Written Answers Nos. 93-112
93. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education the number of the 36 special classes sanctioned by the NCSE for Dublin that will be opened in time to welcome pupils in September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24380/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra94. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education to provide the locations and roll numbers of the 36 special classes sanctioned by the NCSE for Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24381/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.
I understand that this is an anxious time for parents who are seeking a school place for their child for September and I would like to assure the Deputy that this government is determined to alleviate the pressures faced by parents when seeking a special educational placement.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through their special educational needs organisers (SENOs) work closely with families regarding options for school placements and other special education supports. Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally using the details on the NCSE's website.
My department and the NCSE work closely in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places, work which is close to finalisation for the 2024/25 school year.
Attached is the list of the 36 new special classes sanctioned in county Dublin for the 2024/25 school year as of 21 May 2024. The NCSE continue to sanction some additional classes for the coming school year and is engaged in ongoing discussions with some schools in county Dublin and other areas. As new classes are sanctioned, the NCSE will support families to make applications for places.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
95. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 330 of 21 May 2024, to outline the ownership of the property referred to in her reply as the "former technical school"; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24409/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy has been advised the policy on patronage divesting is to use existing educational infrastructure to facilitate provision of diversity in areas where there is no demographic imperative to establish new schools.
As part of the process of identifying a suitable accommodation solution which would facilitate the establishment of the school, my Department liaised with Cork Education and Training Board. In order to facilitate the establishment of the new school, the ETB agreed to the co-location of the Educate Together school at the former Technical School (owned by The Minister for Education) in Fermoy, which is under ETB management.
Prior to the establishment of the new school in 2018 under the patronage divesting process, my Department and Educate Together as school patron agreed that given the accommodation available at the property, the school would be established as a four-classroom school and that the school will maintain this configuration at the property.
The role of my Department is to ensure that all schools in an area can, between them, cater to school place requirements in that area. The broader position in the Fermoy School Planning Area is that demographics at primary level are declining and will steadily decrease for the foreseeable future.
The school has been advised to direct any queries that it may have regarding the divesting agreement to its patron. My Department continues to engage with the school patron, Educate Together, in respect of the current and future needs of the school.
96. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to list the tours of towns across the country by the National Cultural Institutions which she has facilitated since taking office in 2020, in line with the Programme for Government commitment. [24228/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recognises that the wide and inclusive access to the arts is essential to the wellbeing of our society and in bringing together communities with shared enthusiasm and interests. This was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, and our National Cultural Institutions strove to strengthen relationships with many organisations across the country by sharing pieces from their collections and through their Learning and Participation programmes. The NCIs are committed to making the national collections ever more accessible to everyone. This will be achieved not just by providing visitor access in the museums and galleries but through education and participation programmes in schools, villages, hospitals and many other ways, a number of which are outlined below.
The National Concert Hall
As the Deputy will be aware the National Symphony Orchestra moved from RTE to the NCH in January 2022 and since then has toured many locations around the country.
In the period since autumn 2020 the National Concert Hall’s Learning & Participation has been active on an ongoing basis in with the following programmes in the following counties: Health & Harmony (music for dementia) – Clare, Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Tipperary.
Towns: Ennis, Bessboro, Listowel, Kilgarvan, Tralee, Limerick City, Garryowen, Newport, Clonmel, Thurles
20 visits per year in each centre.
Music in Mind (music for mental health) – Meath, Wicklow, Donegal, Galway, Offaly, Kildare, Westmeath, Sligo, Wexford, Leitrim.
Towns: Julianstown, Arklow, Letterkenny, Galway City, Tullamore, Maynooth, Mullingar, Kildare Town, Sligo Town, Navan, Enniscorthy, Portlaoise, Carrick on Shannon.
16 visits per centre per year.
Music in Children’s Hospitals – Limerick, Cork.
Monthly visits throughout the year.
The Learning & Participation programme has also provided one-off events as follows:
School Workshops – Wicklow, Meath, Tipperary, Kildare, Wexford. February, May, June, October 2024
Total of 10 visits
Primary Ensemble Project – Meath, Cork, Laois. Nov -Dec 2022; Jan-Mar 2023.
Total of 12 visits.
