Written Answers Nos. 658-678
658. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a new scheme to replace the 1995 tenant purchase scheme terminated in December 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36350/15]
View answer659. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the introduction date for the tenant purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36352/15]
View answer681. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a new tenant purchase scheme will be introduced for council tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36100/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 658, 659 and 681 together.
The necessary Regulations for the new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines are at an advanced stage and are expected to be finalised and signed by end October 2015.
660. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reports presently underway into alleged planning irregularities being carried out by his Department; the locations under investigation; and by whom they are being carried out; if he has received completed reports, and the date on which he has received them; when will they be published; if there is any reason they cannot be published immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36419/15]
View answerThere are no reports of the kind referred to in the Deputy’s question underway in my Department. However, there are currently two Planning reviews being carried out by my Department.
The first has been undertaken by MacCabe Durney Barnes Consultants, who were appointed in February 2014 to carry out an independent planning review on the performance of planning functions having regard to specific planning issues in respect of six planning authorities (Carlow, Cork, Galway and Meath County Councils and Cork and Dublin City Councils) in accordance with section 255 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. I have received the final report from the consultants and am currently considering its contents. It is my intention to publish this shortly.
The second review follows on from the Order made by the High Court on 14 June 2013, quashing that part of my Department's Planning Review Report (2012) relating to Donegal, following a settlement between my Department and the party concerned who had brought judicial review proceedings in respect of that part of the Report. The matter has been disposed of to the satisfaction of both sides. In light of these proceedings, my Department subsequently sought the advice of the Attorney General on how best to proceed in the case of issues raised in relation to planning matters in Donegal.
Taking account of advice from the Office of the Attorney General my Department has appointed, on a non-statutory basis, Senior Counsel to prepare a review report in relation to these matters. This report will be prepared in line with terms of reference which have been agreed in consultation with the Attorney General's Office.
661. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason it is a requirement for local authority houses to remain empty for a period of six months before they can be re-allocated after a tenant has vacated the premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36431/15]
View answerThere is no requirement for local authority houses to remain empty for a period of six months before they can be reallocated after a tenant has vacated the premises. I expect that local authorities will re-let social housing units within the shortest possible time after they become vacant. In some cases, an amount of pre-letting refurbishment works may be necessary but these should be completed as soon as possible. Where the level of refurbishment required is greater, a local authority can seek support from my Department and I have directed that in such instances, funding is to be provided to support the authorities in returning all such eligible housing units to productive use as soon as possible.
662. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details on the amount each local authority has spent on graffiti removal in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36452/15]
View answerI am very aware of the problems posed to local communities by graffiti. The role of my Department is to provide the legislative framework to address the issue. Under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution, including the defacement of structures by writing or other marks, lie with local authorities. The Act provides significant powers to local authorities to deal with litter and the defacement of structures by writing or other marks. It is a matter for each local authority to decide on the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions to deal with graffiti, taking account of local circumstances and competing priorities. My Department does not compile statistics on local authority expenditure on graffiti removal.
In order to support local authority efforts to tackle littering and graffiti, my Department provides grant funding under the Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Scheme whereby local authorities are invited to submit proposed eligible projects for their functional areas. It is open to local community groups to approach their local authority for assistance with funding for anti-littering and anti-graffiti projects aimed at encouraging long-term behavioural change by individuals who engage in this unsocial behaviour. Under the scheme, each local authority decides which local projects to fund based on its own circumstances and priorities. In 2015, I made a total of €690,000 available to fund suitable projects under this scheme.
The Department of Justice and Equality also has a role in the control of graffiti through the Criminal Damage Act 1991, which provides for the offences of damaging or defacing property.
663. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of requests for permission to employ additional staff his Department received from Dublin City Council since 1 January 2015, by job title; the number approved, pending and refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36491/15]
View answerMy Department works closely with Dublin City Council in relation to the Council’s overall staffing requirements. However, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, it is the Chief Executive of the Council who is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority.
