Written Answers Nos. 66-87
66. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education with regard to the removal of the ICT grant in Spring 2023, if she will take steps to speed up the payment of the late payment of the ancillary services grant and ICT digital strategy grant to schools that are running out of funds due to having purchased ICT and special needs equipment in anticipation of receiving the ICT grant as in the case of a school (details supplied). [18221/24]
View answerAs you are aware I recently announced €79 million in funding to support digital learning in schools and minor building works. €50 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools, while a separate €29 million in minor works funding is being provided to primary and special schools.
This ICT funding is being provided to schools to help them continue to use digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment and which represents the second tranche of ICT funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027.
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
Under the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020, saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Additionally, further Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
67. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will give further consideration to an increase in capitation grants for smaller primary schools, in view of the particular financial pressures facing some schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18248/24]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per pupil at Primary level and this year's grant is being paid, as usual, in 2 instalments, - the first in January and the second in June, for the 2023/24 academic year.
Primary schools with less than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils.
In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was issued in October 2023, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme. This funding is the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding was delivered in early 2024.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024 I am pleased to have secured €21 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This will bring the basic rate of capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per student in primary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of traveller pupils and pupils with Special Educational Needs. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.
68. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if the school transport section will approve a school bus for an area (details supplied) in County Meath given the demand. [18255/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils traveling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are 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.
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.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
school transport is a demand led scheme, families are required to apply on line on: buseireann.ie/schooltransport in order to be considered for transport. Transport cannot be arranged unless applications are received before the closing date.
The closing date for new applications is Friday 26 April 2024. Any new applications made after the closing date are considered late applications. A late application may mean that a ticket is not available.
This year, families can apply and pay /enter medical card details in one step from the date the portal opens. This means new and existing applicants can pay/enter medical card details from now until 7 June 2024.
Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries during the busy summer period. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.
Families can also contact Bus Éireann their website: www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport by submitting a query via: www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=769,
Updates on the application process can be found on Gov.ie/schooltransport and on buseireann.ie/schooltransport
Bus Éireann has advised that eligibility for these pupils cannot be determined without further information: names, addresses, eircodes and schools of attendance. If the Deputy wishes to furnish these details officials in my School Transport section will make further enquiries to Bus ÉIreann. Families are still required to apply online on Bus Éireann's website mentioned above.
69. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if, given the serious shortage in childcare and in particular after school facilities, she will approve the use of primary school buildings as after school service premises by childcare operators, as there is a severe shortage of premises available to provide these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18260/24]
View answerMy Department supports and encourages the use of school buildings for community and recreational purposes, where feasible, including childcare and after school uses. However, the decision on the use of school property is a matter for the property owner taking into considerations the requirements of the school, students and staff. Also it is important that any proposed arrangement does not impede upon the future development of the school, given that the priority for schools is educational provision for its pupils.
My Department has published Guidelines for the Use of School Buildings outside of School Hours. These Guidelines are available for each school to refer to for guidance in relation to the use of school buildings outside of school hours, including any planned after school and childcare arrangements. These Guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive but are provided to assist schools in considering applications for the use of their facilities.
The Guidelines (or Procedures as they are to be called) are in the process of being updated and these Procedures are expected to be published shortly.
70. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if there is a mechanism that would facilitate late applications for the PME/HDip allowance for post-primary teachers as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18372/24]
View answerCircular 0038/2023 was issued by my Department in August 2023 and notified post primary teachers on the pre-2011 teacher pay scale of additional adjustments to certain allowances from the Sectoral Bargaining Fund with effect from 1 February 2022.
The change implemented under the Circular is the payment of the Professional Master of Education (PME)/Higher Diploma in Education allowance (H.Dip in Ed.) to eligible teachers and is based on an application process.
The closing date for receipt of applications was the 29th March 2024. This date was notified to all teachers in Circular 0038/2023.
My Department did not receive an application form from the person named prior to the closing date for receipt of applications.
Paragraph 19 of Circular 0038/2023 states:
"The closing date for receipt of applications for qualification allowances will be 29th March 2024. Any late application received by the Department/ETB after 29th March 2024 will not be processed and will be returned to the sender. There will be no exceptions to this provision."
Paragraph 20 of Circular 0038/2023 states:
"Please ensure that copies of this Circular are provided to all members of the Board of Management/Education and Training Board and its contents are brought to the attention of all teachers in your employment including those on leave of absence."
