Written Answers Nos. 1 - 41
11. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made by the Pyrite Remediation Board in dealing with estates where the developer is still trading or legal action is pending, including the number of applications involved in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34321/14]
View answerApplications from homeowners for inclusion in the pyrite remediation scheme must be assessed against the eligibility criteria of the scheme, which include a requirement that the applicant has no other practicable options, other than under the scheme, to secure the remediation of their dwelling. It is not the Pyrite Resolution Board’s policy to exclude applicants from the scheme solely because the builder is still trading. However, as a scheme of last resort, the Board must satisfy itself that applicants under the scheme have taken all reasonable and appropriate steps to seek to have those parties who have a responsibility in this matter undertake the remediation of their dwellings.
I understand that enquiries are on - going in respect of approximately 160 dwellings where legal actions and dispute resolution processes have commenced. In this context, solicitors and builders representatives have been in contact with the Board with a view to progressing actions or settlements, getting the necessary cooperation from homeowners and /or finding a mechanism that would contribute towards the pyrite remediation scheme where legally possible. The Board is taking legal advice in some cases and, conscious of the desire of applicants to see progress in their applications, is actively working to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.
12. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will intervene to return the collection of waste in the Dublin City Council area to the council when contracts are due for renewal next month; and if he will make a statement on any breaches of by-laws and failure to collect waste by the private operators. [34328/14]
View answerI presume the Question is referring to the issue of waste collection permits required to be held by all waste collectors.
Waste collection in Ireland is subject to compliance with applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, primarily the Waste Management Act 1996 and conditions attached to each waste collector’s collection permit issued under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007. Waste collection in individual local authority areas may also be subject to local bye-laws. Enforcement of waste legislation, a waste collection permit condition or waste bye-law is a matter for the relevant local authority.
Section 33 of the Waste Management Act 1996 requires a local authority to collect, or arrange for the collection of waste within its functional area. However, it also provides that this requirement does not apply where any of the following conditions are met:
(a) an adequate waste collection service is available,
(b) the estimated costs of the collection of the waste concerned by the local authority would in the opinion of the authority be unreasonably high, or
(c) the local authority is satisfied that adequate arrangements for the disposal of the waste concerned can reasonably be made by the holder of the waste.
In terms of intervening in operational matters concerning the collection of waste, under section 60(3) of the Act, as Minister, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the Agency or a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.
I am committed to ensuring that the regulatory regime applying to waste collection is robust and delivers quality outcomes for householders and the environment. As part of implementation of the Government’s waste policy, A Resource Opportunity, my Department carried out a public consultation process earlier this year on options for revising the existing regulatory regime which applies to waste collection. Arising from that process, my Department is now developing a robust new regulatory framework aimed at professionalising and modernising Ireland’s system of household waste collection. I expect to finalise the new Regulations in January 2015, with a view to the new regime coming into operation on 1 July 2015.
13. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria that will be used in allocating funding under the social inclusion community activation programme that is due to replace the local community development programme in January 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34332/14]
View answerMy Department’s Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is the largest social inclusion intervention of its kind in the State. The current Programme officially ended at the end of 2013, having operated for four years with funding of €281m over that period. It is being implemented on a transitional basis for 2014 with a budget of €47m, pending the roll out of the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) in early 2015.
The new Programme will be managed and overseen by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) which have been established in all local authority areas as part of the reform of local government. These Committees, comprising public-private socio-economic interests, will play a key role in developing, co-ordinating and implementing a more coherent and integrated approach to local and community development.
In accordance with the Public Spending Code, legal advice, good practice internationally, and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of services to clients, the new Programme is subject to a public procurement process, which is currently under way. Stage 1 of the process (Expressions of Interest) has been completed and Stage 2 (Invitation to Tender) will get under way shortly. All proposals received will be assessed by the LCDCs in accordance with the assessment criteria which will be notified with the tender documentation.
SICAP is a key priority of Government and its budget for next year will be decided in the 2015 Estimates process. It will be the responsibility of each LCDC, with the technical support of my Department and Pobal, to allocate the appropriate level of funding to successful tenderers to deliver SICAP. The allocations will be based on the population and deprivation levels of each LCDC area and any of its sub-divisions, informed by the Resource Allocation Model (RAM). The model used is based on the Pobal-Hasse Deprivation index, based on the Census data. The application of this approach means that the funding is allocated equitably in that a disadvantaged person in any area of the country will have equality of resources available to their areas to support their needs.
14. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of local authority mortgage arrears, including the number in arrears of more than 90 days, more than 180 days and more than 365 days; if a process is in place for dealing with such arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34313/14]
View answerMy Department publishes a wide range of housing statistics, including the number and value of local authority mortgages with a breakdown of those in arrears for more than 90 and 180 days. The most recent statistics in respect of Q1 2014 are displayed on my Department’s website - the relevant weblink will be circulated with the Official Report.
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15295,en.xls
by clicking “Mortgage Data/Arrears in Local Authorities” under the Housing Loans contents.
At end March 2014, the number of local authority housing loans in arrears for over 90 days was 6,012, with a corresponding cumulative loan value of almost €246 million; the number of loans in arrears for over 180 days was significantly lower at 4,771 with a corresponding cumulative loan value of almost €196 million.
