Written Answers Nos. 762-775
762. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the secondary legislation and guidelines that apply in relation to section 247 of the Planning and Development Act 2000; his plans to make new legislative provisions in respect of this section; if so, the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23201/15]
View answerSection 247 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended deals with pre-planning application consultation meetings between planning authorities and prospective planning applicants. Chapter 2 of the Development Management Guidelines, published in June 2007 (available at http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/FileDownLoad,14467,en.pdf ), provides extensive guidance to both local authorities and prospective planning applicants with regard to the conduct of such pre-planning application consultation meetings.
I intend to publish a Planning and Development (No.2) Bill in the coming months with a view to enactment by the end of the year. The Bill will primarily deal with the recommendations of the Mahon Tribunal – including the proposed establishment of the Office of the Planning Regulator – as well as various provisions relating to enhanced transparency and streamlining of the planning system. In addition to the provisions that have already been outlined in the General Scheme of the Bill as published in January 2015, my Department is presently giving consideration to further amendments that might be required to the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, including amendments that might be introduced at Committee Stage of the forthcoming Bill.
Consideration will be given as to whether the section 247 provisions on pre-planning consultation meetings require amendment in this context.
763. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding available from his Department towards supporting community and development groups who wish to paint and renovate the outside of derelict buildings in their community or local village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23213/15]
View answerThe type of activity referred to by the Deputy may be eligible for funding under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.
The new LEADER Programme will be delivered through the medium of Local Development Strategies by Local Action Groups. In order for a project to be funded, it will need to be consistent with the needs that are identified in the Local Development Strategy its area. Any communities wishing to apply for funding for projects will have to apply to the Local Action Group for their area. While the strategy selection process for LEADER 2014-2020 is still underway, I envisage that LEADER funding will be come available in some rural communities in late Autumn and be fully operational by early 2016.
764. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the future funding and status of the Dublin 12 disability mainstream access project (details supplied); and if he will provide an update on whether a workable solution has been found. [23266/15]
View answerRathmines Pembroke Community Partnership provided funding to the Dublin 12 Disability Mainstream Access Project under my Department’s Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP). The LCDP concluded on 31 March 2015 and the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) was rolled out across communities on 1 April 2015. Rathmines Pembroke Community Partnership was unsuccessful in its tender to deliver the SICAP in the Canal/Rathmines/Pembroke Lot area, and I am advised that as a result the company is no longer in a position to continue managing the project referred to. As SICAP will be overseen and managed by the new Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area, the configuration of delivery bodies/delivery arrangements for the Dublin City area for local and community programmes is a matter for the LCDC of Dublin City Council to consider in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, commensurate with service needs. Pobal, on behalf of my Department, has been liaising with Dublin City Council on service provision matters in the Dublin City area. In addition, Dublin City Council and the relevant LCDC are continuing to liaise with the SICAP implementer for the Canal/Rathmines/Pembroke area, on service delivery issues arising in the area.
The winning tenderer for the Canal/Rathmines/Pembroke Lot area has signalled its intention to target people with disabilities within its SICAP Action Plan. Under their Action Plan the successful tenderer intends to promote the proactive inclusion of people with disabilities and their families into existing social and community groups and activities. It will also support the development of specific disability interest groups and has indicated that it will build upon the existing disability networks such as Gateway, Bluebell Disability Outreach project and the Disability Mainstream Access Project.
Recognising the existence of a large number of voluntary organisations in the area referred to, an area wide Disability Forum will be established involving the Health Service Executive (HSE), Department of Social Protection (DSP), WALK, Menni Services and local community interests, with the aim of promoting inclusion in community based services and activities for people with disabilities and greater awareness of their needs.
In line with HSE and government policy, the action will focus on supporting the development of community based services for people with disabilities in the area of social outlets, recreation and sports. It will also seek to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in work and make sure these services are relevant to the needs of people with disabilities.
765. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of homes due to be built under the social housing 2020 strategy in counties Longford and Westmeath in each of the years 2015 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23316/15]
View answerThe announcement I made on 5 May 2015 in respect of a major Social Housing construction programme, involving €312m of investment, comprising some 100 projects and 1,700 housing units, included new build projects in Counties Longford and Westmeath. Full details, including specifics of the projects to be progressed, the funding allocated and the number of units to be delivered across all local authorities, are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm.
I stated at the time that this announcement was part of the first phase of direct-build projects under the Government’s Social Housing Strategy and that further assessments are being carried which will result in the approval of additional projects, details of which will be announced in due course.
It should also be borne in mind that the local authority building programme is just one of a range of mechanisms through which social housing need is to be met. On 1 April 2015, I announced targets for all local authorities to 2017, under which Longford County Council has a target of 210 units, supported by €7.6m of investment, and Westmeath County Council has a target of 542 units, supported by €30.7m of investment.
766. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of housing assistance payment recipients in counties Longford and Westmeath in 2014 and to date in 2015, and estimated for 2016. [23318/15]
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. The scheme 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. Further to the enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 on 28 July 2014, 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. HAP commenced in Louth, Kilkenny, South Dublin and Monaghan County Councils from 1 October 2014. Subsequently, on 18 December 2014, Dublin City Council became part of the statutory HAP pilot, with a specific focus on accommodating homeless households. Dublin City Council is implementing the HAP pilot for homeless households in the Dublin region on behalf of all 4 Dublin local authorities.
During the legislation’s passage through the Oireachtas in July 2014 an undertaking was given that a progress report would be prepared for the relevant Oireachtas Committee. I can confirm that data from the pilot sites has been gathered and I submitted a report to the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht at the end of April 2015. Based on the findings of that review, the second phase of the HAP statutory pilot has recently commenced with the HAP scheme becoming operational in Donegal County Council on 25 May 2015 and in Offaly County Council on the 15 June, 2015. HAP will become operational in Carlow, Clare and Tipperary County Councils and Cork City Council from 29 June 2015 .
While there are currently no plans to include Longford and Westmeath County Councils in this phase of the pilot, the Social Housing Strategy 2020 sets ambitious targets for the roll-out of HAP across all local authorities. Specifically, the Strategy requires that all eligible households that require HAP will transition to the new scheme between 2014 and 2020. As such, both of these local authorities will be included in further phases of the roll-out of HAP.
767. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to implement changes to the building control amendment regulations, SI No. 9 of 2014, to exempt or ease the burden on self-builders; his plans to implement such changes; if he is aware of the difficulties that these regulations are causing to self-builders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23354/15]
View answerIn overall terms, I am satisfied that the new building control regime 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. However, I am conscious that concerns have been raised in relation to the costs imposed by the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I . No. 9 of 2014 ), in particular in relation to single dwellings (including self-builds) and extensions. As Minister, I have a responsibility to ensure that the cost of compliance with regulations is fair, reasonable and proportionate and I have already publicly indicated my willingness to consider and take whatever steps are reasonable and appropriate should this prove not to be the case.
The key impact on costs associated with the S.I. No. 9 of 2014 lies in the requirement for the appointment of an Assigned Certifier whose role, in conjunction with the builder and the project team, is to draw up and execute an appropriate inspection plan and to certify the building on completion. While fees for professional services are determined by market forces and are therefore outside the scope of my regulatory powers, my Department has prepared a Sample Preliminary Inspection Plan for a Single Unit Dwelling on a Single Development which has been subject to a recent public consultation exercise undertaken as part of a general review of S.I. No. 9 of 2014 during its first twelve months in operation.
Cost calculations published to accompany the Sample Preliminary Inspection Plan demonstrate that the new Assigned Certifier role can be achieved at an approximate cost of €3,800 inclusive of VAT. Where additional design work is required the combined cost of Assigned Certifier duties and additional design work will be of the order of €6,000 inclusive of VAT.
The arrangements in respect of self-built, one-off houses form an essential element of the review of the broader operation of S.I. No. 9 of 2014. Some 170 submissions have been received during the public consultation stage of this review process which concluded on 15 May 2015. These submissions are currently being considered and my Department will produce a report on the matter by end June 2015 with a view to ensuring that any measures required can be put in place as a matter of priority.
768. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has directed Irish Water to replace lead piping in households in Dublin Bay North; his plans to announce a programme to urgently replace these dangerous pipes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23362/15]
View answer811. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the reports of water containing lead in quantities that are dangerous, the reason no notification of the danger has been sent to persons in areas affected; the reason no safe uncontaminated water is being made available to persons by way of tankers; when the grant that is being proposed will be made available; if it is on condition that persons sign up to Irish Water; and if this grant and the amounts involved will be off-balance for Irish Water or Government. [23959/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 768 and 811 together.
With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. Under the European Union (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 complies with the chemical and microbiological parameters set out in the Regulations. The maximum allowable value for lead is 10 microgrammes per litre, which came into effect on 25 December 2013.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the supervisory authority with responsibility for monitoring Irish Water’s compliance with the Drinking Water Regulations. In the event of non-compliance with the quality standards set out in the Regulations, the water supplier is required to investigate the cause in consultation with the EPA and, if a potential risk to human health exists, with the Health Service Executive (HSE), to ensure that the appropriate remedial actions are taken, including the issue of notifications to consumers affected or restriction of the supply. A case by case approach will be considered by Irish Water, in line with its statutory responsibilities and in recognition of the statutory responsibilities of the HSE and the EPA.