In line with the terms of Circular 0039/2023, my Department is unable to accept applications made after the 29th March 2024 deadline.
71. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in her Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18388/24]
View answerThe Department’s total spending on advertising both digital and traditional (including design costs) for the period in question is outlined below.
2023 €800,434.04
2022 €364,842.68
Below and in attached excel file please find a breakdown of regional and national advertising (broadcast and print) spend by the Department for the years 2022, 2023 and year-to-date 2024.
2022
Type Total Spend (excl. VAT) Total Spend (incl. VAT)
National €77,425 €95,233
Regional €24,394 €30,005
2022 Total €101,819 €125,237
2023
Type Total Spend (excl. VAT) Total Spend (incl. VAT)
National €336,662 €414,094
Regional €273,895 €336,891
2023 Total €610,557 €750,985
2024 YTD
Type Total Spend (excl. VAT) Total Spend (incl. VAT)
National €177,279 €218,053
Regional €138,401 €170,233
2024 Total €315,680 €388,286
As part of a central Government contract, the Department utilising PhD Media to place advertising
72. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if a teacher in County Kerry (details supplied) will be granted the pre-2011 academic allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18418/24]
View answerIn accordance with Circular 0063/2021, teachers who considered that they were entitled to a qualification allowance were required to make a claim for payment of the allowance before the deadline of the 30th April 2022. This applies only to teachers who had an entitlement to an allowance prior to 1 February 2012 when qualification allowances were abolished for all new beneficiaries in line with Circular 0008/2013.
This deadline was an extension to the original deadline of the 31 October 2018, set out in Circular 0008/2013. A reminder of the deadline of the 31 October 2018 issued in Circular 0015/2018.
The date of the extension of the deadline to the 30th April 2022 was notified to all teachers in Circular 0063/2021 on 14th December 2021. Notification of the deadline was also posted on the Department’s On-Line Claims System (OLCS), on the Department’s Twitter page and was also communicated to the teacher unions.
Paragraph 1.5 of Circular 0063/2021 states: "Please ensure this Circular is circulated to all members of Boards of Management/Education and Training Boards and its contents are brought to the attention of all teachers in your employment, including those on leave of absence. This circular can be accessed on the gov.ie website."
Paragraph 3.1 of the circular states "All teachers are urged to check their salary to ensure that they are being paid the appropriate allowances. It is the responsibility of a teacher to ensure they are receiving the correct allowances".
Paragraph 5.2 of the circular states: "Any late application received by the Department/ETB after 30th April 2022 will not be processed and will be returned to the sender. There will be no exceptions to this provision."
This level of notice to teachers is considered sufficient for the deadline and therefore my Department is not in a position to extend the deadline.
The position in relation to the query submitted by the person named regarding their entitlement to an additional qualification allowance is as advised to them previously which is that, in accordance with the provisions of Circular 0063/2021, my Department is not accepting applications made after the 30th April 2022 deadline.
73. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if her Department has at any time engaged the services of a company (details supplied) or allocated the company funding or support in any capacity; if she or her officials have engaged with personnel from the company; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18440/24]
View answerMy Department has not funded, supported or engaged with the services of this company.
74. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a date has been selected yet for the opening of applications for the next round of sports capital grants. [18234/24]
View answerThe latest round of the SCEP closed for applications on Friday 8 September 2023 and it has generated a record number of applications and a total funding ask of €359 million, an 80% increase over the amount applied for in the 2020 SCEP.
The Scoring System and Assessment Manual for the 2023 round has been published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced, with the "equipment-only" applications being assessed first, and I hope to announce the "equipment only" grants soon. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with those allocations to be announced later.
In line with established practice after every recent round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, a review will be undertaken with a view to making recommendations on how to improve the programme and the process for future calls. When this review of the current 2023 round is done, consideration can then be given to the timing of a further round of the SCEP.
75. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports available to gymnastics clubs for the purchase of equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18306/24]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects, including those from gymnastics clubs, have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
Grants are available to voluntary, not-for profit sports clubs, community groups, NGBs, and
local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools
may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs or organisations.
The latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September, 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. These details can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/publication/1c0f6-scep-2023-applications-received/ . The detailed assessment work has commenced and "equipment-only" applications are being assessed first and I hope to announce these "equipment only" grants soon. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations to be announced later.