The information requested in relation to loans in arrears for more than 365 days is currently not available in my Department. However, it will be available shortly with the return of the latest Quarterly Housing Statistics Return from local authorities.
My Department issued revised guidelines to local authorities for dealing with mortgage arrears within the local authority sector in June 2014. Dealing with Mortgage Arrears – A Guide for Local Authorities is available on my Department’s website and the relevant weblink will be circulated with the Official Report.
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,30943,en.pdf
15. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the review of the scheme to support national organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34325/14]
View answerThe funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services.
Applications for a new round of funding, which commenced on 1 July 2014, were subject to an appraisal process. My predecessor was anxious to make funding available to as many organisations as possible within the prevailing resource constraints and approved 55 applications for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016.
A large number of organisations operating in health-related areas applied for funding and a number are included among the 55 organisations being grant- aided under the scheme. In the context of reviewing the scheme for the next round of multi-annual funding, my predecessor met with the then Minister for Health to initiate a policy discussion on whether or not from a public policy point of view, it would be more efficient that organisations receive funding only from the Department with lead responsibility for policy in their area, rather than seek funding across a number of different Departments.
While it was known that the existing scheme was ending on 30 June 2014 and applications were sought for the new scheme with no guarantee of continued funding, it is clear that organisations had become increasingly dependent on this funding. Against that background, I announced, on 18 July 2014, the allocation of bridging funding of €1.4 m to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations for a twelve month period, pending the carrying out of a review of the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector. My Department has now commenced a process of engagement with the Department of Health in order to advance the review, which is being undertaken in agreement with my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health with Special Responsibility for Primary Care, Mental Health and Disability. The review is designed to rationalise the funding of these organisations to ensure efficiency in the use of public money and avoidance of duplication, while providing appropriate support to organisations working in the sector.
The bridging funding in 2014/2015 is a once-off transitional arrangement and will enable organisations to plan for their future whether with or without State support such as that provided under the Scheme to Support National Organisations.
16. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has raised concerns over local authorities’ collection of the non-principal private residency tax; his plans to revise the non-principal private residency tax timeframe of charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34331/14]
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 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. The 2009 Act places the Charge under the care and management of the local authorities and application in particular circumstances is a matter for the relevant local authority.
Part 12 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 deals with the collection of undischarged liabilities relating to the NPPR charge. The Act provided for a period from 2 March 2014 to 31 August 2014, during which time no new late penalties were applied to existing liabilities. I understand that large numbers of individuals were seeking to settle their NPPR liability in the days leading up to 31 August and not all could get through to their local authority, due to the high volume of calls. The Local Government Management Agency, on behalf of the local authorities, has confirmed, in recognition of this, that individuals who made contact with either the National Bureau or with their local authority before the expiry of the deadline indicating the property for which they wanted to settle the NPPR liability and giving their contact details, could have penalties frozen at 31 August 2014 levels.
If such contact was not made or if payment was not made in full or if settlement terms were not agreed by the end of that period, an additional late payment fee of €120 per liability date applied on 1 September 2014. In addition, the entire NPPR liability is increased by a factor of 50% and frozen. There are no plans to revise this legislation.
Under section 77 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, my Department issued guidance to local authorities concerning matters relating to arrears of the NPPR charge and late payment fees to ensure that a consistent national approach is adopted. The guidelines encourage local authorities to take a proactive approach to ensure that any outstanding NPPR liabilities are discharged in the most equitable, efficient and economically beneficial manner, including guidance on dealing with issues of financial hardship. It is expected, in the majority of cases, that local authorities will collect the full NPPR charge liability from owners. In some cases, this may be by means of arrangement by installment. All non-compliant owners should log on to www.nppr.ie or, alternatively, contact their local authority to discuss any matters they wish to clarify and to make their outstanding payments.
17. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to provide long awaited new group water schemes in rural areas which under current rules are disenfranchised and without a proper water supply for homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34336/14]
View answerResponsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme, which includes funding for new group water schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. Generally, the selection and approval of individual scheme proposals for advancement and funding under the programme is a matter for the local authorities.
The National Rural Water Services Committee, which has a role in advising me in relation to policy and investment in rural water services, has been considering issues arising for the establishment of new group schemes, particularly where the costs involved call into question the viability of the scheme. Following a recommendation by the Committee, an increase of €1,000 in the maximum grant per house applying to new group water schemes was announced in April 2014. My Department, therefore, now funds 85% of the cost of such schemes, subject to a maximum grant per house of €7,475 rather than the previous limit of €6,475 per house.
The National Rural Water Services Committee recently made further recommendations following on from continued review of the matter. My Department is currently considering these further recommendations.
18. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government following on from the recent CIAT meetings, if he will include architectural technicians and architectural technologists to act as assigned designers-certifiers under SI 9 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34324/14]
View answerI am aware of the valuable contribution to the construction industry that is made by architectural technologists. I welcome and support the recent moves made by both the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) to put this important discipline on a professional footing. My Department met with both bodies on 17 July 2014 with a view to hearing their plans and determining how such plans may be progressed. The main outcome of that meeting was that both bodies would work together and with relevant stakeholders to develop an agreed common standard for Architectural Technologist in line with the National Qualifications Framework. The regulation of professions is in the first instance a matter for industry representatives working in concert with relevant industry stakeholders. Neither I, as Minister, nor my Department, have any role in the assessment or validation of professional qualifications. Nevertheless, where robust arrangements for the regulation of key disciplines such as that of Architectural Technologist can be achieved, in a manner capable of serving the public interest for quality and safety in the built environment at a reasonable economic cost to consumers, I would be happy to sponsor legislation to place such arrangements on a statutory footing.
