rooms, staff accommodation, communal spaces and outdoor play spaces.
On this basis, an additional 150 family accommodation units in DV Refuges would be expected to incur a capital cost of €84 million.
214. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a homeowner who has already been approved for funding vis-à-vis the defective concrete block scheme can expect to benefit from the improved terms of this scheme as agreed at a meeting of the Cabinet on 8 October 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42156/24]
View answerI commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 ('the 2022 Act') on 22 June 2023, which contains the enhanced grant scheme and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023.
A review mechanism is provided within the 2022 Act, which provides for an increase or decrease in the overall grant scheme cap (currently €420,000) a year after the Act has been commenced by no more than 10%, in accordance with the conditions of Section 11 of the Act.
My Department received updated cost reports from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) that have been considered by the Expert Group I established. The Expert Group has recommended changes to the current scheme cap for remediation options, ancillary grants and the grant. I recently received Government approval on 8 October, 2024 to an increase in the grant scheme overall cap, currently set at €420,000 and grants rates that are set out in the 2023 Regulations.
To give effect to these increases I will subject, to the passing of a Resolution of Dáil Éireann and a Resolution of Seanad Éireann approving a draft Order under Section 11 of Act, bring a memorandum to Government requesting the Government to make that Order.
The 2022 Act provides that any change in the scheme cap or grant rates will apply to eligible relevant owners that are yet to receive a determination in respect of remediation option and grant amount. Extending these increases to a wider group of relevant owners requires amending the 2022 Act and I will be bringing a proposal to Government to give effect to this policy intention.
215. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a complex (details supplied) in Inchicore has still not had a surveyor visit although this was expected to happen in June as part of the fire remediation scheme; if he will acknowledge that apartment owners are not in a position to pay for this work despite an organisation’s pressure to do so with the promise that they will be reimbursed when funding has been allocated; to provide a timeframe for when funding will be made available for remediation works at this complex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42177/24]
View answerThe Interim Remediation Scheme for the funding of eligible emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes has been in place since December 2023. The Scheme, which is being administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis, is open to applications from apartment Owners’ Management Companies (OMC) via the Housing Agency’s website.
In the period since the Scheme’s launch, up to and including 30 September 2024:
• 180 applications have been validated, meeting the required eligibility criteria, and are being progressed across 27 local authority areas; representing
• a total of 17,420 residential units, with just under 79% of units affected located in the four Dublin local authority areas.
The Scheme application process is broken into eight phases, of which Phase 3 requires significant input from OMCs, involving engagement of a Competent Professional (CP) to carry out a thorough fire safety investigation, identify required works and engage with Local Authority Fire Services (LAFS) in the preparation of an Interim Remediation Works Plan. Once Phase 3 is completed, and with LAFS confirmation of continued eligibility, a Grant Agreement can then be issued to the OMC and funds can be drawn down as works are completed and certified in due course.
In April of this year, four appropriate “pathfinder” projects were identified from applications within the Scheme. These pathfinder projects have allowed the mapping of the application and remediation process into simple steps, to identify pinch points and their solutions and to provide consistency across submissions by OMCs and related LAFS workings.
Three pathfinders are situated in the Dublin area involving three local authorities, and one in Kildare. These projects vary in size and complexity, providing valuable insights for both the interim and future full remediation schemes, across resource identification, standardisation of documents and process efficiencies.
Intense engagement has taken place over the summer period between the Competent Professionals, acting on behalf of the four OMCs and LAFS. Three OMCs have completed their engagement with fire services and will receive Grant Agreements in the coming weeks.
Subject to validation, it is expected that payments to OMCs will commence on eligible works before the end of this year.
As the Interim Remediation Scheme is being administered on behalf of my Department by The Housing Agency, my Department does not hold details of individual applications to the Scheme. The Housing Agency can be contacted directly via the email address: info@housingagency.ie for an update on a specific application.
216. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a fisheries matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42189/24]
View answerWhile my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for legislation and policy around invasive alien species in Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has the statutory responsibility for the protection, development, and management of Ireland’s rivers and streams together with 128,000 lake hectares.
Pike has been present in Ireland for hundreds of years and is considered to be a naturalised species which is widespread across the country. There are no plans at this time to add pike to the national list of invasive alien species.
However, the NPWS regularly liaises with IFI on matters relating to aquatic species. While it is not a listed invasive alien species, the NPWS will continue to monitor the situation.
217. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42190/24]
View answerThe four-step process is set out in Guidance prepared by my Department in 2010 and also reflected by guidance published by the European Commission in 2002. I am satisfied that the steps being taken by agencies such as those referred to are appropriate.
The four steps are a commonly referred to as "procedures that may be followed when certain plans and projects are assessed in terms of their potential adverse effects on sites in the Natura 2000 network".
The first of these steps is "Stage 1. Screening for Appropriate Assessment", a process that addresses and records the reasoning and conclusions in relation to the first two tests of Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive, namely
• i) whether a plan or project is directly connected to or necessary for the management of the site, and
• ii) whether a plan or project, alone or in combination with other plans and projects, is likely to have significant effects on a Natura 2000 site in view of its conservation objectives.
