Written Answers Nos. 504-528
504. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to review and update the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act 1990; his views that the Act is fit for purpose to address the serious rise in dereliction following the property collapse; if he is satisfied that the relevant provisions of the Act are properly enforced by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29201/14]
View answerIn line with the recommendations of the Government's Construction 2020 Strategy, I am currently exploring measures to incentivise the use and development of vacant sites in urban areas. However, with regard to the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act, I am satisfied that this legislation is sufficiently robust and have no plans for its amendment at present.
The administration of the Derelict Sites legislation at a local level is a matter for the relevant local authority. While my Department updates the Schedule of Urban Areas in line with sections 4 and 21 of the Act on an annual basis, it is a matter for the relevant local authority to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.
505. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government what were the special circumstance that he referred to at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht when making an appointment (details supplied) in November 2011. [29210/14]
View answerThe statutory provisions governing the appointment of a new Director General are set out in Section 21 of the EPA Act, 1992. The Board of Directors of the Environmental Protection Agency consists of a Director General and four Directors. There are no non-Executive members on the Board.
While the appointments are made by Government, it must choose from candidates selected by an independent statutory Selection Committee, following an open competition. The composition of this Selection Committee is also specified in Section 21 of the Act and, where a vacancy arises, the Committee is required to select a maximum of three suitable candidates from among those who compete in an open competition.
The Director General post is executive in nature, and under Article 25 of the Environmental Protection Act 1992, the Director General, if present, chairs meetings of the Agency. Therefore, there is a dual role to the Director General post in terms of chairing the Executive Board and also acting as Chief Executive of the EPA, serving both governance and management roles, as well as that of the Accounting Officer for the EPA.
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht request to Chairpersons designate to make themselves available to the Committee was in line with a Government decision on appointments to State Boards. However, given that the appointment of a Director General to the EPA is a process established under primary legislation and that the decision is made by Government from a shortlist of candidates, the appointment process must be conducted in accordance with the legislation. This would not, of course, preclude the Committee from inviting a newly appointed Director General to meet with the Committee should it wish to do so.
506. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to Mayo North East LEADER Partnership by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if it will be expedited due to the possible expiry of the quotation for the purchase of equipment. [29269/14]
View answerIn line with the 'bottom-up' approach to rural development under the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, the Local Action Groups (LAGs) are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with the Programme's Operating Rules and EU regulations. The LAG for the area referred to in the question is Mayo North East Leader Partnership (MNELP).
This project file was recently submitted to my Department for a review and this review will be completed shortly.
507. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a planning development issue and architectural heritage (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29275/14]
View answerUnder article 29 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, any person or body, on payment of the prescribed fee, currently €20, may make a submission or observation in writing to a planning authority in relation to a planning application within 5 weeks beginning of the date or receipt by the authority of the application. It is a matter for the person or body making the submission or observation to decide what information is relevant to the planning application and therefore to be included in their submission for consideration by the planning authority.
The submission of views by third parties is an integral part of the planning process but, such views are only one of the matters considered by a planning authority when considering a planning application. In making decisions on planning applications, planning authorities, and An Bord Pleanála on appeal, must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to a number of matters, including any submissions or observations received, the provisions of the local development plan and relevant ministerial or Government policies, including any guidelines issued by my Department. My Department has issued a large number of Planning Guidelines to planning authorities on various issues which help to promote consistency in decisions on planning applications including, for example, Guidelines on Architectural Heritage Protection (2004).
Planning authorities are specifically obliged, under the Planning and Development Act 2000, to protect the architectural heritage, in the interest of proper planning and sustainable development within their respective functional areas, and to prevent its deterioration, loss or damage. This is reflected in the adoption of suitable policies for protecting the architectural heritage in their development plans and giving practical effect to them through their development control decisions, including through by liaison between planning officers and conservation officers.
In the present legislative framework, specific provision is made for Development Plans to include objectives, inter alia, for:
- the protection of structures, or parts of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest; and
- the preservation of the character of architectural conservation areas.
Provision is also made for the designation of architectural conservation areas, in respect of which Development Plans may include an objective to preserve the character of the place, area, group of structures or townscape. In considering an application for permission for development in relation to land situated in an architectural conservation area, a planning authority, or the Board on appeal, must take into account the material effect (if any) that the proposed development would be likely to have on the character of the architectural conservation area.
508. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of bills his Department has published since March 2011; the number of regulatory impact assessments that his Department has published since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29292/14]
View answerMy Department has published 23 Bills and 21 Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) since March 2011. Eleven of these RIAs relate to legislation, with the remainder relating to a range of policy matters.
RIAs are generally undertaken within my Department at an early stage in the policy development process, as they are regarded as a valuable tool in deciding the best policy approach to adopt.
509. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason Dublin’s local property taxes are going to be reassigned to other regions when it can support the crisis situation with the homeless in Dublin; if he will defend the interests of Dublin citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29304/14]
View answerIn consultation with other relevant Government colleagues, I have been examining the implications of local retention and variation of Local Property Tax (LPT) in recent months, including, how these policies might potentially impact on the overall Exchequer financial position and the financial positions of individual local authorities.
In terms of local retention of Local Property Tax, the Government has indicated its intention to move to 80% retention of the Tax from 2015. A decision to allow local authorities to retain 80% of LPT locally and the power to vary LPT rates will facilitate further implementation of the local government reform programme, a core element of which involves greater devolution to the local government sector, through supporting enhanced local decision making on spending priorities.
Local authorities in large urban and commuter areas provide a wide range of services to those living and working in their cities and towns, and I recognise the importance of those centres and their role in economic growth. There is, however, a need to recognise that the LPT base outside of the cities and main commuter zones is narrower and that there will be a requirement to equalise the income position of those local authorities in order to ensure that an acceptable standard of service delivery is maintained across the country. A direct comparison between urban and rural authorities ignores the material differences in scale, service provision and demand that exist between authorities. It also fails to take account of their ability to collect income from other sources, such as rates, and the difference in levels of public services received, which vary considerably from one local authority to another.
My Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities and the purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
On 20 May 2014, I published the Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness in which the Government's approach to delivery on its objective of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 was outlined. A copy of this plan is available on my Department's website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,38053,en.pdf.
This plan sets out a range of measures to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation to house homeless households within the next three years and mobilise the necessary supports.
Given the particular concentration of homelessness in the Dublin area, Dublin City Council, the lead authority for the region, has prepared a targeted programme of actions to support the Implementation Plan and, in particular, focus on managing and addressing homelessness in the Dublin Region. The Dublin City Council Action Plan is expected to be published shortly.
It will be a matter for each local authority to determine how best to use all of its central Government revenue sources in line with local priorities and circumstances.
510. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if organisations running community development projects which focus on a single group or issue, such as women's groups, will be eligible to tender for contracts under the social inclusion and community activation programme. [29314/14]
View answer511. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there will be contracts available under the social inclusion and community activation programme for single-interest groups, such as women's groups; or if each contract will apply to a whole county or geographical area. [29315/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 511 together.
The proposals outlined in Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government seek to position local government “as the primary vehicle of governance and public service at local level – leading economic, social and community development, delivering efficient and good value services, and representing citizens and local communities effectively and accountably”.
As part of the programme of reform of local government, Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) are being established in all local authority areas. These Committees, comprising public-private socio-economic interests, will have responsibility for local and community development programmes on an area basis including the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). They will develop, co-ordinate and implement a more coherent and integrated approach to local and community development than heretofore, with the aim of reducing duplication and overlap and optimising the use of available resources for the benefit of citizens and communities.
SICAP is one of my key priorities and its budget for next year will be decided in the 2015 Estimates process. In accordance with the Public Spending Code, best practice internationally, legal advice and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of services to clients, the Programme will be subject to a public procurement process, which is currently underway.
The public procurement process is a competitive process that is open to Local Development Companies, other not-for-profit community groups, commercial firms and national organisations that can provide the services to be tendered for to deliver the new Programme. Joint applications are encouraged and organisations of varying sizes (for example smaller organisations working in consortia with larger organisations) are invited to submit joint applications. Applicants at stage one of the tendering process must demonstrate that they meet the criteria for the delivery of services in the Lot(s) applied for. 31 “Lots” are being offered for tender, based on Local Authority areas – in some cases these may be divided into smaller units at Stage two. Gaeltacht areas and the Islands have been included in the Lots for the respective local authority.