West Wicklow Festival – May 2022, 2023
Quavers to Quadratics – Galway. June 2022, June 2023. Louth 2023
Total of 16 visits
Crawford Art Gallery
Since the COVID-19 pandemic and the reopening of the Arts Sector, The Crawford has assisted a number of galleries providing pieces from the National Collection to locations throughout Ireland, for example;
- Jack B Yeats paintings to The Model Arts Centre and Niland Gallery in Sligo
- Gerard Dillion paintings to The Hunt Museum in Limerick
- Nano Reid Paintings to the Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery in Louth
- 29 pieces to the Limerick City Gallery for the exhibition 100 Years of Giving
In addition, an exhibition of thirty three paintings that has recently opened at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, featuring work by a range of artists including Paul and Grace Henry, Jack B. Yeats, Margaret Clarke, Colin Middleton, and John Luke. The thirty three works on display include fourteen paintings that have been loaned by the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork.
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Since 2020 IMMA has loaned nearly 60 artworks to a number of locations across the country for example
Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda
South Tipperary Arts Centre;
The Model, Sligo;
The Source Arts Centre, Co. Tipperary.
Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny;
Wexford County Council
National Archives
The National Archives had two external exhibitions in the city of Dublin (Dublin Castle and IMMA). The NAI Treaty Exhibition was also held in Wicklow Town, Thurles, Letterkenny, Wexford, Cork and Limerick.
Additionally, the National Archives provided exhibitions at the National Ploughing Championships in 2022 and 2023.
National Museum of Ireland (NMI)
The NMI continues to be proactive in sharing the collections through education and loans.
The outreach programme has provided workshops in schools across the country.
Furthermore, NMI has provided pieces from the National Collection to numerous county museums, for example.
|
Cavan County Museum |
Group of 26 Irish Folklife objects |
|
Lisburn Linen Museum |
Flax Scutching Blades |
|
Louth County Museum |
Multiple IAD objects |
|
Cork Butter Museum |
Bog butter |
|
Galway City Museum |
Cross Slab from Mason Island, Galway |
|
Hunt Museum, Limerick |
Gold Collar from Toryhill |
|
Cavan County Museum |
Virginia Brooch 7345 |
|
Newbridge House, Fingal |
Lord Chancellor’s Coach |
|
Galway City Museum |
Bronze Age Handling Collections |
National Gallery of Ireland
Due to the specific environmental conditions required to conserve and display artworks from the National Gallery, the collection can only be shared where the curatorial standards are assured.
The Ulster Museum in Belfast is currently showing a Carravaggio exhibition, reuniting Caravaggio’s The Supper at Emmaus from the National Gallery of London with The Taking of Christ from the National Gallery of Ireland, in a highly ambitious event, whereby they have hardly ever been seen together since the first quarter of the 17th century. Other collaboration included the loan of the NGI’s Lavery collection to the Ulster Museum in 2023 which is still on display in the Ulster Museum.
The NGI also actively engages with the Local Authority Museums and other public organisations, who would be in a position to meet the requisite environmental conditions to house paintings, for example.
- Francis William Doyle-Jones, Bust of Michael Collins, LTL to Clonakilty Museum
- Domhnall O’Murchadha, Eamon Ceannt, Patriot, Bronze, LTL to Galway City Museum
- 15 works, LTL to the Hunt Museum
- Bust of Sir Thomas Wyse and, After Alessandro Algardi, The Baptism of Christ, Giltwood, LTL to Waterford Museum of Treasures
- Pair of Mahogany side tables, LTL to Kilkenny Castle
- After Carlo Maratti, Portrait of Father Luke Wadding, to Waterford Institute of Technology
- 30 works (paintings, furniture, decorative arts) to Russborough House
- 76 works, LTL to Malahide Castle
While it is noted that the majority of NCIs are based in Dublin, each one has ensured that location is not a stumbling block to accessing the arts;
- Each of the NCIs brings a substantial online programme to its audiences around Ireland and beyond.
The Council of National Cultural Institutions acknowledges the National Ploughing Championships is the largest rural event in the country and attends each year, sharing the work that they do with all visiting the Government of Ireland Village.
My Department also operates a Mobility of Collections Scheme to support greater regional and local access to material held in the National Collections. The scheme is designed to fund the transport, cost of insurance and exhibiting costs for pieces from the National Collections to appropriate institutions around the country. This scheme is currently open to applications and is due to close on 1st August 2024 at 1pm. Details of this scheme can be found at www.gov.ie/en/service/6a6bd-mobility-of-collections-scheme/.
97. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the support schemes she has established for amateur dramatics and musicals, as outlined in the Programme for Government. [24229/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government: Our Shared Future included the interest to develop innovative support schemes for amateur drama, and musicals. In this context, I appreciated that the Arts Council provided funding to the resource organisations that support the amateur drama and musical societies: for example
• Drama League of Ireland was funded by the Arts Council, €135,000, with support from the Department in 2021, and
• Amateur Drama Council of Ireland was also funded by the Arts Council, €138,000, with support from the Department in 2021.
The Arts Council’s music policy (published in 2023) plans to
• identify optimum models of provision of a national network of accessible performance, rehearsal and recording venues for new and emerging artists in a range of specialist music genres and practices, and for community music-making’
• engage proactively with other national, amateur music making organisations to establish supportive partnerships
• avail of the Arts Council–local authorities strategic partnership to develop more strategic funding of local voluntary and amateur music-making
Additionally, a network of cultural infrastructure exists throughout the country with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to these arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council. These Arts Centres are where artists and audiences meet and this is a key part of the Arts Council strategy to invest in public engagement. My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities. Funding is administered through applications received for specific Grant Schemes.
Notwithstanding the official supports described above, it would be appropriate to mention with gratitude the significant number of commercial sponsors who also contribute towards the national associations and annual programmes for amateur drama and musicals. I take this opportunity to acknowledge with thanks their generous support to the national bodies and also to commend the special contribution of the title sponsor of the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival in Athlone that recently concluded for 2024.
98. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason she has not created a National Town of Culture competition, as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if she is still considering the idea. [24230/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposal set out in The Programme for Government Our Shared Future to consider creating a new National Town of Culture competition was substantially superseded by the Covid-19 pandemic and the responses to the recommendations that emerged from the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, including the Basic Income for the Arts research programme, increased support for professional arts practice in the form of record allocations for the Arts Council, Culture Ireland, Screen Ireland and Creative Ireland, new and enhanced support for the provision of artist workspaces, the delivery of €100m in supports for the live entertainment sector through the period of Covid-19 restrictions and the development and delivery of the Safe to Create programme.
In the interim, Galway City hosted the European City of Culture in 2020 which faced significant challenges due to the pandemic. Delivery of certain legacy aspects of the Galway 2020 programme is ongoing. While this matter remains under consideration, there are no proposals at present, pending the full delivery of all elements of Galway 2020, for such a competition.
99. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the grants available through her Department to help promote tourism in areas of Cork; if a grant is available at national level or through the local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24248/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role and that of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy.
The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to that agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
100. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding given to an organisation (details supplied) in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [24263/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. This includes the allocation of funding to sporting organisations, including the the organisation referred to by the Deputy, across its various programmes.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
101. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 35 of 18 April 2024, the status of the drawdown of the €1 million in Galway 2020 legacy funding; the amount drawn down to date in 2024; the breakdown of the funds drawn down to date that have been allocated; the amount allocated via open calls for funding applications to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24265/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key deliverable of the European Capital of Culture designation was the development of a legacy framework to sustain and build on the capacity, networks and opportunities arising from the cultural programme of Galway 2020. A Performance Delivery Agreement is in place between my Department and the Galway Culture Company to ensure the appropriate oversight of the implementation of the legacy programme and the expenditure of the Government's funding allocation of €1 million.
My Department officials continue to work closely with the Galway Culture Company in this regard. Quarterly meetings between the Department, the Chief Executive of the Galway Culture Company and the Chair of the Board of Galway Culture Company have taken place on 29th November 2023, 31st January, 13th March and 20th May 2024. At each meeting, Galway Culture Company provided an update to the Department on programming and expenditure. The minutes of the quarterly meetings are published bilingually on the Gov.ie website.
To-date Galway Culture Company has drawdown €932,869.05 of the €1 million allocated to the Galway 2020 legacy programme. This funding has supported each of the three strategic objectives of the legacy programme as follows;
• €191,919.61 supported the first strategic objective to ‘Facilitate International and EU Relationships and Funding’,
• €500,422.63 supported the second strategic objective ‘Support to Place based Cultural Programming’, and
• €240,526.81 supported the third strategic objective the ‘Provision of supports to the cultural and creative sector’.
