Written Answers Nos. 717-741
717. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the new funding in place for community alert schemes to erect cameras and other such equipment; how the schemes can apply for funding; if he will provide a list of those schemes that have received funding. [34459/15]
View answerThe Community Alert Scheme is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. However, I assume the Deputy is referring to the recent announcement that an amount of €50,000 has been allocated towards the cost of a community led pilot rural CCTV initiative, with the possibility of the pilot being rolled out to one or two other locations in the near future, with a potential €130,000 in total being made available for the project. This pilot is in the very early stages, so no groups have received funding to date. The rural community-based CCTV pilot will provide financial assistance towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of a rural community CCTV system. It is envisaged that CCTV cameras will be located in strategic positions in rural locations, with the aim of increasing public safety and deterring criminal or anti-social behaviour.
This will act not only as a deterrent but also assist with the possible prosecution of offenders through facilitating the detection and investigation of offences as well as providing recorded evidence of occurrences of incidents and also facilitating quicker responses.
I will continue to work closely with the Minister for Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána who have the lead role in crime prevention and combatting anti-social and disorderly behaviour and ensuring peace of mind for people who live in more rural locations.
718. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that Mayo north east Leader partnership, in examining an application (details supplied), complied fully with the operating rules for axes 3 and 4 of the rural development programme Ireland 2007 to 2013, and in particular with section 8.1; the appeal options open to the applicant concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34466/15]
View answerA review of the project file referred to in the Question, has been undertaken by my Department, and the drawdown of aid for this project is ineligible as the project does not comply with the rules and regulations governing the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. Section 2.3 of the operating rules governing the Programme clearly states that “Any element or phase of activity commenced prior to acceptance of the grant offer shall not be considered for grant aid. Payment of grant aid to a promoter in respect of activity that has commenced prior to acceptance of the grant offer will be deemed ineligible for assistance and shall result in the decommittment of the entire project or the relevant phase of the project”.
In the case of this project, I am advised that project expenditure occurred prior to the lodgement of a signed contract with Mayo North East LEADER Partnership. The delay in processing the application in accordance with the requirements of section 8.1 of the operating rules, while unfortunate, cannot therefore be accepted as a reason for the non-compliance with section 2.3 of the operating rules.
719. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the names of the persons who attended a meeting with him and with Cerberus; the date and venue it was held; the issues that were discussed; the actions, if any, that were taken; whether minutes were taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34523/15]
View answerOwing to the scope of my remit as Minister, I receive representations, including requests for meetings, from a wide range of parties, such as public representatives, local and voluntary groups and private individuals and organisations . In that context I received a request to meet with Mr Dan Quayle, former Vice-President of the United States and Chairman of Cerberus Capital Management.
The meeting, which lasted less than 15 minutes, was held in my office in the Custom House on 25 September 2014. In addition to Mr Quayle and myself , a representative of Cerberus, a representative of Greenstar and my Special Advisor Mr. Jim McGrath attended. As this was a courtesy call by Mr Quayle following Cerberus’s acquisition of Greenstar, no minutes were taken. The meeting involved an exchange of pleasantries and the only item discussed was a general exchange on waste management.
721. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the eligibility criteria for the €30 million village and town enhancement scheme which was recently announced; the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34536/15]
View answerOn 23 September 2015, I was delighted to announce, with the Taoiseach and my colleague Minister Kelly, the new Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The scheme will be multi-annual in nature, commencing in 2016 and will have a budget of €30 million. This new scheme is part of a concerted effort to support the development of rural towns and villages, not only as a component of a broader approach to rural development but also to improve the environment of rural dwellers in a way that will increase their quality of life and simultaneously support potential economic activity in their area.
The initiative will be channelled through the local authorities and details of the application process will be available over the coming weeks.
722. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of applications for Leader funding from within County Mayo, that are currently awaiting assessment at any stage within his Department; the names of each applicant; the total amount due; the name of the Leader Company that has submitted the application; his views on the ongoing delays in payment of Leader grants to community and commercial applicants, and the ensuing pressure that this is placing on voluntary community representatives and start-up businesses. [34538/15]
View answerThe Local Action Groups contracted to deliver the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 throughout the country are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding under the Programme. Mayo North East Leader Partnership, South West Mayo Development Company and Comhar na nOilean Teo are the Local Action Groups contracted by my Department to deliver the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 in County Mayo. All applications for funding under the Programme are submitted, by project promoters, directly to those companies.