Partner Candidates have a role in the delivery and implementation of the programme. All such Partner Candidates must be identified in the Qualification Questionnaire and a contracting arrangement may be required between the Lead Candidate and any Partner Candidates. Candidates may rely on the resources of other entities in order to satisfy the suitability requirements on condition that they can prove to the satisfaction of Pobal that they will have these resources at their disposal when necessary.
I am satisfied that the procurement process underway is in line with best practice and that the procurement documentation on e-Tenders contains all the relevant information on the process. I look forward to the outcome of the procurement process and the roll out of SICAP in January 2015.
512. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number and amount raised in noise pollution fines in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [29319/14]
View answerUnder section 108 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, where any noise is so loud, so continuous, so repeated, of such duration or pitch or occurring at such times as to give reasonable cause for annoyance, then it is open to any person, or group of persons, to bring a complaint to the District Court. The Court may order the person or body making, causing or responsible for the noise to take the measures necessary to reduce the noise to a specified level or to take specified measures for the prevention or limitation of the noise and the person or body concerned must comply with that order.
Details of the outcome of noise related cases before the Courts, including any fines imposed, are not collected by my Department.
513. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide on a county basis the total income from the non principal private residence tax per annum since its inception; the estimated number of outstanding non principal private residence tax households; the amount of payments due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29320/14]
View answerThe Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the Non-Principal Private Residence Charge. The NPPR Charge, which has since been discontinued, applied in the years 2009 to 2013 to any residential property in which the owner did not reside as their normal place of residence. The self-assessed charge is set at €200 per annum and liability for it falls, in the main, on owners of rental, holiday and vacant properties. It is a matter for an owner to determine if he or she has a liability and, if so, to declare that liability and pay the Charge and any late payment fees applicable. Under the Act, it is a function of a local authority to collect Non-Principal Private Residence Charges, and late payment fees due to it and all Charges and late payment fees imposed and payable to a local authority are under the care and management of the local authority concerned.
Approximately 360,000 properties have been registered for the Non-Principal Private Residence Charge, which has raised in excess of €417m to date over its five years of operation. Proceeds from the charge are retained by local authorities and are used for the provision of local services. It is not possible to state with any certainty the level of non-compliance with the Charge. However, I am confident that compliance levels are high as a result of data matching undertaken with other public bodies, such as the Private Residential Tenancies Board, as provided for under the Act. The amount raised by the Charge to date also indicates a high compliance rate. The following table details Non-Principal Private Residence Charge revenue raised on a county basis by liability date as of 03 July 2014 based on data provided by the Local Government Management Agency.
|
County |
2009 € |
2010 € |
2011 € |
2012 € |
2013 € |
Total € |
|
Carlow |
879,880 |
874,060 |
826,620 |
841,380 |
758,380 |
4,180,320 |
|
Cavan |
1,173,040 |
1,142,320 |
1,102,780 |
1,096,320 |
1,030,560 |
5,545,020 |
|
Cork |
10,472,080 |
10,292,720 |
9,694,960 |
9,330,260 |
8,710,360 |
48,500,380 |
|
Clare |
2,727,900 |
2,592,420 |
2,508,300 |
2,412,700 |
2,243,880 |
12,485,200 |
|
Donegal |
4,057,660 |
3,949,420 |
3,675,960 |
3,503,540 |
3,307,520 |
18,494,100 |
|
Dublin |
28,168,240 |
28,034,100 |
26,868,440 |
25,809,580 |
23,730,200 |
132,610,560 |
|
Galway |
5,781,960 |
5,708,620 |
5,409,840 |
5,249,180 |
4,834,640 |
26,984,240 |
|
