Tuesday, 19 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 410-431

Public Broadcasting Charge Introduction

Questions (410)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

410. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will make an announcement on the details of the broadcasting levy consultation process. [49401/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

I assume the Deputy is referring to the public consultation on the introduction of a Public Service Broadcasting Charge which I launched on 26th August and which closed on 8th October. 385 submissions including 59 from stakeholders were received during this process and my Department is currently reviewing their contents. Once I have considered the outcome of the consultation process I will publish my response along with the key stakeholder submissions on the Department's website. I expect to be in a position to do this before year end.

Offshore Exploration

Questions (411)

John Deasy

Question:

411. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the latest estimates regarding the potential oil and gas reserves within Ireland's 652,000 sq. km of offshore; and his plans to encourage greater exploration. [49468/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

While petroleum systems assessments for the Irish offshore frontier basins based on geological criteria and regional comparisons may indicate significant potential reserves, I must stress that the only commercial discoveries of petroleum made in the Irish offshore since exploration began in the early seventies are the three producing gas fields in the Kinsale area, along with the Corrib Gas Field which is currently being developed. To date, there have been no commercial discoveries of oil in the Irish offshore. Extensive exploration, including the drilling of hundreds of exploration wells, would be necessary in order to be able to quantify, or at least get a better understanding of the extent of our reserves.

Government policy in this area is directed at maximising the benefits to Ireland from exploration and production of our indigenous oil and gas resources, while ensuring that activities are conducted safely and with due regard to their impact on the environment and other land/sea users. To this end my Department encourages exploration investment through an active and targeted promotion campaign, regular licensing rounds, supporting petroleum research projects that deepen knowledge of the petroleum potential of the Irish offshore and by maintaining an appropriate fiscal regime. In that regard I recently announced the headline details for the next licensing round to be held in Ireland's Atlantic Margin, with a closing date of September 2015. Providing advance details of the round will encourage industry to devote resources to preparing for participation in the round.

Conscious that the existence of quality data is key to encouraging exploration, last June my Department, in conjunction with exploration company Eni launched a major seismic acquisition programme to provide a regional grid of high quality seismic data over our Atlantic frontier basins, particularly in the Southern Porcupine, Rockall and Hatton basins. It is by far the largest regional seismic survey to be acquired in the Irish offshore and was designed to complement existing datasets and to fill data gaps that exist. The survey will add to the understanding of the petroleum potential of our frontier basins and should provide a boost to our efforts to attract international mobile exploration investment to Ireland in the next licensing round.

Broadcasting Sector Regulation

Questions (412)

John Deasy

Question:

412. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the advertising rates charged to registered charities by RTE television and radio; and the State subsidy, if any, that is given towards the cost of suicide prevention and awareness campaigns on RTE. [49469/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

RTÉ is an independent national public service broadcaster whose remit and obligations are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009, and, as such, I, as Minister, have no role in its day-to-day operations including in relation to RTÉ's pricing of its advertising rates. Furthermore, neither I or my Department has any role or responsibility in the provision of subsidies for health promotion and awareness campaigns.

SEAI Wind Atlas

Questions (413)

Michael Colreavy

Question:

413. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 408 of 4 October 2011, the status of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland wind atlas; if the update to the wind atlas is now complete; if the semi-State energy companies in his remit supplied their wind data to SEAI for inclusion in the updated atlas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49480/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

On 25 August 2011 the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) advertised a Request for Tenders on the Government eTenders website for Provision of Services to Update the Wind Atlas for Ireland. Arising from this process, UK Met Office Consulting Services were selected to carry out the work and issued with a contract in May 2012. To support the execution of the contract, SEAI requested Bord na Móna and ESB to provide meteorological mast monitoring data from their wind farm sites to UK Met Office Consulting Services. This data was used by the contractor in the validation of the remodelled wind atlas datasets.

