Written Answers Nos. 213-233
213. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if a teacher (details supplied) is considered an old entrant on the primary school teachers’ pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40189/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPensions Unit records indicate that no correspondence was received on this matter from the person concerned.
To address such matters, we recommend that individuals contact our Pensions Unit Customer Service team directly. Contact details are available on our website as follows: gov.ie - Pensions: teachers and non-teaching staff (www.gov.ie)
Officials from my Department will reach out to this person directly to provide further assistance.
214. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 729 of 23 July 2024, for an update on a building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40203/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide 2 classroom Special Education Needs base, 12 Special Education Tuition rooms and reconfiguration of an existing staff room to provide a Home School Class Liaison room and new replacement staff room. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.
My department received a Stage 1 report in Q4 2023. Following this submission department officials requested additional information from the school to address certain omissions from this report. This information was provided in September 2024 and is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
My department will make every effort to review the information in a timely manner. Once this review is complete my department will be in touch with the school authority on how best to progress this important project.
215. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education to provide a breakdown of the amount expended by her Department on consultancies in 2023 and to date in 2024; the company engaged; and the nature of the work conducted by the consultancy on her Department’s behalf, in tabular form. [40210/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation in relation to consultancy expenditure in my Department is compiled annually in respect of the previous year and published online at www.gov.ie/en/collection/department-of-education-and-skills-expenditure-on-consultancy/ The data in respect of 2024 will be published online in Q1 2025.
216. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education to provide details of any additional funding provided to the school transport scheme in Budget 2025; and the level of funding provided for additional services as opposed to the continued funding of existing services. [40239/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
In relation to the query raised by the Deputy I can confirm that additional funding is being allocated to school transport scheme. This is to provide for the additional demand for pupils with special education needs on school transport services and increased bus contractor running costs. This also includes Cost of Living funding agreed as part of Budget 2025 of €58m that allows for the continuation of the reduced school transport fees for the 2025/26 school year.
Arising from recommendations of the review of the School Transport Scheme, and with effect from the start of the 2024/2025 school year, the rate of the Special Transport Grant is being increased. The special transport grant is paid to families to support them with the cost of transport arrangements in certain circumstances.
Funding is also being provided for a number of pilot projects to trial implementing the recommendations of the review. These pilots will provide a valuable insight into what is required for a national roll-out of a revised scheme.
It is worth noting that primary school transport fees, for the third year in a row, remain significantly reduced from previous levels. The annual primary ticket charge is €50 per pupil with a family cap of €125, reduced from a previous fee of €100 per child and a family cap at primary level of €220.
The scheme operates at a significant cost to the State, costing €382m in 2023. The annual estimated cost to provide transport for child on the primary transport scheme is €1,200 per child per annum, while the annual ticket cost is €50 per child per annum. The service is therefore heavily subsidised by the State.
217. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will consider an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40244/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that to date the school in question has not submitted an application for capital funding, under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a special education needs classroom.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. The capacity at other schools in the area is also considered as part of the assessment of any accommodation needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
The Department engages intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
For 2024, €2.7 billion is being spent on special education, an increase of €113 million, and this is dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs. This will allow for, amongst other things, the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools and 300 additional special school places.
In general, demographics have been falling at primary level and are due to continue to decrease. Therefore, the Department considers it prudent to maximise the use of existing spare accommodation capacity at primary level in the first instance, before considering any applications for further accommodation needs. This is in line with public spending requirements. In relation to the provision of primary special classes, the shared preference of both the Department and the NCSE is to use and reconfigure existing school accommodation to provide special classes. Given the number of primary special classes available already and the falling demographics, it is also likely that most of the new additional special classes may be required in larger population centres in a local school planning area.
To date, it has not been confirmed by the NCSE regional team that a class is required at the school in question.
218. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education to review a school transport case (details supplied); if she can provide clarity for parents on whether spaces are available on this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40285/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
With regard to the case raised by the Deputy, Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils in question are not eligible for school transport as they do not meet the distance criteria of 3.2 km. The family reside 2.4 km from home to the school of attendance.
Bus Éireann further advise that applications for transport were made on 11 September 2024 and that there is a service available with a pick up point 1 km from the pupils home. If the family wish to avail of the service the family will need to make a payment on their family portal account. For information, under the terms of the School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where capacity exists.Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
219. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education to examine a matter regarding extra time in second-level examinations for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia and other learning difficulties (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40325/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
220. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason she gave grants to three clubs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39713/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme) is the Government's primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.