The Government recently agreed revised capital allocations under the National Development Plan (NDP) totalling €2.25 billion out to 2026. The additional allocations of capital funding for my department to 2026 will support key projects and programmes under the NDP such as the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and the Large Scale Infrastructure Fund.
I am confident that the revised NDP capital allocations for my Department will allow for significant funding of both the 2023 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment programme and the forthcoming round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. I expect that Minister Martin and I will confirm the overall allocation for the next round of SCEP in the near future in the context of the ongoing assessment of the applications which is currently underway.
76. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a list of each State board or council over which she has responsibility for appointments, by the total number of board Members; the number of current vacancies on the board; and if the position of chair of the board or council in question is vacant or occupied in each, in tabular from. [18318/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is included in the below table.
I will be making appointments to the Boards of the National Library of Ireland and the Arts Council shortly.
|
D/TCAGSM STATE BOARD |
No. of Positions |
Total Current Members |
Current Vacancies |
Chairperson Position Vacant or Occupied |
|
Arts Council |
13 |
7 |
6 |
Vacant |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
12 |
12 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
13 |
13 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
16 |
13 |
3 |
Occupied |
|
Irish Language Services Advisory Committee |
11 |
11 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
20 |
19 |
1 |
Occupied |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
12 |
10 |
2 |
Occupied |
|
National Archives Advisory Council |
12 |
12 |
0 |
Vacant |
|
National Concert Hall |
10 |
10 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
17 |
17 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
National Library of Ireland |
12 |
9 |
3 |
Occupied |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
16 |
14 |
2 |
Occupied |
|
RTÉ |
12 |
12 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
Screen Ireland |
7 |
7 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
Sport Ireland |
13 |
12 |
1 |
Occupied |
|
TG4 |
12 |
12 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
Tourism Ireland |
12 |
12 |
0 |
Occupied |
|
Údarás Na Gaeltachta |
12 |
11 |
1 |
Vacant |
|
Ulster Scots Agency |
8 |
5 |
3 |
Vacant |
77. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on a matter (details supplied); if her Department will provide financial support to an organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18349/24]
View answerI wish to acknowledge the important role that B&B Ireland has had in welcoming visitors from around the world to Ireland for more than 50 years.
The bed and breakfast experience is a unique part of the Irish tourism offering and this segment remains a significant contributor to the overall tourism accommodation ecosystem and it helps to deliver a diversity and range of quality tourist accommodation.??
With regard to the decision recently taking by that organisation, I understand it is on foot of a strategic review by it and consultation with its members. Its decision takes account of changes over the years in the size of the bed and breakfast segment of the wider tourism accommodation sector as well as changes in how businesses within that segment contract with their customer base.
My Department does not fund the organisation in question. However, my Department is currently developing a new national tourism policy framework and issues around tourism accommodation supply and sustainability will be reflected in that policy framework and subsequent action plans.
The growth of the online short term tourist letting model has been a significant development in tourism internationally. In response, in December 2022 I brought the general scheme for the Registration of Short Term Tourist Letting (STTL) Bill to Government. While the Government approved the General Scheme, the finalisation of the Bill was delayed due to ongoing engagement with the EU Commission in accordance with the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535 on the basis that it involved a matter under consideration in a draft EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation. That STR Regulation was adopted by the EU on 10 April and the General Scheme for the STTL Bill is currently being revised accordingly.
The proposed STTL Bill will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of a register for Short Term Tourist Lets (STTLs) in Ireland, as required under the Housing for All strategy and the STR Regulation, and I hope to bring the revised general scheme to Government shortly for approval with publication of the Bill in the period thereafter.
78. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in her Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18401/24]
View answerPlease see below details in tabular form of advertising expenditure for the years 2022 and 2023. I am advised that it is not possible to tabulate the expenditure between national and local broadcast and print expenditure, as my Departmental expenditure is on a per-campaign basis, and is allocated via media buying agencies. The figures provided below represent traditional and online advertising.
Numerous forms of communication, including press releases, media engagement, website and social media postings, and advertising, have become increasingly important in informing and updating the public of the work of my Department. Within advertising, local and regional media play a pivotal role in connecting with citizens and stakeholders at the most local of levels. At all times value for money is a critical consideration.
