Tuesday, 17 May 2016

Written Answers Nos. 337-364

School Staff

Questions (337)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

337. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an appeal by a school (details supplied) will be successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10601/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on the Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.

The staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Circular 0007/2016 provides details for schools wishing to make an appeal.

The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an appeal to be considered at the May meeting. The Appeals Board will meet later this month and the school will be notified of the Appeals Board's decision by the end of May.

The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

School Staff

Questions (338)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

338. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to lift the staffing cap from a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10608/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places in an area. The area in which the school is located has not been identified as an area of demographic growth. It is considered that there are sufficient primary school places in the catchment area to meet pupil demand.

It is important that school size is monitored and that a balance is preserved among all the schools in catchment areas to ensure one school is not expanding at the expense of the viability of another school. This may sometimes result in children not being offered a place in their school of first choice.

As you will appreciate there is a responsibility on schools to manage their own enrolment policies to ensure that they operate within the level of accommodation available to them.

School Enrolments

Questions (339)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

339. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of the shortage of primary school places in Gorey in County Wexford; his long-term plans to address the demographic challenge that shows the need for additional places in north County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10638/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and information from my Department's own school databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.

The outcome of the latest demographic exercises was that in November 2015, the establishment of 13 new schools to open nationwide in 2017 and 2018 was announced. It was also announced that a range of areas nationwide are experiencing demographic pressures and would be kept under review. In this regard, the school planning areas in County Wexford, including Gorey, are being kept under ongoing review by my Department to take account of updated child benefit data and enrolment data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases to schools in these areas.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (340)

Carol Nolan

Question:

340. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the construction of a new school building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10659/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of the tender process. The School was authorized to issue a Letter of Intent to the preferred tenderer on 10th May. Subject to no issues arising in the supplementary tender report, it is anticipated that works will commence over the summer.

Disability Services Provision

Questions (341)

Noel Rock

Question:

341. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the alternative arrangements on behalf of Down Syndrome Ireland in the event of the closure of its literacy classes at the Mater Dei Institute of Education on Clonliffe Road in Dublin 3 due to budget cuts by Dublin City University which operates the campus. [10687/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The position is that higher education institutions, including Mater Dei Institute of Education and Dublin City University, are autonomous bodies and their day to day operational affairs including decisions on the provision of courses are the responsibility of the management authority and governing body of the institutions.

My Department has no specific role in relation to the provision of literacy classes on behalf of Down Syndrome Ireland at Mater Dei, however, my officials are liaising with the Higher Education Authority to establish the facts in relation to this matter.

Education Schemes

Questions (342)

Pat Deering

Question:

342. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills to provide additional places (details supplied) for mainstream children who need extra curricular help under the July provision. [10691/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The July Education Programme (JEP) is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism that choose to extend their education services through the month of July.

My Department also provides for a July Education Programme for pupils with a severe/profound general learning disability. Children with autism in mainstream classes are eligible to apply for home based tuition, but can, in limited circumstances participate in their school's JEP if they can be accommodated within the school's existing autism or severe to profound unit(s) and without incurring the need for additional resources, as defined by my Department.

Under the terms of the Programme, exemptions to the general restriction on children from mainstream classes participating in the school based programme can, in limited circumstances be sought, where it is determined that the best interests of the children would be more appropriately addressed by their inclusion in a dedicated autism or severe to profound class for the period of July, having regard to the additional cost arising.

In this regard, I understand Carlow Educate Together have submitted a proposal for an additional class. This proposal is currently being considered and a decision will be notified to the school as soon as possible.

Question No. 343 answered with Question No. 328

State Examinations

Questions (344)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

344. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills to re-examine the case of a person (details supplied) and arrange for the provision of a reader to provide a fair opportunity to this person to complete examinations. [9855/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

The State Examinations Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate Examinations. Full details of the scheme are available from their website: www.examinations.ie/candidates/reasonableaccommodations

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Question No. 345 answered with Question No. 256

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Questions (346)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

346. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a way that the calculation of travel distance could be subject to a physical measurement in terms of a Student Universal Support Ireland grant application by a person (details supplied). [9922/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The current qualifying distance of 45 km for the higher non-adjacent rate of student grant, takes into account a reasonable radius within which students may commute on a daily basis.