As set out in the guide to making an application, which is available on my Department's website, the Fund does not fund hunting, guns, rifles or pistols.
Three of the clubs referred to by the Deputy were allocated grants for equipment for equestrian sports and in the other case, a grant was provided for clay pigeon shooting. One club was also funded to purchase a defibrillator. The above-referenced sports are all recognised by Sport Ireland which is the authority tasked with the development of sport in Ireland.
221. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding streams available for community groups that would support local cultural and physical activities, for example, a weekly dance that rents space from a local hotel. [39981/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department does not have a fund to support local dances. The relevant local authority may have information to assist local groups.
222. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an outline of the sports grant application and decision for a group (details supplied); the details of the reason this group were not awarded the equipment element of the application. [40054/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe club referred to by the Deputy was allocated €144,056 under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme). No elements of their application were deemed invalid.
The Deputy might be referring to an application from a similarly-named group in another part of the same county which was deemed invalid as the organisation did not supply the required evidence of own funding as set out in the terms and conditions of the programme.
It should be noted that the group in question was afforded a second chance to submit the corrected documentation but failed to do so. It should be further noted that the group in question has been informed by the Department of the reason why its application was deemed invalid. Details of how to appeal this decision will be issued to the group by the Department in the coming days.
223. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason bridge, draughts and such are not considered sport and therefore ineligible for funding under local sports partnerships (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40083/24]
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 recognition of sports in Ireland. Current funding allocated to Sport Ireland provides for expenditure on sports programmes, including grants to recognised National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs); Local Sports Partnerships; International Carding Scheme; and support for other sporting bodies (e.g. Olympic Federation of Ireland).
Sport Ireland operates a formal recognition process for organisations wishing to become eligible for support as Governing Bodies of Sport. The recognition criteria establish minimum requirements for all organisations wishing to apply for recognition and, in turn receive support and, where additional Sport Ireland criteria may be met, financial investment from Sport Ireland. As part of the recognition criteria, Sport Ireland must be satisfied that the activity meets the criteria for sport as outlined in the Sport Ireland Act 2015, which is adopted from the Council of Europe “Definition of Sport”. The onus is on the organisation applying for recognition to provide evidence that their activity meets the definition.
Further information on the Recognition Process and Criteria is available on the Sport Ireland website here. Sport Ireland can be contacted directly by e-mail at recognition@sportireland.ie or by telephone on 01-8608800.
224. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to visit the west coast of the US before the end of 2024 to meet senior officials from major film companies to encourage them to shoot more major films in Ireland in 2025. [40135/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I have no plans at present to visit the west coast of the US before the end of 2024, I was pleased to lead a trade mission to Los Angeles and San Diego to promote the Irish screen industry last year, together with Screen Ireland, Tourism Ireland, the I.D.A., and the Department of Foreign Affairs. This trade mission was part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day programme with the aim to build on the success for the Irish screen industry and the recognition of Irish talent on the world’s stage. I also met with industry stakeholders on a previous trade mission to the United States in 2022. My visits were just one element of intense Government engagement with the film industry in the US.
Screen Ireland is the national development agency for Irish filmmaking and the Irish film, television and animation industry, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. Screen Ireland has an Industry Building Programme Manager based in Los Angeles at present to promote Ireland, Irish companies and Irish talent to the LA based film and television industry. The major film production companies are based on the West Coast of the United States and this is therefore a major focus for Screen Ireland.
Screen Ireland continues to promote the extension of the Section 481 Film Tax Relief to 2028 and the increase of the cap from €70m up to €125m. The Minister for Finance, his senior officials and Screen Ireland met with industry stakeholders in Los Angeles in January this year and received positive feedback on the increase in the Section 481 cap.
In September 2024, a delegation, including Minister For Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke (T.D.), Screen Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and the IDA, partnered on a trade mission to Los Angeles. The purpose of the trade mission was to promote Ireland’s fast-growing visual effects (VFX) and post-production sector to Los Angeles-based studios, streaming, and production companies.
The Irish screen sector is a growing one and Ireland’s offerings present significant opportunities to the major US and international studios. In Budget 2025, an 8% Uplift has been introduced to section 481, to address the significant challenges faced by smaller feature film projects. This uplift is subject to State Aid approval and will apply to feature film productions with a maximum global budget of €20 million.
