Written Answers Nos. 203-227
203. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if in advance of the next round of LSSIF funding, consideration would be given to introducing a time limit for drawing down funds in order to ensure the most effective use of spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54278/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was established under the National Sports Policy, published in 2018, to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF).
The aim of the fund is to provide investment in sporting infrastructure that will reinforce the Department’s stated sporting objectives such as increasing active participation in sport, including female participation and participation by those with a disability as well as increasing social participation and improving high performance in sport.
Under the second round of the LSSIF, grants totalling €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects, were announced on 4 November 2024. With this announcement, the cumulative investment from the LSSIF since 2020 now reaches €297 million. A new clause was introduced in the 2024 scheme, which will ensure that if there has been no drawdown of any part of a grant within 2-3 years (timelines may vary from project to project), or before a new LSSIF round is announced, the grant offer will be deemed withdrawn.
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024, and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. The timing will also be considered in the context of the determining the detailed spending allocations within my Department under the National Development Plan as recently agreed by Government.
204. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of external consultancy contracts entered into by his Department in the past five years, including the original estimated cost, the final cost, and the reasoning for contracting this work rather than using internal resources. [54323/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt should be noted that my Department was re-configured as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the beginning of June 2025. The details sought by the Deputy in relation to external consultancy contracts entered into in the past five years for the current functions under the remit of my Department are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Consultancy company |
Original Estimated Cost (incl. VAT) |
Final Cost (incl. VAT) |
Reasoning for contracting work |
|
2022 |
KPMG |
€25,000 |
€25,000 |
Specialist expertise related to subsea telecoms cable market. |
|
2022 |
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
€ 164,565 |
€164,565 |
External Operational Management Advisory Services required for the National Postcode System. |
|
2023 |
Aspira |
€56,211 |
€16,293 |
External Operational Management Advisory Services required for the National Postcode System. |
|
2023 |
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
€1,400,773 |
Ongoing (spend to date €1,128,006) |
Specialist expertise related to subsea telecoms cable market. |
|
2023 |
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
€30,750 |
€30,627 |
Expertise not available within the department – the tender was for technical economic consultancy services. |
|
2023 |
Mazars (Forensic Accountancy – RTÉ Barter Account) |
€300,000 (excl. VAT) |
€286,160 |
Forensic accountancy specialism not available to Department. |
|
2023 |
Crowe Advisory (Governance and Culture in RTÉ – assistance to Expert Advisory Committee) |
€250,000 (excl. VAT) |
€230,533 |
Governance specialism not available to the Department at the time and, where available, otherwise deployed. |
|
2023 |
Crowe Advisory (Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters in RTÉ – assistance to Expert Advisory Committee) |
€250,000 (excl. VAT) |
€401,591 |
HR specialism not available to Department at the time and, where available, otherwise deployed. |
|
2023 |
Ernst and Young |
€258,413 |
€259,638 |
Specialist external expertise was required for Interim evaluation report on the National Broadband Plan. Contract completed. |
|
2023 |
Analysys Mason |
€135,300 |
€71,279 |
Specialist technical expertise was required for advisory services to support the management of the Galway Mayo Network |
|
2023 – 2024 |
GM Moore Limited |
€54,120 |
€20,295 |
External expert advisory required in respect of the National Postcode Project. |
|
2023 –2025 |
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
€356,762 |
€322,928 |
External Operational Management Advisory Services required for the National Postcode System. |
|
2024-2026 |
Analysys Mason Ltd |
€872,473 |
Ongoing (spend to date €189,280) |
Advisory services relating to the specification, implementation, testing, management, and maintenance of a national Public Warning System (PWS) |
|
2024 |
William Fry |
€1,790,388 (Estimated cost of €895,194 per annum for 2 year term from February 2024) |
Contract ongoing (spend to date €868,734) |
Specialist legal expertise is required for legal advisory services in support of the Department's Digital Connectivity Office. |
|
2024 |
Analysys Mason |
€3,079,920 (Estimated cost of €1,539,960 per annum for 2 year term from March 2024) |
Contract ongoing (spend to date €2,979,721) |
