Written Answers Nos. 635-647
635. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the mechanism in place to provide oversight of the work of special policy committees in local authorities and to measure their successes and failures. [46129/15]
View answerPart 7 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides the legal framework for the establishment and operation of Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) to consider matters connected with the formulation, development, monitoring and review of policy which relates to the functions of a local authority and to advise the authority on those matters.
The SPC system is intended to give councillors and relevant sectoral interests an opportunity for full involvement in the policy-making process from the early stages, when policy options are more fluid. The council is the final decision making authority, and it is the task of the SPCs, as committees of the council, to advise and assist the council in its work.
Under section 54(2) of the 2001 Act, my Department issued guidelines on SPCs in May 2014. The objective of these guidelines was to create a common general framework for the establishment and operation of SPCs and to assist and support local authorities in this task. However, subject to this general framework, the guidelines allow a measure of discretion to local authorities in establishing an SPC structure which takes account of local circumstances and which best meets local needs.
SPCs are encouraged in the guidelines to adopt a multi-annual work programme linked to the local authority’s corporate plan and to update this regularly as necessary. Ensuring compliance with the legal framework and implementation of the guidelines, as well as assessing the performance of individual SPCs, is ultimately a matter for local authorities themselves, including the corporate policy group in each authority.
636. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that some Teachtaí Dála and local authority councillors are directors of approved housing bodies in County Kildare and directly responsible for offering houses to persons; and if he believes that this is acceptable and transparent. [46131/15]
View answerApproved Housing Bodies (AHBs) consist mainly of voluntary or co-operative organisations registered under the Companies Acts, societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts and/or Trusts incorporated under the Charities Acts. They are independent bodies and the appointment of members to the Boards of AHBs is a matter for the bodies themselves.
Notwithstanding that, the Government has committed to bringing greater transparency and improved governance to the AHB sector. Last year, my Department established an interim Regulation Committee under the auspices of the Housing Agency and supported by a Regulation Office within the Agency. The committee was set up to oversee implementation of the voluntary regulation code for AHBs, published in July 2013, and to advise on statutory regulation. To date, over 210 AHBs have signed up to the voluntary code.
Under the code, AHBs that have signed up to regulation are assessed in terms of their governance, financial viability and their performance as regards their landlord functions. There are specific requirements in relation to AHBs having conflict of interest polices in place which should ensure potential conflicts are raised and that there is a protocol for addressing them.
While the code is voluntary at present, the development of a statutory regulatory framework has commenced with the General Scheme of the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2015 approved for drafting by Government in September of this year. Pre-legislative scrutiny of the proposed Bill took place recently. A public listing of all the AHBs signed up to voluntary regulation can be found at http://www.housing.ie/Regulation/AHBs-Signed-Up-to-Voluntary-Regulation/A-Z-Organisation-Listing.
637. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the programmes he intends to roll out in 2016 funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund, including the application date, process and purpose of each programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46139/15]
View answerThe Dormant Accounts Act 2001, together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003 and the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Acts 2005-2012, provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e. banks, building societies and An Post) and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings. The legislation introduced a scheme for the disbursement of funds that are unlikely to be reclaimed but only for the purposes of programmes or projects to assist: - the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged,
- the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged, or
- persons with a disability (within the meaning of the Equal Status Act 2000).
Under the Dormant Accounts legislation, balances on dormant accounts with banks, building societies and An Post and the net encashment value of certain life assurance policies are paid into the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency. The primary purpose of the legislation is to reunite the original account holders with their moneys, including all interest due. In addition, the legislation provides that disbursements from the fund may be made for charitable purposes or for purposes of community benefit.
A Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan was adopted on 1 July 2014 which contained an allocation in excess of €26m to be expended through a number of Government Departments and agencies. Under the 2014 Plan, Pobal are administering the Social Enterprise and the Disadvantaged Youth Employment Initiatives/Entrepreneurship measure on behalf of my Department.
The aim of the Social Enterprise Measure is to increase the impact of social enterprises by enhancing their capacity to deliver services and generate traded income through the provision of small capital grants. Funding is being provided to support the development of social enterprises that have the capacity to deliver local, sustainable jobs and which contribute to community gain in disadvantaged areas/for economically and socially disadvantages persons.
