Brian Stanley
Question:48. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans regarding the disposal and management of worn tyres. [37474/15]
View answerWaste Disposal
Questions (48)
Written answers
In discussions prior to the adoption of the 2007 Tyre Regulations, it was made clear that this was the last opportunity for the tyre industry to embrace environmental compliance and take responsibility for the waste it produces. 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 review of producer responsibility arrangements completed in 2014, the structural and environmental effectiveness of all aspects of the current system for managing waste tyres was assessed. 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 with widespread illegal dumping.
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. Since my decision, significant progress has been made in discussions with the tyre industry.
The new scheme will be operated by Repak with a registration and reporting role for the WEEE Register Society. Both organisations have long and successful track records under existing producer responsibility arrangements in the packaging, battery and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) areas and have been instrumental in making Ireland a top EU performer in these waste streams.
Operators based in other jurisdictions but bringing tyres onto the Irish market or distance sellers 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.
There will be no new tyre tax under the new system. Consumers already pay a disposal fee to their tyre retailer whenever they buy a new tyre. The model that I am proposing will formalise a charge that tyre retailers already apply but which does not currently go towards the cost of managing the waste in all cases, as it is supposed to. It is absolutely right and fair to provide a system that ensures it is properly directed in the future so that the consumer does not pay twice: once at the point of purchase and again when the taxpayer has to meet costs incurred by local authorities for the clean-up of illegally dumped tyres.
My Department is proceeding with the introduction of a full PRI scheme for tyres which mirrors those arrangements which are in place in twenty other Member States and which from the outset will, I am confident, enjoy the full support of all members of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association who make up approximately 50% of the Irish tyre market. The Tyre Working Group that I established last year continues to operate and will be tasked now with the detailed design of the scheme based around the overarching principles that have been announced. The scheme will respect the producer responsibility approach and be based on the polluter pays principle.
Homelessness Strategy
Questions (49)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:49. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the short-term strategy that his Department and the local authorities have to deal with the 1,500 plus children that will be sleeping in emergency accommodation tonight, in conjunction with the 2020 plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38227/15]
View answerWritten answers
The long-term solution to homelessness is to increase the supply of homes. In November 2014, I launched the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020. This six-year strategy sets out to provide 35,000 new social housing units at a cost of €3.8 billion and restores the State to a central role in the provision of social housing through, inter alia, a resumption of direct building on a significant scale by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
A significant number of other measures are being taken to address homelessness by securing a supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. These measures have been identified in the Government's Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness (May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness (December 2014). Substantial progress has been made in implementing these plans. Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/ .
These Plans represent a whole-of-Government approach to dealing with homelessness and the implementation of measures identified in these plans is being overseen by a group of senior officials drawn from key State agencies concerned including my Department, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Health Service Executive, Tusla the Child and Family Agency, the Irish Prison Service and housing authorities. This Homelessness Policy Implementation Team’s next meeting is scheduled for mid-November following which I expect the next quarterly report to be prepared and submitted to the Cabinet Committee, after which it will be made available on my Department’s website.
Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration
Questions (50)
Brian Stanley
Question:50. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the new tenant purchase scheme will be put in place. [37478/15]
View answerWritten answers
Minister Kelly has signed the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 to enable the new scheme for the tenant purchase of existing local authority houses along incremental purchase lines to come into operation on 1 January 2016. The new year commencement will allow time for housing authorities to familiarise themselves with the new scheme and for interested tenants to make necessary preparations to apply to purchase. A copy of the Regulations has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Rent Controls
Questions (51)
Mick Wallace
Question:51. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government for details of discussions he has had regarding rent control measures, given the ongoing housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37493/15]
View answerWritten answers
The 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. Annual growth in rents for the market outside Dublin was more subdued where, in the 12 months to the end of Q2 2015, rents were higher by 5.8%.
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.
Social housing has been prioritised by this Government and over €1.7 billion in Exchequer and self-funding was allocated to the Social Housing Strategy 2020 between the 2015 and 2016 budgets, to support the provision of over 33,000 units. The Government’s Capital Plan goes beyond 2016 and commits €2.9 billion in capital funding towards social housing out to 2021.
Ultimately, the key to addressing upward pressure on rents is through increasing the supply of housing. In 2014 the number of house completions was 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. NAMA is aiming to deliver a target of 20,000 residential units before the end of 2020, with 90% of these units to be in the greater Dublin area.
In addition to these measures, I am continuing to work on proposals to address the issue of rising rents. The level of rent increases, particularly in the greater Dublin area, presents a serious challenge. The regulation of rent, however, 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 so I have had discussions with the Minister for Finance and other Cabinet colleagues on this issue. It is my intention to bring final proposals to Government for decision as soon as possible.
