Written Answers Nos. 391-411
391. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider measures to ensure that broadband connectivity can be extended to outbuildings, sheds and outhouses that have no assigned Eircode, in recognition of the increasing reliance of farmers on digital technologies for livestock monitoring, farm management systems and security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47716/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are aware of a number of solutions available to address the issues raised in the Deputy’s question. In the first instance, end users should contact their Retail Service Provider to get more information on solutions available.
There are a range of connectivity solutions available to address the differing connectivity needs of farms. These can extend connectivity from the main broadband connection point in the farm to distributed buildings throughout the farm property. Such solutions are often wireless based, connecting outbuildings back to the main farm through mobile 4G/5G or point to point wireless technologies. These can provide a simple extension of connectivity to a single building as well as more advanced wireless mesh networks for larger farms. These connectivity solutions can in turn support commercially available advanced applications to improve efficiencies and enhance productivity in an agricultural setting through improved monitoring, tracking, and analysis.
My officials will also be in contact with the Deputy's office with regard to this matter.
392. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next round of the Sports Capital Programme will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46988/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with previous rounds of the CSFF, I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026 which I expect to open soon. It is anticipated that the next CSFF round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.
The Department is currently collating feedback from sporting clubs and organisations and this provides valuable input to our ongoing preparations for the next round. New guidelines will be published in advance of the opening of the next round which will include eligibility and likely assessment criteria for the next round. My aim is to encourage a broad range of applicants and to assist in this regard by simplifying the application process and guide and carrying out a wide-reaching communications and engagement campaign.
393. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when applicants to the new basic income for the arts scheme can expect to be notified of the outcome of their applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47155/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was delighted to accept applications for the successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot with just over 10,000 applications received by the deadline. This is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland.
The deadline for application to the Basic Income for the Arts 2026 - 2029 was 5pm on Tuesday 12th May. Applicants who have made a full application will have an email acknowledgement of each of the following three parts: Application Form, Survey, Proofs of Eligibility.
With an allocation of €18.27 million for 2026, the Department is in a position to fund 2,000 artists.
All applicants had to complete a comprehensive survey at time of application and those who will receive the payment will provide data on an ongoing basis. A diversity of arts practices, ages, and geographical distribution is visible in the applications submitted. The data collected as part of the application is a snapshot of the sector in 2026 and will be a great resource for the Department in terms of developing future policy for the arts. A report setting out this data will be published in due course.
The Department has begun eligibility assessments, which will continue throughout the summer. Given the volume of applications its difficult to be precise about the date applicants will be informed, but it will certainly be September at the earliest. The first payment to selected recipients will be made before the end of 2026 and will be backdated to September 2026 if necessary.
394. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport on behalf of a club grant application (details supplied), the reason for the delay in drawing down funds from a sports capital grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47182/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe club referred to by the Deputy was successful in a number of applications under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. The club has been allocated a total of €458,307 since 2004.
Under the 2017 round of funding, the club was allocated €22,500 towards upgrade of lighting.
In December 2020, my officials sent instructions to the Chief State Solicitor's office to engage with the club’s solicitor in order to progress formalities for the 2017 allocation, namely the placing of a charge on the club folio. However, while the Chief State Solicitor's Office has made multiple engagement attempts over the past six years there has been no communication from the club's solicitor.
Neither the club's 2023 allocation of €46,989 towards mower, pitch and training equipment nor its 2020 allocation of €48,818 towards replacement of astroturf require a legal charge. However, the 2017 allocation cannot proceed until the club's solicitor and the Chief State Solicitor's Office have completed the legal formalities for the placing of a charge on the club's folio.
395. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport in light of the reported non-attendance of Galway Culture Company at meetings of Galway City Council, if his Department has received the most recent audited accounts of the company; if the company has provided his Department with details of its plans for the expenditure of the €1 million in legacy project funding granted by his Department; if he is aware of negotiations between the company, University of Galway and Údarás na Gaeltachta to transfer control of the company to those bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47350/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGalway’s designation as European Capital of Culture for 2020 provided an opportunity to strengthen and promote our culture nationally and internationally. Departmental support of €15million was included by Government in Project Ireland 2040. Government funding was provided in two stages, €14million to support the delivery of the cultural programme of the Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture (of which the final drawdown completed in November 2020); and €1million to support its’ Legacy Programme.
The final drawdown of the €1 million funding under the Galway European Capital of Culture Legacy Programme was paid to Galway Culture Company on 17th July 2024.