SEAI is currently in the process of updating its online Geographical Information System to make the wind atlas available to the public. This is expected to be completed in Q3 of 2014. In the interim, SEAI has made the new wind atlas datasets available on request to professional Geographical Information Systems users, in Local Authorities and other organisations. The wind atlas was primarily intended as an information tool for Local Authorities in identifying areas suitable for renewable energy development within County Development Plans. Local Authorities have subsequently utilised the SEAI wind atlas as a basis for developing county wind energy strategies.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (414)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

414. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with ComReg's monitoring of the implementation of the national broadband scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the number of complaints received by public representatives on this matter; if he will take action on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49495/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The broadband service contracted under National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is a basic, affordable, scalable product in keeping with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme in September 2007. Under the terms of the contract which my Department has in place with Hutchison 3G Ireland Ltd (trading as "3"), the NBS mobile wireless service currently offers minimum download and upload speeds of 2.3Mbps and 1.4Mbps, respectively, subject to a maximum contention ratio of 18:1. The NBS satellite service, which is utilised in a small number of cases for technical reasons associated with the location of the premises, offers minimum download and upload speeds of 3.6Mbps and 384 kbps respectively, subject to a maximum contention ratio of 48:1.

My Department has well-established monitoring arrangements in place to ensure that the NBS delivers the minimum specified service or better to all users. Throughout the contract period, network utilisation and performance data is submitted by "3" to my Department on a monthly basis. The NBS contract guarantees service levels and imposes a service credit regime on "3", with significant financial consequences in the event that minimum specification service levels are not met. The NBS contract also provides that where NBS customers do not receive the minimum guaranteed service, as set out in the terms and conditions of their contract, they are entitled to service rebates. My officials operate a dedicated NBS mailbox, which NBS customers, who have fully utilised 3's established complaints process and consider that their complaint has not been resolved, can contact by email at [e-mail]. My Department will then liaise with "3" personnel at its Head Office in Dublin to remedy any service performance issues.

Since the Scheme began, my Department has dealt with individual complaints from a small number of NBS customers. In overall terms, the number of complaints received from public representatives in relation to the Scheme remains low.

Motor Tax Issues

Questions (415)

Heather Humphreys

Question:

415. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding tax requirements for agricultural quad bikes; if he will consider introducing a similar system to the UK where farmers can register quads as light agricultural vehicles when using them on the road to travel distances of less than 1.5 km between sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49367/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The registration of vehicles is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. If a quad bike is not used in a public place, motor tax is not payable. When used in a public place, quad bikes do not fall within the definition of agriculture tractor for motor tax purposes and are taxed at the private rate of motor tax, based on engine capacity. The rate of motor tax for a quad with engine capacity of less than 1,000cc used for private, domestic or pleasure purposes, and not used for haulage, is €199 per annum. If the vehicle is being used to haul another vehicle or trailer, it then becomes taxable at the general haulage tractor rate, currently €333 per annum.

I have no plans to introduce a category of light agricultural vehicle for motor tax purposes.

Local Authority Housing Maintenance

Questions (416, 417)

Tom Barry

Question:

416. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the latest figures on the cost per county of repairing vacated social housing. [48818/13]

Tom Barry

Question:

417. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are incentives for maintaining the standard of housing or sanctions if houses are left in serious disrepair. [48819/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 416 and 417 together.

The management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock, including the compilation and implementation of planned maintenance programmes and the carrying out of responsive repairs and pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, is a matter for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act, 1966. My Department is committed to supporting local authorities in maintaining and improving the quality of the national social housing stock through a range of measures including large-scale urban regeneration programmes, estate-wide remedial works and improving the standard and energy efficiency of individual dwellings.

Over the period 2011-2012, my Department's retrofitting programme had a particular focus on returning vacant properties to productive use. During that time, some 4,774 vacant properties were refurbished at an overall cost of some €52.6 million. Details of the numbers of vacant units refurbished in each local authority in 2012 together with the average cost per unit are set out in the following table.

County/City Council	RECOUPED in 2012	TOTAL UNITS	Average Cost per unit
Carlow	€136,685	24	€5,695.21
Cavan	€518,080	39	€13,284.10
Clare	€455,145	60	€7,585.75
Cork County	€710,727	80	€8,884.09
Cork City	€1,198,370	187	€6,408.40
Donegal	€563,428	88	€6,402.59
Dublin	€3,991,502	253	€15,776.69
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown	€658,504	71	€9,274.70
Fingal	€769,599	64	€12,024.98
Galway City	€239,426	18	€13,301.44
Galway County	€336,274	61	€5,512.69
Kerry County	€615,570	67	€9,187.61
Kildare	€468,204	63	€7,431.81
Kilkenny	€458,238	51	€8,985.06
Laois	€218,592	23	€9,504.00
Leitrim	€198,943	15	€13,262.87
Limerick City	€705,365	68	€10,373.01
Limerick County	€1,212,501	114	€10,635.97
Longford	€206,884	13	€15,914.15
Louth	€409,128	128	€3,196.31
Mayo	€349,967	26	€13,460.27
Meath	€519,410	45	€11,542.44
Monaghan	€380,333	75	€5,071.11
Offaly	€152,736	20	€7,636.80
Roscommon	€276,527	20	€13,826.35
Sligo	€231,671	19	€12,193.21
South Dublin	€339,800	31	€10,961.29
Tipperary North	€501,864	49	€10,242.12
Tipperary South	€566,870	69	€8,215.51
Waterford City	€365,904	60	€6,098.40
Waterford County	€392,370	42	€9,342.14
Westmeath	€209,468	15	€13,964.53
Wexford	€463,231	91	€5,090.45
Wicklow	€1,028,112	66	€15,577.45
Total	€19,849,428	2,115