The aim of the Youth Employment Measure is to target the most disadvantaged young people who tend not to avail of mainstream supports and are most distant from the labour market or the education system. The opportunity under this measure is to focus on vulnerable youth by providing more intensive engagement and supports to those “most marginalised and disadvantaged” or within “NEET” youth (i.e. a young person who is “Not in Education, Employment or Training”). It is intended that this will help them to participate and succeed in education or training and thereby improve their employability, reducing their longer term dependency on welfare.
Applications under these measures are currently being assessed by Pobal and a decision on the measures for which my Department has responsibility is expected shortly.
Pobal is also administering one measure on behalf of the Department of Social Protection and a number of measures on behalf of the Department of Health. The remaining measures under the 2014 Action Plan are being administered by the Departments themselves.
It is anticipated that a new Dormant Accounts Action Plan will be drafted early in 2016.
Further data in relation to the Dormant Accounts Fund are available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/DormantAccounts/.
638. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the allocation and expenditure broken down per county in each of the past ten years under the rural water programme, broken down for allocation and expenditure on group water schemes, group sewerage schemes, small council water schemes, small council sewerage schemes and private waste water scheme grants introduced following the passing of the Water Services Act and requiring the registration of private waste water systems and other allocations specified, all in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46142/15]
View answerResponsibility for the administration of my Department’s Rural Water Programme, under which funding is provided for the schemes referred to, including up to end 2013 for small public scheme works, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997. The selection, prioritisation and approval of individual scheme proposals and applications for advancement and funding under the programme, within the overall priorities set by my Department and subject to the block grant allocations provided, is therefore a matter for the local authorities.
Details of the block grant allocations notified to local authorities for group water and group sewerage schemes under the 2015 Rural Water Programme are outlined on my Department's website at:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Water/WaterServices/RuralWaterProgramme/.
Details of recoupments by my Department to the local authorities to cover their expenditure over the past ten years are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Information on payments made directly to group water schemes would be available from individual local authorities.
639. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the budget his Department allocated to local authorities for the provision of social housing units to the voluntary housing sector for the provision of voluntary housing units; the number of social housing units constructed by the local authorities; the number of social housing units made available under Part V; the number of voluntary housing units completed for each year since 2000, each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46175/15]
View answerThe following table sets out the amount of funding provided to local authorities and approved housing bodies for the construction and acquisition of houses and apartments under the Local Authority Housing Programme and the Capital Assistance Scheme since 2004. Information covering 2000 to 2003 predates my Department’s current financial management system and is therefore not readily available. These are the main programmes implemented by my Department for the capital funding of new social housing construction and acquisition.
|
Year |
Local Authority Housing Programme |
Capital Assistance Scheme |
|
2004 |
€617.7m |
€86.3m |
|
2005 |
€740.6m |
€80.7m |
|
2006 |
€852.1m |
€99.4m |
|
2007 |
€929.3m |
€113.8m |
|
2008 |
€977.6m |
€156.3m |
|
2009 |
€670.3m |
€158.5m |
|
2010 |
€376.3m |
€113.6m |
|
2011 |
€118.0m |
€38.0m |
|
2012 |
€114.7m |
€58.0m |
|
2013 |
€81.8m |
€36.7m |
|
2014 |
€80.1m |
€34.3m |
Additional funding is provided by my Department to local authorities and to approved housing bodies through a range of other current and capital funded programmes for the provision of social housing units encompassing leased units, acquisitions and some new construction. These programmes include the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme, the Rental Accommodation Scheme, Housing Assistance Payment and the Capital Advance Leasing Facility.
Data in relation to social housing units constructed and acquired by local authorities and approved housing bodies and in relation to the delivery of units under Part V arrangements is published on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/StatisticsandRegularPublications/HousingStatistics/FileDownLoad,15291,en.xls.
640. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the proposal to provide a new library in Ballyjamesduff in County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46185/15]
View answer641. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the proposal to provide a new library in Virginia in County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46186/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 641 together.
Under Section 78 of the Local Government Act 2001, the provision of premises and facilities for the public library service is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority.
A draft Libraries Capital Investment Programme is currently being developed by my Department for investment in library infrastructure over the period 2016-2021. The proposed library at Virginia has been identified by Cavan County Council as a priority investment and, accordingly, will be considered in that context. However, Cavan County Council has not identified a new library in Ballyjamesduff as a priority.
642. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the proposals to provide a new fire station in Virginia in County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46187/15]
View answer643. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the proposals to provide a new fire station in Ballyjamesduff in County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46188/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 642 and 643 together.