Specialist technical expertise is required for managed technical services to support the Department's Digital Connectivity Office. |
|
2024 |
Analysys Mason |
€3,810,050 (Estimated cost of €1,905,025 per annum for 2 year term from March 2024) |
Contract ongoing (spend to date €2,506,879) |
Specialist technical expertise is required for technical subject matter expert services to support the Department's Digital Connectivity Office. |
|
2024 |
Analysys Mason |
€577,485 (Estimated cost of €288,743 per annum for 2 year term from May 2024) |
Contract ongoing (spend to date €203,836) |
Specialist technical expertise is required for technical, commercial and financial advisory services for the Galway Mayo Ducting Project. |
|
2024 |
WIK Consult |
€1,020,285 (Estimated cost of €510,143 per annum for 2 year term from July 2024) |
Contract ongoing (spend to date €329,914) |
Specialist strategic and economic expertise is required for Strategy and economic advisory services to support the Department's Digital Connectivity Office. |
|
2024 |
Ernst and Young |
€4,600,000 (Estimated cost of €2,300,000 per annum for 2 year term from August 2024) |
Contract ongoing (spend to date €1,503,936) |
Specialist commercial and financial expertise is required for commercial and financial advisory services to support the Department's Digital Connectivity Office. |
|
2024 |
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
€58,573 |
€58,573 |
Specialist external Data Protection advice required. |
|
2024 |
Institute of Public Administration |
€20,295 |
€20,295 |
Sector specific expert external advice required to review governance oversight arrangements within the Department. |
|
2024 |
Indecon International Economic and Strategic Consultants |
€116,210 |
€116,210 |
Independent analysis required for review of Designation of Events of Major Importance to Society under the Broadcasting Act 2009. |
|
2025 |
Public Authority Pension Services Ltd |
€4,500 |
€6,790 |
Services required to provide specialist advice on public sector pensions |
|
2025 |
KPMG |
€246,000 |
€485,700 |
The Department required professional assistance and external advisers to assist in the management of the NDRC's portfolio of shares |
|
2025 - 2027 |
Fexco Limited |
€1,574,400 |
Ongoing (spend to date €163,246) |
External expertise required in respect of the transition of the National Postcode Project to a new operational environment. |
205. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether he agrees that the international day of famine commemoration and the national famine commemoration should both take place on the third Sunday in May. [54375/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National and International Famine Commemorations were established by the National Famine Commemoration Committee to remember all those who suffered, died or were forced to emigrate due to an Gorta Mór.
The National Famine Commemoration rotates annually between each province of Ireland, and in line with a 2018 Government Decision it is held on the third Sunday of May, or the preceding Saturday if required.
Since 2009, an International Famine Commemoration has also been held for those of Irish heritage and our diaspora communities. This ceremony is an opportunity for Irish communities abroad to connect and reflected on one of the most tragic events in our shared past but also to celebrate the many achievements of the descendants of those who emigrated. International Famine Commemorations have previously been hosted by Irish communities in the United States, Australia and Canada and plans will be announced shortly for the 2025 event.
My Department works with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to identify possible locations for this Commemoration and for other opportunities for our Diaspora to remember the Great Irish Famine. Locations are considered that have a meaningful connection to the Famine or to take place along with other complementary or support events that bring greater gravitas and opportunity for public engagement.
As Minister with responsibility for commemorations and as Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee my Department puts considerable effort and resources into these two events to ensure that they are delivered to the highest possible standard and to ensure the most tragic event in our past is remembered appropriately.
I do not agree that the International Famine Commemoration and the National Famine Commemoration should take place on the same day. I do not believe that either event would benefit from the division of resources that would result. The Deputy must be aware that this would not only restrict Government representation which has always reflected the State’s commitment to these commemorative events but would also cause undue pressure on our stakeholders that are essential for the delivery of these events. The potential greatest impact would be on the audiences who attend these events. To ensure that Government does justice to both the National and International Famine Commemorations and what they stand for, and to retain the flexibility to accommodate the wishes of host communities, my Department does not plan to schedule both events to take place on the 3rd weekend in May each year.
206. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to confirm if any staff devices (laptops, phones, USBs) containing departmental information or sensitive data were reported lost or stolen in the past five years; the number of devices reported; the data risk involved; and the associated cost of mitigation. [54383/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt should be noted that my Department was re-configured as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the beginning of June 2025. The previous configuration of my Department, as the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, was established in September 2020.
My Department has informed me that 3 laptops and 1 phone have been reported as lost or stolen over the last 5 years. There was no data risk to the mobile device which was remotely wiped as soon as it was reported lost through the Department's (MDM) Mobile Device Management Solution, or the laptops which were password protected and had the data encrypted to mitigate unauthorised access.
There was minimal associated costs due to re-using existing stock to replace the lost or stolen devices.
207. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to detail the instances in which software or IT systems procured by his Department or agencies were later deemed unfit for purpose; and the costs of replacement or remediation. [54393/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt should be noted that my Department was re-configured as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the beginning of June 2025. The previous configuration of my Department, as the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, was established in September 2020.
I am informed that no software or IT system procured by my department were later deemed unfit for purpose in that period. The information in relation to such matters in the bodies under the aegis of my Department is operational matter for those bodies.
208. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when full telephone and broadband reception will be available at Dromid, Waterville, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54449/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
I have been advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that over 22,000 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 22,800 premises are available to order/preorder in County Kerry, with over 6,220 premises now connected.
A further circa 4,916 premises in County Kerry will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of network deployment. The network build is in progress for the Castleisland Deployment Area and has an anticipated date of connection of April 2026 and June 2026. The Ballingeary, Glencar and Kells DAs are also in the network build phase, premises in these DAs have an anticipated date for connection between July 2026 and December 2026.
Further details available on specific areas within County Kerry can be monitored via www.nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. It should be noted that NBI provide this information for County Kerry based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
Dromid, Waterville is predominantly located in the AMBER area on the broadband map which is available on my Department’s website www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/.
The AMBER area is to be served by the network deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
NBI have advised that premises in Dromid are ready to connect to high-speed fibre broadband.
A connection can be ordered from a number of broadband service providers in the Kerry area. The list of available service providers can be seen at [www.nbi.ie/where-can-i-buy/].
Phone service is primarily a matter for mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with section 11 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002.
To assist consumers to choose the network provider that best meets their needs, ComReg continually updates and enhances its online national outdoor mobile coverage map (available at: www.coveragemap.comreg.ie, which provides information on mobile network operators’ outdoor coverage for 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G mobile networks.
209. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when full mobile phone and broadband reception will be available at Ballycleave, Glenbeigh, County Kerry on the N70 Ring of Kerry route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54450/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
I have been advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that over 22,000 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 22,800 premises are available to order/preorder in County Kerry, with over 6,220 premises now connected.
A further circa 4,916 premises in County Kerry will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of network deployment. The network build is in progress for the Castleisland Deployment Area (DA) and has an anticipated date of connection of April 2026- June 2026. The Ballingeary, Glencar and Kells DAs are also in the network build phase, premises in these DAs have an anticipated date for connection between July 2026 and December 2026
Further details available on specific areas within County Kerry can be monitored via [www.nbi.ie/reps]. NBI has a dedicated email address, [reps@nbi.ie], which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. It should be noted that NBI provide this information for County Kerry based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
Glenbeigh is predominantly within the BLUE area on the broadband map which is available on my Department’s website www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/.
The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. As per information available at www.openeir.ie/fibre/broadband-checker the area is included in open eir Full Fibre deployment programme and can order a full fibre gigabit connection.
Premises in the AMBER area on the map are to be served by the network deployed under the NBP State led intervention. NBI have advised that the network build has commenced for these premises and have an anticipated connection timeframe of July 2026 - December 2026.
Phone service is primarily a matter for mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with section 11 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002.
To assist consumers to choose the network provider that best meets their needs, ComReg continually updates and enhances its online national outdoor mobile coverage map (available at: www.[coveragemap.comreg.ie], which provides information on mobile network operators’ outdoor coverage for 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G mobile networks.
210. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when all mobile phone and broadband blackspots in County Kerry of which there are many, will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54455/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
I have been advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that over 22,000 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 22,800 premises are available to order/preorder in County Kerry, with over 6,220 premises now connected.
A total of 28,000 premises in County Kerry will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of network deployment. The network build is in progress for the Castleisland Deployment Area (DA) and has an anticipated date of connection of April 2026- June 2026. The Ballingeary, Glencar and Kells DAs are also in the network build phase, premises in these DAs have an anticipated date for connection between July 2026 and December 2026.
Further details available on specific areas within County Kerry can be monitored via [www.nbi.ie/reps]. NBI has a dedicated email address, [reps@nbi.ie], which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. It should be noted that NBI provide this information for County Kerry based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
Based on current plans and achievements, the Department expect to deliver the network deployment of the NBP by the end of 2026, as per the Programme for Government commitment.
Phone service is primarily a matter for mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with section 11 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002.
To assist consumers to choose the network provider that best meets their needs, ComReg continually updates and enhances its online national outdoor mobile coverage map (available at: www.[coveragemap.comreg.ie], which provides information on mobile network operators’ outdoor coverage for 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G mobile networks.
211. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider a community media fund (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54526/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity media plays an invaluable role in the promotion of community engagement, inclusion and social cohesion and contributes to a greater level of representation of citizens and a plurality of voices in our media sector. 2026 will see more funding available to the community media sector than ever before, through a suite of schemes available under the Media Fund.
In Budget 2026, I secured €1m in funding to develop a dedicated Community Media Scheme which will aim to provide an effective form of support for the sector, offering funding on a contestable basis. This has been strongly welcomed by the sector.
The scheme will be developed by Coimisiún na Meán, who are currently progressing a body of research into current community media supports and to identify ways in which this support can be strengthened. This research will inform the scheme design and future policy decisions.
This will be in addition to existing platform-neutral supports currently available for the wider media sector, all of which community media organisations are eligible to apply for. The research will also look at ways to ensure community media are well positioned to access schemes on a more even playing field with larger media counterparts.
The community media sector receives ongoing 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, the latest of which provided more than €740,000 to community media organisations.
In 2024, community media received a total of €1.13m from Sound and Vision. So far in 2025, community media has received €1.12m.
The Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes provided €5.7m to the media sector earlier this year and an additional €6m was made available in August for the second funding rounds of these schemes, which closed for applications in September. In Budget 2026, I secured a further €6m to ensure the continuation of these schemes next year.
Also launched by Coimisiún na Meán recently were the News Reporting Scheme and the Digital Transformation Scheme, which will provide a further €4m in open and contestable funding to the media sector and for which community media are eligible to apply.
The News Reporting Scheme provides another avenue of support for the provision of public interest journalism, funding the production of content that is either under-provided for or at risk of insufficient provision. The Digital Transformation Scheme will aim to incentivise investment in technology and services by public service content providers, accelerating the development of sustainable business models in the sector. It will also aim to provide support for the appropriate training and up-skilling of existing staff within the sector, ensuring the requisite skills are in place for an inclusive, diverse and thriving media sector. I have secured an increase of €1m for each of these schemes in Budget 2026, to ensure a continuation of funding supports throughout next year.
As Minister, I understand the important role that community media plays in our society. A dedicated Community Media Scheme, along with an increase in funding for existing supports for the media sector will provide essential support for community media organisations nationwide.
212. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people currently registered as homeless in County Kildare; the number of children currently registered as homeless in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54285/25]
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 accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
While responsibility for the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis with a lead authority in place for each region. The Mid-East region includes Kildare, Meath and Wicklow Councils for the purposes of homeless administration, with Kildare County Council as lead authority.
My Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by local authorities. These reports are based on data provided by local authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS).
The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. The most recently published data is in respect of August 2025. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's open data portal https://data.gov.ie/.
Critical to supporting households to exit homelessness is our continued investment in the social housing programme. Budget 2026 has continued the record level of investment in social housing, with €2.9bn in capital allocated to support the delivery of social homes by local authorities. This continued investment in the social housing programme will increase the supply of stock available to allocate to households on the social housing waiting list, including households in emergency accommodation. It is important that local authorities ensure that sufficient allocations are being made to families in emergency accommodation and a key focus for me is to reduce the time that families are spending in emergency accommodation.