In line with the Performance Delivery Agreement, drawdowns of the remaining €67,130.95 funding will be the subject of drawdown requests and the provision of supporting documentation. The drawdown of the remaining funding is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024.
This funding has provided the opportunity for the artistic and cultural sector to access funding through open calls, partnerships on funding applications to EU programmes, opportunities for presentation in other European countries and targeted capacity building supports.
I am advised that of the funding drawn-down to-date, latest figures from the Galway Culture Company show that €605,283 of this has been delivered through open calls, with an additional €180,763 supporting artists and cultural organisations through other development and capacity building programmes.
In total, at least 19 open calls are expected to be delivered under the Legacy Programme which will see a large number of local organisations, artists and creative practitioners supported. Latest information from Galway Culture Company indicated that there is one open call currently seeking applications: ADAPT Centre and Beta Festival
I am further advised that a number of additional open calls are now closed for applicants but the delivery of those projects is currently ongoing.
The latest information on any open calls is available on the Galway Culture Company website. Galway Culture Company are also available to meet with the Deputy to discuss the legacy programme and the open calls in more detail.
102. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on a sports capital application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24268/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 9 May 2024, Minister Martin and I announced over €26 million in equipment grants under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
Further allocations, including those for capital works and capital works with an equipment component, will be announced later. I can confirm that the application referred to by the Deputy is among those remaining to be assessed.
103. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on a sports capital application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24269/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 9 May 2024, Minister Martin and I announced over €26 million in equipment grants under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
Further allocations, including those for capital works and capital works with an equipment component, will be announced later. I can confirm that the application referred to by the Deputy is among those remaining to be assessed.
104. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has concerns relating to photo-stop tourism, as promoted by certain coach tour companies; how she proposes to cultivate slower and more sustainable tourism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24284/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently progressing the development of a new National Tourism Policy Framework that will mainstream environmental, economic and societal sustainability across the entire tourism sector. The new Framework will seek to copperfasten Ireland's reputation as a leading tourism destination, excelling in sustainable development practices that deliver better economic, social and environmental outcomes for all.
While initial consultations with key stakeholders were completed in 2023, earlier this year I launched an online survey seeking the views of the public to help finalise the Framework. The online consultation closed on Friday 26 April and 161 responses were received. My Department is finalising an analysis of all these submissions and matters raised will be fully considered when finalising the Policy Framework.
The new Tourism Policy Framework is likely to include objectives around seasonality and regionality and, in particular, will seek to increase the length of stay of tourists in regional locations. Increased dwell time results in the delivery of more bednights thus ensuring local communities can optimise the economic and social benefits of tourism.
I hope to publish the National Tourism Policy Framework in the coming period.
105. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects an announcement in respect of sports capital grants to be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24285/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) closed for applications on Friday 8 September 2023. Examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last round in 2020 and the total funding applied for is €359 million, representing an 80% increase over the amount applied for in the 2020 SCEP.
The Scoring System and Assessment Manual for the 2023 round has been published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. Following a detailed assessment process, "equipment-only" applications were assessed first.
On 9 May 2024, Minister Martin and I announced over €26 million in equipment grants under the latest round of the SCEP. Further allocations, including those for capital works and capital works with an equipment component, will be announced later.
106. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for the up to date position in advancing an urban area (details supplied) as a Gaeltacht service town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24360/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn foot of the consultation process conducted in 2014, 16 towns, including Maigh Chromtha, were identified as potential Gaeltacht Service Towns contingent on language plans being agreed with the local communities in accordance with the prescribed language planning criteria under the Gaeltacht Act 2012.
As it relates specifically to the town of Maigh Chromtha, although the formal recognition process under section 9(2) of the Act has not yet commenced, I understand from Foras na Gaeilge that they have a meeting scheduled with the Language Planning Officer for the Muscraí Gaeltacht Language Planning Area this week and that the possibility of organising awareness raising activities and a public meeting regarding the language planning process in Maigh Chromtha are to be discussed.