The measurement of the distances relating to the award of adjacent or non-adjacent rates of student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. The distance measurement for student grant rates is governed by Article 27(3)(a) and (b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2016. This provides that the relevant distance will be measured in line with agreed guidelines.

The guidelines require that the shortest most direct route between the applicant's normal residence and the institution being attended should apply. In determining the shortest most direct route, the relevant awarding authority shall establish:

- the method for measuring a route;

- the factors to be taken into account in establishing and measuring a route.

The awarding authority's criteria for measuring a route must be accessible, particularly to the applicant, the appeals officer and the Student Grants Appeals Board. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.

Mortgage Data

Questions (347)

Brian Stanley

Question:

347. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of households in mortgage arrears with commercial lending institutions that have been moved from mortgages to a mortgage-to-rent scheme and who have completed all stages of the process in counties Laois and Kildare. [10029/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Under the Approved Housing Body (AHB) Mortgage to Rent Scheme, to date in Co. Kildare, the number of successful completed cases is 8 with a further 56 under active consideration, and in Co. Laois the number of completed cases is 3 with a further 20 under active consideration.

Wind Energy Guidelines

Questions (348, 350)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

348. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will publish the revision of the 2006 Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government wind development guidelines, given that it is two years on hold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10039/16]

Brian Stanley

Question:

350. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to introduce regulations for the development of wind farms including setback distances, noise and shadow flicker. [10216/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 350 together.

In December 2013, my Department published proposed “draft” revisions to the noise, setback distance 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 distance 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 also initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the Guidelines, which ran until 21 February 2014. My Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process.

As outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government published last week, the Government is committed to finalising the revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines within 3 to 6 months. The revisions to the guidelines will be informed by the public consultation process and best international practice. My Department will continue to advance 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 are required to have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions under the Planning Acts.

Water Charges

Questions (349)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

349. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the financial relief he will provide to persons on group water schemes now that water charges have been abolished for private residents receiving public water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10205/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Government is committed to introducing and supporting legislation in the Oireachtas, within six weeks of its appointment, to suspend domestic water charges for a period of nine months from the end of the current bill cycle. The proposed details of the suspension will be set out in the legislation when published.

In line with the suspension of domestic water charges, and to ensure equity of treatment with households on public water supplies, the subsidisation for those on group water schemes will be restored to the level that pertained prior to the introduction of domestic water charges for households connected to the public water supply. The level of subsidisation for group water schemes will be reviewed when the Oireachtas has decided on the enduring funding model for Irish Water.

Question No. 350 answered with Question No. 348

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme

Questions (351)

Robert Troy

Question:

351. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the meaningful supports he will introduce for employment in the voluntary community social enterprise area, in particular regarding supports for a continuity of employment for key employees with the sector. [10326/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

A key principle underlying my Department’s activities is enabling communities themselves to identify and address social and economic needs and problems in their own areas. There is a particular focus on supporting communities that are vulnerable, disadvantaged or under threat, and an adherence to the values of local participation.

The Government currently provides substantial funding to social enterprises through a range of programmes and schemes, many of which are implemented through the nationwide network of Local Development Companies, including the Community Services Programme, Community Employment Schemes, the Wage Subsidy Scheme for the employment of people with disabilities, public sector contracts through the HSE, and the Social Finance Foundation.

In addition, my Department funds a number of programmes operating within communities, including the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), which is one of my Department’s key priorities. Some €28 million was available for the 9 month period April to December 2015 for the SICAP programme and €37.3 million is available for 2016.

The focus of Goal 3 of SICAP is to engage with marginalised target groups/individuals and residents of disadvantaged communities who are unemployed but who do not fall within mainstream employment service provision or who are referred to SICAP to move them closer to the labour market and improve work readiness. In doing so, the aim is to support individuals in accessing employment and self-employment and creating social enterprise opportunities.