Ensuring that families and children experiencing homelessness are provided with accommodation and supports is critical. Budget 2026 provides an allocation of €513.5m to provide homeless emergency accommodation and supports. Capital funding of €50m has been allocated to support the provision and maintenance of quality emergency and transitional accommodation.
The Government's new Housing Plan will be published shortly. The Plan will contain a suite of robust and targeted actions that will increase the provision of housing through accelerating supply and increasing the affordability of homes for our citizens.
213. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is taking to address the record number of 16,300 persons currently registered as homeless in the State, including more than 5,100 children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54286/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing homelessness, and in particular homeless families and children, is a priority for my Department and for the Government.
Critical to supporting households to exit homelessness is our continued investment in the social housing programme. Budget 2026 has continued the record level of investment in social housing, with €2.9bn in capital allocated to support the delivery of social homes by local authorities. This continued investment in the social housing programme will increase the supply of stock available to allocate to households on the social housing waiting list, including households in emergency accommodation. It is important that local authorities ensure that sufficient allocations are being made to families in emergency accommodation and a key focus for me is to reduce the time that families are spending in emergency accommodation.
Ireland signed the Lisbon Declaration in June 2021, which committed all signatories to work towards ending homelessness by 2030. I will continue to work with the National Homeless Action Committee to ensure an all of Government approach to drive the ambition of the Lisbon declaration.
The Government's new Housing Plan will be published shortly. The Plan will contain a suite of robust and targeted actions that will increase the provision of housing through accelerating supply and increasing the affordability of homes for our citizens. The Plan will also include a range of measures to address homelessness and reaffirm Programme for Government commitments including the commitment to develop a holistic, cross departmental approach to homelessness prevention and the commitment to ensure special supports for children impacted by homelessness.
In September, I wrote to 21 local authorities that have families in emergency accommodation for more than 12 months and asked them to use all available housing schemes to exit these families from emergency accommodation. I have ring-fenced an additional €50 million, which I secured as part of the National Development Plan process, to exit households the longest in homeless accommodation with a focus in the first instance on larger families with children and Housing First clients. This funding is in addition to the €325 million already committed to the Social Housing Second-Hand Acquisitions Programme in 2025.
Ensuring that families and children experiencing homelessness are provided with accommodation and supports is critical. Budget 2026 provides an allocation of €513.5m to provide homeless emergency accommodation and supports. Capital funding of €50m has been allocated to support the provision and maintenance of quality emergency and transitional accommodation.
214. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans within his Department to address the current restriction on one-off planning for rural housing across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54306/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRural Housing Guidelines were last issued in 2005 as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. These Guidelines provide that people who are an intrinsic part of the rural community, on the basis of an economic or social need, should be facilitated in all rural areas. In areas under strong urban influence, the policy is to encourage the delivery of urban generated housing in cities, towns and villages. In a rural areas suffering persistent and substantial population decline, the policy is to accommodate anyone wishing to build a house, subject to normal planning and environmental considerations.
Historically there has been a strong tradition of rural housing construction in Ireland, with approximately one-quarter of all delivery nationally for the last 30 years falling within this category. Rural housing continues to be an important component of new housing delivery with on average c.4,000-5,000 new rural dwellings being built annually.
Since the publication of the current Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines in 2005 (which continue to have effect in addition to subsequent clarifications and national policy changes in the National Planning Framework) there have been important changes to our planning system. Most notably, obligations under European Directives and international agreements relating to the management and protection of the environment and adapting to and mitigating climate change have become more central to the operation of the planning system.
Updated policy direction and guidance in respect of rural housing, initially in the form of a section 28 Guideline which will now be reviewed and prepared as a National Planning Statement, is currently being considered by my Department. The updated policy approach will expand on the high level spatial planning policy of the National Planning Framework (NPF), in particular on National Policy Objective (NPO) 28 which relates to rural housing. This objective makes a clear policy distinction between rural areas under urban influence (i.e. areas within the commuter catchment of cities, large towns and centres of employment) on the one hand, and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low or declining, on the other. NPO 28 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social or economic need are to be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
The draft National Planning Statement will set out relevant and consistent planning criteria to be applied in local authority development plans for rural housing, based on the high level policy framework set by the NPF.
