Written Answers Nos. 345-364
353. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a schedule of the number of civilian drivers and Garda drivers attached to him and to Ministers of State of his Department; to provide the official work pattern for each driver and the total annual hours worked by each driver; and to indicate the number of drivers assigned to each Minister and Minister of State. [4223/24]
View answerI have two nominated Garda drivers assigned to me in my role as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. These drivers operate on a week on/week off basis and details of their contracts are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice.
The two Ministers of State in my Department have appointed two civilian drivers, each also on a week on/week off pattern. These drivers' hours of attendance are fixed from time to time but amount to on average not less than 41 hours and 15 minutes gross per week in accordance to their contracts which have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
354. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the publicity campaign (if any) to advertise the interim remediation scheme for fire safety defects in apartments and duplexes to all those affected. [4235/24]
View answerI announced on 11 December 2023 the opening of the Interim Remediation Scheme for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The purpose of this Scheme is to fund any interim measures that are necessary to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings, pending completion of the full remedial works.
The Interim Remediation Scheme is being administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis and is open to applications from Apartment Owner Management Companies (OMCs) via the Housing Agency’s website: www.housingagency.ie/interim-remediation-scheme-fire-safety-defects-eligible-apartments-and-duplexes-2023.
I have held a number of public webinars over recent months alongside the Construction Defects Alliance (CDA) and the Apartment Owners Network (AON) to answer homeowners concerns. I also attended an information webinar on the availability, engagement with and scope of the Interim Remediation Scheme this week.
Through interaction with the CDA and AON I am satisfied that those OMCs most affected by fire safety defects are already aware of, and engaged with, the Scheme. My Department is currently developing a general ad campaign on all aspects of the Scheme which is expected to launch in April 2024.
355. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline whether the drafting of legislation for the scheme for remediation of defects in apartments and duplexes is dependent upon the levels of uptake of the Interim Remediation Scheme. [4236/24]
View answerI announced on 11 December 2023 the opening of the Interim Remediation Scheme (Scheme) for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The purpose of this Scheme is to fund any interim measures that are necessary to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings, pending completion of the full remedial works. The Scheme is being administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis and is open to applications from Apartment Owner Management Companies (OMCs) via the Housing Agency’s website: /www.housingagency.ie/interim-remediation-scheme-fire-safety-defects-eligible-apartments-and-duplexes-2023.
Full remedial works will be addressed through the statutory scheme, in respect of which the drafting of legislation is currently underway, independently of the level of uptake for the Interim Remediation Scheme.
Work is advancing to draft the required legislation, which will include the scope, eligibility and conditions of the full, statutory remediation scheme. In the recently published Government Legislation Programme for Spring 2024 the legislation has been included for priority drafting and I expect it to be published later this year.
356. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he will take to ensure the State fulfils its obligations under Article 4 of the safe Drinking Water Directive; and the total amount of fines incurred for failing to comply with the directive. [4241/24]
View answerOn 25 January 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Ireland failed to fully implement the Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC). The Court’s findings refer to the historical position in September 2020. Considerable progress has been made since then to the water supplies concerned in this case.
The ruling is in relation to breaches of the limit for Trihalomenthanes (THMs) in drinking water in (30) drinking water supplies. The European Commission’s case was upheld in respect of 21 Uisce Éireann water supplies and 9 private group water supplies . 18 of these 30 water supplies have already had capital upgrades completed to ensure that treatment levels are compliant with the requirements of the Drinking Water Directive. The remainder are currently undergoing capital upgrades and improvements.
My Department will now study the judgement carefully and will engage with the European Commission, Uisce Éireann and local authorities to agree a work programme to address any outstanding areas identified in this judgement. The Commission may refer Ireland back to the Court to seek the imposition of fines, if it is not satisfied with Ireland’s actions to comply with the judgement.
The European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No 99 of 2023) from March 2023 transpose the recast Drinking Water Directive into national legislation. Section 4 of the Regulations (General Obligations) require the water supplier to ensure drinking water is wholesome and clean, does not present a risk to human health and meets the requirements of the Regulations. The water suppliers, in conjunction with the supervisory authorities (Environmental Protection Agency and Local Authorities), are working to implement the regulations and ensure wholesome and clean drinking water.
Overall, Ireland has good drinking water quality. In its Drinking Water Quality Report for 2022, which was published in 2023, the EPA confirmed that “compliance rates are consistently high year to year” with over 99.7% of samples compliant with bacterial and chemical limits in 2022.
357. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities have been issued with guidelines to enable them to assess croí cónaithe applications under the local authority mortgage scheme. [4259/24]
View answerPathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. A grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent.
Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.
On 14 November 2023, I brought a proposal to Cabinet to broaden the Local Authority Home Loan, namely to make finance available to purchase and/or renovate derelict or non-habitable properties for the first time, which was agreed. This is evidence of the Government’s continued focus on bringing vacant and derelict homes back into use, a key objective of Housing for All.