In relation to the statutory certificates of compliance now required under the Building Control Regulations 1997-2014, it is entirely appropriate that such certificates must be given by relevant, competent, registered professionals.
It should be borne in mind that inclusion on the existing statutory registers of Architect and Building Surveyor is open to persons who can demonstrate that they possess the requisite competence in the design and oversight of construction projects. Pending developments in the regulation of their own discipline, I would encourage Architectural Technologists who have acquired the necessary competence to pursue the routes to registration that are currently open to them under the Building Control Act 2007. I understand that the statutory registers of architects and building surveyors already include a number of RIAI and CIAT technologists who are thus now in a position to avail of the significant opportunities to act as design certifiers and assigned certifiers on relevant construction projects.
19. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for his refusal to consider rent controls; his plans to deal with high rents; and if he will publish the feasibility report on rent controls. [34309/14]
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 published data from the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) Rent Index shows the extent of rising rents, particularly in Dublin where 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 earlier this year the Government 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. A Social Housing Strategy, which will be finalised and considered by Government in the coming weeks, will set out a vision for social housing and identify ways to increase social housing supply over the next 5 years.
Resolution of the housing supply situation is the key element in restoring stability to the market but this takes time. Consequently, the PRTB was asked 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.
The report concerned is being finalised and is due to be presented to me in the coming days. It is the first of two studies on the future of the private rented sector and focuses on options to address the recent escalation in rents, mainly in the Dublin region.
While the report is not yet to hand, I understand it explores a range of issues in regard to rent stability ranging from an examination of rent regulation regimes to the tax treatment of the private rented sector and the role of rent supplement. It is a significant report that will require careful consideration, together with colleagues in Government, before deciding on the best options to address the current difficulties in the market. Our overriding objective is to achieve stability and sustainability in the market for the benefit of tenants, landlords and society as a whole.
20. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the problems caused by pyrite which led to some homes in Drogheda, County Louth, being marked for demolition before the summer; and the efforts he has made to support those effected in seeking redress. [34310/14]
View answerUnder the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013, market surveillance authorities have a wide range of powers to ensure that construction products placed on the market comply with the requirements set out in the Construction Products Regulation. On being advised of the problem in April 2014, the relevant market surveillance authority has taken, and is continuing to take, appropriate action to deal with this issue. One of the developments involved is a social housing development of some 25 dwellings located outside of Drogheda, County Louth. Testing of the blocks has confirmed the presence of pyrite in 24 of the 25 dwellings. As a result, demolition and rebuild of the full site was agreed between the contracting parties with the associated cost to be met through the construction contracts. I understand that the demolition of the 25 houses is now complete and rebuilding works have commenced with a revised delivery set for the spring/summer of 2015. Given that the problems were identified prior to occupation, no one has had to vacate their homes; all 25 homes will be replaced and made available to families through the application of the building contracts.
My Department will continue to work closely with the relevant building control/market surveillance authorities involved in dealing with this particular matter to monitor the situation and will continue to provide whatever advice, guidance or clarifications as are required to ensure that the necessary actions are taken to resolve the problems identified in County Louth and other areas and to safeguard against defective products being placed on the market.
21. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reduce the penal additional charges paid by motor tax customers who, due to financial constraints, may only tax their vehicles for three and six month periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34315/14]
View answerMotor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. The rates applicable for the half-yearly and quarterly options are 55.5% and 28.25% of the annual charge, respectively. These relativities have remained generally consistent since the 1960s.
The estimated additional annual income from the increased charges for half-yearly and quarterly discs is in the region of €50m. A loss of income from this source would have a negative impact on the total collected via motor tax, and would have to be borne elsewhere in the motor tax system, or through the taxation system generally.
The differential also takes account of the extra workload for staffing in motor tax offices and the National Vehicle and Driver File, and the resultant administrative costs and printing costs that arise, including the issuing of renewal notices. Each quarterly renewal of motor tax follows the same administrative procedures as the annual renewal process. Consequently, renewing on a quarterly basis generates four times the workload of an annual renewal for the equivalent period.
I have no plans to review the basis for paying motor tax on a half-yearly or quarterly basis.
22. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will cease funding the special Traveller projects and the Women’s Network as stand-alone projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34308/14]
View answerI assume the Question relates to my Department’s Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP).
The LCDP is one of the State’s main social inclusion programmes. Its aim is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government and its agencies and people in disadvantaged communities.
The programme currently provides funding of some €2.5m to 14 Traveller specific projects and some 17 women’s specific groups throughout the country. In addition, my Department also supports a number of Traveller projects and Women’s projects under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO). This funding scheme, which supports national organisations in the community and voluntary sector, aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. A new round of funding under this scheme commenced on 1 July 2014.
