Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Jul 2023

Vol. 1042 No. 1

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate

Strategic Infrastructure

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, for being here. This has been a very long-running saga in the west, and in my constituency of Galway East in particular. What is deeply disturbing for those of us who are ambitious about the future of east Galway, and in particular its towns and villages, is that there is a piece of public infrastructure that has now been left to rot for more than 14 years. It has no function or purpose in serving the economic and social needs of the people of Galway East. It has been left in abeyance for a very long time.

There have been efforts on the part of two particular cohorts of people in Galway East to convince numerous different Ministers for Transport of the merits of putting this piece of very valuable public infrastructure back into use.

One group has been campaigning actively for the re-opening of a rail service on the line connecting Athenry to Claremorris and they have made many arguments as to why that is a good idea. Key to their argument is the fact that this is a piece of public infrastructure that could serve a useful purpose, but it has been left to decay instead. The second group emerged over the last ten years or so. It campaigns for the development of a greenway. It looks with a great degree of envy at the success of places like Westport to Achill, Waterford to Dungarvan, the recently opened Limerick to Rathkeale and Kerry. There are other locations that have already been identified on the same western rail corridor, such as a section of Collooney in County Sligo in that particular region. As I said, they are looking on with a great degree of envy at the significant transformation that communities have experienced in these locations in terms of the injection of badly needed economic activity and tourism activity in particular into these areas. As well as that, and this is often forgotten, there are huge societal benefits to the people who live in these areas for their health, well-being and being able to engage as a family in walking or cycling activities in safe and welcoming environments.

These two campaigns have been on the go for a very long time. We had hoped that by this point a significant decision would have been made about the future use of the western rail corridor. The Minister, Deputy Éamon Ryan, instigated what he described as an all-island rail review well over a year ago. Despite our best efforts, as well as the efforts of those campaigns in encouraging the publication of this review and in allowing for the publication to unlock the potential of this piece of infrastructure, we are no further on. It is my understanding, and the Minister has made it quite clear at times, that it will not be possible to publish the review until such time as the Northern Ireland Executive is re-established, because he and whoever the incoming Minister responsible for transport would be able jointly to announce the publication. I do not think that will happen for quite a while to come, unfortunately. I urge the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, to urge the Minister to publish this document to allow for planning to begin for the development of a critically important piece of public infrastructure. It serves no one now and it has weeds growing up through it, but it has such significant potential to transform east Galway and the west of Ireland.

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Peter Burke)

On behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Éamon Ryan, I thank Deputy Cannon for the opportunity to address this issue and to provide the House with an update on the future all-island strategic rail review. As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Transport, in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, has commissioned the all-island strategic rail review. The two Departments have collaborated closely throughout the review.

The Minister for Transport and the Minister for Infrastructure have met on several occasions to discuss the review, announce the public consultation and be updated on the latest progress. The results of the review will inform the development of the railway sector on the island of Ireland over the coming decades.

The all-island strategic rail review is considering the future of the rail network with regard to improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities, including the potential for higher speed and high-speed, enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development and rail connectivity to our international gateways.

The review is considering the scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing, or potential future, corridors of the network including disused and closed lines, including the western rail corridor. The review has been informed by a public consultation process which concluded last year and which received a great response both North and South. Work on the review is now at an advanced stage and it is expected that a draft will be published for the purposes of strategic environmental assessment, SEA, public consultation later this month. Following the SEA process and finalisation of the report, it is expected to be published this autumn, following Government approval.

Until the report is finalised, it would be premature to discuss publication arrangements or specific projects within the report. However, it is worth emphasising that this has been a collaborative effort between the two Departments from the outset. This is the first all-island review of the network since the formation of the State and will provide a framework to develop a much-needed improved rail network in the decades ahead.

I look forward to its publication as I believe the review will provide an opportunity for transformative change in the system. Separately, it is important to note that €4.65 million has been allocated to Galway County Council in 2023 for greenways. This allocation relates to the Connemara greenway and a potential greenway between Athenry and Milltown. With regard to the Connemara greenway, a 76 km long route connecting Galway city and Clifden, the €3.9 million allocation is being split between three projects as follows. Some €1.2 million has been allocated to a section between Galway city to Oughterard. Galway County Council has progressed the section to the options selection phase. Some €2.5 million has been allocated to a 21 km section between Clifden and Recess. This section is due to be completed in December 2023. Some €200,000 has been allocated to a section between Derrygimlagh and Kylemore Abbey.