Applicants purchasing properties that qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (VPRG) may also be able to avail of financing under the Local Authority Home Loan to purchase and/or renovate their non-habitable property and bring it back into use. Regulations are currently being prepared to give effect to this decision.
My Department, working closely with local authorities and other stakeholders, is presently finalising the extension of the Local Authority Home Loan with the intention it will be ready for qualifying VPRG applicants in Q2 of this year.
359. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of strategic housing developments that relate to purpose built student accommodation that have yet to be determined by An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4262/24]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála (the Board) 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.
Details of cases to be determined by the Board are a matter for the Board. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, the Minister is specifically precluded from exercising power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
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 Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
361. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that homeowners affected by fire defects (details supplied) must go outside of Ireland to insure their home and contents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4318/24]
View answerI announced on 11 December 2023 the opening of the Interim Remediation Scheme for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The purpose of this Scheme is to fund any interim measures that are necessary to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings, pending completion of the full remedial works.
Matters relating to the regulation of the insurance sector fall under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Finance. I understand that he has engaged with the industry in regard to the general issue of housing defects. The sector has indicated their view that as a general principle, once buildings are certified as remediated under a Government Scheme then they will be treated in the same manner for insurance purposes as all other homes.
362. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4319/24]
View answerMy understanding is that the imposition and payment of management levies by Owner Management Companies (OMCs) on homeowners and non payment of same would fall under the provisions of the Multi Unit Development Act 2011. This legislation falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department is advancing the steps to prepare the required legislation to put on a statutory footing, a scheme for the remediation scheme for fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013 on a statutory footing as a matter of priority. This scheme will provide funding to OMCs to carry out works once such works fall within the scope and defined parameters of the scheme.
I expect the legislation to be published later this year. in advance of that, on the 11th of December 2023 I announced the opening of the Interim Remediation Scheme for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes. Apartments and duplexes built between 1991 and 2013 qualify for the Interim Remediation Scheme, where the fire safety defects were caused by defective design, workmanship or materials that breached the Building Regulations that applied when the property was built. The majority of remediation activities covered by the Interim Remediation Scheme will be to the common areas of buildings only, unless deemed necessary. The Interim Remediation Scheme is being administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis and applications can be made via the Housing Agency’s website at www.housingagency.ie
Under the terms of the Scheme OMCs will receive funding to carry out the necessary remedial works. Thus, only applications from authorised representatives of OMCs will be considered. Funding will not be directly allocated to any individual homeowner through this Interim Remediation Scheme. The arrangements by which OMCs may wish to refund any levies previously incurred for works covered by the Scheme will be as matter in the first instance for the OMCs and the relevant homeowners concerned.
363. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the full rollout of the interim fire safety funding for apartment owners affected by fire defects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4320/24]
View answerI announced the opening of the Interim Remediation Scheme (Scheme) on 11 December 2023 for the funding of emergency fire safety defect works in apartments and duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The Scheme is being administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis and is open to applications from Apartment Owner Management Companies (OMCs) via the Housing Agency’s website: www.housingagency.ie/interim-remediation-scheme-fire-safety-defects-eligible-apartments-and-duplexes-2023.
The Scheme provides for the full funding of interim measures in order to provide an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings, pending completion of the full remedial works. Full remedial works, which will include all necessary fire safety measures as well as those related to water ingress and structural damage, will be funded under a statutory scheme.
Work is advancing to draft the required legislation, which will include the scope, eligibility and conditions of the full, statutory remediation scheme. In the recently published Government Legislation Programme for Spring 2024 the legislation has been included for priority drafting and I expect it to be published later this year.
364. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection if her officials have been in discussions with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding a policy to have local authorities authorise works/ purchases under the exceptional needs/additional needs payments applications for individuals who have recently been allocated local authority properties, if this is a requirement to qualify for an exceptional needs/additional needs payment in these circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3616/24]
View answerOfficials of my Department have not been in discussions with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding a policy to have local authorities authorise works/purchases under the Additional Needs Payment for individuals who have recently been allocated local authority properties. However, I have been advised by my officials that there have been some discussions between the local Community Welfare Staff and a customer in Galway, seeking the assistance of the Local Authority in respect of an application for an Additional Needs Payment.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income.
Additional Needs Payments are available to assist with costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.
Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Where a Local Authority tenant cannot furnish the property from within his/her own resources, s/he can apply for an Additional Needs Payment to assist them in furnishing the property. Assistance can be provided in respect of necessary housing related items including bedding, flooring, furniture and household appliances. The level of furnishings and appliances required will depend on an assessment of size and nature of the proposed property, the expected level of occupancy and items already available to the customer. Every case is based on the individual circumstances and needs of the household and liaison between Community Welfare Staff and the relevant Local Authority may be necessary when determining the needs of a household.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