Since 1 January 2015, my Department has received 264 staff sanction requests from Dublin City Council, of which 209 posts have been approved, and 55 posts are pending. The status of these requests is set out in the following table. Posts marked pending are, in general, awaiting supporting information prior to an informed decision being taken.
|
Title of Post(s) |
Number of Post(s) |
Outcome |
|
Accountant |
3 |
Approved |
|
Administrative Officer |
2 |
Approved |
|
Area Maintenance Officer (Housing) |
2 |
Approved |
|
Assistant Chemist |
1 |
Approved |
|
Assistant Engineer |
1 |
Approved |
|
Assistant ICT Manager |
2 |
Approved |
|
Assistant Inspector |
1 |
Approved |
|
Assistant Staff Officer |
1 |
Approved |
|
Biodiversity Officer |
1 |
Approved |
|
Building Control Inspectors/Clerks of Works |
2 |
Approved |
|
Building Inspector Housing |
1 |
Approved |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
Approved |
|
Cycling Officer |
1 |
Approved |
|
Director of Services Homeless Executive |
1 |
Approved |
|
District Officer |
17 |
Approved |
|
Emergency Services Controller |
28 |
Approved |
|
Executive Engineer |
6 |
Approved |
|
Executive Environmental Scientific Officer |
1 |
Approved |
|
Executive Housing Officer |
3 |
Approved |
|
Executive Quantity Surveyor |
2 |
Approved |
|
Executive Technician |
2 |
Approved |
|
Fire Fighter |
38 |
Approved |
|
Graduate Architect |
1 |
Approved |
|
Graduate Quantity Surveyor (Housing) |
1 |
Approved |
|
Graduate Recruit |
10 |
Approved |
|
Graduate Valuer |
1 |
Approved |
|
Health & Safety Officer |
2 |
Approved |
|
Inspector |
1 |
Approved |
|
Liaison Officer Housing |
1 |
Approved |
|
National Co-ordinator Pathway & Accommodation |
1 |
Approved |
|
Professional Accountant |
1 |
Approved |
|
Project Estate Officer |
2 |
Approved |
|
Senior Accountant |
1 |
Approved |
|
Senior Architect |
1 |
Approved |
|
Senior Engineer |
3 |
Approved |
|
Senior Executive Engineer |
7 |
Approved |
|
Senior Executive Health & Safety Officer |
1 |
Approved |
|
Senior Executive Officer |
2 |
Approved |
|
Senior Planner |
3 |
Approved |
|
Senior Staff Officer |
1 |
Approved |
|
Senior Staff Officer (Project Estate Officer) |
1 |
Approved |
|
Staff Officer |
11 |
Approved |
|
Technician Grade 1 |
1 |
Approved |
|
Assistant Fire Prevention Officer |
3 |
Approved |
|
Executive Engineer |
1 |
Approved |
|
Executive Fire Prevention Officer |
2 |
Approved |
|
Executive Technician |
1 |
Approved |
|
Inspector |
1 |
Approved |
|
Laboratory Technician Grade I |
1 |
Approved |
|
Senior Engineer |
1 |
Approved |
|
Senior Executive Engineer |
2 |
Approved |
|
Station Officer |
24 |
Approved |
|
Superintendent |
2 |
Approved |
|
Traffic Officer |
1 |
Approved |
|
Administrative Officer |
2 |
Pending |
|
Assistant Engineer |
8 |
Pending |
|
Assistant Inspector |
1 |
Pending |
|
Assistant Staff Officer |
1 |
Pending |
|
Depot Office Supervisor |
1 |
Pending |
|
Divisional Librarian |
1 |
Pending |
|
Environmental Liaison Officer |
1 |
Pending |
|
Executive Engineer |
6 |
Pending |
|
Executive ITS Officer |
2 |
Pending |
|
Librarian |
1 |
Pending |
|
Librarian Assistant |
10 |
Pending |
|
Office Manager |
1 |
Pending |
|
Resident Engineer |
1 |
Pending |
|
Senior Engineer |
3 |
Pending |
|
Senior Executive Engineer |
2 |
Pending |
|
Senior Executive Officer |
2 |
Pending |
|
Senior Librarian |
5 |
Pending |
|
Senior Resident Engineer |
2 |
Pending |
|
Staff Officer - Libraries |
1 |
Pending |
|
Staff Officer (Materials Manager) |
1 |
Pending |
|
Team Leader |
1 |
Pending |
|
Traffic Officer |
1 |
Pending |
|
Waste Management Coordinating Supervisor |
1 |
Pending |
664. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if legislation is being proposed to introduce a two-year rent freeze in the private rental market to prevent additional families being forced into homelessness. [36512/15]
View answerThe most recent data from the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) for Q2 2015 show that on an annual basis, nationally, rents were 7.1% higher than in Q2 2014. Rents for houses were 6.4% higher, while apartment rents were 7.6% higher than in the same quarter of 2014.