There are no LEADER applications awaiting assessment in County Mayo at present. I am advised that 99.6% of the funding approved in respect of the geographical area serviced by South West Mayo Development Company Ltd has been paid to projects, 62% of the funding approved in the geographical area serviced by Mayo North East LEADER Partnership has been paid to projects and 100% of the funding approved in respect of the geographical area serviced by Comhar na nOilean Teo has been paid to projects.
My Department currently has two claims on hand, which are under review prior to approval for payment, and will continue to work closely with Mayo North East Leader Partnership Ltd, to process any remaining claims as quickly as possible.
723. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposed assessment process for choosing the delivery companies for the Leader programme 2016 to 2020; if his Department will conduct the assessment, or if independent consultants will do so; the tendering process for these independent consultants, if applicable; the measurement that will be used for successful delivery of previous Leader programmes, or if penalties will apply, if an applicant has had a poor performance of delivery; the proposed involvement of local community representatives in this assessment process, given that Leader is designed to be community-led; the proposed timeframe for the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34539/15]
View answerThe LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities. Under stage one of the selection process, any entity who wished to be considered as a Local Action Group was invited to submit an expression of interest. Those successful at stage one have now moved to stage two of the process, which is the preparation of local development strategies for their areas. A minimum of 6 months will be allowed for the preparation of local development strategies. However, I expect that not all areas will require the full 6 months to prepare their strategies. Indeed, I am hopeful that many areas will have their strategies approved and be in a position to begin delivery on the ground in November, with all areas operational and processing applications by early 2016.
As required under Article 33 (3) of Regulation 1303/2015, an Independent Selection Committee was established to evaluate the expressions of interest. This Committee will also evaluate local development strategies as they are submitted for consideration. The membership of the Independent Selection Committee is as follows:
- Dr Tommy Cooke (Chair) - Professor Emeritus, Dublin Institute of Technology, Retired Head of Community Links Programme.
- Ms Finola Moylette - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Delegated Paying Agency for LEADER in Ireland.
- Ms. Patricia Kelly – Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Managing Authority, RDP Ireland
- Mr Damien Clarke – Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Representative of FLAGS (Fisheries Local Action Groups)
- Dr David Meredith - Senior Researcher, Teagasc
- Mr Tom Hayes – Divisional Manager, Micro Enterprise and Small Business, Enterprise Ireland
- Ms Fiona Buckley – Head of Experience Development, Failte Ireland.
My Department has engaged Pobal to carry out the preliminary evaluation of the local development strategies in order to assist the work of the Independent Selection Committee. Each strategy must meet a minimum standard and must achieve an overall score of at least 65%. They must also achieve a minimum threshold score of at least 12 out of 20 under the ‘Quality of the Strategy’ criterion. As previously indicated, the Independent Selection Committee will make all final decisions regarding the selection of the local development strategies. The table below sets out the scoring criteria and weightings.
|
Scoring Criterion |
Score |
Weighting |
Maximum Score |
|
Capacity |
0-20 |
1 |
20 |
|
Need |
0-20 |
1 |
20 |
|
Quality of the Strategy |
0-20 |
2 |
40 |
|
Strategic Fit |
0-20 |
1 |
20 |
|
Added Value and Value for Money |
0-20 |
2 |
40 |
|
Quality Threshold Score = 65% (91) |
140 |
724. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to review the Building Control Act 2007 regulations, in particular the rules regarding energy standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34546/15]
View answerDirective 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings requires EU Member States, among other things, to ensure that statutory nearly zero energy building performance standards are in place for new and existing buildings by 2020. The statutory minimum energy performance standards for buildings are addressed under Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) of the Building Regulations and the accompanying Technical Guidance Documents. These regulatory requirements have been reviewed and upgraded intensively over the past ten years and this process is ongoing. A framework for Ireland’s approach to achieving nearly zero energy buildings was published by my Department in November 2012 and can be accessed at the following weblink –
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,42487,en.pdf.
Further amendments to Part L of the Building Regulations will be necessary as outlined in the Framework in order to meet Ireland’s commitments under Directive 2010/31/EU.
725. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a water conservation grant is payable to the estate of a deceased person, whose probate is not yet completed, where the person had registered with Irish Water in October 2014, and died in May 2015, and whereby two water bills had been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34548/15]
View answerThe eligibility criteria for the water conservation grant are set out in the Water Services Act 2014 (Water Conservation Grant) Regulations 2015. Under regulation 5(1) a person who registers with Irish Water, as required under section 5(2)(a) of the Water Services Act 2014, on or before 30 June 2015 shall be eligible to receive the grant in 2015 if they were normally resident at the principal private residence on that date. Therefore to be eligible to receive the grant in 2015, the person must have been normally resident at the principal private residence on 30 June 2015.
726. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated loss to the Exchequer of reducing the €0.22 levy on plastic bags to €0.17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34561/15]
View answerThe primary purpose of the plastic bag levy is not to generate revenue, but is first and foremost an economic instrument to encourage more environmentally sustainable behaviour. In particular, the levy was introduced as an anti-litter measure designed to influence consumers by encouraging them to reduce their use of disposable plastic bags. Section 72 of the Waste Management Act 1996, as inserted by section 9 of the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001, provided for the introduction of the plastic bag levy. The Waste Management (Environmental Levy)(Plastic Bag) Order 2007 and the Waste Management (Environmental Levy) (Plastic Bag) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 allowed for the levy to be increased from its previous level of 15 cent per bag to 22 cent per bag from 1 July 2007.
The introduction of the levy in March 2002 led to a dramatic reduction in the number of disposable plastic bags supplied to consumers, from an estimated 328 bags per person per year, prior to the introduction of the levy, to 21 bags per person by the end of 2002 and a further reduction to an estimated 13 bags per person by the end of 2014 .
The National Litter Pollution Monitoring System is used to measure the impact of the plastic bag levy on an ongoing basis, and my Department also monitors the receipts from the plastic bag levy to monitor trends in the average per capita consumption of plastic bags. These data are used to ensure that the plastic bag levy is set at an appropriate level. The National Litter Pollution Monitoring System Report 201 4 reports that plastic bags constituted 0.13 % of litter arising in 2014. This compares with 5% prior to the levy’s introduction.
Receipts from the plastic bag levy for each year are published in the Environment Fund Annual Accounts. The 2014 Annual Accounts will be published on my Department’s website in due course after they have been audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, while copies of the Annual Accounts up to and including 2013 are available on my Department’s website at the following weblink : http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Waste/EnvironmentFund/.
It is difficult to gauge accurately how a reduction of 5 cents in the levy would ultimately impact both on consumer behaviour and on income to the Fund. However, it would probably be reasonable to assume that were such a reduction in the levy introduced, any reduction in income from the levy would be offset, at least partially, by an increase in the number of plastic bags used, which is contrary to the principal objective of the levy.
Given the success of the levy to date in reducing the usage of plastic bags, I have no plans to reduce it at this time.
727. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the potential in County Sligo for a greenway route (details supplied) to promote tourism and transport in the county and the surrounding region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34597/15]
View answerThe Government announced funding of €30 million under a new Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 23 September 2015. This new Scheme is part of a concerted effort to support the economic development of rural towns and villages, not only as a component of a broader approach to rural development but also to improve the environment of rural dwellers in a way that will increase their quality of life and simultaneously support potential economic activity in their areas.
The initiative will be channelled through the local authorities and details of the eligibility criteria and the application process will be available over the coming weeks. In relation to the project referred to in the Question, this project, if supported by the local authority and local community, may be eligible for funding under the new Scheme. However, it should be noted that primary responsibility in relation to projects of the kind referred to rests with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
728. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 723 and 1146 of 22 September 2015, his plans to introduce new legislation, or to amend existing legislation, to clarify the definition of an assistance dog; and if he will ensure that there is the appropriate oversight and accreditation of the training of assistance dogs, and of their provision to persons with disabilities. [34599/15]
View answerMy Department has policy and legislative responsibility for matters related to the control of dogs including, for example, matters in relation to dog-licencing, restricted dog breeds and local authority responsibilities, as set out in the Control of Dogs Acts and relevant Ministerial Regulations. This responsibility does not extend to matters in relating to the provision, training and oversight of assistance dogs for people with disabilities. Accordingly, I do not propose to introduce legislation in this regard.
729. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a local authority has the right to use section 160 of the Planning Act to prevent persons from playing football on private property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34601/15]
View answerEnforcement of planning control relates to “development” which under section 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, means ”the carrying out of any works on, in, over or under land or the making of any material change in the use of any structures or other land”. Playing football on private property could not comprise development unless it could be considered to involve a material change in the use of land.
730. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that staff shortages in local authorities are a contributing factor to the small number of part VIIIs that have been agreed across all the local authorities. [34639/15]
View answerI am not aware of any specific issues regarding the progression of local authority own development projects under the Part 8 provisions of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, due to staffing matters.
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. My Department examines all staffing sanction requests on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key services in the context of staffing and budgetary constraints. In considering sanction requests, public safety, maintaining key front line services and economic considerations are given precedence. To date in 2015, my Department has received 44 sanction requests from local authorities for the recruitment of planners, ranging from Assistant Planner to Senior Planner, including permanent, contract and acting posts. So far this year, my Department has sanctioned 40 of these posts.
My Department works closely with local authorities with regard to the implementation of the Government's Social Housing Strategy and all have been invited to submit staffing sanction requests to facilitate its delivery. To date in 2015, my Department has received and approved in excess of 200 housing related staffing requests. Arrangements for funding posts related to housing capital projects are being finalised and details will issue to local authorities shortly.
731. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of National Asset Management Agency properties, broken down by local authority area, that have been identified by the agency as suitable homes for inclusion in the social housing list; the number, that have been offered to each of the local authorities; that have been transferred to the local authorities; and the scheme under which have they been transferred, for example rental accommodation scheme, housing assistance payment, social housing leasing initiative, etc. [34640/15]
View answerSince December 2011, my Department and the Housing Agency have been engaged with NAMA identifying properties that might potentially be suitable for social housing purposes. Since the process began, up to end of June 2015, a total of 1,386 NAMA residential properties have been delivered for social housing use, comprising of 1,083 completed properties, with a further 303 that have been contracted and where completion work is on-going. A further 624 properties are active transactions whereby terms are agreed, active negotiation is on-going with all parties concerned, or where a detailed appraisal (i.e. determining the most likely delivery mechanism) is being carried out.
In total, NAMA identified 6,542 residential properties under this initiative as being potentially available for social housing. Of this figure, 2,501 properties have a confirmed demand and a re available for social housing, 1,038 of which had been delivered by end June 2015, with the balance of some 1,400 being progressed at various stages. 4,041 are either no longer available or are considered unsuitable by local authorities for a number of reasons including sustainable communities issues and no confirmed demand for social housing in the areas concerned.
The table below sets out, by local authority, the number of units that have been delivered/contracted to date, the number of units for which demand has been confirmed and the total number of units identified by NAMA as being potentially available for social housing.
Information in relation to delivery is available and regularly updated at www.housing.ie/NAMA.
Properties that are deemed suitable may be leased or purchased by local authorities or approved housing bodies under a number of funding mechanisms including the local authority capital programme, the social housing current expenditure programme (SHCEP) or the capital assistance scheme. Almost 80% of delivery from NAMA is funded by way of acquisition or lease under the SHCEP, with the remainder primarily delivered through acquisitions under the capital funded programmes of local authorities and approved housing bodies.
|
Local Authority |
Delivered (to end June 2015 |
Demand Confirmed |
Identified by NAMA |
|
Carlow County Council |
55 |
147 |
222 |
|
Cavan County Council |
|
1 |
49 |
|
Clare County Council |
15 |
55 |
221 |
|
Cork City |
53 |
165 |
496 |
|
Cork County Council |
101 |
272 |
763 |
|
Donegal County Council |
5 |
32 |
118 |
|
Dublin City Council |
363 |
400 |
828 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
93 |
125 |
321 |
|
Fingal County Council |
60 |
106 |
270 |
|
Galway City |
105 |
177 |
178 |
|
Galway County Council |
39 |
55 |
150 |
|
Kerry County Council |
35 |
131 |
219 |
|
Kildare County Council |
93 |
115 |
291 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
52 |
73 |
183 |
|
Laois County Council |
|
1 |
98 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
|
0 |
35 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
16 |
55 |
147 |
|
Longford County Council |
|
0 |
31 |
|
Louth County Council |
27 |
27 |
30 |
|
Mayo County Council |
|
31 |
75 |
|
Meath County Council |
29 |
62 |
235 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
|
42 |
42 |
|
Offaly County Council |
29 |
31 |
79 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
0 |
10 |
136 |
|
Sligo County Council |
0 |
31 |
111 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
113 |
121 |
581 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
0 |
13 |
161 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
34 |
54 |
103 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
20 |
25 |
108 |
|
Wexford County Council |
49 |
137 |
225 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
|
7 |
36 |
|
Grand Total |
1,038 |
2,501 |
6,542 |
732. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount paid out by his Department in each local authority area for the rental accommodation scheme, housing assistance payment, and social housing leasing initiative; the number of homes that are provided under each scheme in each local authority for each month in 2015; and if he will compare the amount to the same months in 2014. [34642/15]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
733. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that has been provided from his Department to each local authority through the capital assistance scheme; the number of homes that have been provided in each of the local authority areas over the past year. [34643/15]
View answerThe funding provided to local authorities under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme to support approved housing bodies in the provision of accommodation for persons with specific categories of housing need is set out in the table below in respect of 2014 and to the end of the third quarter for 2015. Information on social housing units constructed and acquired in respect of all local authorities is published on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15291,en.xls . Information on the delivery of units under the Capital Assistance Scheme to end 2014 is available under the heading “Vol & Co-op housing”.