The programme aims to promote the development of social enterprises as a means of employment generation for those most distant from the labour market as well as trying to improve on services to disadvantaged communities and groups. SICAP-supported enterprise start-up grants can be made available to assist a social enterprise at any stage of its development. The Local SICAP Programme Implementer in each Local Authority area is responsible for managing the delivery of SICAP and the enterprise/social enterprise element in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.

Departmental Funding

Questions (352)

Robert Troy

Question:

352. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered implementing the proposals contained within the Let's Commission for Communities document. [10327/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Public Service Reform Plan (2014-16) commits to a more strategic approach to the allocation of State funding, which is focused on the outcomes of service users being met in return for monies spent. This strategic approach, known as commissioning, seeks to assess and identify the needs of a population, ascertain desired outcomes for that population, pinpoint service priorities and goals, secure service providers that can deliver those priorities and goals and release funding in return for achieving the identified outcomes on foot of evidence-based evaluations.

In relation to the Deputy’s specific query, Let's Commission for Communities was one on 65 submissions received as part of a public consultation on commissioning carried out by the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my own Department in the first quarter of 2016. A summary of all submissions received was recently published on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform website and these are now being considered as part of a process to agree a Government-wide approach to commissioning.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (353)

Jim Daly

Question:

353. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures his Department has taken over the past five years to ensure an adequate supply of social housing is available to approved social housing applicants; the immediate measures he will take to alleviate the current crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10357/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Government’s Housing Policy Statement, published in June 2011, clearly identified that the priority for Government is to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support in all local authority areas, by providing housing support based on choice, fairness and equity across tenures and on delivering quality outcomes for the resources invested. The 2011 Housing Policy Statement is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/search/archived/archived/category/housing?query=housing%20policy%20statement

In the period 2011 to 2014 inclusive, in excess of 26,000 social housing units were delivered under a range of programmes, by local authorities and approved housing bodies. Since then, through the actions set out in the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which was published in November 2014, a number of important measures have been taken to increase supply of social housing. The Strategy is available on my Department’s website at the following link:

http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/social_strategy_document_20141126.pdf

The Social Housing Strategy 2020 provides for clear, measurable actions and targets to increase the supply of social housing, reform delivery arrangements and meet the housing needs of all households on the housing list with flexibility to meet future demand. In total, 110,000 new social housing units are targeted for delivery with 35,000 new units to be delivered by local authorities and approved housing bodies, and 75,000 households to be supported mainly through the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme.

The Social Housing Strategy 2020 has been supported with funding of €1.7 billion under Budgets 2015 and 2016 providing for the delivery of 13,000 social housing units in 2015, representing an increase of 86% on the circa 7,000 units delivered in 2014 and an ambitious target for 2016 of 17,000 units.

Importantly, with capital project announcements in May and July 2015, and in January 2016, local authorities and approved housing bodies now have a strong pipeline of construction, turnkey and acquisition projects, which will deliver some 3,900 homes, with approved budget costs of some €680 million.

A full report on actions delivered under the Strategy in 2015 can be found in the Social Housing Output in 2015 report. The report, which was published on 26 January 2016, in collaboration with the Housing Agency, is available on my Department’s website at the following link:

http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/social_housing_output_in_2015_0.pdf

Additional data on the breakdown of output, across all social housing delivery programmes, by local authority in 2015, is available on my Department’s website at the following link:

http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/attachments/1a2-sh-2015-brkdn_1.xlsx

In order to address issues in relation to wider housing supply, which in turn affects the demand for social housing, in May 2014, the Government published Construction 2020 – A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Strategy. The Strategy contains 75 Actions in total and my Department is involved in the delivery of over 30 of these Actions. The central aim of the Strategy is to triple housing output by 2020, and to add up to 60,000 jobs to the sector over the same period. Construction 2020 – A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Strategy can be accessed at the following link:

http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/construction-strategy-14-may-20141.pdf

Laying the Foundations: Housing Actions Report, which was published on 14 April 2016, provides information on thirty-one major actions taken since mid-2014, to increase the supply of all forms of housing. The report is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/housing/activity/laying-foundations-housing-action-report

The new Programme for a Partnership Government, published on 11 May 2016, sets out further actions to specifically address the housing shortage and includes a number of measures to increase and expedite the delivery of social housing units. The document is available at the following link: http://www.merrionstreet.ie/MerrionStreet/en/ImageLibrary/Programme_for_Partnership_Government.pdf

Housing is an absolute priority for this Government and a key priority, in the Programme for a Partnership Government, is the preparation and publication of an ‘Action Plan for Housing’ within the Government’s first 100 days. The Action Plan will be drafted with input from a number of key Departments, drawing also on the work of the Special Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness, which is due to submit a final report to the Dáil on 17 June 2016.