These annual rates of increase were driven mainly by the Dublin market. Overall, in the 12 months to the end of Q2 2015, rents were higher by 9.2% in Dublin (with house rents up by 8.8% and apartment rents higher by 9.4%). Annual growth in rents for the market outside Dublin was more subdued. In the 12 months to the end of Q2 2015, rents were higher by 5.8% (with house rents up by 5.8% and apartment rents higher by 5.9%).
A shortage of supply is at the heart of rising rents and the Government is addressing this on a number of fronts. Construction 2020: A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector, published last year, is aimed at addressing issues in the property and construction sectors and ensuring that any bottlenecks that might impede the sector in meeting residential and non-residential demand are addressed. Construction 2020 also commits to identifying and implementing further improvements to the planning system to facilitate appropriate development.
Addressing the supply shortfall in housing will take time but in the period since the publication of Construction 2020, some welcome signs of recovery in the sector have become evident. Particularly notable in this regard is the increase in the number of house completions in 2014 to 11,016 units nationally – an increase of 33% on the 2013 figure. The latest figures for new house completions show that 8,914 units were completed to the end of September 2015, up 14% on the corresponding figure for 2014.
Social housing is a key priority for the Government, as evidenced by the €2.9 billion committed to under the Government’s Capital Plan. In Budget 2016 investment in housing infrastructure has again been given priority with exchequer investment of almost €811 million across a range of housing programmes. In addition, local authorities will also fund a range of housing services from their own resources to the value of over €112 million, bringing the total Housing provision in 2016 to €923 million. This will significantly address the needs of households on the housing waiting lists and provide flexibility to meet potential future demand with over 17,000 households to be accommodated in 2016.
On Budget day Minister Kelly and I also announced the approval of site locations for over 500 new social housing units which are to be delivered through a public private partnership (PPP) programme. This social housing is to be developed at six sites in co-operation with the local authorities in each area, with a capital value of approximately €100 million. There is provision for a total investment of €300 million in social housing through the public private partnership model and, overall, the programme is expected to deliver 1,500 social housing units.
NAMA is aiming to deliver a target of 20,000 residential units before the end of 2020 with 90 per cent of these units to be in the greater Dublin area. Achieving this new target by the end of 2020 means delivering on average 80 new housing units every week, across some 100 active sites. An Affordable Rental Pilot Scheme, which was announced as part of Budget 2016, is currently being developed in my Department. The sum of €10 million has been made available from the proceeds of the sale of Bord Gáis Éireann for the scheme, which I expect to be rolled out in 2016.
In addition to these measures, I am continuing to work on proposals to address the issue of rising rents. The regulation of rent raises many complex economic and legal issues and I have to be satisfied that any measures proposed are balanced and have the desired effect on the rental market while being fair to landlords and tenants alike. Ultimately, any decision in relation to this issue is a matter for Government and it is my intention to bring final proposals to Government for decision as soon as possible.
665. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to include vehicle registration tax Category C vehicles for the CO2 emission based rate of tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36522/15]
View answerAs outlined by the Revenue Commissioners, Category C Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) vehicles include larger commercial vehicles, agricultural tractors, and buses with a minimum of 10 seats including the driver’s seat. This category also includes vintage vehicles.
In Budget 2016, the Minister for Finance announced changes to the rates of motor tax to be paid for goods vehicles. The rates were simplified by replacing the 20 existing rates with 5 rates of commercial motor tax, ranging from €92 to €900 per annum, with effect from the 1st of January 2016. The most significant reductions were concentrated on larger goods vehicles. Beyond this, there are no plans at present to include the diverse range of vehicles outlined above in a CO2 basis of assessment for motor tax.
666. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he can exercise any powers to initiate and reverse planning zoning decisions made by Meath County Council in its development plan, to permit construction on what is clearly a flood plain in the Mornington, Laytown and Bettystown areas of County Meath, as such decisions are strongly opposed by residents in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36533/15]
View answerAs provided for under section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I can direct a planning authority on their development plan up to four weeks after the plan has been adopted where I have formed the provisional opinion that firstly the Planning Authority has ignored or not taken account of a submission made on my behalf in respect of the development plan and secondly that the plan as adopted is not in compliance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
With regard to lands in County Meath referred to by the Deputy, it would appear that these lands were the subject of Flood Risk Assessment as part of the planning application process and that technical assessments of relevant planning applications by the Planning Authority from the environmental and water services perspectives were satisfactory, subject to the development being constructed in accordance with the drawings submitted and in compliance with the conditions attached.