Capital Assistance Scheme
|
Local Authority |
Funding drawndown in 2014 |
Funding drawndown in 2015 to quarter 3 |
|
Carlow County Council |
€238,815 |
€0 |
|
Cavan County Council |
€102,150 |
€0 |
|
Clare County Council |
€1,391,867 |
€0 |
|
Cork County Council |
€209,827 |
€0 |
|
Cork City Council |
€0 |
€304,797 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€619,430 |
€40,000 |
|
Dublin City Council |
€16,999,920 |
€568,389 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
€853,650 |
€0 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€2,695,161 |
€0 |
|
Galway City Council |
€20,684 |
€0 |
|
Galway County Council |
€389,512 |
€651,398 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Kildare County Council |
€448,598 |
€0 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
€116,381 |
€0 |
|
Laois County Council |
€321,516 |
€0 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
€10,000 |
€0 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
€1,266,626 |
€475,840 |
|
Longford County Council |
€118,349 |
€0 |
|
Louth County Council |
€305,457 |
€229,489 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€358,101 |
€228,000 |
|
Meath County Council |
€554,782 |
€0 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
€1,434,736 |
€118,311 |
|
Offaly County Council |
€389,980 |
€4,875 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
€106,961 |
€0 |
|
Sligo County Council |
€801,380 |
€0 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€1,258,566 |
€0 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
€84,439 |
€0 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
€1,756,794 |
€1,936,602 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€16,431 |
€0 |
|
Wexford County Council |
€1,404,917 |
€720,845 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€21,703 |
€0 |
In July this year, I announced an investment of over €150 million for new projects under the Capital Assistance Scheme, to support the construction and acquisition of over 1,000 new units of accommodation. I expect a number of the new units being acquired to be delivered this year, which will increase the number of units and funding provided over the course of the full year. Full details of that announcement are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,42225,en.htm.
734. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government since the announcement of Strategy 2020, the number of part VIIIs that have been agreed by each local authority; the number of one-, two-, three- and four-bed homes that are in each agreed part VIII; if he will provide details of part VIII's in the pre-agreed stages, by local authority; and the timeframes for the allocation of these planned homes. [34644/15]
View answerMy Department does not hold detailed information on the approval of individual developments by local authorities under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001.
735. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of homes that have been acquired by local authorities through the part V scheme over the past year; and the number he projects for 2016. [34645/15]
View answerMy Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of policy. Data on the number of social housing units, that were delivered through the provisions under Part V, broken down by year and location, are included within this range, and are available on my Department’s website at : http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15291,en.xls on the “Part V Scheme 2002 to date ” link under the “ Pathways to Home Ownership including Part V ” heading.
Informed by an extensive public consultation process and an independent, in-depth review of the operation of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, a number of amendments to Part V were included in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 which came into force on 1 September 2015. One of the principal objectives of the 2015 amendments is to maximise the opportunity for the delivery of social housing units. The transfer of land remains the default option but the option of providing a cash payment in lieu of housing has been removed, as has the option of providing sites or land elsewhere.
My Department has advised local authorities of the commencement of the new Part V provisions and requirements. The new Part V arrangements can be retrospectively applied to existing planning permissions where works have not commenced. With the consent of the developer and the local authority, Part V agreements reached on foot of the previous Part V provisions may now be renegotiated in line with the amendments contained in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015. The new Part V provisions are a key component of the range of delivery mechanisms required to achieve the targets set out in the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020 .