The Plan will come under the overall governance of a Cabinet Committee on Housing chaired by An Taoiseach and including all the key ministers. The Plan will be delivery focused and will build on the considerable work already carried out or underway in my Department. It will include actions to boost supply of all types of housing in the immediate, medium and longer- terms.

Traveller Accommodation

Questions (354)

Imelda Munster

Question:

354. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the provisions in place to meet the needs of the Traveller families who were evicted from the sports car park in Dundalk Institute of Technology in County Louth on 10 May 2016. [10471/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

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. I therefore have no role in operational or actual accommodation provision matters, such as the evictions referred to in the Question and the accommodation need issues arising therefrom, which are a matter for the relevant housing authority, in this case Louth County Council.

Local Authority Staff Recruitment

Questions (355, 356)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

355. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to provide funding for the provision of a traffic warden at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10610/16]

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

356. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to provide funding for the provision of a traffic warden for primary and secondary schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10611/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together.

My Department does not currently have an application on file from Kerry County Council for sanction for the recruitment of Traffic Wardens. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible.

My Department works closely with Kerry County Council in relation to the Council’s overall staffing requirements. The Council’s staffing requests are examined on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key services in the context of staffing and budgetary constraints. In considering sanction requests, public safety, maintaining key front line services and economic issues are given precedence.

Electromagnetic Fields Studies

Questions (357, 358, 422)

James Browne

Question:

357. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that electric and magnetic fields can adversely impact physical health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10666/16]

James Browne

Question:

358. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the statement of a person (details supplied) that it was simply not possible, at the power levels concerned, for transmission lines to cause cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10668/16]

James Browne

Question:

422. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that electric and magnetic fields can adversely impact physical health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10657/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 357, 358 and 422 together.

The issue of the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields was the subject of an Expert Group Report commissioned by the Government and published in March 2007. This report, entitled Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, which considered issues such as digital signals, microwaves and mobile phone masts, is available for download on my Department’s website at:

http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/Environment/EnvironmentalRadiation/FileDownLoad%2C2477%2Cen.pdf

The Expert Group reported that the majority scientific opinion was that no adverse short- or long-term effects have been demonstrated from exposure to electromagnetic fields at levels below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

Extensive international research on the issue continues to be co-ordinated through bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as by other bodies with responsibility for monitoring the health effects of electromagnetic fields, including the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR). This Committee recently published a Preliminary Opinion on Potential Health Effects of Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields, updating its previous opinions from 2009 and taking account of the many studies undertaken in the intervening years. The Report can be found at the following weblink:

http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/emerging/docs/scenihr_o_041.pdf

The findings of this research are being monitored and considered by the WHO’s EMF Project; it is expected that a report will issue from the WHO this year. My Department, in collaboration with the EPA’s Office of Radiological Protection, continues to monitor this and other scientific evidence as it is made available and will consider any policy implications in this context.

In addition, my Department commissioned a study on international developments in non-ionising radiation (NIR) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) research since publication of the 2007 Expert Group Report, as well as examining how the issue of NIR/EMF is dealt with in other jurisdictions. I expect this study to be published shortly, and a Steering Committee will be established to consider the study results and make specific proposals relating to the future consideration and management of these matters.

Housing Provision

Questions (359, 390)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

359. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the relief measures available for first-time house purchasers. [10821/16]

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

390. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he is considering to help first-time buyers who are being squeezed by the banks which are refusing to lend; if he will tackle the lack of construction activity and the diminishing supply of rental housing available due to the successful roll-out of the housing assistance payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9659/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 390 together.