The LCDP is operating on a transitional basis in 2014 pending the roll-out of the successor programme, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) in 2015. SICAP is one of my key priorities and its budget for next year will be decided in the 2015 Estimates process. The Programme’s target groups are:
- Children and Families from Disadvantaged Areas
- Lone Parents
- New Communities (including Refugees/Asylum Seekers)
- People living in Disadvantaged Communities
- People with Disabilities
- Roma
- The Unemployed (including those not on the Live Register)
- Travellers
- Young Unemployed People from Disadvantaged areas
In accordance with the Public Spending Code, legal advice, good practice internationally and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of the services to clients, the Programme is subject to a public procurement process, which is currently under way. Stage one (Expression of Interest) has been completed. Stage two (Invitation to Tender), which will get under way shortly, will involve the successful applicants from Stage one being invited to apply to one or more Local Community Development Committees to deliver the programme. Contracts for SICAP will be determined following the outcome of the procurement process.
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. In Stage one, joint applications were encouraged and organisations of varying sizes (for example smaller organisations working in consortia with larger organisations) were invited to submit joint applications. When the outcome of Stage one is made known, I will be considering the implications of that for the relevant SICAP target groups.
23. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of septic tank grants issued to date; the number of inspections undertaken and the number of failures on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34335/14]
View answerThe Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 assigns responsibility to the EPA to make a National Inspection Plan for domestic wastewater treatment systems. The National Inspection Plan 2013: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems was adopted and published by the EPA in February 2013. The Plan provided for a minimum of 1,000 inspections to be carried out by the local authorities in the 12 month period up to July 2014. The EPA subsequently informed the local authorities that a further 500 inspections on a pro-rata basis should be carried out during the period July to December 2014. Details of the minimum number of inspections to be carried out in each county are included in the Plan.
My Department does not have any direct role in monitoring the implementation of the EPA’s Plan by the local authorities. However, the EPA has conducted an interim review on the implementation of the National Inspection Plan for the period from July 2013 to February 2014. The report, which is available on the Agency’s website at www.epa.ie contains a breakdown by county of inspections that have taken place and the number of non-compliant treatment systems for which advisory notices were issued. The Agency has also indicated that it intends to carry out a review of the first year’s operation of the inspection plan and I understand that a public consultation regarding this review will be undertaken with the aim of developing a new inspection plan for the five years commencing in January 2015. The number of inspections to be carried out under the new plan is a matter for the EPA.
Applications for grant aid in respect of remediation works are submitted to, and processed by, the local authorities who then seek recoupment of the amounts paid from my Department. To date, nine applications for recoupment of grants made by the local authorities towards the remediation of failing domestic wastewater treatment systems have been submitted to my Department.
24. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which he anticipates reliable public water supply to become available throughout the country, including those areas now affected by boil-water requirements; the programme to address the various issues in relation to supply, quality and demand that have arisen over the years; if he will set out the expected rate, scale and extent of water charges, including allowances for families and-or households catering for persons with disabilities or special needs; when it is expected the first domestic water rate bills will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34319/14]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Irish Water has recently published its Proposed Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 and this is available on the Irish Water website, www.water.ie
The plan outlines a number of priorities to be delivered including eliminating Boil Water Notices, improving water quality, tackling leakage and Investing for economic development.
In addition to this, Section 33 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 requires Irish Water to prepare a Water Services Strategic Plan (WSSP). The WSSP is intended to outline the strategic direction for Irish Water over the short, medium and long-term time frames up to 2040. The WSSP will be a strategic framework which will identify and prioritise the key objectives required to ensure the public water system can meet the challenges of the future. This framework will also allow future capital investment plans to be developed by Irish Water and approved by the Economic Regulator.
Domestic water charges will commence with effect from 1 October 2014 and Irish Water will issue the first bills to domestic customers from January 2015. The approach to charging was outlined by Irish Water in a water charges plan submitted to the CER in line with the provisions of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. The CER recently held a public consultation on this plan. This consultation covered a range of issues relating to water charges including the approach to charging where water quality issues arise. The CER is currently reviewing submissions received on the consultation and a determination will be made by the CER later this month. Full details of the CER public consultation are available on www.cer.ie
The CER decision will take account of Government decisions in relation to charges and allowances. These include the Government decision to provide a free allowance of 30,000 litres of water supplied and waste water treated per annum for a primary residence on a public supply. The Government has also decided to provide for an additional free allowance to cover the normal usage of water services by every child in their primary residence based on the same qualifying conditions as child benefit, such that water charges will in effect only apply to adults in such households. The CER have also been directed to ensure that the water charges plan makes provision for circumstances where the quality of water services provided by Irish Water to its customers is impaired or where services are reduced or restricted (eg. boil water notices).
In addition, the Government has decided that charges will be capped for those customers with particular medical conditions which necessitate high water usage. The arrangements will be announced shortly.
25. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he proposes to introduce a new local authority house purchase scheme; if he will give an outline of the main features of the scheme; if he will include approved housing bodies (voluntary housing agencies) in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34314/14]
View answerPart 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses. This scheme will replace the 1995 and 2011 tenant purchase schemes under section 90 of the Housing Act 1966, which closed in June 2014 and June 2013, respectively. The new scheme will be open to local authority tenants in receipt of social housing support for a prescribed period of at least one year who have not previously purchased a house under a tenant purchase scheme and who have a minimum prescribed annual income. The new scheme will operate along the lines of the incremental purchase model currently being applied in purchase schemes for local authority apartments and new local authority houses under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which involve discounts for purchasers linked to household income and a discount-related charge on the property that reduces over a period unless the house is resold or the purchaser fails to comply with conditions of the sale.
I intend to make the necessary statutory instruments later this year to enable the new scheme to come into operation.
Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are organisations approved under section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 to provide social housing support in conjunction with local authorities. Since the late 1980s, close to 25,000 units of accommodation have been provided by AHBs under various funding schemes. Under the terms of these funding schemes, AHBs are the de facto owners of the properties and are required to make them available for social renting for the duration of the mortgage or, as the case may be, the availability agreement. I have no proposals to include dwellings owned by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in the new tenant purchase scheme.
26. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will engage with the Department of Finance to seek a resolution to the present situation whereby homeowners with pyrite are unable to secure a property tax exemption as the Pyrite Remediation Board is not carrying out testing on all properties and for a homeowner to undertake the test would involve expenditure in excess of the exemption. [34322/14]
View answerSection 10A of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) provides for a temporary exemption of at least three consecutive years from the charge to Local Property Tax (LPT) for residential properties that have been certified as having “significant pyritic damage”. To avail of the exemption, the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Pyrite Exemption) Regulations 2013 require that a liable person be in a position to demonstrate ‘significant pyritic damage’ to his/her property, i.e. the property must –
(a) have a Damage Condition Rating of 2 or a Damage Condition Rating of 1 (with progression) established on foot of a Building Condition Assessment carried out by a competent person under and in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013, and
(b) have sub-floor hardcore material classified, by the appropriate competent person(s), as susceptible to significant or limited expansion, established on foot of testing the sub-floor hardcore material.
Given that a Building Condition Assessment does not involve any invasive internal or external inspections to a residential property, it cannot be used to state conclusively that reactive pyrite is present in the sub-floor hardcore of the property. It will, however, inform whether sampling and testing of the sub-floor hardcore of the residential property should be undertaken in order to confirm the presence or otherwise of pyrite.
Having regard to the above requirements and, more specifically, to the costs associated with testing, my Department is engaging with the Department of Finance to explore possible alternatives to the requirement for testing.
27. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when Meath County Council will be notified of and have access to the centrally allocated funds for housing adaption and mobility grants; and if these moneys will include an allocation for Housing Aid for Older People. [34338/14]
View answerOn 16 January 2014, details were announced of the capital allocations under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. Every local authority received increased funding for grants compared to the 2013 allocations.
The schemes are funded by 80% recoupments available from my Department, together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The allocation to Meath County Council under the grant schemes for 2014 is €715,970, of which €143,194 is to be provided from the Council’s own resources.
The detailed administration of these schemes, including the assessment, approval and payment of grants to applicants, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
In the case of local authority-owned properties, funding is allocated each year in respect of a range of measures to improve the standard and overall quality of their social housing stock. On 5 September 2014, I announced the allocation of €23 million in capital funding for this purpose. Of this allocation, €8 million will be provided to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to social housing to meet the needs of tenants with a disability or to address serious overcrowding. Meath County Council’s allocation for this measure is €369,822.
28. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total project funding provided under the Leader programme 2007-2014; the amount spent to date; the amount spent to date in 2014; if he is satisfied that all of this funding will be drawn down by the end of the programme; the latest date for the completion of projects under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34307/14]
View answerThe original value of the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007 -2013 was €427 million. In late 2011 the European Commission offered Member States that were part of the Financial Stabilisation Mechanism an opportunity to avail of an increased co-financing rate from 55% up to 85%. The increased rate was to apply to 2012 and 2013 expenditure only. This reduced the Programme value to approximately €370 million and was based on the co-financing rate returning to 55% for 2014 and 2015.
During 2013 Local Action Group allocations were revised in line with the €370 million estimate, taking account also of project approvals and spend position at the time.
In December 2013, the European Commission revised their position and allowed Member States to continue to avail of the increased co-financing rate of 85% for 2014 and 2015. That had the effect of reducing the value of the LEADER element of the Programme again to approximately €317 million.
Accordingly, there are commitments well in excess of what is required to ensure full drawdown of the EU contribution towards the Programme and I am satisfied that full drawdowns will be achieved. Therefore, any project funding which is de-committed at this stage will not be re-committed.
The value of project commitments is €284 million, of which €225.7 million has been paid to date. The total paid to date is almost €296 million, which includes €225.7 million for projects, €12 million on animation expenses and €58 million on administration. To date in 2014, €55.2 million has been paid by my Department.
Local Action Group contracts expire on 31 December 2014 and in that context my Department has allowed LEADER project promoters’ contracts to be extended to 15 November 2014, where necessary. EU Regulations allow for expenditure up to end of 2015 and in that context my Department will be keeping a close eye on progress and will make any necessary decisions regarding contract extensions and the final dates for project completion on a case by case basis as the need arises.
29. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the status of unpaid water charge rates due to local authorities in relation to the transfer of functions to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34334/14]
View answerUnpaid non-domestic water charges form part of the Gross Debtor Balance held on the local authority accounts. A working group represented by the Water Services Transition Office (WSTO), Irish Water and my Department was established to agree an appropriate methodology for the valuation of the closing 2013 non-domestic water debtors in the books of the local authorities. Work on this is now at an advanced stage to finalise the debt to transfer from the local authorities to Irish water before the end of 2014.
30. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the public sector hiring embargo is leading to library closures; the total number of days per year libraries here are closed due to the embargo; his views that a derogation is warranted to keep libraries open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29848/14]
View answerPublic Library Authority Statistics – Actuals for the years 2002 to 2011, published by the then An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, are available at http://www.askaboutireland.ie/libraries/public-libraries/publications/public-library-statistics/.
The audit statistics for 2011 indicate total opening hours of 10,462 as compared to 10,626 at the end of 2008, constituting a 1.54% decrease.
The Service Indicators in Local Authorities, published by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) in respect of the years 2005-2012 are available at http://www.lgma.ie/en/serviceindicators/2004to2012.
The average (median) public opening hours per week for full-time libraries show a decrease of 1.7% from 2008 (38 hours) to 2012 (37.35), and a decrease of 0.4% for average (median) number of opening hours per week for part-time libraries from 2008 (15.6 hours) to 2012 (15.54 hours).
The Service Indicators in Local Authorities 2012 noted “There is limited evidence that reduced funding has directly led to a reduction in the number of opening hours provided. However, a small number of local authorities submitted contextual comment indicating some impact on individual library services, for example, some libraries have reduced from full-time to part-time, or closed during lunchtimes due to staff shortages.”
My Department’s policy of grant aiding new library development has resulted in the creation of additional posts, leading in some cases to an increase in opening hours in certain library authorities during the period. My Department has implemented Government policy for frontline services in sanctioning local authority requests for frontline posts whenever possible. In addition, local authorities have continued to place a priority on the provision of frontline services to the public and work to ensure that any impact of reduced resources, including staffing and funding, is minimised. As such, while there have been some reductions in opening hours in some cases due to the non-filling of posts and financial constraints, the impact has been minimised to the greatest extent possible.
The moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service 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.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. In this regard, it is a matter for Chief Executives, in the first instance, to ensure that the moratorium is implemented while the appropriate service levels are maintained.
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.
31. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will use his authority under the Water Services Act 2013 and issue a water charges policy direction to the Commission for Energy Regulation in relation to the matter of exemptions from water charges for those households in areas affected by the presence of hard water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34337/14]
View answerWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from each customer in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers.
Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, suppliers of drinking water are required to ensure that the water supplied is wholesome and clean. Water which is wholesome and clean is defined as water which is free from any micro-organisms and parasites and from any substances which in numbers or concentrations constitute a potential danger to human health, and which meets the quality standards specified in the Schedule to the Regulations.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the supervisory authority with responsibility for monitoring Irish Water’s compliance with the Regulations. In the event of non-compliance with the quality standards set out in the Regulations, the water supplier will investigate the cause in consultation with the EPA and, if a potential risk to human health exists, with the Health Service Executive, to ensure that the appropriate remedial action is taken. This may include the prohibition or the restriction (e.g. a boil water notice) of the supply by the water supplier. The EPA publishes an annual report on the quality of drinking water supplies in Ireland, which sets out details on the numbers of water restrictions and boil water notices. Copies of these reports are available in the Oireachtas library or from the EPA website at www.epa.ie.
The Water Charges Policy Direction issued to the CER in July 2014 referred to a number of matters relating to domestic water charges including where the quality of water services provided by Irish Water to customers is impaired or where services are reduced or restricted. Neither hard water nor the substances associated with hard water, such as lime, calcium and magnesium, require the restriction of a supply.
The CER recently held a public consultation on the Water Charges Plan submitted to it by Irish Water. This consultation covered a range of issues relating to water charges including the approach to charging where water quality issues arise. The CER is currently reviewing submissions received on the consultation and will make a final determination later this month. Full details of the CER public consultation are available on www.cer.ie.
The Water Services (No.2) Act 2013 requires the CER to perform its functions in a manner that best serves the interests of the customers of Irish Water. This is similar to the CER’s statutory role in respect of the gas and electricity sectors. I fully expect that the CER will consider compliance with statutory standards by Irish Water in the discharge of its functions.
32. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 381 of 10 June 2014, if the report into the private rented sector to be carried out by the Private Residential Tenancies Board has now been completed; the main findings of the report; his views on introducing some form of regulation to control rent levels in private rented accommodation, particularly in Dublin where there is an acute shortage of private rented housing stock. [34301/14]
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 published data from the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) Rent Index shows the extent of rising rents, particularly in Dublin where 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 earlier this year the Government 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. A Social Housing Strategy, which will be considered by Government shortly, will set out a vision for social housing and identify ways to increase social housing supply over the next 5 years.
Resolution of the housing supply situation is the key element in restoring stability to the market but this takes time. Consequently, the PRTB was asked 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 with policy recommendations.
The report concerned is being finalised and is due to be presented to me very shortly. It is the first of two studies on the future of the private rented sector and focuses on options to address the recent escalation in rents, mainly in the Dublin region.