While planning policy is a national, as opposed to an EU competence, due care is being taken to ensure the updated guidelines will not operate to conflict with fundamental EU freedoms, comply with EU environmental legislative requirements and have due regard to decisions of the European Court of Justice. The draft National Planning Statement will address these complex environmental and legal issues, while also providing a framework for the sustainable management of housing in rural areas.
215. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the permitted time under S.I. No. 75/2022 to exempt such buildings for conversion to residential use beyond the date set, 31 December 2025, and to allow for another two years of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54247/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDraft regulations have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas providing for an extension until 31 December 2028 of the exemption for conversion to residential use set out under S.I. No. 75 of 2022.
Following engagement with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and receipt of positive resolutions of both Houses of the Oireachtas as required under section 262(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I, as the Minister of State with responsibility for Planning will sign the Regulations into law at the earliest opportunity.
216. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advise if social housing rents, including HAP differential rents, are based on a household's gross or net income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54311/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities set and collect rents on their dwellings in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay.
Local discretion and flexibility are inherent in the devolved administration of rent schemes and different approaches are taken to rent setting across local authorities. Accordingly, decisions regarding the types of income included and disregarded for rent assessment purposes, including statutory deductions, are matters solely for individual local authorities. I have no role in this regard.
In the case of income that assessable for the purposes of determining eligibility for social housing support, including HAP, the Household Means Policy (HMP) which is available online here https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/social-housing-support-household-means-policy.pdf sets out the manner by which all local authorities should assess the means of an applicant for social housing support. The Policy is provided for under Regulation 17 of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 and determines that net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
The determination of whether an applicant household meets the income criteria is based on a calculation of their preceding 12 months’ net average income prior to the date of receipt of application. This ensures that the most comprehensive picture of a household’s current and previous income is available at the point of carrying out the assessment. An illustrative table of the current net income limits can be found on my Departments website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/social-housing-support-table-of-income-limits/.
217. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a case (details supplied); and if he will instruct his Department to make postal voting more accessible, especially for disabled and severely ill people. [54319/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraElectoral law provides for postal voting for a number of different categories of people:
• whole-time members of the Defence Forces,
• members of An Garda Síochána,
• Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses/civil partners,
• electors living at home who are unable to go in person to vote because of illness or a disability,
• electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day,
• full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State,
• prisoners, and
• certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside.
In addition, Section 93 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provides for anonymous registration and a postal vote where a person’s safety (or a member of their household) may be compromised by publication of their details on the electoral register. Where a person is registered as an anonymous voter, that person is only able to vote by post.
Furthermore, the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provided for a wide-ranging modernisation of our electoral structures and processes, including significant changes to postal voting arrangements. Under the provisions of Part 3 of the Act, the introduction of a rolling electoral registration process (in contrast to the former annual registration process) means that people can register or update their registration details, including postal voting applications, at any time of year up to the usual deadlines in advance of an electoral event.
Applications for a postal vote due to illness or disability - which must be certified by a registered medical practitioner to enable the registration authority consider and be satisfied that the applicant is unable to attend their polling station to vote on polling day due to their illness or disability - no longer needs to provide the nature of the illness or disability, but can indicate an expected duration. The relevant registration authority will have regard to this when assigning a postal voting arrangement. This means that for those postal voters with longer term or ongoing health difficulties, annual renewal is not required.
The Act also provided for the extension of existing postal voting facilities to persons with mental health difficulties. These facilities were previously only available to persons with physical health difficulties.
The deadlines for applications for entry on the Register of Electors for the presidential election 2025, including the deadline for applications for a postal vote, were publicised from 3 September 2025, when I made the Presidential Election Order.