The Government is committed to the overall objective that every household, including first-time buyers, will have access to secure, good quality housing suited to their needs at an affordable price, in a sustainable community. Ultimately a shortage of supply of houses and apartments to buy and rent is at the heart of the challenges in the housing sector. In 2015, the private market delivered around half of the annual requirement of 25,000 new dwellings per annum.

Housing is an absolute priority for this Government and, accordingly, a key priority of the Programme for a Partnership Government, which can be accessed at the link below, is the preparation and publication of an ‘Action Plan for Housing’ within the Government’s first 100 days. The Action Plan will be drafted with input from a number of key Departments, and will draw on the work of the Special Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness, which is due to submit a final report to the Dáil on 17 June 2016.

http://www.merrionstreet.ie/MerrionStreet/en/ImageLibrary/Programme_for_Partnership_Government.pdf

The ‘Action Plan for Housing’ will come under the overall governance of a Cabinet Committee on Housing, chaired by An Taoiseach and including all key Ministers. The Plan will build on the considerable work already carried out or underway to boost supply and will be delivery focussed. It will include actions to boost supply of all types of housing in the immediate, medium and longer-terms. While it is important to boost housing supply for all, the Plan will focus in particular on those feeling most difficulty in accessing the housing and rental market at the moment.

Motor Tax

Questions (360)

Jim Daly

Question:

360. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to amend the taxation rates of private motor vehicles and base them on certified emissions values by national car test centres regardless of the age of the vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9371/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

CO2 emissions are the basis for charging motor tax for private vehicles registered since 2008. Vehicles registered prior to that are taxed on the basis of engine capacity. I have no plans to change the basis of charging motor tax from engine capacity to CO2 emissions for vehicles registered prior to 2008. The question of applying the CO2 based system to all cars was the subject of detailed discussion at the time of introduction of the new basis of taxation in 2008. Any retrospective application would not have been possible as the CO2 data available for the existing fleet had not been authenticated for this purpose.

For cars registered since 2008, motor tax is based on the CO2 emissions level as provided on the Certificate of Conformity for the vehicle. It is the level emitted in terms of grams per kilometer driven, which is not measured as part of the NCT, and is also affected by factors such as engine size, body type and weight, aerodynamics, type of transmission, etc. I understand that determining the level of CO2 emitted by a vehicle is expensive and that it is generally only carried out in respect of new vehicles at manufacturing stage. The purpose of the NCT is to test the roadworthiness of the vehicle and any changes to that test are a matter for the Road Safety Authority.

Planning Issues

Questions (361)

Catherine Martin

Question:

361. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if new apartment minimum sizes, specified in a publication by his Department entitled 'Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments - Guidelines for Planning Authorities', are mandatory for local authorities and if they supersede local minimum apartment sizes specified in local development plans (details supplied). [9379/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The apartment minimum sizes specified in the Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments - Guidelines for Planning Authorities, published in December 2015, are mandatory for all local authorities. The sizes for 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments are not new standards but a restatement of the minimum apartment sizes for such apartments set out in previous statutory guidelines published in 2007 after extensive public consultation and the engagement of independent professional architectural and design expertise. In addition and more importantly to ensure their consistent application, including in the many local authority areas with no minimum standards, the 2015 guidelines were drafted in a manner that avails of amendments to the Ministerial powers under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to issue guidelines to planning authorities, which amendments were inserted by the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2015.

The 2015 Act enables statutory guidelines to expressly state “Specific Planning Policy Requirements” to be applied by planning authorities, or An Bord Pleanála, as appropriate, in the exercise of their planning functions and where any conflict arises between such guidelines and local authority development plans, the requirements of the guidelines take precedence.

Whilst not all aspects of the 2015 Apartment Guidelines are mandatory, they identify a number of specific planning policy requirements that must be applied by local authorities. These include minimum apartment unit floor areas.

The 2015 guidelines therefore updated previous 2007 guidelines, which, in practice, had little if any real effect in terms of actual development, due to the post 2008 economic downturn and after which, despite challenging economic conditions, a number of local authorities set differing and higher minimum floor area standards.