On the assumption that total housing output will increase gradually over the coming years, my Department estimates that in the region of 4,000 additional social housing units will be delivered by 2020 through the Part V mechanism.
736. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government given his targets for 2015 in the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which included 1,400 to be built or acquired by local authorities and approved housing bodies, 3000 to be provided through the social housing leasing initiative, 1,000 through vacant units returned to use, 2,000 through the rental accommodation scheme and 8,400 through the housing assistance payment; if he will provide a full breakdown for each local authority, confirming the number that have been delivered in 2015 to date; and if he expects to meet his targets by the end of 2015. [34646/15]
View answer737. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his targets for 2016 under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 in each of the funding models, including construction and acquisition. [34647/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 736 and 737 together.
The Social Housing Strategy 2020 provides a comprehensive response to the need for social housing and targets the provision of over 110,000 social housing units to 2020, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme.
On 1 April 2015, I announced provisional funding allocations totalling €1.5 billion for all local authorities, to meet an ambitious delivery target of circa 22,900 social housing units out to 2017. Details of the individual targets set for local authorities can be found on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41016,en.htm.
To date in 2015, some €493 million has been allocated to local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies for the construction and acquisition of over 2,900 social housing units, full details of which can be found on my Department’s website at the following links: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htmhttp://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,42225,en.htm.
In addition, over €91 million worth of housing investment across a range of housing improvement schemes, including support to bring vacant social housing units back into productive use which is an important component to reducing the numbers on the social housing waiting lists, was announced in May 2015. Details of the allocations made to local authorities are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/GeneralNews/MainBody,41581,en.htm.
Delivery by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies is being closely monitored by my Department. Minister of State Coffey and I met with all local authority Chief Executives and Directors of Housing in the past week to review progress in this regard. Information on social housing units constructed and acquired in respect of all local authorities is published on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15291,en.xls .
Indications from the local authorities are that the overall target of 7,000 additional social housing units in 2015 will be achieved.
I am determined that local authorities will have the opportunity to maximise the number of vacant units brought back into productive use this year. Last year local authorities returned 2,300 vacant units under my Department’s capital programme. The target set for this year was 1,000 units. However, based on continuous interaction with local authorities scope for further action has been identified and funding for some 2,500 units has now been put in place for 2015.
The Social Housing Strategy 2020 sets a target of 8,400 households to be supported by the Housing Assistance Payment by end 2015. The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), has been introduced incrementally to 13 local authority areas to date- Limerick City and County Council; Waterford City and County Council; Cork, Louth, Kilkenny, South Dublin, Monaghan, Donegal, Offaly, Carlow, Clare and Tipperary County Councils; and Cork City Council. Dublin City Council is also implementing the HAP pilot scheme for homeless households in the Dublin region on behalf of all four Dublin local authorities. Consideration is currently being given to the sequencing of a further cohort of local authorities to commence HAP in the coming months. To date, over 4,000 HAP tenancies have been set up across the pilot local authority areas. As the HAP scheme is being rolled out on a phased pilot basis, formal targets for individual local authority areas were not set for 2015.
I am confident that by utilising all delivery mechanisms available to them, local authorities will continue to deliver across all programmes in 2015. As outlined above, significant extra funding has been allocated in terms of vacant units. Given the time-lag between approval and delivery in terms of construction projects, acquisitions are a very important part of delivery this year. Local authorities have indicated that the vast bulk of acquisitions are being progressed and will be finalised between now and the end of the year. My Department is working with local authorities to ensure that maximum delivery takes place.
Specific targets for 2016, under both capital and current programmes, will be finalised as part of the annual Estimates process.
738. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details, by category, and by local authority, of the spend on social housing support, including each of the different funding models, social housing construction, and acquisition, in each year since 2011 to date in 2015; and the projected funding for each of the various models in the coming years to 2021. [34648/15]
View answerThe data requested, to the extent available are currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
739. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that was allocated from his Department to the Social Housing Strategy 2020; the amount of this that was, transferred from other budgets; new funding; collected from the local property tax; the amount of this revenue that was spent; is projected to be spent over the lifetime of the strategy; and if he will provide details of the breakdown of this funding, by each funding model of the strategy. [34649/15]
View answerThe Social Housing Strategy 2020 is a comprehensive response to the need for social housing and targets the provision of over 110,000 social housing units to 2020, through the delivery of some 35,500 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households through the Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme. The cost to the Exchequer of building, acquiring, or leasing the 35,5 00 new social units over the period to 2020 under the various financing models, in place and under development, is estimated to be €3.8 billion. The strategy is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,39622,en.pdf.