This section is at the scoping and pre-appraisal stage. A total of €300,000 has been allocated to the proposed Athenry to Milltown greenway, a 45 km route along the disused railway between Athenry and Milltown. This greenway has been identified as having a high value as a commuter route. This route is currently at the scoping and pre-appraisal stage. A strategic assessment report has been completed and a feasibility report is being prepared.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

I thank the Minister of State for that very comprehensive response. I am aware of, and am very pleased with, the significant investment already committed to the development of the greenway from Athenry to Milltown. Those of us campaigning for that greenway like to describe it as "The Quiet Man" greenway because it allows for users to cycle through Ballyglunin railway station, which featured extensively in "The Quiet Man" movie many years ago. That is a 45 km route along that disused railway between Athenry and Miltown.

Our ambitions are aligned with those who would like to see rail services opening up along that route. They are not mutually exclusive but are quite complementary. I am hopeful that this response from the Minister of State, and ultimately from the Minister, Deputy Ryan, is indicative of an intention to see this line reopened for public use in some shape or form.

Three options have been presented. There is the option of developing a greenway only, there is the option of developing a new rail freight and passenger service with the greenway alongside it, and there is the option of doing nothing. We are more than supportive of the first two options, as the Minister of State might expect, but we are deeply fearful that the publication of the report may result in the do nothing option. I urge the Minister of State to engage with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, to ensure this is not the case. The Minister of State may be aware that a number of weeks ago a US company, Dexcom, made a significant announcement of an investment of €350 million in its first ever manufacturing facility in the European Union, basing it in Athenry and creating 500 jobs during construction and 1,000 jobs on an ongoing basis. This is only the beginning of what is possible in that location in Athenry. To have people who work in that facility being able to commute either on a rail service or by bicycle would be a hugely attractive opportunity for the town of Athenry, for Dexcom and, indeed, for east Galway. This is an opportunity we cannot squander. I urge the Minister of State to actively engage with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, to ensure the do nothing option, which is the one I am deeply fearful of, is the last option that should be considered.

Deputy Peter Burke

I thank Deputy for his response and commitment to the sector. The Deputy is very passionate about it and I will raise with the Minister the Deputy's comments, which are on the record of the Dáil. This all-Ireland strategic rail review is being conducted on an all-island basis in full co-operation with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive and at official level in the Department of Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It would, therefore, provide a holistic view of the potential of rail on the island. The review is considering the scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing or potential future corridors of the network, including disused and closed lines. It would be premature, however, to comment on the reopening of the western rail corridor or any other line before the review is finalised.

As mentioned in my opening statement, work on the review is now at an advanced stage and it is expected that the draft will be published for the purposes of the strategic environmental assessment public consultation later this month. Following the SEA process and the finalisation of the report, it is expected to be submitted for the approval of the Minister for Transport and the Government in the autumn, as well as to the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Should there continue to be an absence of ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, approval will be considered to take into account the relevant decision-making framework set out in Northern Ireland legislation at that particular time. It is expected the final review will be published in the autumn of 2023.

Housing Schemes

Deputy David Stanton

I thank the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this topic and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, for being present to respond. This topic arises as a result of a family approaching me. I am sure colleagues have had similar cases where the principal earner is over the limit and cannot get a mortgage because of age, and where the income in the household is above €53,000. I welcome the tenant in situ scheme. It is a very good scheme and I have directed quite a number of constituents towards it and it seems to be working quite well. In this case, however, the family cannot get a mortgage, their income is higher than the limit for the scheme, and they have to leave their home.

As in similar cases, there are adult children in the household. They will move out eventually but their income is also taken into account. In cases like this, I ask that the income of the adult children be disregarded. This would make a difference to a certain number of people who have worked hard all of their lives and who now find themselves in this position. In one particular case I am dealing with, there are adult children, including an adult child who has a disability. I am aware that the carer's allowance is disregarded, which is good.

