Written Answers Nos. 520 - 543
520. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the leader element of the rural development programme for 2014-2020; the level of funding to be provided; if a new structure is being proposed for the distribution of funds and if so, if he will provide the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48849/14]
View answerThe draft Rural Development Programme (RDP) for the 2014-2020 programme period, including the LEADER elements, was submitted to the European Commission in July 2014. My Department is currently working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Commission to finalise the text of the document with a view to commencing the implementation of the LEADER element of the Programme in 2015.
A community led local development (CLLD) approach, LEADER is a methodology that places the rural community at its centre. Groups of people representing defined geographical areas called Local Action Groups (LAGs) are charged with identifying and determining where the challenges to development lie and what initiatives are required in order to address these challenges in their own communities. Through Local Development Strategies (LDSs), LAGs seek to facilitate participation by all parties who wish to contribute to this process, thus ensuring that the LDS is as representative of the community view as possible. Over the lifetime of their respective RDPs, LAGs will support those initiatives they consider will have the greatest impact on their communities’ development thereby supporting the achievement of the aims and objectives of the LDS. Funding available through the LEADER element of the RDP 2014-2020 will continue to be distributed by Local Action Groups (LAGS) through the medium of Local Development Strategies (LDSs).
The selection process to select LEADER LDSs and LAGS for the 2014-2020 programme will be an open process that will facilitate participation by any entity that meets the selection criteria. I expect the process to begin shortly and in this context I cannot say what entities will be successful until the process is complete. As required by the EU regulation governing the programme, successful LDS will be selected by an independent selection committee established for that purpose.
521. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding local development companies who will not have finalised their Leader funding expenditure before the end of 2014; if this funding will be ring-fenced for Leader projects in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48850/14]
View answerIn the main, projects under the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 had contract completion dates up to 1 December 2014. However, approval was given to extend the completion dates of a number of projects into 2015 following requests from a number of Local Development Companies. Up to €25 million in funding has been ring fenced for these projects in 2015 but all others must complete and be claimed during 2014.
522. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if all local authorities operate the same conditions and standards in relation to the shared ownership scheme; and if the consumer price index valuation is attached to every shared ownership property throughout Ireland. [48858/14]
View answerTwo Shared Ownership schemes were in operation until 2011, when the decision was taken to stand down all affordable housing schemes. Under Shared Ownership, a house was acquired by a local authority and leased to a shared owner, who purchased at least 40% of the value of the house and rented the remaining equity from the local authority. The local authority financed the transaction by borrowing from the Housing Finance Agency. The shared owner was required to purchase full ownership within 25 years.
An Index Linked Shared Ownership Loan was introduced in 1991. The loan is split between annuity and rental portions. The annuity loan is repaid on the prevailing variable interest and capital basis. Rent is charged at 4.3% on the rental equity balance. The rental equity balance is adjusted in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) each year.
In January 2003, the Shared Ownership scheme was revised for all loans taken out from that date. The loan continued to be split between annuity and rental portions. Again, the annuity loan is repaid on the prevailing variable interest and capital basis.
The main difference in the shared ownership schemes is the treatment of the rental equity. In the original scheme, the rental equity balance is index linked to the CPI. In the post-2003 scheme, the rental equity balance is treated as a capital loan and can be paid down over time if the rent repayments exceed the interest amount due.
It is a matter for each local authority to administer the existing pre- and post-2003 Shared Ownership Schemes in line with the related Circulars issued by my Department.
523. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the use of a disused Garda station in Killarney, County Kerry to deal with the homeless situation (details supplied) in Killarney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48901/14]
View answerOn 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/.
Bringing vacant local authority properties back into productive use as quickly as possible is one of the critical actions in the implementation plan and steps are being taken across the country to bring over 1,800 such units into use before year end.
Other suitable vacant residential properties in State ownership are also being considered to be brought into productive use as quickly as possible and my Department has been engaging with key State property stakeholders including OPW, the Department of Defence, the HSE and the Irish Prison Service as well as Dublin City Council and the Housing Agency for this purpose. The objective is to maximise the number of housing units available across the country so as to address the housing need of homeless households; the focus initially is on units in the Dublin region.
In the Action Plan to Address Homelessness which I launched last week, all Dublin housing authorities are considering properties in their area, including those listed on the intra-State Property Asset Register, with a view to utilising all potential properties for housing purposes on an emergency basis. Housing authorities across the country have access to this Register, currently being populated with property data, where details of all State properties including vacant properties are identified, which authorities may consider for housing purposes.