An Coimisiún Toghcháin's research and advisory function enables it to carry out research on electoral policy and procedure. An Coimisiún is also empowered to advise and make recommendations to the Minister and the Government in relation to any proposals for legislative change, or any other policy matters concerning electoral and legislative proposals.
An Coimisiún’s Research Programme 2024-2026, published on 10 July 2024, includes a commitment to examine the issue of postal voting. My Department will review this policy area once An Coimisiún has considered and made recommendations on the issue.
218. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of external consultancy contracts entered into by his Department in the past five years, including the original estimated cost, the final cost, and the reasoning for contracting this work rather than using internal resources. [54328/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe engagement of external consultants is generally for a limited time period to carry out a specific finite task or set of tasks that involve expert skills or capabilities that would not normally be available within my Department. As these skills are only required from time to time, it would generally not be efficient to retain them within my Department on a permanent basis. Due to the range in the types and nature of the engagements of consultants my Department does produce or retain estimated costs.
Details of external consultancies and the expenditure in each of the last five years is set out in the attached table.
219. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the number of ecologists, ornithologists, hydrologists, hydrogeologists and environmental scientists, respectively, employed as inspectors at An Bord Pleanála at the beginning of 2025. [54339/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra220. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the number of ecologists, ornithologists, hydrologists, hydrogeologists and environmental scientists, respectively, employed in any capacity at An Bord Pleanála at the beginning of 2025. [54340/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra221. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the number of ecologists, ornithologists, hydrologists, hydrogeologists and environmental scientists, respectively, engaged on a panel of consultants at An Bord Pleanála at the beginning of 2025. [54341/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra222. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of occasions on which the services of a specialist consultant in ecology, ornithology, hydrology, hydrogeology, or environmental science, respectively, were engaged by An Bord Pleanála in 2024. [54342/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra223. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the number of ecologists, ornithologists, hydrologists, hydrogeologists and environmental scientists, respectively, employed as inspectors at An Bord Pleanála at the beginning of 2024. [54343/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra224. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the number of ecologists, ornithologists, hydrologists, hydrogeologists and environmental scientists, respectively, employed in any capacity at An Bord Pleanála at the beginning of 2024. [54344/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 219 to 224, inclusive, together.
An Coimisiún Pleanála is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2024, the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and certain other Acts.
An Coimisiún Pleanála is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
The information requested is regarding operational matters which are the responsibility of An Coimisiún Pleanála and my Department does not hold this information.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Coimisiún Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
225. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the number of social housing offers accepted in each local authority per month, by local area, from 2024 to date, in tabular form. [54351/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, all local authorities prepare and submit a written report to their members by 30 April in each year, on allocations made under their allocation schemes in the preceding year. However, following the implementation of the Housing for All action to review available social housing allocation data sources, my Department commenced collecting allocation data from each local authority in respect of their allocations for 2023 and 2024.
My Department is currently compiling and validating this data and this information will be published in due course.
226. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm if any staff devices (laptops, phones, USBs) containing departmental information or sensitive data were reported lost or stolen in the past five years; the number of devices reported; the data risk involved; and the associated cost of mitigation. [54388/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not comment on operational security matters as it would be inappropriate to disclose information that may in any way assist those with malicious intent. I can say however that my Department operates processes and procedures to manage assets and that lost or stolen devices are managed appropriately. My Department also continues to work closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) which encompasses the State's national/governmental Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE).
227. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail the instances in which software or IT systems procured by his Department or agencies were later deemed unfit for purpose; and the costs of replacement or remediation. [54398/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not procured software or IT systems that were later deemed unfit for purpose. As part of procuring ICT systems, requirements elicitation is carried out to define the needs of stakeholders for a specific solution. This process is specifically carried out to ensure the IT system or software can be confirmed as being fit for purpose.
My Department does not hold the requested information in respect of the State Bodies. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. These State Bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas at the email addresses set out in the table below.
|
Bodies under the Aegis of DHLGH |
Oireachtas email |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce |
oireachtas@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Electoral Commission |
oireachtas@electoralcommission.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@gasnetworks.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Oireachtas@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
oireachtasmemberqueries@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
oireachtas@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
Oireachtas@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
oireachtas@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org |