Local Authority Finances

Questions (418, 419, 421)

Joan Collins

Question:

418. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Sligo County Council is the only local authority in the State that has consistently, year after year, produced a deficit in its revenue account; if it is his intention to provide the council with a bailout when the new county manager takes office in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48837/13]

Joan Collins

Question:

419. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that for the past number of years the majority of members of Sligo County Council have adopted annual budgets recommended by the Sligo county manager that have led to massive deficits in the council's revenue budget each year; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the accumulated debt of Sligo County Council is currently in excess of €80 million; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that because of its grave financial position, the council's bank has refused to increase its overdraft limit notwithstanding that such increase was approved by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48838/13]

Joan Collins

Question:

421. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Sligo County Council is the worst performing council in the country in terms of the management of its finances; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the council produces a deficit in its revenue account each year; that earlier this year, as in previous years when the council's bank overdraft limit had been reached, the elected council, on the recommendation of the county manager and his management team, converted the overdraft to a term loan; his views on whether the ongoing conversion of Sligo County Council overdrafts to term loans is sustainable; the action he will take to stop this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48840/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 418, 419 and 421 together.

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 118 and 119 of 14 November 2013 in which I stated that it is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to manage its own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner. The Action Programme for Effective Local Government, Putting People First, which was published in October 2012, sets out Government policy in terms of a comprehensive range of reforms in relation to local government structures, functions, funding, governance and operational matters. A key objective of the local government reform programme is to address weaknesses in the existing system, including greater financial discretion for local authorities. These issues are being addressed in the reform programme, particularly in the context of the Local Government Bill 2013, which is currently on Second Stage in the Dáil.

It is necessary that local authorities have recourse to overdrafts from time to time as capital spending is funded in arrears and the timing of local authority income such as commercial rates, charges, and rents will not always match expenditure. The requirement for Sligo County Council to continue to deal in a prudent manner with its finances, to find expenditure savings and efficiencies, particularly in the context of its 201 4 budget, and to deal with the accumulated revenue deficit, remains.

Local Authorities Management

Questions (420)

Joan Collins

Question:

420. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the outgoing Sligo county manager (details supplied) is a member of the finance and audit committee of the Local Government Management Agency; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a function of that committee is to act as a source of independent advice on matters relating to financial management and control; if the Sligo county manager will continue to be a member of the finance and audit committee following his retirement from Sligo County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48839/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Following his retirement the outgoing Sligo Manager will no longer be a member of the Board or the Finance committee of the LGMA. The Sligo manager is not a member of the separate Audit Committee of the LGMA.

Question No. 421 answered with Question No. 418.

Local Authorities Management

Questions (422)

Joan Collins

Question:

422. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the majority of Sligo borough councillors boycotted the retirement function for the outgoing county manager on Friday, 1 November; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an official from his Department who spoke at the function conveyed his thanks and those of the Department to the outgoing county manager in respect of what was described as the latter's effective role in delivering local government; if his Department official acted with his approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48841/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 116, 117, 125 and 126 of 14 November 2013. It is appropriate for an official of my Department to extend thanks on the occasion of the retirement of a County or City Manager.

Local Authorities Management

Questions (423)

Joan Collins

Question:

423. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a spokesperson for the trade union IMPACT, representing the majority of staff in the Sligo local authorities, said that recent statements by the outgoing Sligo county manger demonstrated just how out of touch he was with both local citizens and staff; if his Department will consider providing training courses for county and city managers and members of local authority management teams to ensure they recognise the importance of keeping in touch with council staff and local citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48842/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I am not aware of the comments made and the issue has not been drawn to my attention by the trade union in question.