I am looking for some clarity with regard to adult children who are in households. There are other circumstances where older tenants cannot get a mortgage, their houses are being sold, they have to move and they cannot find anywhere else to go. Perhaps the Minister of State will be able to tell me how many of these cases there are. Has the Department looked at this? I am aware that there must be an upper income limit at some point but perhaps €53,000 is a little bit low. In particular where there are adult children in the household, this may be something the Government could look at and disregard their income. The children might soon be moving out, maybe to go to college or to an apprenticeship. We all know young people want to move out. Their income should not be taken into account in circumstances like this.

I look forward to the Minister of State's response on this. It is a small niche issue that could be resolved quite easily by disregarding the income of adult children.

Deputy Peter Burke

Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022 to 2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and approved housing bodies. In light of the number of landlords exiting the market this year, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions. Local authorities will be funded to deliver at least 1,500 social housing acquisitions, which is 1,300 higher than the original Housing for All target. These additional acquisitions will be focused on local authorities on properties where a HAP or RAS tenant has received a notice of termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. Local authorities have delegated sanction to deliver the 1,300 additional acquisitions, subject to those acquisitions being within acquisition cost guidelines.

The Government has also introduced a new scheme, the cost rental tenant in situ scheme, for tenants who are not eligible for social housing supports but who are at risk of homelessness due to the landlord's intention to sell their rental property. This scheme is being administered by the Housing Agency.

Government policy in relation to housing for older people is set out in Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland, and outlines measures to support people to live with dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, to allow them to age in place close to their families, friends and in their community.

Pathway 2 of Housing for All commits to expanding the housing options available for older persons, building on the work done under the 2019 joint policy statement, Housing Options for our Ageing Population, the objective of which is to provide housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place, in their own homes and communities, with dignity and independence, and deliver an appropriate range of housing and related support services, in an integrated and sustainable manner.

Under Housing for All, local authorities have prepared a housing development action plan, setting out details of social and affordable housing delivery over the period 2022 to 2026. This includes details of the location of projects and housing typologies, including housing for older people. Social housing for older people is delivered across a range of models, including the social housing capital investment programme, SHCIP, the capital advance leasing facility, CALF, and the capital assistance scheme. A total of €96 million of capital funding was provided 2022 for the capital assistance scheme and increased to €137 million in 2023. This funding is being provided to approved housing bodies for the further development of housing for priority categories of housing need, including older people.

As for the Deputy's critical point regarding the calculation of income for adult children, I will raise that directly with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and revert to him.

Deputy David Stanton

I thank the Minister of State for outlining what is being done and what the plans are. The Government is certainly moving on this very critical issue of housing, as I can see in my area, where a lot of new starts are occurring and people are being offered houses, which was not the case previously.

I thank him also for promising to revert to me with respect to the critical issue I raised. I asked a parliamentary question on this and the response stated, "If household incomes are above the limit to be eligible for the Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ Scheme, tenants can contact their local authority who will be in a position to advise them of other measures which may be appropriate for their specific situation." We are not sure what those other measures are, so perhaps the Minister of State can revert to me on that. The critical point is that if adult children, whether students or apprentices, are living in the house, they will move out soon. They will not be the main tenants paying the rent and whatever income they have should be disregarded, which would allow the core family to remain in the house if the Housing Agency or the local authority can purchase the house, as the tenant in situ scheme envisages. It is a modest proposal that would not affect many people but would make a huge difference to the small number it would affect. When a scheme such as this excellent one is started, we are bound to come across anomalies, and it is our job to come to the House, point them out and ask that they be addressed. I look forward to the Minister of State's response in due course.

Deputy Peter Burke

It is critical the Government supports older people to live independently in their community. I will convey to the Minister the queries the Deputy raised regarding measures in respect of the local authority. It is important we keep pace with housing delivery because it is critical for our communities, as can be seen in all our communities, where we as a Government can point to housing developments at scale. Builders are delivering those massive housing developments and that is so important for our communities. Obviously, for those with current tenancies who are under pressure for whatever reason, it is vital, as the Deputy noted, to respond to those needs because there can be very particular needs in that regard. I will undertake to speak to the Minister on the issue.