Table 1 in the Strategy is based on the three year capital provision for housing announced in Budget 2015 and the one year of agreed current provision. The remaining years of capital and current are projected on the basis of programmed growth to reach the final delivery figure of 35,500 additional social housing units.
In the context of the implementation of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 , €2.2 billion in funding was announced in Budget 2015, to be invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes. This funding will be provided through direct Exchequer investment of €1.5 billion, €300 million of Public Private Partnership capital investment and through the establishment of a housing financial vehicle with €400 million of private finance to be channelled to Approved Housing Bodies for the acquisition and development of social housing.
The recently published capital investment plan, Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021, provides further evidence of the Government’s commitment to social housing, with a commitment to provide Exchequer capital funding of almost €3 billion in support of the Strategy’s targets to 2021.
Funding for the delivery of targets under specific capital and current programmes over the lifetime of the Strategy will be determined as part of the annual Estimates process. In 2015, the total housing provision will result in almost €800 million being provided under the various housing programmes, of which some €119 million is being self-funded by certain local authorities arising from the introduction of Local Property Tax.
To date in 2015, over €248.4 million in Exchequer funding has been expended and a further €62.8m in respect of housing services has been self-funded by local authorities from Local Property Tax. Given the nature of housing expenditure, draw-down by local authorities is typically focussed towards the end of the year, with most of the budget being expended in the final quarter.
740. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will bring to the attention of the European Commission, which, through European Union Council Regulation EC No. 2368/2002, represents Ireland and all other European Union member states in the Kimberley process certification scheme, of the urgent need for reform of the definition of a conflict diamond, in order that diamonds which generate revenue for government forces guilty of war crimes or crimes against humanity, blood diamonds, are no longer allowed to contaminate the diamond market masquerading as conflict-free diamonds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34227/15]
View answerThe Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is an international regime governing the trade in rough diamonds. The KPCS has developed a set of minimum requirements that each participant must meet to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free' and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate trade. Ireland participates in the KPCS as a Member State of the EU. The EU as a whole is a single Participant in the KPCS, and Council Regulation (EC) 2368/2002 implementing the KPCS for the international trade in rough diamonds applies common rules in all Member States.
Ireland is fully engaged in the KPCS at EU level and supports efforts to ensure that all trade in rough diamonds potentialy used to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments is prevented. The prevention of conflict and the protection of human rights remain consistent priorities in Ireland’s relations with other states, both bilaterally and at EU level.
741. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No.1551 of 22 September 2015, if he will publish a list of all contractors who have been de-registered from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland register of contractors specifically due to substandard workmanship and failure to meet the terms of the scheme's quality assurance programme, while excluding the contractors who may have opted to leave the scheme for their own reasons; his views that it is in the public interest to distribute this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34065/15]
View answerAs I stated in my response to the Deputy's question of 22 September, contractors are registered to provide construction services for the Better Energy Homes scheme operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on the basis of a commitment to: undertake all works in accordance with the Technical Specification of the scheme; demonstrate their tax compliance and insurance cover; and the obligation to cooperate with the scheme's Quality Assurance programme. This programme has been designed to maintain high standards of contractor workmanship; build consumer confidence; monitor health and safety; and ensure proper governance of the spend of public money. A grant application to the Better Energy Homes scheme can only be completed when the homeowner selects a contractor currently on the SEAI register of contractors. Therefore, the public interest is served by the fact that homeowners availing of this scheme are prevented from engaging currently de-registered contractors to carry out grant aided works.
The SEAI has a responsibility to apply a prudent, practical and appropriate approach to the governance of the disbursement of the public funds. However, this responsibility is confined to the schemes operated by the SEAI. Therefore, the SEAI's remit for quality control of construction or retrofit practice is confined to its governance of the Better Energy Homes scheme and its operation of the register of contractors, which forms part of that governance arrangement. The SEAI does not have any quality control function with regard to the wider construction sector.
Therefore, the publication of a list of contractors de-registered from the scheme for non-compliance with the SEAI's very stringent Code of Practice could be incorrectly interpreted as construing a lack of capacity to carry out non-grant related building works, which may not be the case. Such a list might therefore be prejudicial to competition in the wider construction sector, the regulation of which is outside the remit of the SEAI.