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities through the setting of general policy and guidance and the provision of capital funding, including the recoupment (within the overall funding available) of costs incurred by fire authorities in relation to approved construction projects and the purchase of fire appliances and equipment.
My Department is currently preparing a fire capital programme for the coming five years and in this regard is engaging with local authorities, as appropriate, to review proposed fire station projects. Requirements for new stations, or enhanced facilities at existing stations, are being appraised with a view to developing value-for-money projects, while still meeting the necessary functional requirements of a retained fire station.
It should be noted that the provision of funding to bring agreed projects to construction stage will be considered within the constraints of existing commitments and available resources and will have regard to national priorities, the totality of requests from fire authorities countrywide, the extent of previous investment in particular areas, the value for money offered by proposals and the status of existing facilities in relation to the area’s fire risk categorisation.
In relation to the Deputy’s particular queries, my Department will liaise with Cavan County Council in relation to the fire stations in question.
644. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding provided to Cavan County Council and to Cavan Town Council for housing construction, housing repairs and various housing grant schemes for each of the years from 2007 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter [46189/15]
View answerThe funding provided to Cavan County Council for the range of initiatives under my Department’s main social housing programmes for the years 2007 to 2015 is set out in the following tables. Expenditure relating to 2015 refers to the funding provided to the local authority up to the end of November and further payments are continuing to be made for this year. The Housing Assistance Payment Scheme has not yet been rolled out in Cavan.
Cavan County Council
|
Housing Programme/Scheme |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
Local Authority Housing Programme |
€9,828,080 |
€14,374,871 |
€10,699,523 |
€3,694,879 |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
€1,230,811 |
Nil |
€926,861 |
€1,284,593 |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
€821,849 |
€1,499,801 |
€1,705,741 |
€273,426 |
|
Adaptations and extensions to Social Housing |
€147,290 |
€213,958 |
€350,253 |
€121,762 |
|
Returning Vacant Social Housing to Productive Use |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
€380,000 |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
Nil |
Nil |
€296,044 |
€980,160 |
|
* Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability |
€753,977 |
€1,007,000 |
€921,000 |
€1,309,505 |
|
Traveller Accommodation Capital Funding |
€296,591 |
€102,043 |
€18,842 |
Nil |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
€177,045 |
€234,055 |
€735,235 |
€1,034,119 |
|
Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Capital Advance Leasing Facility |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Cavan County Council
|
Housing Programme/Scheme |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Local Authority Housing Programme |
€1,116,877 |
€1,360,702 |
€1,947,374 |
€1,133,043 |
€914,165 |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
€14,378 |
€664,288 |
€348,563 |
€102,150 |
Nil |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
€60,526 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Adaptations and extensions to Social Housing |
€207,331 |
€76,328 |
€48,468 |
€151,430 |
Nil |
|
Returning Vacant Social Housing to Productive Use |
€52,168 |
€113,233 |
Nil |
€349,137 |
€80,675 |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
€569,470 |
€404,847 |
€341,138 |
€850,818 |
€485,791 |
|
Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability |
€1,500,000 |
€1,050,000 |
€880,847 |
€914,395 |
€794,327 |
|
Traveller Accommodation Capital Funding |
€6,356 |
Nil |
€57,412 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
€1,370,899 |
€1,815,162 |
€2,101,024 |
€2,295,921 |
€2,374,324 |
|
Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme |
€11,440 |
€24,909 |
€40,421 |
€69,575 |
€44,999 |
|
Capital Advance Leasing Facility |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
€306,075 |
*The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability replaced the Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grants on 1 November 2007. The 2007 figure includes funding for both schemes.
645. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding provided to local authorities in County Monaghan for housing construction, housing repairs and various housing grant schemes, for each of the years from 2007 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46190/15]
View answerThe funding provided to Monaghan County Council for the range of initiatives under my Department’s main Housing Programmes for the years 2007 to 2015 is set out in the following tables. Expenditure relating to 2015 refers to the funding provided to the local authority up to the end of November and further payments are continuing to be made for this year. Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) commenced in Monaghan from 1 October 2014. Payments relating to the HAP scheme are made to a HAP shared services centre run by Limerick City and County Council who provide a transactional shared service hub for all local authorities operating HAP during the pilot phase. All HAP financial transactions, including the collection of differential rent from tenants and the payment of HAP rents directly to landlords, are being made by the transactional shared services hub.