Total advertising budget allocated by the Department by year:
|
|
Advertising totals inc. VAT |
|
2022 |
€325,336.01 |
|
2023 |
€355,167.31 |
79. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the latest figures regarding TV licence renewal and purchase for 2024 versus 2023; the end of year figures for same for 2023 as a whole versus 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18417/24]
View answerThe statutory basis for the current TV licence system is provided for under Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The legislation also provides for An Post acting as the statutory issuing agent for licence fee collection.
The most up to date figures of TV licences issued by An Post for 2024, in respect of the week ending 21 April, show that to date this year An Post has recorded a total of 232,470 TV licences sales comprising 24,986 first time licences and 207,484 renewals. The equivalent figure for the same period in 2023 was 268,332 total sales comprising 231,599 renewals and 36,733 first time licences. This represents an overall reduction of 35,862 or 13.4%.
Total TV licence sales recorded by An Post in 2023 amount to 824,278 consisting of 91,746 first time licences and 732,532 renewals. The equivalent figures for 2022 are 947,924 total licences recorded, consisting of 115,951 first time licences and 831,973 renewals.
As I have stated previously, public service content and public service broadcasting is a vital pillar of our society and indeed our democracy. The TV licence supports not only RTÉ, but content provided by other broadcasters and producers who are supported through the sound and vision scheme and therefore it remains important that we all play out part in supporting public service content by continuing to purchase or renew our TV licences. I urge everyone who is required to have a TV licence to purchase or renew it. Not only is it the law of the land, it is an important element of the funding for valuable public service media content.
80. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has at any time engaged the services of a company (details supplied) or allocated the company funding or support in any capacity; if she or her officials have engaged with personnel from the company; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18453/24]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. Neither I nor my officials have engaged the services of the company in question in the period since and I am advised that no funding has been provided to the company by my Department.
81. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the progression of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024; a timeline for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18198/24]
View answerThe Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937 sets out the current legislative provisions governing the election of university senators to Seanad Éireann. In a judgment last year, the Supreme Court determined that sections 6 and 7 of that Act, which provide for the election of members of the Seanad by certain university graduates, are unconstitutional because they are not consistent with Article 18.4.2 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court issued a judgment in July 2023 to suspend the making of a declaration of invalidity until 31 May 2025.
In November 2023, the Government approved the drafting of a General Scheme of a Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill. The General Scheme will set out legislative proposals for extending the franchise to certain other institutes of higher education in Ireland beyond the National University of Ireland and University of Dublin (Trinity College Dublin). Work on the drafting of the General Scheme is being advanced in my Department as a matter of priority. I aim to bring a draft General Scheme of the Bill to Government shortly.
82. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority houses currently boarded up in County Kildare; and the timeline for those houses being ready for allocation. [18219/24]
View answerThe management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities and elected members have a very important role to play in this regard by making adequate budgetary provision for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance utilising the housing rental income available to them as part of the annual budgetary process.
Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to supplement the local authority funding available for the preparation of vacant properties for re-letting. The funding was introduced originally to tackle long-term vacant units and is now increasingly targeted to support authorities to ensure minimal turnaround and re-let times for vacant stock. The emphasis of the programme is on minimum refurbishment works to comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 to ensure quick turnaround and re-letting times.
Given the very significant investment into the Voids Programme over recent years local authorities are now in a strong position to continue the transition to a strategic and informed planned maintenance approach to stock management and maintenance.
To that end, my Department and local authorities are continuing to progress from a largely response and voids based approach to housing stock management and maintenance, to a planned maintenance approach as referenced in Housing for All, policy objective 20.6. This will require the completion of stock condition surveys by all local authorities and the subsequent development of strategic and informed work programmes in response.
Local authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process. Therefore, ongoing data in relation to vacant local authority owned homes are not routinely collated by my Department.
However, statistics in relation to social housing stock, at a point in time, are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including levels of vacancy and average turnaround times for reletting local authority owned properties. The most recent report, relating to 2022, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:
www.noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231009-NOAC-PI-Report-2022-FINAL.pdf
83. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason his Department has consistently refused funding for a group water scheme (details supplied) in County Leitrim on a number of occasions since 2018; the reason such a successful and healthy scheme is forced into being taken over by Uisce Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18254/24]
View answerMy Department continues to invest in water and waste water infrastructure to support the development of our rural communities. Working in partnership with the key stakeholders in the sector – including the local authorities, Uisce Éireann, local communities and the Group Water Schemes, my Department is using Exchequer funding in a cost effective manner to improve the water services available to rural Ireland.