Wind Energy Guidelines
Questions (52)
Bernard Durkan
Question:52. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will publish the guidelines in respect of wind turbines with particular reference to density, setback, noise and flicker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38390/15]
View answerWritten answers
In December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setbacks and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed:
- the setting of a more stringent day and night noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,
- a mandatory minimum setback of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and
- the complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
A public consultation process was initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the Guidelines, which ran until February 21 2014. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process.
It is intended that the revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines will be finalised as soon as possible. In this regard, account has to be taken of the extensive response to the public consultation in framing the final guidelines. Further work is also advancing to develop technical appendices to assist planning authorities with the practical application of the noise measurement aspects of the Wind Guidelines. My Department is advancing work on the Guidelines in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006, when finalised, will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts.
Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists
Questions (53)
Bernard Durkan
Question:53. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which the various local authorities have indicated the number of families on their respective housing lists who are deemed to be in need of re-housing in the course of the next three months based on those currently in emergency accommodation and those likely to become dependent on such accommodation in the period in question; if he expects to be in a position to meet this need in the given time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38389/15]
View answerWritten answers
The latest summary of social housing assessments, as of 7 May 2013, provides data on the number of households on local authority waiting lists at that date across a range of categories broken down by authority, including details on the main need for social housing support which includes a category for those living in an institution, emergency accommodation or hostel. The full 2013 results are available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,34857,en.pdf .
The 2013 figures are the most up-to-date figures available on waiting list numbers, which are subject to on-going fluctuation due to households being allocated housing and new households applying for housing support. In order to get the most accurate data relating to the numbers applying for social housing support, the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020, published in November 2014, includes a commitment to increase the regularity of the summary of social housing assessments by undertaking it on an annual basis from 2016 onwards. In relation to homelessness specifically, it should be noted that up to date information on the number of people accessing State funded emergency accommodation is available on an ongoing basis, through the Pathways to Accommodation and Support Services System.
The long-term solution to housing need and homelessness is to increase the supply of homes. The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020 sets out a six-year strategy to provide 35,000 new social housing units at a cost of €3.8 billion and restores the State to a central role in the provision of social housing through, inter alia, a resumption of direct building on a significant scale by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
A significant number of other measures are being taken to address homelessness by securing a supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. These measures have been identified in the Government's Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness (May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness (December 2014). Substantial progress has been made in implementing these plans. Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/ .
These Plans represent a whole-of-Government approach to dealing with homelessness and the implementation of measures identified in these plans is being overseen by a group of senior officials drawn from key State agencies concerned including my Department, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Health Service Executive, Tusla the Child and Family Agency, the Irish Prison Service and housing authorities.
Emergency Accommodation Provision
Questions (54)
Joan Collins
Question:54. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether the modular housing proposals are an adequate response to this humanitarian crisis, given that over 700 families and over 1,500 children are now living in emergency accommodation and hotels, and given that up to one family per day is becoming homeless, as per a report from an organisation (details supplied). [35498/15]
View answerWritten answers
Government has approved the delivery of 500 units of modular housing for homeless families across Dublin. It is intended to have the first 150 units delivered as quickly as possible in the Dublin City Council administrative area with the City Council acting as the contracting authority. The City Council expects the delivery of an initial 22 units by December, with a further 128 units to follow by late Quarter 1 2016 through a fast tracked procurement process. A further 350 units will then be provided across the four Dublin authorities through a national procurement framework overseen by the Office for Government Procurement, with expected construction on sites by mid-2016.
This programme of modular housing provision is just one of many actions being implemented across Government departments and agencies and is being implemented to mitigate the issues associated with an increasing volume of homeless families accommodated in inappropriate commercial hotel arrangements. These units will provide emergency accommodation in the first instance, offering a greater level of stability while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured. Furthermore, such arrangements will facilitate more coordinated needs assessment and support planning for access to all required services, including welfare, health and housing services.
A significant number of other measures are being taken to address homelessness by securing a supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. These measures have been identified in the Government's Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness (May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness (December 2014). Substantial progress has been made in implementing these plans. Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.
Local Authority Housing Provision
Questions (55)
Mick Wallace
Question:55. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of social housing units that will be delivered through the local authorities in each of the years 2015 to 2018, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37497/15]
View answerWritten answers
Since the publication of the Social Housing Strategy 2020 in November 2014 positive progress on the implementation of the measurable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing has been made. Delivery under the Strategy is envisaged under two phases. Phase 1 targets the delivery of 18,000 additional social housing units and 32,000 units through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)/Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) by end of 2017. Under Phase 2 which spans 2018 to 2020, 17,000 additional housing units are targeted as well as 43,000 HAP/RAS units.
Ambitious 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 over 25% of those currently on the housing waiting list.
The Government’s commitment to delivery of social housing support is further evidenced by successive Budgets with over €1.7 billion in Exchequer and local authority self-funding allocated between 2015 and 2016.
