Written Answers Nos. 331-351
331. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport given that Eir is not a designated body under NewERA, the reason he has ‘sought the advice of the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) on this pension increase’ which has been approved by the company and the pension trustees/managers, last July 2025. [36472/26]
View answerIn line with section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies: Remuneration and Superannuation (2021), my Department seeks the advice of the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) on any proposed pension increases in respect of the Eircom Superannuation Scheme that have been submitted to me.
NewERA provides financial and commercial advice in respect of the Scheme's Eircom No. 2 Superannuation Fund to both myself and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform pursuant to section 20 ("Financial and commercial advisory functions relating to other bodies") of the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014. An agreement to this effect was made between NewERA, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications in 2023.
The Department informed Eir of sanction for the 2025 pension increase of 2.1% on 04 March 2026. Administration of the Eircom Superannuation Scheme, including the payment of pension benefits and approved pension increases, is a matter for the Trustees of the Scheme.
332. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department or any bodies and agencies under its aegis use, or have in the past used, software and or products from a company (details supplied); the duration and cost of the contract; and the services they avail of from the company. [35861/26]
View answerThe Department does not disclose details of its cybersecurity systems and arrangements, as such disclosure could increase the risk of exploitation. However, I can confirm that appropriate measures are in place in line with national guidance and recommended practice to protect both the Department’s systems and data.
333. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a copy of the recent correspondence issued by the Minister for Public Expenditure; National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to his Department referred to in media reports (details supplied); if he will provide details of the percentage reduction(s) in spending in his Department referenced in the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36401/26]
View answerThe current expenditure levy in question is to be applied to the 2027 vote allocation for my Department. There is no change to my Department’s 2026 allocation.
As the letter and the information contained within it, including the application of the levy, forms part of the 2027 Estimates negotiations, it would not be appropriate to release the correspondence at this stage.
334. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding available to support aspiring creative writers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36447/26]
View answerPrimary support for the arts in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2026 has maintained record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council to support and develop the arts in Ireland through grant funding, project awards, support to individual artists, and support to venues, publications and resource organisations.
Literature is a vital part of people’s lives in Ireland: books, stories, language and reading are essential to our culture and society. The Arts Council supports organisations and activities that maintain and develop Ireland’s world-famous literary landscape by investing in writers at all stages of their careers, and by supporting literary publishers and journals that platform new or experimental voices.
The Arts Council also provides funding to Words Ireland, which is an umbrella group of seven literature organisations whose purpose is to strengthen the literature sector in Ireland and to offer professional development support and opportunities to writers. The organisations which make up the network are: Children’s Books Ireland, Literature Ireland, Poetry Ireland, The Stinging Fly, Irish Writers Centre, Publishing Ireland and Munster Literature Centre.
Words Ireland's remit includes the provision of professional development opportunities, with a particular focus on mid-career and advanced career practitioners. It provides mentoring opportunities, creating meaningful employment for professional writers and opportunities for emerging writers to advance their creative practice.
Funding has also been provided to Literature Ireland by the Arts Council. A not-for-profit organisation, Literature Ireland (known as Ireland Literature Exchange until 2016) is in operation since 1995. They have funded the translation of over 2,000 works of Irish literature into 56 languages around the world.
Literature Ireland’s services include:
• Running a translation grant programme for publishers to fund the translation of literature from Ireland into foreign languages, and the translation of foreign literature into English or Irish.
• Operating a residential bursary programme for literary translators.
• Attending international book fairs and festivals and managing the Irish national stands at the London and Frankfurt book fairs.
• Support for international author and translator events.
• Providing information to publishers, agents, translators, writers and other interested parties.
• Publishing and distributing New Writing from Ireland and other publications.
• Participating in international literary translation projects.
More details are available on the websites of the Arts Council (www.artscouncil.ie/available-funding/), Literature Ireland (www.literatureireland.com) and Words Ireland (www.wordsireland.com/).
335. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of spending on advertising which was funded or overseen by his Department, and bodies under its aegis, in each of the past five, including a breakdown by medium that is radio, television, social media, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36485/26]
View answerMy Department became Culture, Communications and Sports (CCS) in June 2025.