I understand that the property in question was sold earlier this year. It is a matter for Kerry County Council to consider other vacant State properties identified on the Register and their potential use for housing purposes in its area.
524. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress in achieving each of the nine strategic aims set out in the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011–2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48941/14]
View answer525. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which the implementation planning group for the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011–2016 was established; the number of meetings of the group that have taken place since then; the number of annual progress reports completed since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48942/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 525 together.
The Government’s National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011-2016 sets out the broad framework for the delivery of housing supports for people with disabilities. It is committed to transparency and incorporates a reporting regime within its Implementation Framework. This regime is overseen by an Implementation Monitoring Group.
There have been seven meetings of the Implementation Monitoring Group since its first meeting on 28 May 2012. The Group is charged with submitting annual progress reports on the implementation of the Strategy to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy. The first annual report is available on my Department’s website and can be found at the following link:http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,37210,en.doc.
The second annual progress report will be submitted early next year.
526. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for preventing an increase in homelessness in 2015; his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48948/14]
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. 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 athttp://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.
With regard to the private rented market, the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provides that rents may not be greater than the open market rate and may only be reviewed upward or downward once a year unless there has been a substantial change in the nature of the accommodation that warrants a review. Tenants must be given 28 days’ notice of new rent and can make an application for dispute resolution to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) where they feel the rent increase is in excess of the market rent. These provisions have effect notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in a lease or tenancy agreement. However, a recent Red C poll for the PRTB found that only 64% of tenants were aware of their rights under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The PRTB is developing a new communications strategy, which will include increasing awareness of existing rights and obligations under the legislation and will be rolled out early in 2015.
In the third quarter of 2014, rents were 5.6% higher nationally than the same period last year, according to the most recent rent index from the PRTB. Rents for houses were 4.3% higher, while apartment rents were 7.3% higher than in the same quarter of 2013. The index shows that nationally, monthly rents were over 17% lower than their peak in late 2007, with Dublin rents 9.4% lower than the peak.
Ultimately, the main cause of rising rents is a lack of supply in the market and the recently published Social Housing Strategy 2020 sets out clear, measurable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing, reform delivery arrangements and meet the housing needs of all households on the housing list including homeless households. The total targeted provision of over 110,000 social housing units will address the needs of the 90,000 on the housing waiting list in full, with flexibility to meet potential future demand. In addition, the implementation of the range of actions under the Government’s Construction 2020 strategy will support increased supply in the wider housing market.
The private rented sector is identified as one of three pillars in the Social Housing Strategy to meet social housing need in the years ahead. A key action in the Strategy is to develop a national policy aimed at increasing investment in and supporting the supply of good quality, secure and affordable rental accommodation. My Department will be working closely with stakeholders in progressing this action.
527. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the regulations introduced in 2013 (details supplied) regarding bed-sits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48950/14]
View answerRegulations 6, 7 and 8 of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 came into effect for all residential rented accommodation on 1 February 2013. The purpose of Regulation 6 is to ensure that each rental property has exclusive access to its own sanitary facilities and that those facilities are contained within the dwelling unit. Regulation 7 relates to effective heating which can be independently managed by the tenant, while Regulation 8 provides for sole access to adequate facilities for the hygienic storage, preparation and cooking of food. The 2008 Regulations came into effect generally on 1 February 2009 but allowed a four year phasing-in period to facilitate any improvement works that needed to be carried out in respect of Regulations 6, 7 and 8. The revised standards in the 2008 Regulations were based on a review of minimum standards dating back to 1993 which tolerated very basic facilities such as external toilets, cold water only and having an open fireplace as the only heating source. Minimum standards are necessary as a protection to all tenants and especially to the most vulnerable.
Census 2011 indicated that there were approximately 4,500 bed-sits across the country – the majority of which were in Dublin – accounting for 1% of households in the private rented sector. A recent report from Dublin City Council found that the majority of dwellings selected for inspection (which were pre-1963 multi-unit buildings and more likely to be in this category of accommodation) were non-compliant with the regulations on initial inspection. It is worth emphasising that 72% of the dwellings inspected were failing on fire safety grounds.
These inspections were part of an intensified inspection programme funded by my Department that commenced in 2012 and is due to run until March 2015. It specifically targeted concentrations of rented properties which were deemed to be at risk of non-compliance with the legislation. Up to October 2014, 66% of the non-compliant properties had been brought into compliance. Enforcement action continues against the remainder, including legal action in certain cases.