Also announced in Budget 2025 was the introduction of a 20% tax incentive for unscripted production, which offers further opportunities for growth across the Irish screen industry.
The Audiovisual Action Plan sets out the Government's high-level, strategic priorities to develop a vibrant media production and audiovisual sector bringing new economic opportunities across Ireland, through increased Government support. Building relationships with major US studios and producers is a critical component of that endeavour and trade missions provide an excellent opportunity for such direct communication.
225. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she anticipates opening the grant scheme for smaller cultural venues, as announced in Budget 2025. [40201/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGrassroots venues help support and nurture our artists, bands and musicians at the start of their career and are so important in generating vibrancy and cultural diversity in our night-time economy. The grant scheme which I recently announced in Budget 2025 will provide much needed support for these venues.
My officials will now begin working through the details and parameters of this grant scheme. This will include engagement with key stakeholders to ensure the scheme has maximum impact. Further details, including the opening date for the scheme, will be announced in due course.
226. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a breakdown of the amount expended by her Department on consultancies in 2023 and to date in 2024; the company engaged; and the nature of the work conducted by the consultancy on her Department’s behalf, in tabular form. [40223/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020.
From time to time, my Department commissions experts to provide technical reports or advice on specific issues. While the providers of these services may describe themselves as consultants, their work is not classified as consultancy services and is not funded from my Department's Administrative Budget.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the information sought in respect of my Department is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Consultancy company |
Nature of work conducted by the consultancy |
Total Cost (incl. VAT) |
|
2023 |
Mazars |
Examination of the barter account and any other off-balance sheet accounts in RTÉ pursuant to section 109(7) of the Broadcasting Act 2009. |
€236,898 |
|
2024 |
Mazars |
Examination of the barter account and any other off-balance sheet accounts in RTÉ pursuant to section 109(7) of the Broadcasting Act 2009. |
€49,262 |
|
2024 |
MCO Projects LTD |
Design and facilitation of workshops for Tourism Focus Group (relating to the new Tourism Policy Framework) |
€4,736 |
|
2024 |
Crowe Advisory Ireland |
Support the independent Expert Advisory Committee undertaking the Review of Governance & Culture in RTÉ |
€230,533 |
|
2024 |
Crowe Advisory Ireland |
Support the independent Expert Advisory Committee undertaking the Review of Contractor Fees, Human Resources, and other matter in RTE. |
€401,591 |
227. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason two organisations (details supplied) were unsuccessful in their grant applications. [40230/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe two applications referred to by the Deputy were deemed invalid under the terms and conditions of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme). Along with other invalid applications they will be offered an opportunity to appeal the Department's decision. As part of this appeal they may submit any documents that were missing or incomplete in their original application.
The application by the first club referred to was deemed invalid as it did not include sufficient evidence that it owned or had access to the land that it wished to develop. During the assessment period the club was offered a second chance to submit this documentation but failed to do so.
The second club referred to did not submitted evidence of matching funding in the required format. During the assessment period the club was offered a second chance to submit this documentation but failed to do so.
Both clubs will have a chance to submit corrected documents as part of any appeal.
228. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if, in the €6 million that has been allocated for news and current affairs, ring-fenced for independent radio and TV sector, community radio stations will be able to avail of this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40322/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to acknowledge the important role that the community media sector plays within the overall media landscape, and I commend these stations as they fulfil a vital role in community engagement, cohesion, and in the promotion of social inclusion in our communities large and small.
In Budget 2025 I secured €6m in funding for 2025 to expand the Sound and Vision Scheme to support the provision of high quality news and current affairs content on commercial radio and television. As such, this is not targeted towards the community media sector.
It should be noted however that the community media sector already receives significant support through the Sound and Vision Scheme, which provides dedicated funding rounds for the sector. A major innovation in the current scheme has been the establishment of Social Benefit rounds specifically for community broadcasters. In addition, community broadcasters can apply for funding under general rounds of the Scheme. Since 2020, community media have received a total of approximately €4.6m through the Sound and Vision Scheme, with approximately €3.2m of this allocated to community radio. In 2024 to date, a total of €975k has been awarded to community media, with €694k of this going to community radio.
