Written Answers Nos. 351-370
352. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has a policy, or has issued guidance to staff on the use of artificial intelligence, large language model, natural language processing, generative or otherwise, or products based thereon in the course of their duties; if this has been communicated to staff; if she will publish same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36150/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is guided by relevant legislation, policies and the National Cyber Security Centre in respect of all matters related to the use or operation of AI. All applications and platforms used or operated by my Department must be in line with relevant policies and be consistent with advice provided by the National Cyber Security Centre. The EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, which recently entered into force on 01 August 2024 has direct effect in all Member States.
Future central Government guidance supporting the implementation of the Act, policies and cross-government engagement will continue to inform the Department’s approach to the use of AI.
353. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department, or any agency under her auspices, has ever used any artificial intelligence software in the preparation of response to parliamentary questions, or in responses to any correspondence from outside the organisation; the details of same if applicable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36169/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that officials from my Department have not used artificial intelligence software in the preparation of responses to parliamentary questions or in response to any correspondence from outside the Department.
The use of software or applications in my Department must be in line with all relevant Department policies, and consistent with advice provided by the National Cyber Security Centre.
I am not aware of any use of artificial intelligence by any agency within the remit of my Department in the preparation of responses as referred to in the question. More generally, the use of such software would be an operational matter for the respective agency.
356. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to detail the participation level of disabled people in sport in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; the work she carried out to increase the participation levels of disabled people in sport; and work she has carried out with sporting clubs to increase volunteer training on disability awareness. [36194/24]
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, including the development of guidance and training programmes for sporting bodies. This remit also includes the measurement of sports participation and the allocation of funding to sporting organisations for the implementation of a range of programmes and measures to address inequalities in sports participation.
As the issue raised is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.
357. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of a sports capital grant application for a facility (details suppled); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36299/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme is the Government's primary vehicle for supporting new and upgraded sports facilities and equipment across the country. The 2023 round of the Programme attracted a record number of applications and in May, I was delighted to announce the first round of grants of €26 million for equipment-only projects.
The assessment of funding applications for capital projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is now at an advanced stage and I expect to announce Programme allocations soon.
358. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the allocation of language assistants to Irish-language schools in Cork. [36338/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been providing funding for the Language Assistants Scheme in the Gaeltacht for over twenty years. The funding has increased incrementally over the years to ensure that all Gaeltacht schools involved in implementing the Department of Education's Gaeltacht Education Policy have access to a language assistant. As a result, 134 Gaeltacht schools (105 primary schools, 28 post-primary schools and one special school) are currently availing of the scheme in the Gaeltacht.
In 2022, the scheme was extended to include Irish-medium schools in Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks with approved language plans. This was done to further strengthen the successful implementation of the language planning process outside the Gaeltacht. With the implementation of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, the expansion of the scheme will further enable the education system to develop its capacity as it relates to the phased provision of Irish-medium public services to Irish speakers, an objective which is central to the Act. There are currently 16 schools availing of the scheme (11 primary and 5 post-primary) in Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks since its expansion.
This measure provides significant additional language enrichment and acquisition opportunities for the attendees of the schools concerned and, therefore, supports the promotion of Irish as a community and family language – an aim which is central to both the language planning process and the Gaeltacht Education Policy.
My Department is actively exploring the next steps in relation to the language planning process in Cork City. A decision will be made regarding a language plan for the city shortly so that progress can be made regarding the various aspects of language development in the city, including the provision of language assistants in Irish-medium schools in the city.
360. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding allocated to each national governing body of sport in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36433/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport in Ireland, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various funding programmes.
As the issue raised is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
362. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will outline her work to ensure the return of the entirety of the Hugh Lane bequest collection to Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36782/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile this is primarily a matter for the Hugh Lane Gallery and Dublin City Council, a partnership agreement was signed between the National Gallery, London, the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin and my Department in February 2021, regarding the Sir Hugh Lane Bequest of thirty-nine paintings. This partnership emphasises a commitment to working together to allow the public in both Ireland and the UK to continue enjoying these works and is the latest in a series of such agreements dating back many decades.
This agreement marks progress over previous agreements made during the past 50 years and the two galleries are committed to working in partnership regarding the care and display of these paintings. My Department will continue to support the mutual commitment of the Galleries in Dublin and London to the shared curation of and care for the collection under this agreement.
363. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she is next scheduled to meet the CEO of the National Concert Hall. [36825/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with the CEO of the National Concert Hall on numerous occasions. In addition, my Department engages regularly with the CEO and management team of this National Cultural Institution. In that context, I am advised that my officials will meet twice with the CEO of the National Concert Hall this week.
365. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the employers of artists who received grants from her Department, such as the LPSS or LPGRS, but who are found to have breached employment law by the Workplace Relations Commission, will be expected to, or made, return their funding. [37040/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThroughout the pandemic, I was very cognisant of the challenges the restrictions caused for the arts, culture and live entertainment industry. A suite of supports were delivered by my Department for the live entertainment sector including;
• €25m allocated to the 2021 Live Performance Support Scheme
• €4m allocated for the MEBAS 2022 (Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme) scheme specifically to support small music and entertainment businesses which do not operate out of a rateable premises
• €20 million was allocated for the LPSS 3, another strand of the Live Performance Support Scheme to support events which were due to be staged in December 2021 and January 2022 and have been curtailed, cancelled or rescheduled due to the restrictions
• €5m was allocated for the LPSS- Strand II to support pantomime and seasonal musical theatre impacted by the Covid restrictions
• €20m for Local Authorities to support local artists and performances through the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme
• €5m capital supports scheme (CECGS) to venues for ventilation upgrades and other COVID adaptations.
As the sector fully reopened, my Department launched the €15m Live Performance Restart Grant Scheme to provide a new grant for businesses engaged in staging live events in the arts and culture live performance sector. This scheme has supported the sector by providing business re-start grants to de-risk the planning of events and to assist with the costs of reopening.
These schemes sustained employment opportunities and well-being and protected the sector’s future viability, supporting over 100,000 days of employment during the pandemic.
Payment of grants was contingent upon proof of payment to ensure that artists and crews were remunerated and that the grant awarded had been used for the purpose intended. It is not possible to retrospectively amend the terms and conditions of a scheme of support. These schemes were emergency interventions to provide support to artists and the live entertainment sector through what was an existential crisis. No such schemes are operated by my Department at present.
366. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the provisions available for MS sufferers to avail of housing adaptation grants, such as bathroom conversions, etc. to enable them to continue to live independently for as long as possible. [36035/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for 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 the scheme including assessment, approval, prioritisation and budgetary apportionment is the responsibility of local authorities.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability and the Mobility Aids Grant is available for the carrying out of works of adaptation that, in the opinion of the local authority, are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for a member of the household who has an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability. In general, it can be used for works such as level access showers, accessible bathrooms, access ramps, stair lifts or extensions. Having considered all of the circumstances in any particular case, it is a matter for the local authority to determine grant eligibility.
367. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received under the croí cónaithe (towns) fund; the number of successful applications; and the number of administrative and support staff processing these applications, by local authority, in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [36043/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra391. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons who have applied for the vacant property refurbishment grant in each month since its establishment; the number who have been refused a grant; the number to whom money has been paid out; and the number waiting for a determination on their application, in tabular form. [36601/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra415. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a list of all programmes funded by his Department aimed at tackling vacancy and dereliction, with the number of homes brought back into use through each of these schemes in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [36833/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 367, 391 and 415 together.
Addressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All.
The Vacant Homes Action Plan, which I launched in January 2023, outlines the significant progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions that are being pursued to return vacant properties back into use as homes. Earlier this year, I launched the Vacant Homes Action Plan, Progress Report April 2024 which sets out what has been achieved in 2023 and the further steps that will be taken in 2024.Information on the number of properties brought back into use through the various vacancy initiatives is provided in the table attached.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
My Department publishes data on the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes a breakdown of the grants paid per local authority and the total amount of grants paid. This data can be accessed at the following link: Vacancy grant statistics .
In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that annual funding, made available since 2018 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer (VHO), would be increased from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum, from mid-2022.
This supports the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that VHOs are full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of VHOs, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.
All 31 local authorities now have a full time, dedicated VHO in place.
The role of the VHO in each local authority is:
• To actively promote and lead the uptake within the local authority of various initiatives, schemes and funding programmes to address vacancy and bring vacant properties into residential use;
• To actively engage with owners of vacant properties and other relevant stakeholders and promote use of relevant schemes and supports to bring vacant properties into use;
• To collect, monitor and assess vacancy data locally and use that data to actively engage with property owners and promote schemes to encourage activation of properties; and
• Play a communication, promotion and advisory role both internally within the local authority and externally as a contact point for members of the public and key interested parties on vacant homes/properties.
VHOs across local authorities are supported in their work by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department, which provides information and facilitates dissemination of information and best practice, including through the VHO Network.
In addition my Department has provided funding of €180,000 to support each local authority in their administration of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme.
Requests from local authorities for further resources to support the administration of the grant are being considered by my Department on the basis of a business cases made by the individual local authority, including detail of current allocation and co-ordination of resources dealing with vacancy and dereliction, the roles to be undertaken by the resources requested and the expected outputs, with applications considered on a case by case basis.
While my Department has a role in strategic workforce planning within the local government sector, Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible
368. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is proposed to re-open the caravan loan scheme; the reason for the delay with this when many Traveller families are living in very poor accommodation on halting sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36054/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.The Act provides that housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas.
My Department completed a comprehensive review of the nationwide pilot Caravan Loan Scheme which operated across 2023/2024. The review included engagement with local authorities and other stakeholders to inform the evaluation of the pilot scheme. Options for a national scheme are currently under consideration with the intention that a proposal for a further scheme will be brought forward later this year as planned.
369. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide for housing adaptation grants to allow for eligibility for the cost of necessary equipment for children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36088/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra404. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grants are available to install sensory rooms in the home for people with ASD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36648/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 369 and 404 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 suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, 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.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability and the Mobility Aids Grant is available for the carrying out of works of adaptation that, in the opinion of the local authority, are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for a member of the household who has an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability. In general, these grant schemes can be used for works such as level access showers, accessible bathrooms, access ramps, stair lifts, fixed track hoists or extensions. These grant schemes do not include the provision of sensory equipment. Further details on these schemes is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability
370. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the safeguards that have been put in place to ensure that tenants living in multi-unit dwellings owned by real estate investment trusts or commercially owned landlords who access the community energy grant scheme do not face the threat of eviction and or increased rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36107/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Community Grant supports the upgrade of homes, community buildings and businesses across Ireland to become more energy efficient and reduce costs.
The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2024 (the RTA) regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private residential rented sector, and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. Subject to the limited number of exceptions set out in section 3(2), the RTA applies to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy including privately own multi-unit dwellings. The RTA limits the grounds for tenancy termination and provides procedures for lawful tenancy terminations and rent setting.
As detailed below, the RTA strictly limits the termination of a tenancy on the ground of substantial refurbishment or renovation to works that are certified for health and safety reasons to require at least 3 weeks of vacant possession to complete. In the case of a tenancy termination on this ground, the landlord must offer to re-let the dwelling to the tenant upon completion of the works where the tenant has made available their contact details for such a re-let offer to be made.
Paragraph 5 of the Table to section 34 provides for the termination of a tenancy where the landlord intends to substantially refurbish or renovate the dwelling or the property containing the dwelling in a way which requires the dwelling to be vacated for that purpose (and, where planning permission is required for the carrying out of that refurbishment or renovation, that permission has been obtained) and the notice of termination (the “notice”) contains or is accompanied, in writing, by a statement—
• specifying the nature of the intended works,
• that, in a case where planning permission has been obtained, a copy of the planning permission is attached to the notice or statement,
• that planning permission is not required and the notice specifies
• the name of the contractor, if any, employed to carry out the intended works, and
• the dates on which the intended works are to be carried out and the proposed duration of the period in which those works are to be carried out, and
• that the landlord, by virtue of the notice, is required to offer to the tenant a tenancy of the dwelling if the dwelling becomes available for reletting by reason of the completion of the works of refurbishment or renovation.
In addition, the notice must contain or be accompanied by a certificate in writing of a registered professional (within the meaning of the Building Control Act 2007) stating that—
• the proposed refurbishment or renovation works would pose a risk to the health or safety of the occupants of the dwelling concerned and should not proceed while the dwelling is occupied, and
• such a risk is likely to exist for such period as is specified in the certificate which shall not be less than 3 weeks.
Section 19(1) prohibits the setting of a rent that exceeds market rent. In general, a rent in respect of a dwelling cannot be reviewed more frequently than annually in a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ), or bi-annually outside of a RPZ. A rent review can occur more frequently where, within the relevant period, a substantial change in the nature of rental accommodation (as described below under section 19(5A)) has occurred that warrants an adjustment to the rent.
In reviewing a rent, a landlord must complete the Notice of Rent Review (available, with related information, on the Residential Tenancies Board’s website – www.rtb.ie) which must be served on the tenant at least 90 days before the new rent becomes payable and requires details of the rent last set for the dwelling and, if the dwelling is in an RPZ, comply with procedures providing for the rent increase restriction and use the RTB’s Rent Pressure Zone calculator, to ensure compliance with the rent setting laws.
Section 19(5A) provides a legal definition of ‘substantial change in the nature of rental accommodation' which illustrates the type of works to be carried out to a rental property to qualify for a once-off exemption from RPZ rent controls in respect of the first rent setting after such works.
Such works shall result in:
• a permanent extension increasing the floor area by 25%; or
• an improvement in the Building Energy Rating (BER) by at least 7 ratings;
• or at least 3 of the following:
• a permanent alteration of the internal layout;
• adaptations for a person with a disability;
• a permanent increase in the number of rooms;
• an improvement in the BER by 3 or more ratings where the original BER was D1 or lower; or
• an improvement in the BER by 2 or more ratings where the original BER was C3 or higher.
To address the rent affordability challenges building on foot of the unexpectedly fast rising inflation rate, as recorded by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2021 provides, from 11 December 2021, a cap of 2% per annum pro rata on rent increases in RPZs, where the inflation rate is higher. In effect, this means that rents in RPZs may only increase by a maximum of 2% per annum pro rata during times of higher inflation.
The operation of the RTA and the residential rental market are kept under constant review by my Department and the RTB.