Monaghan County Council
|
Housing Programme/Scheme |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
Local Authority Housing Programme |
€11,289,738 |
€13,484,937 |
€14,079,244 |
€4,539,127 |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
€624,584 |
€5,671,276 |
€112,482 |
€415,175 |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
€535,620 |
€671,931 |
€1,971,184 |
€2,730,402 |
|
Adaptations and extensions to Social Housing |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
€96,802 |
|
Returning Vacant Social Housing to Productive Use |
Nil |
Nil |
€114,032 |
€79,381 |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
Nil |
Nil |
€31,778 |
€491,147 |
|
*Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability |
€1,253,446 |
€1,237,000 |
€824,000 |
€1,353,219 |
|
Traveller Accommodation Capital Funding |
€3,000,000 |
€270,692 |
€714,957 |
€691,044 |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
€175,818.75 |
€277,812.34 |
€607,714.86 |
€890,223 |
|
Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Capital Advance Leasing Facility |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Monaghan County Council
|
Housing Programme/Scheme |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Local Authority Housing Programme |
€3,256,000 |
€1,731,686 |
€1,159,804 |
€790,036 |
€1,376,889 |
|
Capital Assistance Scheme |
€86,636 |
€1,125,300 |
€1,191,568 |
€1,434,736 |
€118,311 |
|
Remedial Works Scheme |
€1,126,971 |
€661,818 |
€147,806 |
€1,001,837 |
€20,551 |
|
Adaptations and extensions to Social Housing |
€77,773 |
€136,436 |
€63,819 |
€91,060 |
€42,747 |
|
Returning Vacant Social Housing to Productive Use |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
€92,751 |
€100,502 |
|
Energy Efficiency Insulation Measure |
€315,100 |
€380,333 |
€335,406 |
€419,118 |
Nil |
|
Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability |
€1,055,266 |
€1,200,000 |
€711,729 |
€739,703 |
€833,046 |
|
Traveller Accommodation Capital Funding |
€197,925 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Rental Accommodation Scheme |
€1,184,460 |
€1,222,347 |
€1,289,674 |
€1,277,503 |
€917,039.20 |
|
Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme |
€3,267 |
€2,262 |
€6,762 |
€4,512 |
€2,262 |
|
Capital Advance Leasing Facility |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
€274,540 |
*The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability replaced the Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grants on 1 November 2007, the 2007 figure includes funding for both schemes.
646. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his proposals to provide funding for men's sheds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46191/15]
View answerMy Department provides support to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) Limited under the funding scheme to support national organisations (SSNO) in the community and voluntary sector. This scheme aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services.
The current scheme was advertised for applications early last year. Some 157 applications were received by Pobal. Following competitive assessment, 55 applications were approved for funding for the two-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016. The award process included considerations such as the social and economic benefits, consistency with current policies and long term vision.
IMSA applied successfully for funding under the scheme, and were allocated €175,950 over the 24 month period of the scheme. The aim of the funding is to assist IMSA to increase the network of Men’s Sheds in Ireland to over 400, with over 20,000 disadvantaged men participating. The funding is contributing to the employment of the CEO and a Resource Worker, and associated overheads. I understand that IMSA also receive funding through subscriptions, donations, sponsors and other fundraising.
Funding under the SSNO is specifically for national organisations such as IMSA for core funding. My Department does not provide funding under the SSNO for local or regional branches of national organisations. I understand that the principal activity of the organisation is the supporting of men’s learning and well-being. There are no schemes within my Department that specifically provide funding appropriate to these activities at a local level.
It is envisaged that the new Scheme to Support National Organisations will be advertised in early 2016 and groups funded under the 2014-2016 Scheme and other interested organisations can apply again for funding under the new SSNO Scheme. Organisations who meet the minimum overall quality score threshold will be considered eligible for funding, subject to available resources.
647. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding provided or the financial contribution for the older person's scheme and the number of such units provided, by local authority, in each of the past ten years. [46203/15]
View answerI understand the scheme referred to was introduced by a local authority to enable older people to downsize from homes that may have become too large for them to more suitable accommodation, thus potentially freeing up homes for larger families.
There are no funds specifically designated under the social housing investment programme for the purpose of facilitating local authority tenants wishing to downsize. I understand a number of housing authorities, however, have traditionally operated such schemes within their overall housing programmes. My Department does not hold any information on the number of dwellings allocated to older persons as part of such schemes.
I have no specific proposals to introduce a national scheme along these lines at present. However, in the context of the ongoing implementation of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, the potential of such schemes to meet differing housing needs may be further examined.