As a result of the regulations and the inspection programme to date, many tenants are now living in safe, healthy homes. I have no plans to amend the regulations to reduce the standards required.
528. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he is taking to protect persons who are paying rent to landlords, who do not qualify for rent supplements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48955/14]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants relating to, inter alia, security of tenure, termination of tenancies, rent and rent reviews. The 2004 Act provides that rents may not be greater than the open market rate and may only be reviewed upward or downward once a year unless there has been a substantial change in the nature of the accommodation that warrants a review. Tenants must be given 28 days’ notice of new rent and can make an application for dispute resolution to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) where they feel the rent increase is in excess of the market rent. These provisions have effect notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in a lease or tenancy agreement. In the third quarter of 2014, rents were 5.6% higher nationally than the same period last year, according to the most recent rent index from the PRTB. Rents for houses were 4.3% higher, while apartment rents were 7.3% higher than in the same quarter of 2013. In Dublin, which is seeing the highest rates of increase nationally, overall rents were higher by 9.5%.
A recent Red C poll for the PRTB found that only 64% of tenants were aware of their rights under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The PRTB is developing a new communications strategy, which will include increasing awareness of existing rights and obligations under the legislation and will be rolled out early in 2015.
Ultimately, the main cause of rising rents is a lack of supply in the market and the recently published Social Housing Strategy 2020 sets out clear, measurable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing, reform delivery arrangements and meet the housing needs of all households on the housing list. The total targeted provision of over 110,000 social housing units will address the needs of the 90,000 on the housing waiting list in full, with flexibility to meet potential future demand. In addition, the implementation of the range of actions under the Government’s Construction 2020 strategy will support increased supply in the wider housing market.
529. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the terms for the new scheme for the purchase of existing local authority houses to replace the 1995 scheme are available; if so, the details of the terms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48976/14]
View answer556. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a new tenant purchase scheme will become operational; the way the discount on the market value of the property will be calculated; the number of properties purchased under the 1995 scheme; the average discount which applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49298/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 529 and 556 together.
Part 3 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides for a new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses which will replace the 1995 scheme and the once–off 2011 scheme, which closed in June 2014 and June 2013 respectively. Discounts of 3% per year of reckonable tenancy, up to a maximum discount of 30%, were available off the market value of the house under the 1995 scheme, plus a discount of €3,809 in lieu of the new house grant. The 2011 scheme offered discounts of 3% per year of reckonable tenancy, up to a maximum discount of 45%, off the market value of the house. Information is not available on the average discount rate applied to sales under the schemes. Returns from housing authorities indicate that 24,391 houses were purchased by tenants under the two schemes.
The Social Housing Strategy 2020, which was published last month, includes a commitment to introduce the new tenant purchase scheme by the second quarter of 2015. The scheme will operate along the incremental purchase model currently operating for local authority apartments and certain new local authority houses, which involve discounts for purchasers linked to household income and a discount-related charge on the property that reduces to nil over a period unless the house is resold or the purchaser fails to comply with conditions of the sale.
Where the tenant purchaser resells the property before the end of the charge period, he or she will be required to pay back to the housing authority a portion of any profits arising from the sale, thereby compensating the State for its loss on the original sale of the property and generating funds for the local authority to invest in new social housing or the refurbishment of existing housing. Full details of the new scheme will be set out in regulations that I will make as part of the introduction of the new scheme.
530. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to deal with homelessness in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49012/14]
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. 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 athttp://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 Public Service Reform and a copy of the Quarter 3 2014 Progress Report is also available on my Department's website at the link provided above.
On 4 December 2014, I hosted a special Summit on Homelessness to reaffirm the Government's commitment to end involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. The Summit was attended by Oireachtas members, elected members and officials from the four Dublin Local Authorities, representatives from Government Departments, State Agencies and the NGO sector, and the Catholic and Church of Ireland Archbishops of Dublin.
A number of actions arising from the Summit were considered at the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform on 8 December and were then formalised into an Action Plan to Address Homelessness which was noted by the Government at its meeting on 9 December 2014. In addition to those actions which constitute an immediate response to the is sue of rough sleeping in Dublin, actions have been identified which tackle the more systemic issues, classified under the three categories of the ‘housing-led’ approach.
A copy of this action plan is available on my Department’s website at the link provided above. Progress in implementing this plan was considered by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform at its meeting on 17 December.
531. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the priorities in his Department for the remainder of the term of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49022/14]
View answerMy focus for the remainder of the Government’s term will be to continue to deliver on those commitments within the Programme for Government 2011-2016 and the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 for which I have responsibility. In that context, particular attention will centre on delivery on actions under the Action Plan for Jobs, the Construction 2020 Strategy, the Social Housing Strategy 2020, the Implementation Plan on the State’s Response to Homelessness and the associated Action Plan to Address Homelessness, as well as progressing implementation of Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government, continued development of national climate policy, electoral/constitutional reforms and the introduction of the new Leader and Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programmes. I will also be prioritising associated legislative reforms and other relevant legislative priorities as outlined in the Government’s Legislation Programme.
532. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in a situation where the existing landlord refuses to be part of the housing assistance payment scheme and where a tenant is moved from rent supplement to a housing assistance payment, if the tenant may stay on rent supplement and therefore remain in the accommodation. [49032/14]
View answerThe implementation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a key Government priority and a major pillar of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which I published on 26 November 2014. The HAP scheme will bring all social housing supports provided by the State under the aegis of local authorities with those with a long term housing need transferring from rent supplement, on a phased basis, and newly presenting households with a social housing need also being able to avail of HAP. HAP will remove a barrier to employment by allowing recipients to remain in the scheme if they gain full-time employment. HAP will also improve regulation of the rented accommodation being supported and provide certainty for landlords as regards their rental income.
The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 provides the statutory framework for HAP. The Act also provides for certain amendments to the Social Welfare code to facilitate the introduction of HAP. In order to facilitate the gradual and orderly transfer from rent supplement to HAP, or other social housing options, the Act provides that the Department of Social Protection may request a person, who has been in receipt of rent supplement for a continuous period of 18 months or more, to apply for social housing support and a social housing assessment.
The first phase of the HAP statutory pilot commenced with effect from 15 September 2014 in Limerick City and County Council, Waterford City and County Council and Cork County Council. Subsequently, from 1 October 2014, HAP commenced in Louth, Kilkenny, South Dublin and Monaghan County Councils. HAP in respect of homeless households will commence this week in Dublin City Council and Fingal and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Councils. There are now 411 households in receipt of HAP across the local authority areas taking part in the statutory pilot scheme.
Responsibility for rent supplement rests with my colleague the Minister for Social Protection. Where possible, in the interests of all concerned, if a Rent Supplement recipient moving to HAP can stay in the existing accommodation that can be facilitated under HAP. It is a matter for individual landlords whether or not they agree to participate in HAP, in the same manner as they can currently choose whether to participate in the Rent Supplement Scheme. Where an individual landlord decides not to enter the HAP scheme, a rent supplement recipient may continue to receive rent supplement payments.
A full review of the statutory pilot phase of the scheme will be carried out in advance of full roll out of HAP in 2015. This review will include data and learning from the pilot authorities in relation to the implementation of the statutory scheme including how best to ensure an optimum transfer from Rent Supplement to HAP for households.
There has been ongoing contact and information sharing with landlord representative bodies as HAP has been developed and rolled out and this will continue.
533. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 11 December 2014, when he will issue a decision on the application in view of the fact that the appeal was lodged in July and that Show Racism the Red Card carries out vital racist educational programmes. [49033/14]
View answerIt is assumed that the Deputy is referring to Question No. 181 of 11 December 2014 regarding my Department’s Scheme to Support National Organisations.
Pobal were asked to undertake the appraisal and management of the Scheme to Support National Organisations, and, in that context, put in place a dedicated team to deal with any inquiries from applicants and to provide detailed feedback. Furthermore, an appeals process was put in place, on foot of which Pobal submitted a report, which I am currently considering and I expect to be in a position to issue a decision in the near future.
534. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to approve further funding to Galway County Council for storm remedial and prevention works sent to the directorate for fire and emergency management on 7 April 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49042/14]
View answerThe Government decided on 11 February 2014 to allocate funding of up to €69.5 million to local authorities in the areas worst affected by the first phase of severe weather in respect of the damage caused between 13 December 2013 and 6 January 2014. This was intended to help communities by restoring roads, coastal protection, amenities/ facilities and other public infrastructure which had been damaged. It was agreed that the funding would be made available via the Votes of the appropriate Departments, viz Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine; the Office of Public Works; and my Department.