Kerry |
4,036,560 |
3,906,440 |
3,662,960 |
3,562,640 |
3,349,420 |
18,518,020 |
|
Kildare |
2,717,060 |
2,662,180 |
2,526,080 |
2,521,160 |
2,287,900 |
12,714,380 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,095,780 |
1,109,900 |
1,066,960 |
1,068,160 |
€985,000 |
5,325,800 |
|
Laois |
870,480 |
906,600 |
860,780 |
846,940 |
€793,800 |
4,278,600 |
|
Leitrim |
859,120 |
825,040 |
777,800 |
755,740 |
€697,080 |
3,914,780 |
|
Limerick |
3,420,240 |
3,334,500 |
3,156,740 |
3,117,060 |
2,834,800 |
15,863,340 |
|
Longford |
782,440 |
772,340 |
697,920 |
721,160 |
646,420 |
3,620,280 |
|
Louth |
1,718,040 |
1,672,520 |
1,533,040 |
1,491,780 |
1,333,140 |
7,748,520 |
|
Mayo |
2,886,180 |
2,785,620 |
2,659,280 |
2,567,060 |
2,395,360 |
13,293,500 |
|
Meath |
1,902,760 |
1,911,940 |
1,817,760 |
1,753,900 |
1,612,860 |
8,999,220 |
|
Monaghan |
663,260 |
656,440 |
626,380 |
623,200 |
593,360 |
3,162,640 |
|
Offaly |
824,240 |
841,820 |
785,180 |
787,140 |
701,180 |
3,939,560 |
|
Roscommon |
1,114,460 |
1,082,040 |
1,023,300 |
1,018,180 |
942,740 |
5,180,720 |
|
Sligo |
1,743,340 |
1,696,000 |
1,591,640 |
1,555,700 |
1,423,300 |
8,009,980 |
|
Tipperary |
2,338,220 |
2,252,300 |
2,103,280 |
2,120,380 |
1,949,780 |
10,763,960 |
|
Waterford |
2,336,900 |
2,291,260 |
2,138,300 |
2,095,100 |
1,904,940 |
10,766,500 |
|
Westmeath |
1,541,280 |
1,534,240 |
1,475,120 |
1,454,880 |
1,360,340 |
7,365,860 |
|
Wexford |
3,373,020 |
3,247,840 |
3,154,760 |
3,098,300 |
2,947,820 |
15,821,740 |
|
Wicklow |
2,009,940 |
1,948,340 |
1,864,300 |
1,792,180 |
1,625,680 |
9,240,440 |
|
Total |
89,494,080 |
88,031,020 |
83,608,480 |
81,193,620 |
75,000,460 |
417,327,660 |
Part 12 of The Local Government Reform Act 2014, deals with the collection of undischarged liabilities relating to the NPPR charge. The Act provides for a period, commencing on 2 March 2014 to 31 August 2014, during which time no new late penalties will be applied to existing liabilities. If payment is not made in full, or, if settlement terms are not agreed by the end of that period, an additional late payment fee of €120 per liability date is applied on 1 September 2014. In addition, the entire NPPR liability is increased by a factor of 50% and frozen. It is very much in the interest of non-compliant owners to come forward to regularise their affairs and to take advantage of this once-off grace period. The NPPR charge is based on self-declaration and therefore the onus is on the property owner themselves to register their property and make the payment. Local authorities will be taking a proactive approach to ensure that any outstanding liabilities are discharged in the most equitable, efficient and economically beneficial manner. Non-compliant owners should log on to www.nppr.ie, or alternatively contact their local authority and make arrangements in relation to their outstanding payments before 1 September 2014 to avoid incurring additional fees.
514. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department or agencies under its auspices have engaged the services of a debt collection agency in pursuing moneys owed to them; if his Department has guidelines regarding hiring such agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29329/14]
View answerMy Department has not engaged the services of a debt collection agency to pursue any monies owing to the Department; accordingly, the question of guidelines does not arise.
Debt collection issues relating to agencies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the bodies concerned.
515. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application for rural development LEADER funding grant application in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29385/14]
View answerIn line with the 'bottom-up' approach to rural development, there are 35 Local Action Groups (LAGs) contracted, on my Department's behalf, to deliver the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country.
The LAGs are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with the Programme's Operating Rules and EU regulations.
The relevant LAG in respect of the project referred to is South Kerry Development Partnership (SKDP). I understand that SKDP are not in a position to fund this project having already fully allocated their funding under the 2007-2013 Programme. I expect, however, that a new round of funding under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme will commence in early 2015.
516. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the application for funding by Limerick City and County Council for UV treatment to eliminate the risk of cryptosporidium contamination in the Kilfinny Group Water Scheme. [29386/14]
View answerA proposal for works on this scheme, which was received from Limerick City and County Council last week, is being examined by my Department. A response will issue to the Council as soon as possible.
517. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the duration of the pilot housing assistant payment schemes in the six chosen local authority areas; and when his Department will extend it to all local authority areas. [29409/14]
View answerLimerick City and County Council was identified as the lead local authority to drive implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) in the local government sector, including the delivery of an administrative pilot which is currently underway to test certain elements of the scheme in advance of the necessary legislation being enacted before the end of the Oireachtas summer session. Following the enactment of the legislation a statutory pilot phase will commence in Limerick and the six other local authorities identified for participation in Wave 1 of implementing HAP. These are South Dublin County Council, Cork County Council, Waterford City and County Council, Kilkenny County Council, Louth County Council and Monaghan County Council.
The introduction of HAP is a significant addition to the range of options through which social housing support is provided in this country. A review of both the administrative and statutory pilot phases will be carried out prior to commencing a wider roll-out on a phased basis to the remaining local authorities in 2015.
518. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the closure of the local studies library (details supplied) in Ballywaltrim, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29414/14]
View answer520. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the closure of a library in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29442/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 518 and 520 together.
The management of library services, including the deployment of resources across the range of services in a county, is a matter for each local authority.
Overall staff numbers within local authorities are subject to the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the Public Service, which was introduced in March 2009 in response to the financial crisis. My Department operates a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium in relation to local authorities, and any exceptions to the moratorium in local authorities require sanction from my Department.
My Department examines all staffing sanction requests on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key services in the context of staffing and budgetary constraints. In considering sanction requests, public safety, maintaining key front line services and economic issues are given precedence.
My Department works closely with Wicklow County Council in relation to the Council's overall staffing requirements. In June 2014, the Council submitted a number of staff sanction requests for library positions. This staffing request is being considered and a decision will issue to the Council in due course.
519. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects funding towards housing needs and repairs will be released to Meath County Council as there are a large number of properties across the county lying vacant and funding is required to ensure they are fully habitable for new tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29441/14]
View answerIn response to my Department's request earlier this year for submissions under the new capital funding programme for returning vacant local authority houses to productive use I allocated €15 million across all local authority areas for the refurbishment of some 952 properties. Funding was allocated on an equitable and evidence based system, adjudicated and weighted under select criteria including the level of local housing need and the unit cost of the proposals received. Funding of up to €30,000 per unit is available for a suite of works to improve energy efficiency and upgrade the fabric of the house. Meath County Council was allocated €504,000 for the refurbishment of those 22 units which best met the selection criteria and fell within the unit cost ceiling for the scheme.
Under the recently announced €200 million capital stimulus for the construction sector, of which some €50 million is earmarked for social housing, my Department will provide a further €20 million for the refurbishment of additional vacant units in order that these can be made available as quickly as possible to families on the housing waiting lists. On 10 June my Department wrote to local authorities asking them to submit by the end of the month proposals for the refurbishment of additional units in 2014. My Department has completed its assessment of the submissions received and I expect that a further 1,000 vacant units will be retrofitted this year. I intend to announce details of the allocations to local authorities very shortly.
521. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to Mayo North East Leader by (details supplied); when it is expected that a decision will be made and if it will be expedited due to the delay in the planned completion date and uncertainty that is being caused to the local community and the contractor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29447/14]
View answerIn line with the 'bottom-up' approach to rural development under the Leader elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, the Local Action Groups (LAGs) are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with the Programme's Operating Rules and EU regulations. The LAG for the area referred to in the question is Mayo North East Leader Partnership (MNELP).
This project file was submitted to my Department for a review which has been completed and the review findings have been returned to Mayo North East Leader Partnership for follow-up.
522. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the application procedure for a local authority mortgage; if each local authority advertises the service to citizens; the number of local authority mortgages that were issued in each year since 2007 and the total value per year; if he will provide a breakdown of the number for 2012 and 2013 by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29450/14]
View answerThere are two types of house purchase loan available from local authorities: standard annuity loans targeted at lower income first time buyers and loans under the Home Choice Loan scheme which are available to qualifying middle income first time buyers. All applicants must complete a housing loan application form which can be downloaded from the relevant local authority's website.