If the potential effects of the proposals are deemed to be significant, potentially significant, or uncertain, or if the screening process becomes overly complicated, then the process must proceed to Stage 2 (Appropriate Assessment).
The process of screening is carried out by the competent authority. Agencies such as those referred to in the details supplied have published "Screening determinations" or "conclusion statements". Publishing such a determination after screening for Appropriate Assessment is a requirement of Regulation 42(18)(a) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No 477 of 2011) as amended.
218. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the housing supports available to victims of domestic abuse to assist them leave the family home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42222/24]
View answerThe response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross-Departmental and multi-agency issue, with overall policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims rests with my colleague the Minister for Justice working in conjunction with Cuan, the statutory DSGVB agency under the remit of the Department of Justice. My Department currently provides capital funding support for the construction of new Domestic Violence Refuges, via the Capital Assistance Scheme.
In terms of housing supports, applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
In 2017, my Department issued policy and procedural guidance to local authorities relating to the role they can play to assist victims of domestic violence. The issuing of this 2017 policy and guidance was a significant action in the second national strategy on DSGBV 2016-2021, and has since played an important role in addressing the housing needs of victims and survivors of DSGBV, providing direction to local authorities in supporting victims of domestic violence.It covers a range of scenarios that may arise for victims of domestic violence currently in receipt of social housing support and those seeking social housing supports. These include provisions around the use of the Housing Assistance Payment scheme, or the Rental Accommodation Scheme, where a victim has a joint interest in the family home, or ownership of alternative accommodation, but would otherwise qualify for social housing support.
Furthermore, where a victim of domestic violence applies for social housing support in their own right while still a joint tenant, it is a matter for the relevant local authority to address the contractual issues arising in relation to the joint tenancy agreement. Accordingly, the household may transfer out of their existing tenancy and into a new tenancy agreement with the local authority or they may access an independent tenancy in the private rented sector utilising the various housing supports offered by the State.
In addition to the above supports, a new protocol was established in 2020 when the Minister for Social Protection agreed to make rent supplement more accessible to victims of domestic violence. This measure aims to ensure that they are not prevented from leaving their homes because of financial or accommodation difficulties.
On the 28 June, 2022 the Department of Justice published Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on DSGBV 2022-2026. As an action in this strategy, my Department committed to a review of the 2017 Policy and Procedural Guidance for Housing Authorities in relation to assisting victims of domestic violence with emergency and long-term accommodation needs in order to ensure continuing effectiveness and consistency in responses to assist victims of domestic violence. This review is now complete and proposed recommendations will be shared for observations with external stakeholders.
Any updates to the policy and guidance will be communicated to local authorities in due course. In the meantime, local authorities operate in accordance with the 2017 Guidance.
219. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the enforcement mechanisms available to local authorities in instances where a landlord does not carry out necessary maintenance works in a HAP property; particularly in circumstances where the nature of the maintenance is potentially harmful to the tenant such as broken water supply, broken heating system, broken access windows or doors, severe mould issues and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42234/24]
View answer220. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the rights a HAP tenant has when a landlord does carry out necessary maintenance work; who is responsible for the enforcement of these rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42235/24]
View answer221. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of HAP properties that have been removed from the system in each year since the HAP system was introduced due to breaches in the minimum standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42236/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 219 to 221, inclusive, together.
The standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let, including those where the tenancy is Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) supported. All landlords, have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in the Regulations.
The HAP scheme is underpinned by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. Under section 41 of the 2014 Act, local authorities are required to commence the inspection process within 8 months of HAP support being provided in relation to a particular dwelling, if the dwelling was not already inspected within the previous 12 months. Local authorities carry out HAP inspections as part of their overall private rented inspections programme.
Responsibility for the enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 in the private rental sector, including those dwellings with HAP supported tenancies, rests with the relevant local authority.
Failure to comply with the standards can result in penalties and prosecution. Local authorities can issue Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices to landlords who breach the rental standards. An Improvement Notice sets out the works that the landlord must carry out to remedy a breach of the regulations.
In the case of a Prohibition Notice being enforced, a local authority may provide, or continue to provide, HAP in respect of that property for a period of 13 weeks, to enable the household to find an alternative dwelling.
My Department collates data on an annual basis in respect of all private rental inspections and the data from 2005 to 2023 is available at the link below.www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/#private-rented-inspections
222. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of inspections carried out each month by the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority since it was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42237/24]
View answerAs provided for in the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019, the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was formally established on 1 February 2021. AHBRA is an independent body tasked with providing the regulation of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the purposes of protecting housing assets provided or managed by such bodies.
The register of AHBs previously managed by my Department was officially transferred to AHBRA on 1 January 2022. AHBRA is responsible for maintaining the register and for registering organisations as AHBs. The register is published on AHBRA's website, available here: www.ahbregulator.ie/registration/the-register/. Currently, 439 organisations remain registered as AHBs.
AHBRA’s functions also include the monitoring and assessing of compliance by AHBs of a set of four standards which I approved in 2022. This Assessment Programme is an ongoing process. AHBRA may also carry out investigations where considered necessary under Part 5 of the Act.
As AHBRA is an independent regulatory authority, my Department does not hold the statistical information requested. However, arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost-effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for AHBRA is: oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie
