Written Answers Nos. 636-654
636. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the chief executive of Sligo County Council has recommended that the council provide financial assistance of €45,000 to Ireland West Airport Knock in County Mayo; if his Department plans to provide matching funds for the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15534/15]
View answerIt is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which includes adopting the annual budget, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority.
It is not my intention to provide matching funding as outlined in the Question as I have no function in relation to this matter. Matters relating to airports are the responsibility of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
637. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the problems associated with banks appointing receivers to repossess the rental property of landlords who are no longer able to afford mortgage repayments, with the consequence that existing tenants are displaced from their home, if consideration has been given to instructing banks to appoint rent receivers in order that tenants can remain in situ in such cases. [15541/15]
View answerThe grounds upon which a tenancy in the private rented sector may be legally terminated are set out in the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. The Act sets out the procedures and notice periods that must be complied with when terminating a tenancy and these apply whether or not a receiver is in place. While the circumstances of each case may vary depending on the terms of the mortgage or charge under which a receiver is appointed, the appointment of a receiver cannot affect the statutory or contractual rights of tenants under the Act.
In 2013 the Irish Banking Federation (IBF) published a guide to receivership for residential tenants. The guide explains that where a receiver is appointed to a rented residential property, the rent should be paid directly to the receiver and that a receipt should be given by the receiver to the tenant. The guide also advises tenants to contact the receiver in the first instance regarding requests for repairs to the property. This guide is a useful contribution to a clearer understanding of the relationship between receivers and residential tenants.
Through the Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill which is currently before the Oireachtas, I intend to introduce an amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act that will help to bring greater clarity in this area and will be of benefit to tenants and receivers alike. This will provide that where a person is appointed as a receiver to carry out the functions and exercise the powers of a landlord under a tenancy, that person will be considered to be the landlord for the purposes of the 2004 Act.
The appointment of a receiver and decisions around the type of receiver to be appointed are commercial matters for the bank or financial institution concerned and it would not be appropriate to interfere in that process.
638. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that Sligo County Council intends to carry out dredging at the channel to Sligo Harbour; that his Department has granted a foreshore licence to the council for the dredging works; that the council must now submit an application to the Environmental Protection Agency for a dumping at sea licence; that the council executive has indicated that the local authority may not have the €12,000 fee to cover the cost of the dumping at sea licence application; if consideration will be given to providing financial assistance to Sligo County Council to allow it to proceed to submit the application for the dumping at sea licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15545/15]
View answerThe application for a foreshore licence from Sligo County Council for dredging at Sligo Harbour was granted approval in principle on 20 May 2014. The Chief State Solicitor’s Office is currently preparing the requisite legal documentation. It is a matter for any party that wishes to engage in dredging activity to ensure that they obtain the necessary consents, including a Dumping at Sea permit from the EPA.
It is the responsibility for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which include adopting the annual budget and authorising borrowing, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority.
639. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the recommendation from the Constitutional Convention on voting rights in presidential elections for citizens outside the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12774/15]
View answerThe Convention on the Constitution recommended that citizens resident outside the State should have the right to vote in Presidential elections. In considering a response to this recommendation the Government decided that it would be necessary to analyse the full range of issue that would arise in any significant extension of the franchise, before any decision could be made on the holding of a referendum. In ‘Global Irish – Ireland’s Diaspora Policy’, launched on 3 March 2015, the Government acknowledged that such an extension of the franchise would be welcomed by many in the diaspora. However, the Government also acknowledged that it would be challenging to introduce and to manage, and that a range of issues would arise for analysis in that context, including policy, legal and practical issues. I will be undertaking the necessary analysis in co-operation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister for Diaspora Affairs.
640. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding ending the practice of not keeping a record of ministerial involvement in an issue and the resulting decisions made in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12699/15]
View answerWhere a meeting that takes place involves simply a briefing on issues, it may only be necessary to maintain a record of the meeting having taken place, with progress on the various issues being pursued through separate working arrangements. Minutes are kept of meetings of the Management Advisory Committee of my Department and of meetings of that Committee with myself and the Ministers of State. All key policy decisions are subject to Ministerial and/or Government approval, supported by appropriate records and documentation.
641. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide background information surrounding pilot projects taking place nationally between Leader companies associated with next-generation access broadband coverage in partnership with a Chinese broadband company (details supplied); if any State or European Union funding has been allocated towards these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15574/15]
View answerI understand that the projects referred to by the Deputy, which are being brought forward by local development companies in partnership with the Chinese company referred to in the Question, are being brought forward by those local development companies, in their capacity as private limited companies. I am advised that no LEADER funding or other public funding has been allocated to these projects.
642. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the grant assistance in place to upgrade an existing water well. [15584/15]
View answerA grant of €2,031.58 per house or 75% of the cost, whichever is the lesser, is available, under my Department’s Rural Water Programme, towards the provision or necessary improvement of an individual water supply in a house. Responsibility for the administration of the Rural Water Programme has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The approval of individual grant applications, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant scheme, is therefore, a matter for the local authorities.
643. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding water and property charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15605/15]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The introduction of domestic water charges is an important element of the funding model and is necessary to drive increased investment in water services infrastructure.
A new water charging regime was announced by the Government on 19 November 2014. The capped annual charges will be €160 for single adult households and €260 for all other households until the end of 2018. All households will know what their capped bills will be until the end of 2018, which is particularly important for larger households or those with high usage due to medical needs.
In addition, a water conservation grant of €100 per year will be available to qualifying households. The Department of Social Protection will administer the grant on behalf of my Department, which will be available to households (principal private dwellings) that complete a valid response to Irish Water’s customer registration process.
The charges structure was revised with a view to making it simpler and fairer, providing more clarity and certainty to households. The overall cost for those who register with Irish Water, net of the €100 water conservation grant, is either €1.15 a week for single adult households or €3 a week for all others. Water supply will not be reduced under any circumstance.
Local Property Tax is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance, and the Revenue Commissioners.
644. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176, 178, 179, 180 and 182 of 1 April 2015 in which he stated that his Department undertook to consider new approaches to the senior alert scheme in 2014, decided that the scheme would be managed by Pobal and, in view of the fact that the market for the equipment was well established, decided it was neither necessary nor appropriate to engage in consultations with the market, prior to the tender process, if he will address the broader issue of consultation held in respect of these proposed changes to the senior alert scheme in 2014, rather than the specific issues of Pobal's role or the consultations held on the tendering process; if community or voluntary groups were consulted on the new approaches originally considered in 2014; if An Garda Síochána was consulted regarding them; the feedback received from these organisations regarding the original proposed changes to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15610/15]
View answerMy Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.
Following a review in 2010 of the Community Support for Older People (CSOP), the forerunner for the Seniors Alert Scheme, one of the recommendations was that a centralised procurement process would simplify the scheme. By decreasing the level of administration for groups, this would allow them to spend more time on the key aim of the scheme, which is enhanced interaction with older persons and would also achieve value for money through economies of scale. As a result, more people could benefit from the scheme or additional equipment, such as smoke detectors and/or carbon monoxide alarms, could be made available through the scheme. Community and Voluntary Groups and An Garda Síochána contributed to the review and a number of national organisations including Age Action Ireland, Irish Rural Link, Irish Senior Citizen’s Parliament, Muintir na Tíre, The Carers Association and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, assisted with the terms of reference for the review.
My Department undertook to consider new approaches to the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2014 and arising from this, it was decided that the scheme be managed by Pobal, given that organisation’s significant experience delivering programmes on behalf of Government.
Pobal’s management and administrative services for the Scheme included an invitation to tender for the supply and installation of personal monitored alarms, which was publicly advertised on eTenders on 20 October 2014. The tender included a requirement for suppliers to set out their value added services. The tender process, which is being led by Pobal, is almost complete. Following on from this, a panel of regional suppliers will be contracted to provide the equipment within specific regional areas. The tender was broken down into 10 regional lots to ensure that SMEs were not disadvantaged due to excessively large lot sizes.
A monitoring services panel was also advertised via eTenders on 6 November 2014. This process will engage a panel of quality checked monitoring suppliers who will outline the costs they charge and the service they provide. This information will be provided to the community groups and individuals to ensure they can make the best choice in relation to the monitoring services supplier. The use of this panel is voluntary; monitoring costs are not grant-aided and have always been the responsibility of the beneficiary. The older person will continue to be responsible for choosing the monitoring supplier of their choice.
The transfer of the operation of the scheme to Pobal is scheduled for completion by end July 2015; the strategic policy direction of the Scheme will remain my Department’s responsibility. In the meantime, community and voluntary groups wishing to draw down grant support under the Seniors Alert Scheme should continue to apply to my Department in the usual way.
645. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that the trade unions representing staff of Sligo County Council have indicated a wish to see a fair and negotiated resolution in respect of the regularisation of acting posts in the council; that the unions have stated acting posts should be regularised by confined competition and that all posts of senior executive officer and above should be filled by the Public Appointments Service; if his Department will request local authorities to ensure that acting posts are regularised by confined competition and that all posts of senior executive officer and above will be filled by the Public Appointments Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15629/15]
View answerUnder section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisation arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible. Within each local authority, management have engaged in a workforce planning exercise and whilst this has been finalised in a number of local authorities there continues to be on-going engagement in relation to a number of other local authorities.
My Department is committed to examining the regularisation of long-term acting positions in the context of workforce planning.
With regard to the filling of posts of Senior Executive Officer and above, agreement is in place at national level with trade unions and if there is a requirement to fill such posts in Sligo County Council it will be carried out in accordance with the procedures applying to the sector as a whole.
646. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the 2015 allocation for housing adaptation grants has been made to local authorities; if his attention has been drawn to the significant backlog of applications in local authority areas, in particular at priority one level, at which applications have been approved but cannot currently progress due to insufficient funding being available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15650/15]
View answerExchequer funding of over €37 million was provided by my Department to local authorities in 2014 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. Combined with an additional 20% contribution by individual local authorities, there was an overall spend last year of €46.3 million in this area. I am pleased to confirm that the 2015 amount will increase by some 10% to give a combined spend of €50.5 million. The 2015 allocations are currently under consideration in my Department and will issue to local authorities very shortly.
Through careful management of my Department’s housing budget in 2014, additional funds were made available to local authorities with high levels of grant activity under this scheme. The same scrutiny will be applied to the capital budget for 2015 and, in the event of savings arising, opportunities will be examined to reallocate funds accordingly.
647. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process and criteria employed to decide the county, council by county, and council allocation from the social housing fund announced on 1 April 2015; the reason for the significant inter-county / council variation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15746/15]
View answer655. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he accepts that he provided misleading information regarding the percentage impact on local housing waiting lists of the new housing targets for each local authority on 1 April 2015 at the launch of the social housing targets for local authorities to 2017. [15755/15]
View answer656. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has instructed his Department to review the figures he gave for the percentage impact on local housing list numbers of the new build figures for social housing units that he provided on 1 April 2015 at the launch of the social housing targets for local authorities to 2017. [15756/15]
View answer657. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an up-to-date breakdown of the expected percentage impact on local housing waiting lists of the new housing targets for each local authority on 1 April 2015 at the launch of the social housing targets for local authorities to 2017. [15757/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 647, 655, 656 and 657 together.
Social housing is a key priority for Government, as evidenced by the increased provision made for the area in Budget 2015. The Social Housing Strategy 2020 targets the supply of 35,000 additional social housing units at a cost of €3.8 billion over the next 6 years, as well as meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through local authority provision via the private rented sector, using the Housing Assistance Payment and the Rental Accommodation Schemes.
The overall targets in the Social Housing Strategy were developed having regard to the nature and scale of social housing need, taking account of analysis of the most recent statutory Assessment of Housing Need, which was carried out by the Housing Agency. The social housing targets for each local authority area out to 2017 that I recently announced are fully in line with the targets of the Social Housing Strategy. Targets identified for individual local authorities were determined in consideration of the potential impact that delivery over 2015–2017 would have on social housing need as evidenced by local authority waiting lists recorded in the most recent statutory Assessment of Housing Need. The target setting process also took account of specific housing unit targets and building projects out to 2017 proposed by each local authority.
A key reason for the variation in regard to the impact on local housing lists lies in the variation in the level s of housing need locally. Certain areas have relatively lower numbers on local housing lists, with a consequence that the targets set for such authorities have a relatively high percentage impact on the lists. Conversely, while other authorities have had considerably higher targets set for them, the impact is proportionally not as high given the higher number on the housing lists of those areas. It is the case, however, that the targets that I have announced illustrate once again that housing is of the highest priority for the Government. Ambitious targets have been set for each local authority and they will have a major impact for those on the housing waiting lists, with a national reduction of 25% targeted over the period through these targets alone.
In terms of monitoring progress against these targets into the future, including the impact on housing need, it is important to note that the governance of the Social Housing Strategy includes monitoring and review arrangements. Specifically, a review of the strategy will take place in 2017 to assess overall progress. In addition, we will carry out housing needs assessment s on an annual basis from 2016 which will support the continuous monitoring of social housing delivery against need.
648. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to its requests, and in view of the publication of his social housing targets for local authorities, if he plans to meet the housing strategic policy committee of Louth County Council. [15748/15]
View answer649. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of the 35,000 additional units of social housing under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 that will be new units; the proportion that will involve newly built homes, refurbished long-term voids, leasing agreements with private landlords under the rental accommodation scheme or long-term leasing arrangements with landlords or developers. [15749/15]
View answer650. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the number of new social units to be constructed by Louth County Council and Meath County Council year-on-year, under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the social housing targets for local authorities. [15750/15]
View answer651. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the number of new social units to be constructed by private developers year-on-year in County Louth and County Meath, under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the social housing targets for local authorities. [15751/15]
View answer652. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the number of new social units to be constructed by public-private partnerships for County Louth and County Meath year-on-year, under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the social housing targets for local authorities. [15752/15]
View answer653. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of the 778 additional units of social housing to be provided in County Louth under the social housing targets for local authorities that will be new units; the proportion that will involve newly built homes, refurbished long-term voids, leasing agreements with private landlords under the rental accommodation scheme or long-term leasing arrangements with landlords or developers. [15753/15]
View answer654. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of the 519 additional units of social housing to be provided in County Meath under the social housing targets for local authorities that will be new units; the proportion that will be newly built homes, refurbished long-term voids, leasing agreements with private landlords under the rental accommodation scheme or long term leasing arrangements with landlords or developers. [15754/15]
View answer658. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the location of planned new housing units to be provided in County Louth. [15758/15]
View answer659. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the land banks that have been identified as suitable for the planned new social housing units in counties Louth and Meath; the number of units that will be constructed on each land bank; and the commencement and completion date for each. [15759/15]
View answer660. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of the planned 778 housing units for County Louth that will be constructed on the eight land banks zoned for social housing in the county. [15760/15]
View answer661. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide start and completion dates for proposed new build schemes for social housing units for counties Louth and Meath under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the social housing targets for local authorities. [15761/15]
View answer662. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown by local authority of the number of new social units to be constructed by local authorities year on year under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the social housing targets for local authorities. [15762/15]
View answer663. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown by local authority of the number of new social units to be constructed by private developers year on year under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the social housing targets for local authorities. [15763/15]
View answer664. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown by local authority of the number of new social units to be constructed by public-private partnerships year on year under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the social housing targets for local authorities. [15764/15]
View answer665. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if county managers and directors of services in local authorities have been briefed on the implementation of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the social housing targets for local authorities; if they have been instructed as to the number of housing units he expects will be provided by newly built homes, refurbished long-term voids, leasing agreements with private landlords under the rental accommodation scheme or long-term leasing arrangements with landlords or developers. [15765/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 648 to 654, inclusive, and 658 to 665, inclusive, together.
The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020 targets the delivery of over 35,000 new social housing units over the period to 2020. These targets are broken down in the Strategy between those that are current-funded, at 23,400 units, and those that are capital-funded, at 12,173 units.
The targets that I recently announced for all local authorities are for the period 2015- 2017 and include 7,483 units that will be capital-funded. These units will include those that will be constructed or acquired by local authorities through various means. Each local authority has responsibility for identifying their area’s social housing need and responding as required, including planning and undertaking new social housing developments to meet this need. Accordingly, the location and specific number of the units to be constructed through local authority managed contracts, the number to be acquired, the number to be constructed by private developers or public-private partnerships, the location of these developments, including land banks to be used, and the specific commencement and completion date for construction projects, are all matters in the first instance for the local authorities concerned.
Under the Social Housing Strategy, the opportunity to bring vacant or boarded-up social housing units back into productive use will continue to be supported, as a common-sense and value for money approach to the delivery of social housing units. The exact breakdown of such units that will be tackled out to 2017 cannot be specified at this point, as assessments of such stock are submitted annually by each local authority and vacant units to be remediated and brought back to use are quantified across all authorities at that point. For 2015, the number of such units targeted for Counties Louth and Meath, respectively, are 9 and 27.
Of the 778 units announced for County Louth for the period 2015 to 2017, a target of 288 units has been set for delivery under capital programmes and 490 units under current programmes. Of the 519 units announced for County Meath, the equivalent figures are 134 units under capital programmes and 385 units under current programmes. These breakdowns have been notified to the local authorities.
The number of additional social housing units that are targeted under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme, previously referred to as the Social Housing Leasing Initiative, to 2017 nationally under the Social Housing Strategy is 11,400. The number targeted in respect of Counties Louth and Meath are 443 and 284, respectively. However, it is important to highlight that the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme is a national fund without individual authority funding allocations. Where a local authority can exceed its target it should be possible to fund such additional units with the agreement of the Department.
The number of additional social housing units targeted under the Rental Accommodation Scheme nationally to 2017 under the Social Housing Strategy is 4,000. The number of such units targeted in respect of Counties Louth and Meath are 47 and 101, respectively.
Proposals already made by local authorities for the development of social housing units have been assessed and a first phase of announcements of initial project approvals will be made shortly. We are working with all local authorities to ensure that the projects proposed represent value for money and, in the case of capital-funded projects, are developed in compliance with the Capital Works Management Framework. I will be monitoring progress on delivery of units under the Social Housing Strategy and if satisfactory progress is not being made, I will reallocate funding between local authorities in order that national targets are achieved.
The targets that I announced illustrate once again that housing is of the highest priority for the Government. There are ambitious targets for each local authority and these will have a major impact for those on housing waiting lists, with a national reduction of 25% targeted over the period through these targets alone. I have met with representatives of a number of local authorities in recent months, as has my colleague Minister Coffey, in relation to social housing issues and I will continue that dialogue with other authorities in the months ahead.