The terms and conditions governing the operation, including eligibility terms, of annuity mortgages and the Home Choice Loan are set out under various Regulations such as the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2009, the Housing (Home Choice Loan) Regulations 2009, and most recently in the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012. These are also available on my Department's website: http://www.environ.ie/en/Legislation/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/.
My Department publishes a wide range of housing statistics, including the number and value of local authority mortgages approved by quarter and year and the total number and value of local authority mortgages with a breakdown of those in arrears. The statistics are available on my Department's website at:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15295,en.xls
by clicking “Mortgage Data/Arrears in Local Authorities” and “Loan Approvals 1970 to date” under the Housing Loans contents.
A breakdown of local authority mortgage approvals for 2012 and 2013 is set out in the following tables.
Local Authority Loan approvals – 2012
|
- |
- |
New Houses |
- |
Second-hand Houses |
|
- |
No. |
Value € |
No. |
Value € |
|
County Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Carlow |
1 |
145,000 |
1 |
32,750 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
1 |
71,136 |
|
Clare |
0 |
0 |
1 |
34,000 |
|
Cork |
1 |
105,000 |
5 |
800,900 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DL/Rathdown |
0 |
0 |
1 |
165,000 |
|
Fingal |
0 |
0 |
15 |
1,374,532 |
|
Galway |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
0 |
2 |
20,000 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
0 |
3 |
244,300 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
250,000 |
11 |
1,200,600 |
|
Laois |
2 |
186,330 |
12 |
1,146,942 |
|
Leitrim |
4 |
236,230 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
1 |
90,000 |
3 |
299,400 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
1 |
123,258 |
|
Louth |
0 |
0 |
2 |
227,725 |
|
Mayo |
8 |
1,005,500 |
6 |
498,000 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
2 |
282,907 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
2 |
190,000 |
|
North Tipperary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
0 |
10 |
987,350 |
|
South Dublin |
0 |
0 |
2 |
342,200 |
|
South Tipperary |
0 |
0 |
1 |
36,270 |
|
Waterford |
15 |
1,386,294 |
0 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
3 |
202,100 |
1 |
101,200 |
|
Wexford |
4 |
395,650 |
8 |
677,792 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
145,000 |
1 |
68,045 |
|
City Councils |
||||
|
Cork |
1 |
143,400 |
1 |
58,000 |
|
Dublin |
0 |
0 |
11 |
1,372,400 |
|
Galway |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
0 |
0 |
3 |
163,485 |
|
Waterford |
4 |
583,062 |
11 |
1,266,142 |
|
Borough Councils |
||||
|
Clonmel |
1 |
150,000 |
1 |
140,650 |
|
Drogheda |
0 |
0 |
7 |
336,049 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Town Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Athlone |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Bray |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dundalk |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
49 |
5,023,566 |
125 |
12,261,034 |
Local Authority Loan approvals – 2013
|
- |
- |
New Houses |
- |
Second-hand Houses |
|
- |
No. |
Value € |
No. |
Value € |
|
County Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Carlow |
3 |
330,000 |
6 |
450,000 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
1 |
50,000 |
|
Clare |
0 |
0 |
1 |
23,318 |
|
Cork |
0 |
0 |
6 |
776,650 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
0 |
1 |
15,169 |
|
DL/Rathdown |
0 |
0 |
1 |
130,000 |
|
Fingal |
1 |
70,500 |
19 |
2,252,150 |
|
Galway |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
135,800 |
4 |
275,499 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
520,000 |
5 |
529,363 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
255,000 |
13 |
1,428,300 |
|
Laois |
8 |
505,800 |
9 |
592,678 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
45,000 |
1 |
55,000 |
|
Limerick |
0 |
0 |
3 |
282,000 |
|
Longford |
3 |
150,880 |
2 |
78,350 |
|
Louth |
19 |
1,176,345 |
2 |
242,700 |
|
Mayo |
11 |
1,143,523 |
15 |
1,632,340 |
|
Meath |
0 |
0 |
11 |
1,190,673 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
5 |
390,450 |
|
North Tipperary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
0 |
1 |
72,750 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
3 |
255,000 |
1 |
106,700 |
|
South Dublin |
0 |
0 |
5 |
416,130 |
|
South Tipperary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
115,500 |
1 |
86,400 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
90,000 |
3 |
262,250 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
9 |
934,700 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
245,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
City Councils |
||||
|
Cork |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
0 |
0 |
13 |
1,375,400 |
|
Galway |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
120,000 |
4 |
460,000 |
|