The Future of Media Commission, in examining the challenges faced by the media sector and consequent impact on the provision of public service content, made a number of recommendations to counter these challenges and to support the provision of public service content. This included the establishment of a new Media Fund to provide support for the provision of public service content by the wider media sector at local, regional and national levels on a platform neutral basis.
I secured €10m for the Media Fund in Budget 2025, which will allow for the continuation of existing schemes and facilitate the implementation of further schemes, underlining the Government’s commitment to support the wider media sector and the vital role that it plays in our society. As these schemes are being administered on a platform neutral basis, community media will be eligible to apply for support.
I wish to assure the Deputy that I, as Minister, am fully committed to the continuing development and support of the wider media sector, including regional, local and community media outlets, which fulfil a unique role in our media environment.
229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the degree to which various game birds or animals fall within the category of threatened or extinct species; the efforts being made to address the issue by way of restoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40299/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wildlife Act (1976-2024) regulates the hunting of protected birds and mammals in Ireland.
The International Union for Conservation (IUCN) system for assessing conservation status and extinction risk is intended to provide an explicit, objective framework for the classification of the broadest range of species according to their extinction risk. This system, commonly known as “red-listing” is used to assess various groups of animal and plant species in Ireland.
S.I. No. 66/2024 - Wildlife (Wild Mammals) (Open Seasons) (Amendment) Order 2024 - lists mammals that can be hunted in Ireland. They are: Fallow Deer, Sika Deer, Red Deer, Muntjac Deer and Hares. The Red List of Irish terrestrial mammals, Ireland Red List No. 12, was published in 2019. In this, Fallow Deer, Sika Deer, Red Deer and Irish hare are all listed as "Least Concern", implying good status. Muntjac Deer and Brown Hare were not included in the Red List assessment on the basis that they are post-1500 introductions to Ireland. See www.npws.ie/publications/red-lists for details.
Certain wild bird species may be hunted at specific times of year. The full list of bird species that can currently be hunted in Ireland are listed in SI 421 of 2023 - Wildlife (Wild Birds) (Open Seasons) (Amendment) Order 2023 - and are: Red Grouse, Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, Wigeon, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Golden Plover, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Woodpigeon, Red-legged Partridge, Cock Pheasant, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, and Ruddy Duck.
The current Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland (known as BOCCI 4 and published in 2021), lists the following species as highest conservation concern or ‘Red’-listed:
Breeding - Red Grouse, Woodcock,
Wintering - Wigeon
Breeding and Wintering - Golden Plover, Shoveler, Snipe
The following species are listed of ‘medium conservation concern’ or ‘Amber’-listed:
Breeding and Wintering: Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, Tufted Duck.
Wintering: Pintail, Greylag Goose.
A number of efforts are underway to address the conservation status of these species, including but not limited to:
• Publication of Statutory Instruments to finalise the legal protections of Special Protection Areas (SPAs), which many of these species occur within. This includes the regulation of activities that may damage or cause significant disturbance to the species that are Special Conservation Interests for the SPAs;
• Publication of site-specific conservation objectives for SPAs;
• Undertaking or commissioning surveys, monitoring and research to track their conservation status over time and the pressures and threats acting upon them;
• Projects and programmes funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department and by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, including the recently commenced Breeding Wader European Innovation Programme, the Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project and various measures in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).
My Department also participates in the EU-wide Taskforce on the Recovery of Birds, the purpose of which is to stimulate EU-wide action to support the recovery of these bird species, and to address hunting pressure, as well as habitat-related and other non-habitat related pressures and threats.
230. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the issue of asbestos in vacant properties, and the issue it causes in bringing properties back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39630/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra242. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide specific grant assistance for homeowners to remove asbestos in their roof; if the removal of asbestos comes under the terms of the existing vacant home grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39764/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 242 together.
Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
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.
The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas. Properties considered for inclusion must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application with evidence supporting this is required as part of the grant application.
A list of the categories of works eligible for grant assistance is provided in the scheme outline and grant application form. Works carried out relating to the removal of asbestos can be undertaken under the category of Demolitions / Strip-outs / Site Clearance including removal of hazardous materials.
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2006-2010 are the remit of the Minister of Enterprise Trade and Employment. These apply to all work activities which expose persons to risks arising from the inhalation of dust from asbestos or asbestos containing materials. The regulations apply to all workplaces (including domestic construction work) where there is a risk of asbestos exposure during the course of work activities and it is the responsibility of the building owner to comply with all relevant legislation. Further information is available here: www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/chemicals/legislation_enforcement/asbestos/legislation_and_guidance/asbestos_legislation/
231. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage her views on whether retail crime is becoming an issue in town and city centres; on how to ensure the public feel safe in town and city centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39666/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Justice will answer this question..
232. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his priorities for city centre regeneration; the initiatives he is taking to support city centre renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39667/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Planning Framework (NPF) is the national plan for strategic planning and sustainable development of our urban and rural areas to 2040, with the core objectives of securing balanced regional development and a sustainable ‘compact growth’ approach to the form and pattern of future development. The NPF envisages significant city-based population and employment growth and National Policy Objective 2(a) sets “A target of half (50%) of future population and employment growth will be focused in the existing five cities and their suburbs” as a means of ensuring cities deliver as ‘accessible centres of scale’. Importantly, the NPF sets ambitious growth targets to enable the four regional cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford to each grow by at least 50% to 2040.
In order to underpin city development, the NPF includes significant strategic objectives to improve the quality and livability of city and urban areas with enhanced infrastructural provision in transport, public realm, recreational amenities and the built environment generally, as well as continuing to support diverse employment opportunities. Specific funding streams such as the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and dedicated development agencies like the Land Development Agency (LDA) have been established to deliver a large scale regeneration programme nationally and to realise the holistic social and physical improvement of communities.
Housing for All is the Government’s ten year Housing Plan for Ireland comprising four pillars to deliver increased housing provision nationally. Housing for All includes a particular focus on vacancy and dereliction, with a range of measures developed to support increased housing supply in our settlements, and to bring about associated regeneration benefits. The publication of a Town Centre First policy was an objective of the strategy (Action 19.1) and accordingly ‘Town Centre First – A Policy Approach for Irish Towns’ was formally launched on 4 February 2022 as a joint initiative of my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD). Town Centre First (TCF) supports a more strategic and co-ordinated approach to the regeneration of Ireland’s urban areas. It includes a particular focus on measures to tackle vacancy and dereliction, to create more vibrant and viable places, through greater occupancy for residential purposes and to encourage more business and footfall. These ambitious targets for urban population growth and regeneration are being supported by my Department through a range of policy measures and funding schemes.
Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) The URDF is the flagship regeneration funding element of Project Ireland 2040, established to support more compact and sustainable development, through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and National Development Plan (NDP). It is enabling a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and towns and to ensure that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.
As part of the National Development Plan (NDP) with an investment of €2 billion, the URDF is supporting targeted regeneration and rejuvenation of our towns and cities. Currently, the URDF part-funds 132 projects and almost 400 sub-projects across the country. Public realm improvements are also supported though various transport initiatives developed and managed by the National Transport Authority including under the Active Travel Investment Programme. Through the URDF, successful applicants are receiving targeted support for innovative holistic solutions to the issues that have hindered the regeneration and rejuvenation of our large towns and cities.
Vacancy Tackling vacancy is a key priority for the Government. The reuse of vacant and derelict properties in areas of cities can provide much needed housing, while also being a catalyst to transforming areas and revitalising communities and supporting environmental objectives. A range of supports and schemes are now in place which support bringing vacant and derelict buildings back into use. The Vacant Homes Action Plan, Progress Report published in April 2024 sets out the significant progress that has been achieved across government under objectives contained in Pathway 4 of Housing for All in 2023 and the further steps that are being taken to bring more vacant and derelict properties into use as homes.
Among the range of measures introduced to tackle vacancy is Call 3 of the URDF which has made €150 million available for local authorities, to acquire, including through compulsory purchase, vacant or derelict properties and sites for re-use or sale. More than 1,200 vacant and derelict properties have now been identified and approved under Call 3 of the Fund, with an estimated residential yield of over 5,400 homes.
Planning regulations, introduced in 2018, which exempted certain vacant commercial premises, including ‘over the shop’ type spaces, from requiring planning permission to change to residential purposes were extended to the end of 2025. The scope of the exemption was also extended to include ‘public houses’. The exemptions support the reuse of vacant commercial buildings as homes, increasing housing supply and regenerating communities. From 2018 to the end of 2023, 1,100 notifications had been received from developers which could result in over 2,700 new homes being provided, significantly adding to the provision of new homes.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides support to refurbish vacant and derelict properties. It is making the transformation of these properties into homes an affordable option for buyers and owners. In addition to residential dwellings the Grant can be used to support refurbishment of the upper floors of commercial buildings, i.e. ‘over the shop’ spaces, which have been vacant for two years or more and built before 2008, regardless of whether the ground floor is currently vacant or derelict.