In line with the Performance Delivery Agreement (PDA) between my Department and Galway Culture Company, monitoring and evaluation requirements included an external evaluation of the programme and an independent auditor’s review, as well as regular monitoring meetings. The PDA also set out the key performance indicators and grant drawdown requirements for the programme.
I received the final reporting on the programme in June 2025 and welcomed the analysis made by the independent evaluators, the Audience Agency, that Galway Culture Company;
“delivered a successful programme using a budget of €1m, in an effective and efficient way, demonstrating transparency in the way this has been administered and meeting its obligations as stated in the Performance Delivery Agreement with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.”
The final analysis of the spending found that the budget of €1m was allocated as follows:
• €191,920 under strategic objective 1, which aimed to ‘To facilitate international and EU relationships and funding’
• €537,413 under strategic objective 2, ‘To support place based cultural programming’
• €270,668 under strategic objective 3, ‘To provide supports to the cultural and creative sector’
In line with the Performance Delivery Agreements, the Department also received quarterly management accounts and independent auditor’s reports from Galway 2020 related to the Departmental funding. The final independent auditor’s report covering the programme noted that Galway 2020 followed best practice in transparency, accountability and secured value for money.
Galway Culture Company informed the Department at a meeting on 30 May 2025, that it was in discussion with the local authorities and various partners on the future of the company following completion of all actions associated with the European Capital of Culture.
I would note that any future role for Galway Culture Company would be entirely independent of work supported by this Department through the Performance Delivery Agreement above. Following the completion of the legacy programme, this Department has no active funding relationship with Galway Culture Company, and no further allocation of funding is currently planned.
396. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason funding is not available for a sport through Sport Ireland (details supplied); the discussions that have taken place around the inclusion of the sport for funding; if consideration will be given to providing funding for this sport going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47511/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by this Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding under its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs or individuals but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body (NGB).
As there is no Sport Ireland-recognised NGB for the sport referred to in the question, there is no mechanism by which organisations, clubs or players can secure funding from Sport Ireland. There is no discretionary funding available to my Department through which financial assistance can be provided to support the sport.
Sport Ireland operates a formal recognition process for organisations wishing to become eligible for support as NGBs. The recognition criteria set out the minimum requirements for NGB recognition and the additional criteria that may need to be met to receive financial investment from Sport Ireland. There is no alternative mechanism for organisations to seek NGB recognition or support from Sport Ireland outside of this process.
I would encourage any organisation wishing to gain Sport Ireland recognition as a NGB to engage directly with Sport Ireland which can then advise as to the detail of the application process. In this regard, the relevant organisation should request a formal meeting with Sport Ireland to discuss its proposed application and the wider process, prior to submitting a formal application for recognition as a NGB to Sport Ireland. Sport Ireland can be contacted directly in this regard via e-mail at recognition@sportireland.ie or by telephone on 01-8608800.
397. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding avenues available for local sporting events, specifically for an event (details supplied). [47564/26]
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 allocation of funding across its various programmes. This includes the allocation of funding for a limited number of smaller sporting events across the country. I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
398. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the total landholding of his Department, broken down by county, including the amount currently unused or vacant, the portion zoned for development, and the number of sites that include vacant or derelict properties. [47620/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, matters relating to property for my Department are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works as my Department does not own any properties. I am advised that my Department does not own or have control of any vacant or derelict properties.
399. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether an assessment has been undertaken of the potential impact of artificial intelligence systems on the livelihoods of Irish writers, musicians, artists, performers and other creative professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47767/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLeadership on Ireland’s national strategy on artificial intelligence (AI) rests with my colleagues, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation. His department is leading on the implementation of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and has policy responsibility for copyright law in Ireland.
As recommended by the 2025 report of the National AI Advisory Council, The Impact of AI on Ireland’s Creative Sector, the overarching objective must be to protect creatives and ensure meaningful artistic freedom while fostering innovation and potential of AI for the Creative and Cultural Sector. The report also stressed the need for public policy to tackle income insecurity and potential jobs displacement brought about by AI. The new National Digital and AI Strategy also highlighted the potential for AI to significantly contribute to jobs displacement in the creative and cultural sectors. To address the challenges related to income insecurity, the establishment of the Basic Income for the Arts programme on a permanent basis in my Department is critically important as a key measure to tackle the precarity of work in the sector in Ireland.