Irish Water has informed my Department that, having over recent months replaced the approximate 2 kilometres of water-mains which contained lead, no part of its estimated 60,000 kilometres of distribution system now contains lead. As part of its metering programme, Irish Water has identified significant numbers of lead service connections between the public mains and the customer stopcock and water meter. Irish Water is committed to replacing these over time. The data being collected by Irish Water is being provided to the HSE for assessment and a rolling programme of advising relevant customers who are at risk of having lead pipework has commenced. If a property owner replaces the lead pipework on their property, Irish Water will also replace the pipework between the watermain and the property boundary.
The Water Services Act 2007 provides that the owner of a premises is responsible for the maintenance and renewal of the internal water distribution system. Responsibility for replacing lead pipes from the property boundary to the house and within the house therefore rests with the homeowner. In a joint position paper on lead published by the EPA and HSE in 2013, it is recommended that all lead pipes and plumbing in public and private ownership should be replaced over time.
Last week I announced a National Strategy to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water which has been approved by the Government. The Strategy was prepared by my Department and the Department of Health in consultation with Irish Water, the HSE and the EPA. As part of the Strategy I will be establishing a new grant scheme to assist low income households to replace lead pipes in their home. Funding for the scheme will be finalised in the context of Budget 2016. It is envisaged that the grant scheme will be administered by local authorities and that the available resources will be prioritised to areas of highest risk. The terms and conditions of the scheme will be publicised as soon as they are finalised.
769. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the person or body responsible for the Ard Dealgan complex in Dundalk in County Louth; the person or body who has taken over the debt associated with the complex; if he is aware that Louth County Council has cited difficulties in ascertaining who is currently responsible for its current issues, despite having served a derelict site notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23367/15]
View answerThe development in question has been identified as an unfinished housing development. The management and administration of issues relating to specific unfinished housing developments is a matter for individual local authorities. Each local authority has appointed an Unfinished Housing Development co-ordinator. The list of co-ordinators is available on the Housing Agency website at:www.housing.ie/Our-Services/Unfinished-Housing-Developments/Local-Authority-Contacts.
My Department did not receive a request for funding under the Public Safety Initiative or the Special Resolution Fund for Unfinished Housing Developments in respect of the development in question.
770. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of compulsory purchase orders made by Louth County Council in each of the years from 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23368/15]
View answer771. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the number of compulsory purchase orders made by Meath County Council in each of the years from 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23369/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 770 and 771 together.
Compulsory purchase orders are provided for in a number of statutes. My Department has been informed by Louth County Council that it acquired four sites by compulsory purchase order in the period 2011 to date. Two of these were acquired for roads related works with the other two being acquired under the Derelict Sites Act 1990. My Department has been informed by Meath County Council that it did not compulsorily acquire any site under any statute during the years in question. However, it is understood that Navan Town Council acquired one site for a school in Johnstown, County Meath in 2011.
772. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of sites currently registered as derelict in County Louth; the levies or fees that have accrued in the case of these sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23370/15]
View answer773. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of registered derelict sites that have been added to the register in County Louth from 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23371/15]
View answer774. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of registered derelict sites that have been added to the register in County Meath from 2011 to 2015. [23372/15]
View answer775. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of sites currently registered as derelict in County Meath; the levies or fees that have accrued in the case of these sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23374/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 772 to 775, inclusive, together.
As required under section 8(6) of the Derelict Sites Act 1990, my Department requests a copy of the derelict sites register from each local authority on an annual basis in respect of the previous calendar year. The most recent information held by my Department in this regard covers the year 2013. Under section 8(5) of the Derelict Sites Act, a copy of the derelict sites register for any local authority can be inspected at the offices of that authority during office hours.
The position at the end of 2013 – as notified to my Department - in respect of Counties Louth and Meath - is as follows:
|
County |
No of Derelict Sites on register at 31 December 2013 |
Amount of levies received in 2013 |
|
Louth |
51 |
€1,808.08 |
|
Meath |
8 |
€0 |
Details of the levies or fees accrued in respect of these specific sites is not available in my Department.
My Department has been advised by Louth County Council that the number of derelict sites currently on its register (including those added to the register during 2014 and 2015 to date) now stands at 55 – a net increase of 4 on the 2013 figure - with €821.54 in levies being received during these two years. My Department has been advised by Meath County Council that there has been no change in either the number of registered sites or levies received since 2013.
The net number of sites on the derelict sites register (taking account of the number of sites added and removed from the register in any individual year) in Counties Louth and Meath in respect of the years 2011 to 2013, as notified to my Department, was as follows:
|
Year |
County |
No of sites on register at year end |
County |
No of sites on register at year end |
|
2011 |
Louth |
52 |
Meath |
9 |
|
2012 |
Louth |
48 |
Meath |
8 |
|
2013 |
Louth |
51 |
Meath |
8 |