Property Taxation Yield

Questions (424, 426, 436)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

424. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how the local property tax collected in 2013 was spent; what the local property tax in 2014 will be spent on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48846/13]

David Stanton

Question:

426. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the specific services that will be funded by the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48894/13]

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

436. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 108 of 6 November 2013, which states that the establishment of Irish Water presents local government with significant organisational and financial challenges in 2014 and, in this context, it has been necessary to defer defining a certain proportion of the proceeds of the local property tax to be retained in each local authority until 2015, if he now intends to reduce the proposed retention of local property tax receipts to below 80% to support those local authories with weaker funding bases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48980/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 424, 426 and 436 together.

In 2013, revenue from the Local Property Tax has accrued to the Exchequer. Questions concerning usage of this revenue should be directed to my colleague, the Minister for Finance. The local government funding model will change considerably in 2014. Under the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, commencing in 2014, the Minister for Finance will pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax paid into the Central Fund during that year; this revenue will be allocated to local authorities from the Fund. In addition, the establishment of Irish Water and its financial relationship with the local government sector will have a considerable impact on local authority financing.

The Government has indicated an intention to move to 80% retention of all Local Property Tax receipts within the local authority area where the Tax is raised. The establishment of Irish Water presents local government with significant organisational and financial challenges in 2014. Service provision responsibilities will shift from the local authorities to Irish Water, infrastructure will be transferred, financing arrangements will alter and local authorities will operate on behalf of Irish Water under Service Level Agreements. These changes must be managed.

In this context, it has been necessary to defer defining a certain proportion of the proceeds of the Local Property Tax to be retained in each local authority until 2015. This approach allows maximum flexibility in allocating Local Property Tax in 2014 in the form of General Purpose Grants, with the priority to support those local authorities with weaker funding bases. This decision has been taken in the context of Budget 2014. The 2014 Local Government Fund General Purpose Grants will be announced in due course. It will be a matter for each local authority to determine how best to use General Purpose Grant revenue.

I expect the Local Property Tax to have multiple benefits, including a more sustainable and resilient system of funding for local authorities and therefore a sounder financial footing for the provision of essential local services; greater local scope for financial decision-making concerning service provision - in particular, the inclusion of the local variation mechanism from 2015 will further increase the autonomy of local authorities; and a strengthening of democracy at local level with a more active relationship between local authorities and local electorates. A stronger democratic relationship and clearer lines of accountability can only have a beneficial impact on service provision from the perspective of the service user.

Leader Programmes Funding

Questions (425)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

425. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when additional funds will be made available for redistribution to Leader companies that have approved ready-to-go projects; the amount of Leader funding ring-fenced for projects in the areas serviced by WCDP; when he will make an decision on the funding for such projects, including an indication of the additional budget likely to become available as well as details on the process for reallocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48859/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

West Cork Development Partnership are contracted on behalf of my Department in relation to the implementation of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. On 20 May 2013, WCDP were awarded a revised allocation of RDP funding of €12,645,076.00 which includes €245,697 ring-fenced for Gaeltacht areas.

During 2011, the European Commission approved a change in the maximum co-funding rate from 55% to 85% in relation to LEADER. This had the effect of reducing the available funding under the Programme from €427 million to an estimated €370 million. It was therefore necessary to carry out a comprehensive review of the level of commitments and expenditure across the Programme in order to apportion the remaining funds among the Local Development Companies (LDCs), taking into account the level of commitments already entered into. The redistribution of funding was conducted in as fair and equitable a manner as was possible.

I am committed to the continued monitoring of this situation and my Department is reviewing all commitments and expenditure levels to ensure, in so far as is possible, that all available Programme funding is committed by end December 2013. Allocations will again be revised before the end of the year if there is funding available for re-distribution.

Question No. 426 answered with Question No. 424.

Local Authority Funding

Questions (427, 433)

Brian Stanley

Question:

427. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that local authorities have now begun their pre-budget deliberations, when he will make known the allocation from the local government fund to each local authority. [48911/13]

Micheál Martin

Question:

433. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of this year's earlier budget, when he will be in a position to announce funding for local authorities, including funding relating to the establishment of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48944/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 433 together.

I assume that the Questions refer to general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund. General purpose grants are my Department's contribution towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers. 2014 general purpose grant allocations will be announced in due course.

Separately, local authorities will receive funding from Irish Water for the provision of water services under Service Level Agreements. 2014 Local Government Fund income and expenditure will be available on publication of the Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services 2014.