Prior to this, my Department was known as Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media (TCAGSM).
Please see below details of advertising costs for 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and to date in 2026.
A range of communication forms – including advertising, social media postings and media engagement – are increasingly important in informing the public of the Department’s work.
I am advised that it is not possible to tabulate my Department’s advertising expenditure across social media/online platforms, and other media formats, as my Departmental expenditure is on a per-campaign basis, and allocated via media buying agencies.
The figures provided represent advertising in print and broadcast, local and national media, and online.
Regarding bodies and agencies under my Department’s remit, these matters are operational matters for the agencies themselves.
At all times value for money is a critical consideration
Advertising totals inc. VAT
|
Year |
€ |
|
2021 |
€321,454.21 |
|
2022 |
€325,336.01 |
|
2023 |
€355,167.31 |
|
2024 |
€464,950.58 |
|
2025 |
€334,039.12 |
|
2026 (January 1st – May 13th) |
€69,245.01 |
336. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority owned houses currently lying vacant in County Mayo; the reasons these properties remain idle; and the steps being taken to bring them back into use as social housing, particularly in light of ongoing homelessness and housing shortages. [35805/26]
View answer337. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of five council owned houses in Swinford that have been lying vacant for approximately two years; the reasons refurbishment works have not yet been completed; and when these homes will be made available to families on the housing list. [35806/26]
View answer338. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that is available to Mayo County Council to refurbish and re-let vacant council houses; whether additional emergency funding will be provided to speed up turnaround times; and if he will act to ensure vacant properties are prioritised over long-term emergency accommodation. [35807/26]
View answer339. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how he justifies council-owned houses remaining vacant for extended periods while families and individuals are forced to stay in homeless shelters and emergency accommodation; and the measures being introduced to prevent prolonged vacancy of local authority housing stock. [35808/26]
View answer340. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average length of time council houses remain vacant before being reallocated; whether targets exist for bringing such houses back into use; and if specific action will be taken regarding vacant properties in Swinford, given the increasing number of people struggling to secure permanent housing. [35809/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 336, 337, 338, 339 and 340 together.
The management and maintenance of local authority social homes, including pre-letting repairs and the re-tenanting of vacant properties, is a matter for each individual local authority under s.58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities must also ensure all tenanted properties comply with the provisions of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. To this end, local authority elected members and officials must make adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the significant housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.
Notwithstanding, my Department will provide some €260 million as a contribution towards the remediation and maintenance of local authority homes through various funding programmes in 2026, with €40 million alone allocated to a revised Planned Maintenance and Voids Programme to specifically support the efficient turn around of casually vacant homes by local authorities.
This includes more than €650,000 allocated to Mayo County Council this year, with over €4.1 million already provided by my Department to the Council over the last decade or so to bring almost 580 vacant social homes back into productive use across the county. Ultimately, it is first and foremost a matter for Mayo County Council to determine how this funding is deployed, the homes selected for remediation, and to ensure sufficient funding is secured from its own resources for any properties that require works to prepare them for re-let.
It is incumbent on local authorities to ensure their social housing stock is used as effectively as possible, that vacancy is minimised, and casually vacant social homes are re-let as soon as possible. This is particularly the case when the number of homeless households, including families with children, and the demand for social housing continue to grow.
To this end, and to encourage a more efficient use of social housing stock and a greater level of investment by local authorities in that stock, I intend introducing revised funding arrangements on a phased basis in 2027 and 2028 that links the level of funding provided by my Department to vacancy rates in local authorities, re-let times and the level of rental funding re-invested by those authorities in the management and maintenance of their social homes.
Generally, the quantum of social homes vacant at a moment in time in Mayo, the length of time they've been vacant, the reasons they're vacant, and the steps being taken to bring them back to productive use, are matters solely for local authorities. Accordingly, matters related to vacant social homes in one area of the county or another should be addressed directly to Mayo County Council.
Data on the management of social homes are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in its Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities, including for Mayo County Council. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including levels of vacancy and average turnaround times in local authority owned properties.
The most recent NOAC report for 2024 is available at www.noac.ie/noac_publications/report-77-noac-performance-indicator-report-2024/.
341. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department or any bodies and agencies under its aegis use, or have in the past used, software and or products from a company (details supplied); the duration and cost of the contract; and the services they avail of from the company. [35869/26]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Bodies under the Aegis of DHLGH |
Oireachtas email |
|
An Coimisiún Pleanála |
|
|
An Fóram Uisce |
oireachtas@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Construction Industry Register Ireland |
info@ciri.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@gasnetworks.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Oireachtas@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
oireachtasmemberqueries@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
oireachtas@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Property Services Appeal Board |
psabsecretary@psab.ie |
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
pq@psr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
Oireachtas@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
oireachtas@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org |
342. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding with an organisation (details supplied) and his Department, in light of the recommendations of the Independent Advisory Committee report published under Ireland's Nature Restoration Plan by Minister of State Christopher O'Sullivan, which emphasises the importance of engaging communities and supporting NGOs, citizen science, and local groups as key delivery partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35919/26]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department routinely, as good practice, conducts reviews of all Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), including the specific MOU referenced.
The NPWS remains fully committed to working with stakeholders, as it is only through collective collaboration and trust that Ireland’s nature conservation and protection objectives can be fully achieved.
343. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has engaged with representative countryside, conservation and rural stakeholder organisations, farming organisations, hunting associations and game management groups, regarding proposed EU restrictions on lead ammunition; and if he will detail the engagement undertaken to date. [35920/26]
View answer347. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his engagements with representatives countryside, conservation and rural stakeholder organisations, farming organisations, hunting associations and game management groups, regarding proposed EU restrictions on lead ammunition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35951/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 347 together.
Restrictions made under the REACH Regulation REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) are intended to protect human health and the environment from exposure to harmful chemicals. Such restrictions may range from outright bans to limits on specific uses. Restriction proposals are brought forward by the European Commission on the basis of scientific opinions prepared by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Responsibility for Ireland’s chemicals policy, including engagement on REACH matters at EU level, rests with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Ireland is represented at the REACH Committee meetings for matters within the remit of DETE by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), an agency under the aegis of DETE.
My Department has no responsibility for matters relating to the manufacture, sale, importation of supply of ammunition. Those matters fall within the remit of DETE and other relevant authorities. In order to assist DETE in coordinating the Irish position, my Department has engaged in respect of matters relevant to its own functions, including nature conservation and biodiversity protection considerations.
344. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason local authorities are no longer accepting properties under long-term leasing arrangements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35932/26]
View answerIt was announced in September 2021 that, under Housing for All, Long Term Leasing (LTL) would cease on 31 December 2025. No new Long Term Leasing units are being brought into the system. Existing units at 31 December 2025 will continue in payment until the term of their lease agreement expires.
The Government is focused on the delivery of new build social homes and, accordingly, housing targets are primarily focused on new build delivery as set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities. LTL has been actively phased out through reduced targets since 2022, and ended on 31 December 2025. This objective does not include all types of leasing; it excludes the Mortgage to Rent scheme and Repair and Lease. While there is no immediate plan to continue long term leasing beyond this year, all delivery streams for social housing are kept under review.
345. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to urgently examine a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35936/26]
View answerThe Local Authority Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for creditworthy applicants who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial lenders to purchase or build a home. The loan has been available nationwide from local authorities since 4 January 2022 for first-time buyers and fresh start applicants. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.
Applications for a Local Authority Home Loan for the purposes of funding a self-build property will only be considered in circumstances where the security property in question is a new construction, i.e. properties that are part-built or otherwise commenced at the time of making a Local Authority Home Loan application will not be eligible for consideration. There are no plans to change this requirement.
346. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the final turnout for Vote 34, including capital and current expenditure and all subheads and programme level outturns, for each year from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [35946/26]
View answer348. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage which councils accept self-declarations in terms of owning properties abroad when a person from abroad applies for local authority homes. [35969/26]
View answerApplications 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.
A household is ineligible for social housing support if a member owns alternative accommodation that could meet the household’s needs, either by occupying it or selling it to pay for other accommodation.