The Living City Initiative is a tax incentive which supports owners in bringing vacant properties back into use. It is operated by the six urban local authorities on behalf of the Department of Finance. The Living City Initiative is a targeted property incentive aimed at the regeneration of older heritage buildings in historic inner cities. It offers income or corporation tax relief for qualifying expenditure incurred in the refurbishment and conversion of qualifying residential and commercial buildings. The scheme can be availed of alongside the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme The provision of ‘New Build’ homes within cities is being supported by The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme. This is a fund to support the building of 5,000 apartments for sale to owner-occupiers. The Scheme aims to bridge the current “Viability Gap” between the delivery cost of building apartments and the market sale price (where the cost of building is greater). It is a viability measure targeting the five cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford and designed to support the building of apartments for sale to owner-occupiers that would otherwise not be built, providing a greater range of tenure in our urban centres. Subject to the actual level of the viability gap, a subvention of up to €120k is available in Dublin and €144k in the rest of the country (inclusive of VAT). The Scheme was in 2022 and is being managed by The Housing Agency on behalf of my Department. There have been three formal calls for Expression of Interest undertaken. Six contracts in respect of five proposals have been finalized to date, for the delivery of 640 units. The Housing Agency is continuing to assess the remaining proposals under Call 1 and Call 2 and a third call for Expressions of Interest closed on 26 September 2024. Town Centre Heritage Revival (THRIVE) scheme The EU Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has also been operationalised to support implementation of regeneration in cities and urban areas through the new Town Centre Heritage Revival (THRIVE) scheme launched in February 2024. The THRIVE scheme offers 100% grants to local authorities to (i) progress integrated urban strategies and project pipeline development (Strand 1 - €40k and €200k) and (ii) renovate and adapt vacant or derelict heritage buildings in public control or ownership (Strand 2 - €2m and €7m). Announced on 1 August 2024, five urban centres are set to benefit from nearly €32 million in funding for the renovation, restoration and reuse of publicly owned vacant and derelict heritage buildings. Local authorities will have an opportunity to apply for another tranche of capital funding under THRIVE in a follow-on funding call in Spring 2025.
233. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of fallow deer, sika deer, red deer and muntjac deer in the country; how many of each have been killed here in the past five years; and the method of killing and the locations, by county. [39683/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFallow, sika and red deer are all widespread and abundant in Ireland. Muntjac, which was illegally introduced into the wild in Ireland, is present in very low numbers in a limited number of counties.
Deer are hunted with rifle in accordance with S.I. No. 239/1977 (Wildlife Act, 1976 (Firearms and Ammunition) Regulations, 1977).
The table below sets out the number of Fallow, Sika, Red and Muntjac deer shot under a Section 29 licence over the last five deer hunting seasons, 2019/2020 to 2022/2023. Returns for the 2023/2024 season are ongoing.
|
County |
Fallow Deer |
Sika |
Red |
Muntjac |
|
Clare |
6120 |
413 |
1316 |
0 |
|
Cork |
3900 |
5281 |
349 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
858 |
59 |
88 |
0 |
|
Carlow |
21 |
1573 |
44 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
246 |
269 |
6722 |
22 |
|
Dublin |
418 |
3409 |
40 |
2 |
|
Galway |
12299 |
434 |
1738 |
4 |
|
Kildare |
197 |
844 |
403 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
197 |
10214 |
921 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
1327 |
299 |
213 |
0 |
|
Laois |
6916 |
251 |
94 |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
463 |
491 |
464 |
0 |
|
Longford |
417 |
152 |
3 |
0 |
|
Louth |
30 |
17 |
210 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
1487 |
312 |
461 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
3929 |
161 |
2365 |
4 |
|
Meath |
194 |
78 |
1280 |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
1158 |
87 |
120 |
4 |
|
Offaly |
5213 |
92 |
230 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
2199 |
84 |
180 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
3004 |
135 |
1167 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
17258 |
920 |
1047 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
12964 |
951 |
93 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
2557 |
54879 |
213 |
14 |
|
Westmeath |
798 |
17 |
120 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
63 |
1436 |
6 |
0 |