Of those 16 Gaeltacht Service Towns, to date, 8 language plans have been approved and are being implemented in the towns concerned. The table below sets out the status of each of the 16 plans:
|
Baile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta |
Current Status |
Date Approved |
|
Gaeltacht Service Town |
Current Status |
Date Approved |
|
Daingean Uí Chúis |
Plan Approved |
04/08/2020 |
|
Leitir Ceanainn |
Plan Approved |
04/08/2020 |
|
Cathair na Gaillimhe |
Plan Approved |
13/05/2021 |
|
Cathair Chorcaí |
Plan being prepared |
|
|
An Clochán Liath |
Plan Approved |
01/06/2021 |
|
Trá Lí |
Plan Approved |
07/02/2022 |
|
Dún Garbhán |
Plan Approved |
14/07/2022 |
|
Baile Dhún na nGall |
Preparation of plan yet to begin |
|
|
Béal an Mhuirthead |
A lead organisation has been selected and a public consultation is currently underway |
|
|
Caisleán an Bharraigh |
Plan Approved |
21/07/2022 |
|
Baile an Róba |
Plan submitted for approval by the Minister |
|
|
An Clochán |
Plan submitted for approval by the Minister |
|
|
Cathair Saidhbhín |
Plan Approved |
31/03/2023 |
|
Maigh Chromtha |
Preparation of plan yet to begin |
|
|
Baile Átha Buí |
Preparation of plan yet to begin |
|
|
An Uaimh |
Preparation of plan yet to begin |
|
Following appointment, each lead organisation is given a two year period in which to prepare a plan for submission to the Minister for approval.
107. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her engagement with Eir to date as regards their plans to remove or reappropriate phone boxes in Cork county; how these phone boxes could be utilised to enhance urban areas for tourism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24361/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not had any engagement with Eir on this matter. The Deputy may wish to contact the local authority on the issue.
108. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding available from her Department for the establishment of local museums and to assist in the collection and collation of local historical artefacts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24362/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not operate a scheme to support the establishment of local museums. Such needs are usually addressed in the first instance by community groups with the local authority in their area. My Department does however operate two schemes that could be relevant to the collection and collation of local historical artefacts;
The Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme is a scheme of funding support for local, regional and specialised museums, with their own permanent premises, to promote and enhance these institutions through the provision of funding for capital exhibition costs. The scheme provides grants for capital works which enhance the exhibition/display facilities within the museum or which promote access to the museum. The objective is to create a fund to assist museums in contributing to the national and local culture through exhibition programmes for both locals and visitors alike. The Scheme operates on a matched funding basis (75:25), where 25% of the proposed costs must be provided by the applicant. Full details of the scheme including eligibility requirements are available on my Departments website www.gov.ie/en/service/676e1-regional-museum-exhibitions-scheme/. Funding available under this scheme is capped at €15,000. The 2024 scheme closed for applications on 26th April. It is currently envisaged that this funding scheme will run again in 2025 and will launch in the first quarter of the year. Anyone interested in the scheme can register their interest at L&RMS@tcagsm.gov.ie to receive updates on the next round of the scheme.
My Department also runs a Mobility of Collections scheme for the dissemination of the National Collections to regional museums and to support greater regional and local access to material held in the National Collections. The Scheme is designed to fund the transport, cost of insurance and exhibiting costs for pieces from the National Collections to appropriate institutions around the country. Details of the 2024 Scheme may be found at www.gov.ie/en/service/6a6bd-mobility-of-collections-scheme/. This scheme is demand driven and has a 2024 allocation of €40,000. The deadline for applications under the 2024 scheme is 1pm on 2nd August. Anyone interested in the scheme can register their interest at csu@tcagsm.gov.ie.
It may also be beneficial for museums to contact their Local Authority or the Heritage Council for possible funding opportunities.
I appreciate the dedication and interest at community level throughout the country that brings people together to preserve and celebrate aspects of our culture and heritage. These initiatives, often reflecting local or sectoral interests, can contribute to a sense of community and a pride in place or tradition. The early development relies on the philanthropic commitment of those involved and their supporters as they seek support from local authorities and sponsorship from the business community. The schemes operated by my Department would be of relevance when the museum project has progressed towards maturity and stability.
109. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the housing adaptation grant review will be complete; when it will be published; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24373/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date for completion of the Housing Adaptation Grant Review; the date it will be published; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24166/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra118. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position with replacing/improving the terms and conditions for the housing aid and housing adaptation grants as operated, by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24238/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 116 and 118 together.
My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of these schemes, including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities.
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. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds that apply and the grant limits. My Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes as soon as possible with a view to also publishing the final report.
110. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of providing family hubs for the 1,981 families currently accessing emergency homeless accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24138/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to local authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, local authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. A significant proportion of the families experiencing homelessness are being accommodated in family hubs. The cost of the various family hubs can vary depending a range of factors including, the location, the ownership of the building and its size. Exchequer funding for homeless services is provided through my Department to local authorities on a regional basis. Financial reports from each of the homeless regions are available on my Department's website at the link below. These financial reports include details on family hubs and the expenditure incurred on these services.
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
111. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of expanding the Housing First programme to the 1,981 families currently accessing emergency homeless accommodation, and to include in that cost the provision of wraparound services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24139/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing First provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing homelessness for individuals experiencing mental health, physical health, substance misuse, social, behavioural, and other challenges.
The Housing First approach to addressing homelessness places direct access to housing first and foremost for vulnerable individuals using homeless services consistently or intermittently over long periods of time, and those unable or resistant to accessing homeless services and who may then become habitual rough sleepers. A key element of the programme is it’s specific targeting of single adults experiencing long term homelessness rather than families. As such, my Department does not hold the details requested.
Housing for All recognises the importance of providing appropriate supports for families and children in emergency accommodation in order to secure pathways out of homelessness. Action 3.18 within the Plan is to identify and provide enhanced tenancy sustainment supports to families experiencing long-term homelessness to help them exit from homelessness and maintain their homes. My Department is delivering this action in conjunction with the local authorities, DCEDIY and Tusla.
Budget 2024 allocated funding of over €242 million for the delivery of homeless services for family and individual households. This funding will support the provision of emergency accommodation and related supports, including increased prevention activity. There are currently 37 family hubs in operation across the county which provide a greater level of stability than is possible in hotel accommodation, with the capacity to provide appropriate play-space, cooking and laundry facilities, communal recreation space, while move-on options to homes are identified and secured. This setting also allows for more intensive supports to be provided where they are needed in areas such as welfare, health and housing services. Local authorities and their service delivery partners work closely with all households in emergency accommodation to support them to secure an exit to a tenancy.
Critical to supporting families to exit homelessness is increasing the supply of housing. Almost 12,000 new social homes were delivered in 2023, through Build, Acquisition and Leasing, including 8,110 new build homes, the highest level of new build social homes in nearly 50 years. Including HAP and RAS, 21,733 social housing solutions were delivered throughout 2023.
Record state investment of over €5bn is available this year to support the largest State home building programme ever, including 9,300 new build social homes.
112. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount in the capital budget as set out in table 10 of the Stability Programme Update 2024 that is designated for housing that is for building social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24140/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe capital expenditure provision for my Department in 2024, as set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024 published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) and available at www.per.gov.ie/en/rev/ is €3,888m.
The breakdown of this capital allocation by Programme is set out below:
|
PROGRAMME |
2024 GROSS CAPITAL PROVISION €m |
|
Housing |
[1]€2,536 |
|
Water and Marine |
€1,032 |
|
Local Government |
€31 |
|
Planning |
€173 |
|
Met Éireann |
€20 |
|
Heritage |
€96 |
|
TOTAL |
€3,888 |
These provisions will be used to advance capital investment across a range of programme areas within my Department’s remit.
The Housing for All Strategy is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. The annual targets include the delivery of 88,400 new social homes and 53,800 new affordable homes in the period 2022-2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn investment through the Land Development Agency (LDA) and €5bn lending through the Housing Finance Agency (HFA).
In 2024, over 29,000 additional households will have their housing needs met (23,130 social and 6,400 affordable)
This funding will facilitate the delivery of new social, affordable and cost rental homes, along with the implementation of a broad range of housing programmes providing targeted support to meet housing needs.
In relation to capital ceilings for 2024-2026, these were outlined as part of the recent updated of Voted Capital Allocations published by DPENDR. See link below:
www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/289023/1ae0b805-81bb-4221-ae56-00e044bb8d51.pdf#page=null.
Funding at a Programme and Subhead level for 2025 & 2026 for my Department have not been finalised at this stage and will be set out in due course in the Revised Estimates for Public Service published in the December prior to each year.
[1] Housing Capital Provision will be further supplemented through additional funding for housing purposes provided by certain local authorities from Local Property Tax (LPT) receipts amounting to €78m along with Capital Carryover of €115m, giving an overall Capital budget of €2,729m.