The confusion of different standards and inconsistencies between local authorities, even within Dublin, and the cost implications of associated lift, access and parking requirements were considered by my Department to raise wider concerns about adverse impacts on the viability of new housing development generally and apartment development specifically, both in relation to public and private housing.

Housing, or more specifically tackling the lack of its provision, is the single biggest issue facing this Government and had my Department not acted in addressing the consistency issue, the plethora of ever escalating minimum floor area requirements and resultant uncertainty would have persisted, adversely impacting not only on supply, but supply at affordable prices.

My Department did engage in focused analysis of the apartment standards issue, which was published, building on its previous work and consultation on the 2007 guidelines. I am satisfied that the process followed was compliant with all relevant environmental obligations.

Tenant Purchase Scheme Eligibility

Questions (362, 363, 376, 382, 397, 404)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

362. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to amend existing eligibility requirements concerning income which is considered assessable for the purposes of the incremental tenant purchase scheme for local authority housing, in order to allow for the inclusion of additional social protection and assistance payments; if he is aware that a large number of tenants are prevented from accessing the scheme by the exclusion of these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9422/16]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

363. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if applicants will only be deemed eligible under the incremental tenant purchase scheme for local authority housing when they have paid all liabilities in respect of water charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9423/16]

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

376. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government why carer's allowance is not recognised as income under the new tenant purchase scheme 2016, as it is not included in determining a tenant's gross income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9644/16]

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

382. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the requirement by Donegal County Council to have the payment of water charges as a condition for the tenant purchase scheme; if he agrees with this requirement, given there is no requirement for the payment of other utility bills by the tenant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9699/16]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

397. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government why persons with adequate savings are ineligible to apply under the tenant purchase scheme for local authority houses if they are on a low income or if all their income derives from social protection payments; if he will amend this regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10062/16]

Martin Heydon

Question:

404. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to consider a case (details supplied) regarding the purchase of a property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10254/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 362, 363, 376, 382, 397 and 404 together.

Provision was made in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 for a new Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme for existing local authority houses. Following the necessary preparatory work the new Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having been in receipt of social housing support for a minimum period of one year and having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum.

The terms of the Scheme involve discounts of 40%, 50% or 60% off the purchase price of the house, linked to tenant income. On the sale of a house under the Scheme, the housing authority will place an incremental purchase charge on the house equivalent to the discount granted to the tenant. Generally, the charge withers away over a period of 20, 25 or 30 years depending on the level of discount involved.

The minimum reckonable income for eligibility under the Scheme is determined by the relevant housing authority in accordance with the detailed provisions of the Ministerial Direction issued under Sections 24(3) and (4) of the 2014 Act. In the determination of the minimum reckonable income, housing authorities can include income from a number of different sources and classes, such as from employment, private pensions, maintenance payments and certain social welfare payments, including pensions, where the social welfare payment is secondary to employment income.

In determining reckonable income, the income of the tenants of the house, including adult children that are joint tenants, can be included, as can the income of the spouse, civil partner or other partner/co-habitant of a tenant who lives in the house with them.

A number of income sources, including carer’s allowance and certain other social welfare payments, are disregarded for the purposes of determining reckonable income. In order to ensure the sustainability of the scheme, it is essential that an applicant’s income is of a long-term and sustainable nature. This is necessary to ensure that the tenant purchasing the house is in a financial position, as the owner, to maintain and insure the property for the duration of the charged period, in compliance with the conditions of the order transferring the ownership and responsibility of the house from the local authority to the tenant.

The financing of any house sold under the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is a separate matter from the eligibility criteria for the scheme. In order to participate in the scheme, the tenant must, in the first instance, meet the eligibility criteria as set out in the relevant legislation, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum. If the tenant is deemed eligible under the scheme, he or she may fund the purchase of a house from one, or a combination of, own resources or a mortgage provided by a financial institution or a local authority house purchase loan.

Section 48 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015, which commenced on 1 January 2016, inserts a new section 3A into the Water Services Act 2014, subsection (9) of which provides that a housing authority shall not complete the sale of a dwelling under a tenant purchase scheme until the tenant provides to the authority a certificate from Irish Water confirming that any charge under section 21 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 in respect of that dwelling payable by the tenant has been paid. Therefore, tenants of local authority houses who wish to participate in the scheme must provide the relevant certificate from Irish Water, in order for the sale of the house to be completed.