Borough Councils |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Clonmel |
1 |
155,520 |
2 |
174,600 |
|
Drogheda |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
0 |
2 |
143,350 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Town Councils |
||||
|
Athlone |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Bray |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dundalk |
2 |
153,755 |
2 |
145,500 |
|
TOTAL |
64 |
5,467,623 |
148 |
14,572,420 |
523. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the introduction of the housing assistance payment, later this year, will be reflected in central Government funding to local councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29451/14]
View answerThe approval by Government in July 2013 of the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) also included approval for the provision of funding to local authorities to cover the cost of accommodating HAP households and meeting the administration costs of the scheme by way of a funding transfer from the Department of Social Protection (DSP). The timing and scale of this transfer is to be agreed by my Department and DSP in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, having regard to the necessity to ensure that sufficient funding is available for the on-going expenditure on the rent supplement scheme and the phased introduction of HAP.
My Department is working on developing a robust financial strategy for the full roll-out of HAP, with a particular focus, in the first instance, on the scale of funds to be transferred to my Department to facilitate both the administrative and statutory pilot phases in 2014. The three Departments concerned have agreed to a funding transfer from DSP to my Department for the projected initial programme costs, which is based on the movement of 3,595 cases into HAP across the 7 Wave 1 pilot authorities. All three Departments are continuing discussion on the arrangements for funding the administration costs of HAP by local authorities, as approved by Government.
524. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households on the social housing list to be allocated a permanent home for December 2011, December 2012, December 2013 and to date in 2014; and the number of persons represented by those households. [29462/14]
View answer525. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the mean and median average waiting time for allocation of social housing in areas controlled by the Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council and Wicklow County Council; and the way these numbers compare with the national average. [29463/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 525 together.
My Department does not hold information on the allocation of social housing supports to households on the waiting list, whether by local authority housing or other accommodation provided by an authority. The allocation of such support is a matter for each authority in accordance with its allocation scheme made under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.
The results of the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments carried out as at 7 May 2013 provided details on the number of households on waiting lists in each housing authority area, including the length of time spent by households on each housing authority list. The results are available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,34857,en.pdf
The 2013 figures are the most up-to-date figures available on waiting list numbers, which are subject to on-going fluctuation due to households being allocated housing and new households applying for housing support.
526. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of new dwelling units to be constructed for social housing in 2014, 2015 and 2016 in areas controlled by Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council and Wicklow County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29464/14]
View answerThe number and method of delivery of social housing units in future years is determined in the course of the annual Estimates process. The Social Housing Strategy, which is to be published in Q3 of 2014, will inform the upcoming Estimates discussions. The financial parameters within which we continue to operate will not facilitate a return to large-scale Exchequer capital funded construction programmes. However, earlier this year, I signalled a return to modest levels of new social housing construction with an announcement of 1,000 new housing starts over the 2014-2015 period.
In March 2014, I announced the approval of some 56 social housing construction projects with an overall value of some €68 million under the Local Authority housing construction programme for 2014-2015. This will deliver 449 new units of accommodation for people on the housing waiting list. Under the recently announced capital stimulus for the construction sector, of which some €50 million is earmarked for social housing, an additional €20 million will be made available to support new social housing construction projects in areas with acute housing need. I intend to announce detail s of the projects to be progressed very shortly.