While the report is not yet to hand, I understand it explores a range of issues in regard to rent stability ranging from an examination of rent regulation regimes to the tax treatment of the private rented sector and the role of rent supplement. It is a major report that will require careful consideration, together with colleagues in Government, before deciding on the best options to address the current difficulties in the market. Our overriding objective is to achieve stability and sustainability in the market for the benefit of tenants, landlords and society as a whole.
33. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of water meters due to be installed on a county basis; the total number installed to date by county; the total number of houses that will not have a water meter installed at the end of the process; the way it is intended to deal with apartments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34316/14]
View answerThe Water Services Act 2013 provides for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigns the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the water metering programme. The meter installation programme commenced in August 2013 and Irish Water has indicated to my Department that it expects to have 450,000 meters installed by the end of 2014, with at least 1. 1 million properties expected to be metered by mid-2016.
Irish Water has awarded meter installation contracts on a regional basis and to date over 400,000 installations have been completed. A breakdown of the installations by region is set out in the table below.
Meter installations by region
|
Region |
All |
North West |
West |
South West |
North East |
Dublin City |
Midlands |
County Dublin |
South East |
|
Meter |
403,107 |
46,342 |
41,278 |
42,354 |
49,687 |
46,818 |
61,492 |
72,652 |
42,484 |
Of the domestic properties connected to public water supplies, it is estimated that approximately 300,000 properties will not be metered as part of the current phase, due to the cost or technical difficulty of doing so. This figure will be validated following the completion of the Irish Water customer validation exercise and the completion of a pre-installation survey of households connected to public water supplies being carried out by local authorities. These properties would include apartment blocks, other multi-occupancy buildings and houses with shared service connections.
Irish Water has commissioned a study on possible approaches to metering properties that are not part of the current metering programme, including apartments and properties with shared service connections. On the basis of this report, it has been agreed to incorporate 48,000 apartments, identified by the report as being easily metered, into the current metering programme. The advancement of any further phase will be a matter for consideration by the Commission for Energy Regulation based on proposals from Irish Water.
The proposed approach to charging has been outlined by Irish Water in a water charges plan which it has submitted to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) in line with the provisions of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. The CER is responsible for approving the plan, taking account of a Ministerial policy direction issued to the CER in July 2014, in accordance with section 42 of the Water Services (No. 2 ) Act 2013. Against this background, the CER are proposing to approve a water charges plan which provides that properties not connected to a meter would be billed on the basis of a scheme of assessed charges based on occupancy. The CER recently held a public consultation on the water charges plan and it is currently reviewing submissions received, in advance of making a final determination later this month. Full details of the CER public consultation are available on its website, www.cer.ie.
The policy direction of July 2014 requires the CER to review assessed charges in the light of emerging data on metered consumption to ensure that the assessed charges remain as close a proxy for actual usage as possible.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.
34. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the actions he has taken to address the homeless crisis here; the action he will take to ensure homelessness is ended within two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30815/14]
View answerMy 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.
In February 2013, the Government’s Homelessness Policy Statement was published in which the aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 was outlined. The statement emphasises a housing-led approach, which is focused on accessing permanent housing as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. The availability and supply of secure, affordable and adequate housing is essential in ensuring sustainable tenancies and ending long-term homelessness.
On 20 May 2014, the Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness was published 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/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/
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. Progress in implementing the plan is reported quarterly through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and a copy of the Quarter 2 Progress Report is also available on my Department's website at the weblink outlined above.
35. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the controversy regarding the planned incinerator at Poolbeg and Greyhound Waste, his views on whether it is now time for elected representatives to take back responsibility for waste and recycling management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34303/14]
View answerIn 2001, the Oireachtas considered and approved an amendment to Section 22 of the Waste Management Act 1996 to provide that the making of a waste management plan should become an executive function of the relevant local authority. The amendment was seen as necessary to ensure the timely adoption and implementation of waste management plans, required under both national and EU legislation and also required to ensure that waste in Ireland was managed in a manner which is environmentally sustainable.
While recent figures published by the EPA for 2012 indicate that Ireland has made considerable progress in terms of sustainable waste management, moving from approximately landfilling 90% of our municipal solid waste in 2001 to just 41% in 2012, substantial further progress is required in order to fulfil our obligations under the waste hierarchy, whereby prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling and other recovery are favoured over the disposal or landfilling of waste. There remains a shortage of indigenous treatment capacity in Ireland and we are overly reliant on export for recovery. The timely adoption and implementation of waste management plans therefore remains a priority, if Ireland is to deliver the infrastructural capacity necessary for us to meet our obligations under EU law.
I have no plans to amend the current arrangements.
36. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans concerning the construction of social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34329/14]
View answerMy overall plans in relation to the future delivery of social housing will be set out in the new Social Housing Strategy which is currently in preparation, with the intention that it will be considered by Government in the coming weeks. It will contain clear, measureable actions to increase the supply of social housing, based on innovative solutions that will harness new funding streams, in order to continue to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society.