My Department had an initial role in collating details and costs of damage in the immediate aftermath of the severe weather, based on returns and estimates provided by local authorities. However, the other Departments and Offices above are liaising directly with the local authorities on funding which falls under their remit. The costs which fall under my Department’s remit are in respect of the actual response, clean-up and immediate works necessary (current costs incurred) and capital costs in relation to tourism infrastructure, certain piers and harbours in charge of the local authorities and other local authority facilities.
As regards Galway County Council, my Department has recouped in full all claims received from the Council to date relating to both the first phase of severe weather and the second phase from 27 January to 17 February 2014, totalling €478,000 in respect of current costs and €338,297 in respect of capital costs. All claims are, of course, certified by the Council on the basis of monies already expended. Provision has been made in the Estimates of my Department for a further €10 million in 2015 in respect of storm-related capital costs incurred by local authorities. The 2015 funding position will be kept under review over the course of the year and any further claims submitted by Galway County Council will be considered accordingly.
535. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide more funding to areas (details supplied) in Dublin 13 and County Dublin regarding flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49045/14]
View answerThe lead Government agency for flood risk management is the Office of Public Works, which comes within the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I have no function in this matter.
536. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to turn around boarded-up social housing in a more timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49049/14]
View answer537. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to have local authorities report monthly on the amount of boarded-up social housing in their possession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49050/14]
View answer538. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on asking voluntary housing bodies to help with the turn around of boarded-up social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49051/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 536 to 538, inclusive, together.
Under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of social housing stock is the responsibility of local authorities, as the housing authorities for their areas. My Department provides funding support to local authorities in respect of their work on the provision and maintenance of social housing and, in recognition of the need to make best use of existing stock and facilitate local authorities to accommodate housing applicants as quickly as possible, €30 m has been provided in 2014 towards the work of local authorities in returning vacant properties to lettable, energy efficient condition at reasonable cost.
That funding is targeting the refurbishment of 1,960 vacant social housing units and it is likely that this target will be met or exceeded by the end of the year. While local authorities report progress to my Department in relation to this work over the course of the year, general statistics on local authority housing stock, including units that may be empty, are published annually by the Local Government Management Agency. The most recent statistics are in respect of 2012 and are available at the following link:http://www.lgma.ie/sites/default/files/service_indicators_2012_report_for_website_0.pdf.
In the context of the responsibility of local authorities for the management and maintenance of social housing, they work collaboratively with approved housing bodies across a range of social housing activities, from the provision of social housing to the refurbishment of existing stock. I welcome and encourage all collaborative work between local authorities and approved housing bodies in relation to the delivery and maintenance of local social housing services.
539. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process regarding the sign-off of fire compliant new apartment blocks and houses; if he will compare it with the process that was in place prior to Priory Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49052/14]
View answerUnder the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014 and the Building Control Regulations made thereunder, all new apartments require a Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) issued by the local Building Control Authority. The FSC certifies that the building, if constructed in accordance with the plans and documentation submitted, will comply with the requirements of Part B of the Building Regulations. It is an offence to open, occupy or use a building without having a valid FSC where one is required.
While the above requirement for an FSC remains in place, the Building Control Regulations have been amended by S.I. No. 9 of 2014 which greatly strengthened the arrangements in place for the control of building activity. In particular, the regulations empower competence and professionalism in design and construction and require greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations, including the Fire Safety requirements addressed in Part B of the regulations. Statutory certificates of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspection during construction and validation and registration of statutory certificates are now formally required in respect of all new buildings, including apartments, housing developments and one-off housing. As with an FSC, it is an offence to open, occupy or use a building for which a statutory certificate of completion is required and has not been included on the public building control register.
I am satisfied that the regulatory framework now in place represents a reasonable and appropriate response to the many building failures that occurred in the past decade and will lead to improved quality within the construction sector. Firstly, statutory certification brings greater legal clarity. Any builder or construction professional who now signs a statutory certificate in respect of a dwelling which subsequently proves to be non-compliant can be held legally liable for the consequences of his/her actions. Secondly, there is a greater onus now placed on professionals to provide consumers with a more comprehensive service. In this regard, any registered construction professional that is found guilty of misconduct runs the risk of being censured, suspended or ultimately removed from the relevant statutory register. Thirdly, the mandatory inspection plan guarantees oversight by a competent profession during the construction phase. Fourthly, the lodgement of project documentation on the online Building Control Management System facilitates closer monitoring of activity by the local building control authority. Finally, building owners and occupiers of new dwellings will henceforth have the right to access compliance documentation relevant to their home lodged with the local Building Control Authority , which will greatly assist them in identifying and pursuing the responsible party should problems occur.
540. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way persons with impaired mobility are able to find their way in the built up environment of many local authorities; if he will ensure the full implementation of the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49077/14]
View answerMy Department has supported local authorities in implementing the Disability Act 2005 since its enactment. My Department’s Sectoral Plan, as provided for in section 31 of the Disability Act 2005, was developed in consultation with people with disabilities to assist the Department and local authorities in supporting an inclusive society with accessible buildings, facilities, services and information.
In accordance with my Department’s Sectoral Plan, all local authorities were required to carry out an accessibility audit in respect of all public spaces, public buildings and services owned and operated by them. In total, my Department provided over €77 million, between 2005 and 2010, to assist local authorities in improving access to public spaces, buildings and services for people with disabilities. Funding was allocated annually for purposes of Disability Services to local authorities, on the basis of priority areas identified by them in implementation plans.
The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) takes a central role in the implementation of the Disability Strategy in the local government sector and provides a range of advice and support to local authorities in that regard.
541. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the new proposed changes to building regulations for one-off houses introduced in March 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49090/14]
View answer542. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost-benefit analysis of the building regulations undertaken prior to them being introduced in March 2014; if a cost-benefit analysis has been undertaken for the proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49091/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 542 together.
The amendments to the Building Control Regulations introduced through S.I. No. 9 of 2014 have greatly strengthened the arrangements in place for the control of building activity by requiring accountability for compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates. I am satisfied that this key reform of the regulatory framework represents a reasonable and appropriate response to the many building failures that occurred in the past decade and will lead to improved quality within the construction sector.
The main concern of families intending to build their own homes remains the question of cost. A number of cases have been brought to my attention whereby consumers have been quoted exorbitant charges for professional services in relation to residential construction projects. While the new regulations support improved competence and professionalism and while I believe it is worthwhile for homeowners to have the home they invest in checked and inspected, I do not believe that they should be faced with inflated charges or excessive inspection services.
An extensive public consultation process was undertaken in 2012 to inform the development of the new regulations. Comprehensive consultation documents were published including Strengthening the Building Control System - A Document to inform public consultation on Draft Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2012 which sets out the context in which the new regulations will operate and their impact with particular relevance to cost on building owners and industry stakeholders.
In summary terms, the consultation document identified the key cost impact of the new regulations on owners as being the requirement to assign a competent registered professional to inspect and certify the works. While costs are ultimately determined by market forces, it was considered that this particular requirement would add approximately €3,000 to the overall building cost of a dwelling.
While compliant design and construction was a statutory obligation under the Building Control Act 1990, this obligation may not always have been honoured to the full extent in an under-regulated market. On this basis, it was recognised that the revised regulations may result in additional design, inspection, ancillary certification and, possibly, insurance costs which must ultimately be borne by the building owner. In return for such additional investment owners would be assured of an enhanced quality of design and construction of the building project concerned. It was also noted that the statutory inspection and certification process would reduce the incidence of defective works and the resultant associated costs of carrying out remedial works would reduce accordingly.
In response to the concerns about the prices being quoted to consumers, my Department, in conjunction with the Housing Agency and the construction professional bodies, is preparing additional guidance on an appropriate inspection plan for a typical one-off dwelling. Such guidance will be helpful in better informing the market in relation to offering realistic and appropriately priced professional services for such work.
Early in the New Year, the Department will commence its review of the first year of operation of the regulations in conjunction with local authorities and industry stakeholders. The impact, particularly in relation to cost, of the regulations on one-off housing will be a key element of this review which will inform future regulation in this critical area.
543. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the forthcoming planning policy statement will be published; the way it will feed into legislation currently being drafted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49107/14]
View answerI intend to shortly publish a non-statutory Planning Policy Statement to act as a general guiding document to the operation of the planning system. It will present a concise and clear statement of what the purpose of planning is, and the values and principles that should underpin planning. It will outline the key principles to act as a strategic guide to ensure the sustainable development of urban and rural areas, as well as key high level priorities for the future development and continued enhancement of the planning system in Ireland. It will therefore set out a statement of the key values and principles underpinning the development and implementation of the planning policy and legislative framework.