The requirements in relation to the documentation required to support an application is set out in the “Checklist for Applicants” on the prescribed social housing application form. If any member of the household submitting an application currently owns property, an affidavit or any other documentation as requested by the local authority is required outlining the location, value, current status of the property and any monies being received in respect of the property.
349. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how long immigrants must be habitually resident in Ireland before they can apply for local author homes. [35970/26]
View answerThe assessment of social housing support by the relevant local authority, is carried out in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated regulations. Habitual residency is not currently a criteria applied during the assessment process.
The Government approved the priority legal drafting of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which amends the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 by making provision for residency and habitual residency as an eligibility criteria for social housing support. I expect to be in a position to publish the Bill in the coming weeks.
350. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a case involving a family in County Kildare (details supplied ) whose applications under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme (CTCCS) were verbally confirmed as approved in November 2025 but subsequently reopened and reassessed; the reason for this reversal and the change in evidential requirements, including the request for documentation that is no longer reasonably obtainable given the 15-19 year timeframe; and if he will intervene to ensure the applications are processed in a fair, consistent, and transparent manner in line with the original guidance provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36006/26]
View answerThe Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme was established following engagement with stakeholders in 2011 for active domestic turf cutters arising from the restrictions on turf cutting on 53 raised bog special areas of conservation (SAC) and was extended in 2014 to include 36 raised bog natural heritage areas (NHA).
The qualification criteria for the scheme are that:
• The applicant must have had a legal interest/ownership or a Turbary Right (right to cut turf) in one of the 53 Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) encompassed by the scheme on 25 May 2010 and must have had the right to cut and remove turf from that property on that date.
• The applicant must have been cutting turf on the said land in question during the qualifying five year period up to 31 December 2011 and the turf resource has not been exhausted.
The CTCCS was first introduced in Mouds Bog SAC (Site code 002331) Co. Kildare in 2012 and was open for applicants since then. My Department is currently processing late applications received in 2024 and 2025.
One of the primary objectives of the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme is to compensate families for the lack of access to fuel for domestic home heating as a result of the restrictions. The Department must be satisfied that an applicant was providing turf for their household before compensation is paid.
There has been no expansion of the evidential requirements of the scheme. My Department is aware that documents relating to the qualifying period of the scheme may become more difficult to obtain over time. A significant cause of delayed or refused applications is an inability to provide details of separate living arrangements and the amount of turf they cut for those households in the qualifying period.
My Department provides significant support and guidance to late applicants regarding supporting documents for the scheme. However, no application can be approved without a full review of the completed application to ensure all requirements are met, and a legal agreement must be signed between the applicant and on my behalf before compensation issues.
351. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to urgently consider a waiver in respect of planning permission for short-term lets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36088/26]
View answerThe Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) has drafted the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill General Scheme in full alignment with the STR Regulation. The introduction of the STLT Bill will provide a more effective legal and administrative basis to regulate short term lettings. This Bill when enacted will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of a register for all Short Term Lettings in Ireland, which will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland. In line with the proposed introduction of DETE’s STLT Bill, all short-term letting accommodation providers will be required to register with Fáilte Ireland, as part of the registration process, accommodation providers will need to confirm that they are planning compliant.
Government has approved a threshold-based approach to generally preclude new planning permissions for short-term lets in larger towns and cities. Further to this, the Cabinet Committee on Housing have proposed that the threshold be set at towns and cities with a population in excess of 20,000, amounting to twenty five towns at the most recent Census of Population. It is intended that accommodation providers in all other locations, i.e. outside the largest towns and cities, will be able to avail of an extended period to meet planning compliance requirements.
Furthermore, in line with existing established rights, where it can be proven that a residential property has been operated by a short-term letting accommodation provider for at least seven years and no enforcement action has been taken by the planning authority, planning permission for retention may be sought to regularise an established but unauthorised use.
To ensure that there is a clear view, both at national level and local authority level, as to the overall policy approach to determining planning applications for short-term lets, my Department is currently finalising a National Planning Statement (NPS) on short-term letting to supplement and support the introduction of the STLT Bill. The preparation of the draft NPS is largely complete, with the NPS being informed by the work of a Working Group (comprising my Department, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the County and City Management Association) and further engagement with relevant stakeholders.