Delivery by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies is being closely monitored by my Department. Minister of State Coffey and I also met with local authority Chief Executives and Directors of Housing recently to review progress in this regard. 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 line with the provision set out in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Social Housing Strategy.
Planning Issues
Questions (56)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:56. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider amendments to planning regulations that require the internal layout drawings of dwellings and other buildings to be publicly available; if he will consider having these drawings kept purely for the use of the relevant planning authority in the interests of privacy and security of the property owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37235/15]
View answerWritten answers
Requirements for plans and drawings to accompany a planning application are specified in regulation 23(1) of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001, as amended. Plans of the internal floorspace areas of proposed structures are generally submitted to a level of detail to indicate proposed rooms, circulation areas, storage areas, access facilities, etc. together with their dimensions and intended uses. Such information can be significant in the assessment of the planning application with regard to the relevant Development Plan (for example, in relation to the protection of residential amenity for proposed new housing), relevant Ministerial Guidelines (for example, in relation to Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments) and other statutory considerations.
Such information is submitted with planning applications regardless of the domestic, commercial or other nature of the proposed development. As reiterated in my Planning Policy Statement of January 2015, the planning process must operate in a fair, efficient and transparent fashion through the availability of accessible information in both the Development Plan making and the development management processes. This approach ensures that the public can engage effectively with the planning process and that rational and robust planning decisions are made in the interest of the common good. In this regard, the inclusion of internal floorspace details is considered necessary to ensure that this overall principle is implemented and adhered to in the planning application process.
NAMA Social Housing Provision
Questions (57)
Seán Kyne
Question:57. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Finance concerning the evolving role of the National Asset Management Agency in encompassing housing provision; if he is aware of the number and type of offers made to local authorities, with particular reference to Counties Galway and Mayo, regarding the use of housing stock in the control of the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38328/15]
View answerWritten answers
Since December 2011, my Department and the Housing Agency have been engaged with NAMA in identifying properties that might potentially be suitable for social housing purposes. More detailed information on this engagement, including a breakdown of units delivered by local authority is available on the website of the Housing Agency at www.housing.ie/NAMA.
Since the process began, up to end of September 2015, a total of 1,600 NAMA residential properties have been delivered for social housing use, comprising of 1,241 completed properties and a further 359 contracted where completion work is on-going. A further 486 properties are considered as being active transactions whereby terms are agreed or active negotiation is on-going by all parties concerned or where a detailed appraisal is being carried out. An additional 440 properties are to be further appraised.
In the area of Galway City Council, 203 units have been identified as potentially suitable for social housing, of which demand has been confirmed for 202 units by the City Council. Of these, 131 have been delivered to the end of September 2015.
In the Galway County Council area, 135 units were identified as potentially suitable, of which the County Council has confirmed demand for 40 units. Of these, 24 have been delivered to the end of September 2015.
In the Mayo County Council area, 75 units were identified as potentially suitable, with the Council confirming demand for 31 units. Delivery in respect of those units is progressing.
Traveller Accommodation
Questions (58)
Mick Wallace
Question:58. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures his Department has in place to ensure all accommodation for Travellers reaches health and safety standards; if his Department plans any further safety measures, given the recent tragic fire in Carrickmines in Dublin 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37495/15]
View answerWritten answers
In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
Following the recent tragic loss of life in Carrickmines, my Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management is leading a Programme to Review Fire Safety in Traveller Accommodation. The objective of the review is to take immediate action to ensure that practical and appropriate fire safety measures, which can contribute to preventing loss of life and serious injury in local authority Traveller accommodation, have been applied systematically across the country. This will include community fire safety initiatives. Initial steps have been taken to identify the key issues and consultations with stakeholders at both national and local level, including Traveller Representative Groups, have taken place.
Practical solutions to the issues that are identified through this engagement will be developed on a collaborative basis over the coming weeks. This collaborative approach will ensure that the review is carried out in a consistent and coordinated manner. The programme to review and enhance fire safety in Traveller accommodation will be rolled out nationally over the coming months and is anticipated to be concluded by the end of Quarter 1, 2016. As well as the enhancements that I hope will already be in place at that stage, it will identify or propose further actions to sustain fire safety which will be given appropriate consideration by relevant stakeholders.
As provided for under sections 21 and 22 of the aforementioned Act, each local authority has in place a Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (LTACC). The role of the LTACC is to advise local authorities on the provision and management of accommodation for Travellers, and to provide a liaison between Travellers and Members and officials of the appointing authority concerned. At least one quarter of the membership of the LTACC must comprise local Travellers and Traveller groups, with the remaining members comprising elected members and officials of the housing authority. I see the role of these local committees as crucial to resolving local issues, including health and safety issues on sites.