More than €243 million of funding, over the period 2021 to 2025, has been provided under the National Development Plan for non-Uisce Éireann investment in the rural water sector.
The Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) is the primary funding stream providing capital funding to address the challenges faced by the Rural Water Sector in maintaining, renewing and developing their systems and networks.
The core purpose of the MARWP is to provide the sector with the necessary funding for projects that will improve the quality, quantity and reliability of water services and address infrastructure deficits that are having an impact on the provision of safe and secure water services to rural dwellers.
In 2019, my Department invited applications from local authorities to fund projects under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021 (MARWP 2019-2021). An independent Expert Panel was established and tasked with critically evaluating the specifics of each application received and with making a recommendation on individual projects for my consideration.
The Panel is independent of my Department and comprises representatives of the key stakeholders in the Rural Water Sector including the Environmental Protection Agency and Uisce Éireann. In addition to providing a wider perspective and knowledge of the water sector, the Panel brings independence, openness and transparency to the application process which is done on a nation-wide prioritised basis.
In October 2019, I approved funding for a significant number of projects across the country – including a number in County Leitrim - under the MARWP 2019-2021. Many of these projects are now fully completed, while work continues and is at different stages with the more complex projects.
On 17 January 2024, I launched a new cycle of the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme for the period 2024-2026 (MARWP 2024-2026). Local authorities were invited to submit applications, under a range of funding measures, before the closing date on 12 April 2024.
My Department has received applications for funding for priority projects and is currently completing a process of validating and, where necessary, clarifying issues with the local authorities. When completed, all valid applications will be referred to the independent Expert Panel to begin the task of critically evaluating each request for funding received and making a recommendation on individual projects for my consideration.
84. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a social housing passport will be introduced that will allow persons on social housing waiting lists to change local authority without losing time on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18283/24]
View answerThe Programme for Government provides for a package of social housing reforms, including a social housing passport to allow households move from one local authority waiting list to another.
An initial scoping exercise was carried out which identified a range of practical and administrative issues, including those related to the maintenance of seniority on housing waiting lists, local connection requirements, the efficient allocation of existing housing stock, and resource implications for local authorities. Further work is required to assess the practical application of such a scheme in the context of other reform package measures.
It should be noted however, there is already a degree of flexibility regarding housing waiting lists. The four Dublin local authorities have arrangements allowing social housing applicants apply for housing in up to two of the other Dublin authorities simultaneously. Similar arrangements apply in the two Cork and two Galway local authorities. Households may also move and relocate between housing authority areas under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme where the household income is within the relevant income limits.
85. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of new buy and renew homes delivered in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18313/24]
View answerLocal authorities are encouraged to acquire vacant/derelict properties to be upgraded as new, value-for-money social homes via the Buy & Renew Scheme. Since it was introduced in 2016, in excess of 900 properties have been delivered under this arrangement with 57 delivered in 2023.
86. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the new-build social homes delivered in 2023, by delivery scheme, including SHIP construction, SHIP turnkey, CALF construction, CALF turnkey, CAS construction, CAS turnkey, Part V and PPP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18314/24]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 684 of 9 April 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.
87. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing first tenancies delivered and sustained in 2023; the target number of housing first tenancies for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18315/24]
View answerThe Housing First approach to addressing homelessness places direct access to housing first and foremost for vulnerable individuals using homeless services consistently or intermittently over long periods of time, and those unable or resistant to accessing homeless services and who may then become habitual rough sleepers. These individuals often have complex high support needs such as mental or physical health problems, addiction issues or dual diagnosis (the presence of mental ill health and a substance addiction).
Housing for All committed to the further expansion of Housing First. A second National Implementation Plan, which provides for a further 1,319 tenancies covering the period 2022-2026, was published in December 2021. This Plan outlines the targets for each region and in each year. In 2024, it is aimed to create a total of 261 Housing First tenancies.
Data on the number of Housing First tenancies created are published every three months as part of my Department's Homeless Quarterly Progress Reports. These reports show that a total of 283 tenancies were created in 2023. The most recent report, for Q4 2023, can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/281950/d663ffb8-9eb0-43d9-b8eb-72b45e94b137.pdf#page=null.
The Housing First programme had an overall sustainment rate of 86% during the 2018-2021 Implementation Plan period, and most recent figures show that this rate has been maintained during the first year of the 2022-2026 plan.