In the meantime, my Department is continuing to oversee the provision of social housing for people on the housing waiting list and for homeless persons through local authorities and other providers. Overall, I expect some 6,000 social housing units to be delivered across the range of programmes this year. For 2014-2015, this includes the planned delivery of 449 new units of accommodation for people on the housing waiting list under the Local Authority housing construction programme and some 416 new homes through support for approved housing bodies for the construction and acquisition of housing for persons with specific categories of housing need.
37. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to bring forward the promised Climate Change Bill. [34306/14]
View answerIn April 2014, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill. The Bill, which is listed among the Bills expected to be published during the Autumn Session as part of the Government’s Legislation Programme, is currently being drafted within the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. Once the final Bill is approved by Government, my objective is to introduce the Bill and progress its passage through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible, with a view to enactment by end 2014, as set out in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016.
38. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the level of spending on set up costs for Irish Water signed off on 22 October 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34333/14]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 1 on today’s Order Paper.
In advance of the enactment of the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) did not have full economic regulatory powers in relation to the water sector, but did have powers to provide advice to the Minister. In that context on 22 October 2013, my predecessor approved a request from the Department to seek advice from CER on new costs arising in establishing Irish Water. The purpose in seeking this advice was to ensure that the costs were of benefit to customers in the long-term and that forecast expenditure was reasonable. In relation to the establishment costs, the request included broad headings for expenditure of €150m plus a contingency of €31m, but did not distinguish between in-house and external provision.
The establishment of Irish Water is an integral component of the Government’s water sector reform strategy and involves major organisational change. The establishment of a high performance utility will lead to lower costs and improved services in the future, providing much better outcomes for customers and the environment. There is a need to incur upfront costs in order to secure these benefits. The CER has reviewed the establishment costs and in their proposals published in July 2014, they have indicated that they propose to allow Irish Water the vast bulk - some €172.8 million - of the costs proposed.
39. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects the revised wind energy guidelines to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34300/14]
View answerMy Department commenced a public consultation in December 2013 on proposed “draft” revisions to the existing 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines focussing specifically on the issues of noise, setbacks and shadow flicker. These draft revisions propose:
- The setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,
- A mandatory minimum setback of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and
- The complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
The proposed draft revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006, when finalised, will be issued by me under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts.
It is intended that the revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines will be finalised as soon as possible. Account has to be taken of the extensive response to the public consultation in framing the final guidelines. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during the public consultation period. Further work is also advancing to develop technical appendices to assist planning authorities with the practical application of the noise measurement aspects of the Wind Guidelines.
40. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will open a full inquiry into planning irregularities in County Wicklow. [34302/14]
View answerCertain planning matters in relation to County Wicklow have recently been brought to my attention. My Department is currently examining the position with regard to these matters, following which I will respond in respect of the issues raised.
41. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil an dtabharfaidh sé tuairisc ar dhul chun cinn na scéime nua Íocaíochta Cúnaimh Tithíochta, cén líon contaetha ina bhfuil an scéim i bhfeidhm, cén líon daoine atá ag fáil na hÍocaíochta agus cén uair atá sé beartaithe an scéim a leathnú chuig contaetha eile. [34311/14]
View answerCuireann Acht na dTithe (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha) 2014 an clár reachtúil ar an Íocaíocht Cúnaimh Tithíochta (ICT/HAP) in aithne, an phríomhaidhm atá leis ná gach seirbhís shóisialta tithíochta fadtéarmach atá ar fáil ag an Stát a chónascadh faoi chóras na n-údarás áitiúil.
Tá treoirscéim riaracháin i bhfeidhm i gComhairle Cathrach agus Contae Luimnigh, an t-údarás áitiúil atá i réim maidir leis an Íocaíocht Cúnaimh Tithíochta (ICT/HAP), ó Aibreán 2014. Tá an íocaíocht ar fáil ag 118 teaghlach i Luimneach faoi láthair mar chuid den treoirscéim seo.
Forálann Alt 50 den Acht le tús a chur leis an ICT/HAP in údaráis áitiúla sonraithe ar dhátaí éagsúla agus i leith aicmí éagsúla teaglaigh. Cuirfidh rialacháin faoi Alt 50 an scéim i bhfeidhm i gceantair na n-údarás áitiúil aonarach.
Faoin Íocaíocht Cúnaimh Tithíochta (Alt 50) Rialacháin 2014, tháinig an Scéim ICT/HAP i bhfeidhm i limistéir Chomhairle Contae Chorcaí, Chomhairle Cathrach agus Contae Luimnigh agus Chomhairle Cathrach agus Contae Phort Láirge ó 15 Meán Fómhair 2014. Déanfar Rialacháin eile i dtráth cuí chun an Scéim a leathnú go dtí na hÚdaráis Áitiúla Grúpa 1 eile, na Comhairlí Contae Átha Cliath Theas, Chill Chainnigh, Lú, Mhuineacháin agus Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath – le fócas ar leith ar freastail do theaghlaigh gan dídean.
Tar éis na treoirscéime riaracháin i 2014 agus athbhreithniú ar an dá treoirscéim, tabharfar an scéim isteach chuig na rialtais áitiúil i 2015 i gcéimeanna. Bainfear úsáid as ceachtanna a foghlaimíodh i rith an chéad chéime chun an leathnú seo a chur in iúl.