Social and Affordable Housing Applications

Questions (428)

Micheál Martin

Question:

428. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of outstanding applications for social housing on a county basis; if he will provide details on the specific steps being taken by his Department to reduce the waiting times for applications for social housing on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48916/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department does not hold information on the number of outstanding applications for social housing support received by housing authorities. The assessment of such applications is a matter solely for the housing authority concerned in accordance with the Social Housing Assessment Regulations, 2011. 

Regulation 12 of the 2011 Regulations prescribes the timescales for the processing of applications by housing authorities. In general, a housing authority should not take more than 12 weeks from the time of a valid application to complete its assessment of same. However, different timescales may apply where the housing authority requires additional information from the applicant within the relevant period, as defined in the Regulations, thus leading to possible extensions to the 12 week deadline in terms of completing the application process.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (429)

Micheál Martin

Question:

429. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps being taken to reduce the six-year waiting list for local authority housing in the south Meath area; if he appreciates the undue hardship that such lengthy waiting lists place on families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48917/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Government's housing policy statement confirms that the priority for Government is to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. To achieve this objective we need to ensure that the social housing programme optimises the delivery of social housing and the return for the resources invested. It is essential that we tailor the use of available Exchequer supports to prevailing conditions and explore the full range of solutions holistically to address housing needs.

In July 2012 I announced details of a three-year funding programme of €100 million to deliver some 800 new units of voluntary and local authority owned social housing. In 2014, almost 70% of the budget for my Department will go directly to support housing. The 2014 estimate for housing programme expenditure is €575.8 million which includes €302.7 million for current, and €273 million for capital, expenditure. These resources for 2014 include €50 million to fund infrastructural investment in the housing area, which includes €30 million to recommence a State house building programme; €10 million for an unfinished housing estate resolution pilot project; and €10 million for housing adaptation grants.

Delivery of social housing continues to be significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing but the Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms include options to purchase, build to lease and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition. In addition, my Department and the Housing Agency are engaged with NAMA to ensure continued delivery of housing units for social purposes. Approved Housing Bodies will also play a key role in the delivery of social housing and in particular in its capacity to attract external financial investment.

In spite of the financial constraints within which we are required to operate, I expect the final output across all social housing programmes for 2013 to be in the region of 5,000 new housing units, and it is provisionally estimated that in the region of 5,000 units will be provided for social housing in 2014.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (430)

Micheál Martin

Question:

430. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form, for each local authority, the number of social housing units commenced and the number of units constructed in each area during 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48940/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing and planning statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of policy, and those data are available on my Department's website www.environ.ie. Data on the number of social housing units constructed are included in this range and are broken down by local authority area. While my Department funds the provision of social housing units, specific data on commencement notices in respect of these units are not collated by my Department.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (431, 464, 465)

Micheál Martin

Question:

431. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the capital allocation he is making available for social housing in 2014; the number of housing units that will commence construction in 2014 in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48941/13]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

464. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how the lottery funding for social housing will be distributed around the country; the specific factors that will be taken into consideration in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49300/13]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

465. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the planned projects that will now not go ahead considering that capital funding for social housing has been reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49301/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 431, 464 and 465 together.

In July 2012 I announced details of a three-year funding programme of €100 million to deliver some 800 new units of voluntary and local authority owned social housing. In addition, Budget 2014 provides for the allocation of a further €50 million from the sale of State assets to fund infrastructural investment primarily in the housing area, including €30 million to recommence a State house building and refurbishment programme; €10 million for an unfinished housing estate resolution project; and €10 million for housing adaptation grants.  When this is taken into account, funding for housing for next year is effectively maintained at 2013 levels.

It is provisionally estimated that some 5,0 00 units will be provided for social housing in 2014 through leasing and existing capital programmes. This includes some 175 new units for people with special housing needs, which will be funded under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). It is expected that 200 new units will be delivered under the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP). Furthermore, I expect the recently announced €30 million additional Exchequer investment in social housing to deliver up to 500 local authority homes for families on the housing waiting list. Approximately half of this investment will facilitate the construction of new infill housing developments in areas with a high demand for social housing. It is intended that €15 million will be invested in bringing vacant and boarded-up local authority houses back into productive use.

The detailed arrangements for the implementation of the housing construction and refurbishment measures are being developed by my Department at present and I intend to announce these as soon as possible with a view to having the investment programme up and running as early as possible in 2014. My Department will be requesting local authorities to submit proposals for inclusion under both measures in due course.