The protection of copyright is also a key concern for the creative and cultural sector. In its report the AI Advisory Council was also of the view that it is imperative the Government considers whether Ireland's copyright laws and licensing regimes are equipped to address AI disruption. The inclusion of a provision on EU copyright law in the AI Act is an important step. While the AI Act needs time to bed down as enforcement has not yet begun, there are indications that the Text and Data Mining exception is not working well in practice. It is critical that this market develops in a manner which ensures fair remuneration along the value chain. My Department will work closely with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism & Employment as they lead on the development of Ireland’s copyright legislative regime.
But this issue is not just a challenge for Ireland, it is global challenge. That is why I welcome the work to develop an EU AI strategy for the creative and cultural sectors, which will be delivered in 2027 under the EU’s new Culture Compass. It will play an important role in ensuring culture and creative sectors have the tools and support to navigate the changes to the sector brought about by AI. As the incoming chair of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council under the Irish EU Presidency, I will also be working closely with European partners to prioritise action on AI in the new European Work Plan for Culture.
400. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether a company (details supplied) continues to benefit from funding provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47776/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra401. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the level of funding provided by his Department to a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; the organ or precise source within his Department that provided the funding; the purpose of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47777/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra402. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has a direct role in the Governance structure of a company (details supplied) or in the general governance or oversight of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47778/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra403. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if a company (details supplied) shared their intention to expend €1 million resourced by his Department on projects that mark the legacy of Galway European Capital of Culture 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47779/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra404. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if a company (details supplied) shared with his Department any proposal for change of the ownership structure of governance structure of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47780/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 400, 401, 402, 403 and 404 together.
Galway’s designation as European Capital of Culture for 2020 provided an opportunity to strengthen and promote our culture nationally and internationally. Departmental support of €15million was included by Government in Project Ireland 2040. Government funding was provided in two stages; €14million to support the delivery of the cultural programme of the Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture (of which the final drawdown completed in November 2020); and €1million to support its’ Legacy Programme.
The final drawdown of the €1 million funding under the Galway European Capital of Culture Legacy Programme was paid to Galway Culture Company on 17th July 2024. As requested, please find below the amount of funding provided in each of the years 2022 -25 under the legacy programme:
|
Year |
Dept. Funding |
|
2022 |
€0 |
|
2023 |
€797,832.15 |
|
2024 |
€202,167.85 |
|
2025 |
€0 |
In line with the Performance Delivery Agreement (PDA) between my Department and Galway Culture Company, monitoring and evaluation requirements included an external evaluation of the programme and an independent auditor’s review, as well as regular monitoring meetings. The PDA also set out the key performance indicators and grant drawdown requirements for the programme.
I received the final reporting on the programme in June 2025 and welcomed the analysis made by the independent evaluators, the Audience Agency, that Galway Culture Company;
“delivered a successful programme using a budget of €1m, in an effective and efficient way, demonstrating transparency in the way this has been administered and meeting its obligations as stated in the Performance Delivery Agreement with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.”
The final analysis of the spending found that the budget of €1m legacy funding was allocated as follows:
• €191,920 under strategic objective 1, which aimed to ‘To facilitate international and EU relationships and funding’
• €537,413 under strategic objective 2, ‘To support place based cultural programming’
• €270,668 under strategic objective 3, ‘To provide supports to the cultural and creative sector’
In line with the Performance Delivery Agreements, the Department also received quarterly management accounts and independent auditor’s reports from Galway 2020 related to the Departmental funding. The final independent auditor’s report covering the programme noted that Galway 2020 followed best practice in transparency, accountability and secured value for money.
Galway Culture Company informed the Department at a meeting on 30 May 2025, that it was in discussion with the local authorities and various partners on the future of the company following completion of all actions associated with the European Capital of Culture.
I would note that any future role for Galway Culture Company, or proposals to change its ownership structure, would be a matter for GCC and would be entirely independent of the work which was previously supported by this Department through the Performance Delivery Agreement above. Following the completion of the legacy programme, this Department has no active funding relationship with Galway Culture Company, and no further allocation of funding is currently planned.
405. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the cost of the basic income for artists for each month to date in 2026. [47873/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was delighted to accept applications for the successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot with just over 10,000 applications received by the deadline. This is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland.