Moreover, Meath County Council has indicated that a Part VIII planning process for the Northlands Flood Scheme commenced in August of this year. On consideration of the flood scheme by the Members of Meath County Council and completion of the Part VIII planning process, the detailed design will be finalised with a view to commencing works by the summer of 2016.
Given the background to the matter the Deputy has raised, I have no remit in relation to reversing the decisions of the local authority, it being a matter for Meath County Council to ensure that proper account has been taken of all relevant flood risk considerations in the context of its decisions on the overall development of the area, in deciding individual planning applications and undertaking investment in surface water disposal infrastructure in the area.
667. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will give detailed and urgent consideration to the request from Monaghan County Council in relation to the proposed North-South interconnector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36622/15]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála is the independent statutory body assigned responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and certain other matters under the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, and for the determination of applications for strategic infrastructure development including major roads, railways and power transmission lines. The Board may, at its own discretion, hold oral hearings in relation to cases being considered by it.
Under section 30 of the Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular planning case with which a planning authority, including An Bord Pleanála, is or may be concerned.
668. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of capital social housing expenditure for social housing new builds and acquisitions and for the rental accommodation scheme that has been allocated to local authorities in 2015; and the amount that will be allocated for this purpose in 2016. [36650/15]
View answer669. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that has been claimed by local authorities for construction of new social housing units from his Department in 2015 to date, as part of the €312 million social housing construction programme announced on 5 May 2015, that is, the euro amount in actual receipts that has been submitted by local authorities; and the amount expected to be claimed by local authorities by the end of 2015. [36651/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 668 and 669 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.
Social housing targets have been set for each local authority out to 2017 and these are available on my Department's website, along with the associated provisional funding allocations, at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41016,en.htm. The targets set and the funding allocated are being invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes by local authorities, designed to accommodate 25% of those currently on the housing waiting lists.
The Rental Accommodation Scheme continues to provide a targeted approach to meeting long-term rental housing assistance needs through the development of medium or long-term contractual arrangements with private accommodation providers. In line with the targets set for social housing delivery, the number of additional units targeted under the Rental Accommodation Scheme nationally to 2017 is 4,000, with 2,000 of these to be provided in 2015.
Also in line with the targets, I announced a major social housing construction programme on 5 May 2015, with €312m investment covering all 31 local authorities and with over 1,700 housing units to be built. In July I announced a further investment of over €180 million to deliver over 1,100 new social housing units. This included over €150 million in approvals under the Capital Assistance Scheme which supports Approved Housing Bodies in the provision of new housing units for homeless persons, for the elderly and for people with disabilities. Details of the projects approved in May and July are available on my Department's website at the following links: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,42225,en.htm.
Through the annual estimates process, Exchequer capital funding of over € 189 million is available to local authorities under these initiatives this year, with a further € 48.6 million being self-funded by local authorities from Local Property Tax. To date in 2015, local authorities have drawn down almost €39 million, while a further €13.8 million has been self-funded by local authorities from their Local Property Tax resources. In relation to the Rental Accommodation Scheme, some €135m in Exchequer funding is available this year, with a further €40m being self-funded by local authorities from built-up RAS reserves. To date in 2015, local authorities have drawn down some €69.3m in Exchequer funding while a further €5.5m has been self-funded by local authorities from those RAS reserves to date. I expect a significant amount of further funding to be drawn down by local authorities under these initiatives in the final quarter of 2015, which is traditionally the time of greatest funding drawdown by local authorities.
Delivery by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies is being closely monitored by my Department. Minister of State Coffey and I met with local authority Chief Executives and Directors of Housing recently to review progress in this regard. The local authorities indicate that the overall target of 7,000 additional social housing units in 2015 will be achieved. This will include maximising the number of vacant social housing units to be brought back into productive use this year. Last year local authorities returned 2,300 vacant units under my Department’s capital programme and I anticipate a further 2,500 such units to be made available this year to those on waiting lists.
Given the time-lag between approval and delivery in terms of construction projects, a successful programme to remediate vacant units, as well as the acquisition by local authorities of properties through turn-key developments and other purchases, are important parts of social housing delivery this year. These areas are being advanced strongly by local authorities, alongside the advancement of the construction projects that I have sanctioned this year. I am confident that by utilising all delivery mechanisms under current and capital expenditure programmes, local authorities will continue to deliver social housing targets in 2015, in line with the Social Housing Strategy.
670. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the review of the event licensing framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35948/15]
View answerThe Event Licensing Review Group conducted its deliberations on the event licensing legislative regime over the period October 2014 to March 2015 and submitted recommendations in April 2015. Having considered these recommendations, I signed new amending event licensing regulations on 19 June 2015. These regulations came into effect on 1 October 2015.
The principal new provisions are:
- event licence applications will not be accepted by a local authority unless a pre-application consultation meeting, with the relevant local authority and principal response agencies, has already taken place with the event promoter;
- a pre-application meeting (and therefore an application) will not be facilitated where the event promoter has already advertised or sold tickets for the proposed event;
- event licensing applications must be lodged with the relevant local authority at least 13 weeks in advance of the proposed event;
- local authorities must make their decision on an event licence application no later than four weeks before the proposed event;
- where it is proposed to add performances to a schedule already announced, a further pre-application consultation meeting will be required to take place before the announcement of any additional dates.
The new regulations are intended to make the event licensing system more streamlined and fit for purpose, while also bringing greater order and certainty to the process for all parties involved.
671. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make public the Law Society submission to his Department in respect of the building control regulations, SI 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35952/15]
View answerThe Law Society has in recent days consented to its submission on the review of SI No. 9 of 2014 being placed in the public domain. A copy of the submission has issued by email from my Department to a number of persons who had previously requested it. Any other person who requires a copy may obtain it from my Department by emailing buildingstandards@environ.ie.
672. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to his proposals for tyre disposals, and given that discussions with sector representatives have recently broken down, the way the proposals, as currently under discussion, will deal with the danger of business being driven across the border to Northern Ireland, or to the online sale of tyres; the rationale for the over 300% increase in the cost of tyre disposal, as proposed in talks with the representatives of the tyre sector, in comparison to what is currently charged; if he will re-engage with representatives of the tyre sector in an effort to address these critical issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35961/15]
View answerIn the discussions prior to the adoption of the 2007 Tyre Regulations, the Government made clear that this was the last opportunity for the tyre industry to embrace environmental compliance and take responsibility for the waste it produces. The 2007 Tyre Regulations were focused on matching what was placed on the market with what came off the market as waste. If the required improvement did not happen, it was made clear to the tyre industry that the system would be reviewed and replaced with a full Producer Responsibility Initiative (PRI) model.
As part of a wider Ministerial review of producer responsibility matters, a specific module was devoted to structural and environmental effectiveness of all aspects of the current system for managing waste tyres. The results of this examination were stark. The report, published for consultation in November 2013 and in final form in April 2014, found:
- A non-compliance rate with the Tyre Regulations of 46%,
- A lack of consistent and accurate data,
- That the current system was not tracking data flows well, and
- Between 25% and 50% of waste tyres were not accounted for.
Following extensive discussions with the tyre industry, I announced my decision to establish a full PRI scheme for Tyres and Waste Tyres in Ireland on 30 January 2015. The new scheme will be operated by Repak with a registration and reporting role for the WEEE Register Society. Since my decision, significant progress has been made in discussions with the tyre industry.
Distance sellers, i.e. those placing tyres on the Irish market but located outside the State, will have exactly the same obligations as any operator based in Ireland so the suggestion that operators based outside the jurisdiction will have a competitive advantage over their Irish counterparts is unfounded. The distance seller approach has been very successfully used under existing arrangements for distance sellers of electrical and electronic equipment.
The 300% + increase in the cost of tyre disposal referred to in the Question, is a suggestion being circulated by elements within the tyre industry, but is also unfounded. The model that I am proposing will formalise a charge that tyre retailers already apply. The fact is that the fundamental pillars of any successful PRI structure elsewhere in the EU are a robust financial model, supported by an adequate visible Environmental Management Charge (vEMC). This approach ensures that waste tyres are fully accounted for and properly treated without public funds being called on to remove the blight of illegal stockpiles across the country. Members of the public currently pay an environmental charge when purchasing new tyres but often their contribution is not being used for the intended purpose and waste tyres leak from the system, often ending up stockpiled illegally and causing a blight on our environment.
Just at the point where discussions on the financial model and the level of the vEMC were about to commence, the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) withdrew from the Tyres Working Group. Despite their withdrawal, and the earlier withdrawal of ITWRA, my Department will continue to work on the introduction of a full PRI scheme. Both the ITIA and the ITWRA continue to receive all Tyres Working Group related correspondence and I have urged them on several occasions to re-join the process and re-engage. It is a matter for both organisations to accept this invitation and I would again appeal to both organisations to embrace the opportunity to influence the shape of the new structures, particularly in relation to those key issues around funding and structure.
673. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider a continuance of the capped charge for Irish Water's household billing for persons of pensionable age, or those who would satisfy a certain means and household composition assessment similar to that applied to the household benefits package or the fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35962/15]
View answer674. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current proposals within his Department with specific regard to the future of the cap on household water charges that is currently in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35963/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 673 and 674 together.
A revised water charges regime was announced by the Government on 19 November 2014. The capped annual charges are €160 for single adult households and €260 for all other households until the end of 2018. Through conservation of water those on metered supply can reduce their costs and pay less than the capped costs. The benefit of capped charges is that all households will know what their maximum water bills will be until the end of 2018.
Under the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013, Irish Water is obliged to charge customers connected to the public water or waste water systems for services provided. Households who do not register with Irish Water will receive a default bill for €260 per annum per dwelling. In addition, such households will not be entitled to the €100 water conservation grant for their primary dwelling. Various easy-pay options are available through post offices or other payment providers. The overall net cost for those who register is either €1.15 a week for single adult households or €3 a week for all others.
This charging structure makes water charges affordable, simpler and fairer, providing more clarity and certainty to households. The intention is that average charges will continue to be kept low through ongoing subvention to Irish Water and the Government has legislated in the Water Services Act 2014 so that domestic charges from 2019 onwards can continue to be subject to caps set by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
675. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce grant assistance or tax credit measures to assist owner-occupiers to fund fire safety repairs in apartment blocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35957/15]
View answerThere are no plans to introduce grant assistance to assist owner occupiers to fund fire safety repairs in apartment blocks. I have no function in relation to tax credits, although it is worth noting that relevant repair works of this nature already come within the scope of the Home Renovation Incentive scheme which I understand has recently been extended to December 2016.
676. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the protection provided to persons renting out a property in the event of tenants becoming troublesome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35969/15]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented residential sector. The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.
The 2004 Act sets out the rights, duties and obligations of landlords and tenants. Section 16 of the Act specifies the obligations of a tenant which include the payment of rent; not causing a deterioration in the condition of the dwelling; and not behaving either within the dwelling or in the vicinity of it, in a way that is anti-social.
While action to deal with anti-social behaviour is primarily a matter for An Garda Síochána, in the case of private rented dwellings, landlords are responsible for enforcing the obligations that apply to their tenants under the 2004 Act. Where a tenant is engaged in anti-social behaviour or allowing others to engage in such behaviour, the Act allows a landlord to terminate the tenancy, subject to a notice period of only 7 days in the case of serious anti-social behaviour or 28 days in the case of less serious but persistent behaviour.
Where there is a dispute regarding the appropriate period of notice to be given in respect of a tenancy or the validity of a notice of termination or where the tenant does not comply with the notice of termination, the dispute may be referred to the PRTB for resolution.
677. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated full-year cost of increasing the income threshold for persons with disabilities applying for a housing adaptation grant from €60,000 to €65,000. [36017/15]
View answerAs the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability are administered by local authorities, information regarding the income levels of applicants is not available in my Department. It is not possible therefore to say what an increase in the threshold would cost.
The income limit for the scheme was amended from €65,000 to €60,000 in 2014 arising from the recommendations of a review group which examined the terms and conditions governing the schemes. The aim of the review was to spread the benefits of the scheme as widely as possible and to ensure fairness and value for money in its operation. The scheme is therefore more sharply focussed towards households with greatest needs, especially lower income households.
678. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the commitments he has made to support the homeless in budget 2016 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36022/15]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level.
Funding from my Department for emergency accommodation and homeless services is provided to housing authorities on a regional basis under section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. In Budget 2016 I have secured funding of €70 million for these purposes, which is an increase of 32% on the 2015 allocation of €53 million and a 55% increase on the 2014 allocation of €45 million.
Also, in Budget 2016 I have secured an increase in the uplift available under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Homeless Pilot from 20% to 50%. The pilot has been in place in the four Dublin authorities since 2014, targeted at homeless households who qualify for social housing and are in homeless emergency accommodation. The intention of the pilot is to transition households from emergency accommodation to private rented accommodation under HAP. The pilot allowed for an uplift of 20% on the HAP rent limits and was targeted at those in emergency accommodation on or before 1 December 2014. The increased uplift to 50% will increase the competitiveness of HAP homeless households in the private rented market and increase their likelihood of transitioning. The effective eligibility date of 1 December 2014 has also been removed, thereby increasing the number of homeless households who can avail of the pilot.