The consideration of individual applications and the determination of eligibility under the new Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the 2014 Act and the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015.

The new scheme is in the very early stages of implementation and my Department is monitoring its operation in consultation with housing authorities. In line with the commitment in the new Programme for a Partnership Government to make the scheme more attractive for social housing tenants and to raise new funds for housing development, I intend to undertake a review of the scheme following the first 12 months of operation and to bring forward any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme which are considered necessary based on the evidence gathered at that stage.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (364)

Frank O'Rourke

Question:

364. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of social housing units to be built in 2016, by county and city borough; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9387/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Programme for a Partnership Government has undertaken to significantly increase and expedite the delivery of social housing units, the targets for which are set out in the Social Housing Strategy 2020. The Strategy has targeted the provision of over 110,000 social housing units, through the delivery of 35,000 new social housing units and meeting the housing needs of some 75,000 households, mainly through the Housing Assistance Payment. Social housing targets have previously been set for each local authority out to 2017 and 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.

A key objective under the Social Housing Strategy and in the Programme for a Partnership Government is to increase social housing output in the immediate, medium and longer term. To meet this objective, it is necessary to avail of a mixture of delivery mechanisms. In the immediate term, the acquisition of homes and the refurbishment of vacant local authority dwellings offer quick solutions to accommodate households on the waiting list. Leasing and renting also offer much needed immediate supply.

Over 13,000 social housing units were delivered in 2015, the first full year of implementation of the Social Housing Strategy. This represents an 86% increase in unit delivery above 2014, which was achieved in a very difficult operating environment and represents a good start to the Strategy’s implementation. The targets for 2016 are again ambitious and I expect that over 17,000 social housing units will be provided this year, 1,500 of which are targeted to be delivered through the main capital supply programmes for the construction and acquisition of houses/apartments by both local authorities and approved housing bodies (AHBs).

Following from the substantial announcements of new social housing projects made in May 2015, in July 2015 and in January 2016, we now have a strong pipeline of new social housing construction, acquisition and turnkey approvals in place. Between these three announcements, almost €680 million has been allocated for over 3,900 social housing new builds, turnkey developments and acquisitions. Details of these approvals 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

http://www.environ.ie/housing/social-housing/ministers-kelly-coffey-announce-further-1000-social-housing-units.

It is these projects that will form the majority of the social housing units to be constructed between now and 2018. I am keen that local authorities advance these as soon as possible, but I recognise that all projects must proceed through the planning process and this and other factors have a direct impact on the timing for the advancement and the delivery of the approved construction projects.

While construction activity is ramping up, local authorities are using other approaches to deliver new social housing units in the more immediate term, including acquiring properties, with over 1,000 new social housing units secured through that approach in 2015 alone, and working with developers to build and acquire new ‘turnkey developments’.

The ongoing rapid-delivery housing programme will provide 500 units for homeless families across Dublin who are currently residing in commercial hotels. 22 units have been completed in Ballymun and another 131 units will be completed in the Dublin City area by end-2016. A further 350 units will be provided across the four Dublin authorities, with commencement on sites in quarters 3 and 4 of 2016 - these units are to be procured through a national procurement framework overseen by the Office for Government Procurement, which will be available by end-Summer and will also be available to all local authorities nationally for procurement of rapid-delivery units.

An enhanced role for AHBs in the provision of new supply is also central to the Government’s vision for the provision of social housing supports under the Social Housing Strategy. The Strategy will see the continuation and improvement of the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF), with amendments made to accelerate delivery and assist AHBs in accessing private or Housing Finance Agency (HFA) finance for the purchase, construction or refurbishment of social housing units. The changes recognise the shift in investment required by AHBs towards construction and acquisition of new builds. Under this mechanism of local authority and AHB collaboration, a strong pipeline of new units was developed in 2015, with approval provided for 600 units to be built or purchased by AHBs in the period 2016-2017.