With an allocation of €18.27 million for 2026, the Department is in a position to fund 2,000 artists. The applications to BIA 2026 - 2029 submitted show a diversity of arts practices, ages, and geographical distribution is visible. The data collected as part of the application is a snapshot of the sector in 2026 and will be a great resource for the Department in terms of developing future policy for the arts. A report setting out this data will be published in due course. The table below sets out the cost of the BIA Pilot scheme for each month to date in 2026.
|
2026 |
|
|
JANUARY |
€ 2,762,573.84 |
|
FEBRUARY |
€ 2,759,747.32 |
|
MARCH |
€ 22,611.36 |
|
APRIL |
€ 0 |
|
MAY |
€ 0 |
|
JUNE |
€ 0 |
|
TOTAL |
€ 5,544,697.52 |
406. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans within his Department to support local authorities who wish to support community groups taking over derelict buildings within towns and villages to combat dereliction and improve streetscapes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47120/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra426. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grants are available to local authorities to assist with dereliction in towns within their areas of responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47111/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra427. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities can step in to improve the appearance of derelict shops and businesses in towns and villages within their administrative areas, where the owner might not be cooperating or where the owner may not be known, allowing an improvement in the street scape; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47112/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra428. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grants are available to local authorities to assist with dereliction in towns within their areas of responsibility; if there are plans to create such funding; if so, the timeline involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47113/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra429. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities can, following the CPO of derelict buildings and closed businesses, allow community groups without their own property to take on the responsibility of the CPO property; if grants are available to set up such community group pop-up shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47114/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 406, 426, 427, 428 and 429 together.
The Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site as defined in the Act. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.
Each local authority maintains a Derelict Sites Register under section 8 of the Act for sites which they consider are derelict under the Act. Sites entered on the Derelict Sites Register are subject to an annual derelict sites levy of 7% of market value, which will continue to apply until the site is rendered non-derelict. However, the placing of sites on the register and the collecting of levies on those sites are part of the overall process that local authorities undertake with the owners of derelict sites they identify. Local authorities will engage directly with site owners to try to bring these sites back into productive use and out of dereliction before they are formally listed on the register. This direct engagement can often lead to those units being brought back into productive use, which is what we all want.
Where local authorities find that the acquisition of particular vacant and derelict properties is the appropriate mechanism to return them to use, they are enabled by the provisions of the Housing Act and the Derelict Sites Act to acquire them compulsorily. This approach is now supported through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), which has established a €150 million revolving fund specifically for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties (residential and/or commercial), if necessary using their compulsory purchase powers and to carry out any associated works needed to make them more attractive for re-use or sale. The current total of residential and commercial properties approved for inclusion on Local Authority’s Approved Call 3 Programmes is 1,418.
Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities, more is being done to tackle vacancy and dereliction aggressively. The existing grants and schemes are being improved, expanded and further promoted. Their use will ensure that additional homes are provided by renovating and refurbishing existing homes and repurposing commercial and ‘above the shop’ vacant space. As a result, families and individuals can become part of, and contribute to vibrant thriving communities.
These actions are building on existing schemes and programmes, such as CPO Activation Programme (launched in April 2023) that require a proactive and systematic approach by local authorities to identifying vacant and derelict properties and engaging with owners to bring those properties back into use and using their compulsory purchase powers where engagement with owners is not successful.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant introduced in July 2022, provides a grant of up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
This grant may be used in combination with S.I. No. 75/2022 - Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) Regulations 2022 which provides an exemption from the requirement for planning permission for the conversion of certain types of vacant commercial property into residential use, such as ‘living over the shop’ accommodation, up to a maximum of 9 residential units. The Regulations, which were first extended in 2022 under SI 75/2022 to include an exemption for the conversion of vacant pubs, have now been extended to the end of 2028. Up to the end of 2024, local authorities received 1,457 notifications from developers intending to avail of the exemptions. If acted on, this would result in 3,429 new homes across the country.
Also the Deputy may wish to note that the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), overseen by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG), is targeted at settlements and rural areas located outside city boundaries and the Dublin metropolitan area. Local Authorities and other state funded bodies can seek funding for local community facilities and development projects including the through the re-use and regeneration of local vacant and derelict buildings, particularly in town centre locations.
Further information on the RRDF and its current Call for Proposals can be accessed on the DRCDG website: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/policy-information/rural-regeneration-and-development-fund/#eligibility
407. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47571/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 21 January 2026, the Government launched the new €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF). The core objective of the Fund is to unblock infrastructure constraints and activate lands that are identified for housing development. The Fund is managed by the Housing Activation Office in my Department.
A total of 138 applications were received under the first call for applications from 30 Local Authorities and the Land Development Agency. Following a detailed assessment process, 82 projects have been approved for inclusion in the HIIF programme under Call 1.