Details of the funding being provided to the four Dublin authorities and Wicklow County Council under the €68 million investment in the local authority construction programme for the period 2014-2015 are set out in the following table.
|
Local Authority |
Project Location |
No. of Units |
Amount allocated € |
|
Dublin City Council |
Buttercup, Darndale |
35 |
7,900,000 |
|
- |
Ballybough, Dublin |
9 |
2,500,000 |
|
Dún Laoghaire / Rathdown County Council |
Cromlech Close, Kilternan, Co. Dublin |
15 |
2,578,807 |
|
- |
Clontibret House, Blackrock |
2 |
550,000 |
|
Fingal County Council |
Glasmore Rd, Swords |
12 |
2,000,000 |
|
- |
Cappagh, Finglas |
27 |
2,750,000 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
Belgard Road, Tallaght |
3 |
600,000 |
|
- |
St Finian ' s, Lucan |
2 |
461,175 |
|
- |
Suncroft, Tallaght |
10 |
2,345,571 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
1 Special Needs Unit at Roundwood |
1 |
180,000 |
|
- |
1 Special Needs Unit at Ard Na Gréine Bray |
1 |
60,000 |
|
- |
Emoclew, Arklow (Phase 2) |
8 |
540,000 |
|
OVERALL TOTAL |
|
125 |
22,465,553 |
In addition to the above measure s, it is anticipated that over 160 units will be completed or commence construction in 2014 under the regeneration programme for Dublin City. A further 416 units of accommodation will be provided nationally under my Department's Capital Assistance Programme for 2014 -2015. Some 159 of these will be provided across the five authorities referred to.
527. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a third party rental deposit scheme for the private sector residential renting market. [29465/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a tenancy deposit protection scheme. On foot of this commitment I asked the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) to commission research on such a scheme and to report back to me with recommendations in that regard. The subsequent report assessed a number of different options for delivery of a scheme ranging from one where all elements are delivered by the PRTB to one where all elements are outsourced to a private operator. The report examined each option in terms of both insurance and custodial type schemes.
In a custodial scheme, tenancy deposits are transferred to the scheme for the duration of the tenancy. They are then repaid by the scheme operator following agreement between the landlord and tenant or following the outcome of a dispute resolution process in cases where there is no agreement. The interest from the funds deposited pays for the administration of the scheme and there is no fee to either the landlord or tenant. In an insurance-based scheme, the landlord pays a premium to insure the risk of the deposit not being returned but retains the deposit. In the event of a dispute, the landlord lodges the total of the deposit with the scheme and it is repaid to either the landlord or the tenant at the conclusion of a dispute resolution process.
I considered all of the options presented in the report in order to determine how to offer the greatest protection to tenants at least cost to the Exchequer and secured Government approval for the establishment of a tenancy deposit scheme based on a custodial model. Legislative provisions for the scheme are currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and it is my intention to introduce the amendments at Committee Stage of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 in the Seanad shortly.
528. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce limits on rent increases for the private sector residential renting market. [29466/14]
View answerThe private rented sector is an increasingly important element of the housing market, with the proportion of households in the sector almost doubling in the period 2006-2011. I am conscious of the difficulties caused by rising rents and the problem of sourcing suitable accommodation, especially in Dublin and other urban centres. The most recent data from the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) Rent Index shows the extent of rising rents, particularly in Dublin and the major cities. In Dublin, rents for houses increased by 6.7% annually while for apartments the figure was 10.3%.
The fundamental reason behind the rise in rents is a lack of supply. Increasing both public and private housing supply is a critical issue and the Government recently published Construction 2020 - A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector. It provides for a strategic approach to the provision of housing based on real and measured demand and addresses the full range of relevant issues including the planning process, financing, access to mortgage finance and the construction workforce. As part of the Construction Strategy, the Government is committed to publishing a social housing strategy by the end of the third quarter 2014 which will set out a vision for social housing and identify ways to increase social housing supply over the next 5 years.
As regards the current year, over €0.5 billion in funding is being made available through my Department across a range of housing programmes and it is expected that over 6,000 units will be provided for social housing.
Resolution of the housing supply situation is the key element in restoring stability to the market but I recognise that the provision of additional units of housing takes time. Consequently, I recently asked the PRTB to conduct a study to explore options to address the difficulties being experienced in segments of the private rented sector due to rising rents and to report back to me with policy recommendations. I expect to have this report shortly. My goal is to achieve stability and sustainability in the market for the benefit of tenants, landlords and society as a whole.