A full list of projects accepted to the HIIF programme can be accessed at the following link: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/9d47d273/Housing_Infrastructure_Investment_Fund_Call_1_-_List_of_Projects.pdf
The Killarney Strategic Links road is included in the list of approved projects accepted onto the HIIF programme. The project relates to the construction of a section of road between the N22 Killarney Bypass and the R876 Park Road that will directly unlock lands with the capacity to deliver approximately 500 residential units and indirectly unlock a further 581 residential units.
Kerry County Council have completed preliminary design work for the link road and it is anticipated that the project will proceed to planning in Q4 2026. The Housing Activation Office will work with Kerry County Council and relevant stakeholders to support the timely progression of this important housing enabling infrastructure project.
408. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the legislative framework to address the issue of very high or overhanging trees and hedgerows, specifically leylandii, on neighbouring properties; and if there is any planned legislation on the issue given the existence of same in other jurisdictions. [47644/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra459. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Government if his Department is considering measures to deal with disputes between neighbours over trees or other vegetation on private land, particularly where those trees are blocking sunlight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47519/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 459 together.
Disputes which arise between neighbours over trees and vegetation causing a nuisance can be difficult and stressful for the parties involved. There are a number of existing mediation options available to citizens who seek to resolve disputes with neighbours, some of which are free, for example the Community Law and Mediation Centres. Policy matters here are for my colleague, the Minister for Justice.
In relation to dangerous trees, section 70 of the Roads Act 1993, which is under the responsibility of the Minister for Transport, provides that, where a tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation is a hazard or potential hazard to persons using a public road or where it obstructs or interferes with the safe use of a public road or with the maintenance of a public road, a road authority may serve a notice in writing on the owner or occupier of the land on which such tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation is situated, requiring the preservation, felling, cutting, lopping, trimming or removal of such tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation within the period stated in the notice.
Similarly, under Section 58 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002, which is under the remit of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, an electronic communications network operator or any person authorised by the operator may lop or cut any tree, shrub or hedge which obstructs or interferes with any physical infrastructure of the network operator.
With regard to tall and dangerous trees on local authority property, local authorities, as with all landowners, are responsible for the safety and maintenance of trees on their land.
409. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the main recommendations outlined in the Value-for-Money Report for Local Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46824/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government Audit Service (LGAS) is the independent statutory body responsible for the audit of local authorities and is independent in the operation of its professional functions. As part of these functions, it carries out Value for Money audits and publish reports thereon.
The LGAS Value for Money report on the Role of Local Authorities in the provision of Social Housing by the AHB Sector was circulated by the LGAS to local authorities in April 2026 and published on my Department’s website in May 2026.
The LGAS conducts progress reports on national studies to determine the progress on the implementation of recommendations made. It must allow sufficient time before carrying out progress reports to ensure the local authorities have had time to implement the recommendations, which is approximately 18 months after the initial report.
My Department has no policy remit in this matter as local authorities are independent corporate entities having full responsibility under law for the performance of their functions and the discharge of their governance and other responsibilities. As a result, the recommendations in the report are the responsibility of local authorities to implement.
410. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of approved housing bodies operating in the State, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46825/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs provided for in the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019, the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was formally established on 1 February 2021. AHBRA is an independent body tasked with providing the regulation of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the purposes of protecting housing assets provided or managed by such bodies.
The register of AHBs previously managed by my Department was officially transferred to AHBRA on 1 January 2022. AHBRA is responsible for maintaining the register and for registering organisations as AHBs. The register is published on AHBRA's website, available here: https://www.ahbregulator.ie/registration/the-register/. Currently, 425 organisations remain registered as AHBs.
411. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce a compassionate hardship clause or legislative amendment to the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme to accommodate families who have inherited a defective property from a relative who was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and subsequently passed away before they were medically or physically able to apply for the scheme; if he acknowledges that the strict "principal private residence" criteria currently forces grieving families to watch their deceased relatives' homes fall to rubble without any access to redress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46847/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 as amended by the Act of 2025 underpins the Grant Scheme which provides grant funding to people whose homes have been affected by Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB).
Section 9 of the 2022 Act defines a relevant owner as an individual who owns, whether jointly or not, a relevant dwelling and:
• became an owner of the dwelling prior to 31 January 2020,
• inherited the dwelling on or after 31 January 2020, or
• subject to Section 9(4) of the Act, purchased the dwelling on or after 31 January 2020.
The relevant owner under the Act must either use the relevant dwelling as his or her principal private residence or else was the landlord of a tenancy of the dwelling which stood registered in the residential tenancies register on or before 1 November 2021.
I currently have no plans to amend these conditions as set down by the Oireachtas.
