Written Answers Nos. 365-391
365. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the emergency accommodation beds available for persons experiencing homelessness, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9388/16]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. In accordance with section 37(2) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services, including emergency accommodation, rests with individual housing authorities. My Department has no function in relation to operational issues, such as those outlined in the Question, which are a matter for the relevant housing authorities.
366. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will make a decision on an application (details supplied) forwarded by Galway County Council for funding for a group water scheme extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9410/16]
View answerGalway County Council has included the Group Water Scheme in question in its application to my Department for funding under Measure 3 of the new Rural Water Multi-Annual Funding Programme for the period 2016 to 2018. My Department is currently considering local authorities' bids for funding and allocations to authorities for funding under the new programme will be provided shortly.
367. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the nature of discussions that have taken place between his Department and groups representing persons with special needs in relation to the forthcoming pay-by-weight waste management arrangements; if he is aware that this change in policy will have a significant impact on households with adults and children who have special needs; if he has offered potential solutions to this increased financial liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9457/16]
View answerMy Department met with groups who represent persons with special needs to discuss and explore the impact of pay by weight charging on households with special needs. My Department has also been in contact with the HSE and the waste management industry to discuss the issue and to try to find a workable and fair solution to this important matter. Notwithstanding the complexity of the issues involved, I am satisfied that a number of possible solutions are being explored as a matter of urgency.
368. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of a sewerage scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9464/16]
View answerClare County Council has included Carrigaholt Group Sewerage Scheme in its application to my Department for funding under Measure 5 of the new Rural Water Multi-Annual Funding Programme for the period 2016 to 2018. My Department is currently considering local authorities' bids for funding and allocations to authorities for funding under the new programme will be provided shortly.
369. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding he has allocated for the regeneration of the Cranmore project in County Sligo; when the project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9473/16]
View answerFunding of some €22.6 m has been provided to date by my Department for the Cranmore regeneration project. A further €16.3 million has been approved in principle by my Department to fund various physical elements of the Cranmore regeneration masterplan in the coming years. Developing a long term vision for the regeneration of Cranmore is important for the communities who live in the area and my Department is committed to continuing to support the project’s aims into the future. The masterplan is currently being finalised by Sligo County Council for launch later this year and this will set out the Council’s timeline for the project.
370. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding he has allocated for the regeneration of the Cranmore Project in County Sligo; when the project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
View answer371. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding he has allocated for the regeneration of the Cranmore Project in County Sligo; when the project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
View answer372. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding he has allocated for the regeneration of the Cranmore Project in County Sligo; when the project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 370 to 372, inclusive, together.
As pyritic heave relates to the expansion of the sub-floor hardcore material beneath the ground floor concrete slab under affected buildings, pyritic damage is generally confined to the ground floors in dwellings, apartments and duplexes. In this regard, the pyrite remediation scheme is one of “last resort” and only applies to dwellings which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol, published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland in January 2013.
To be eligible to apply under the scheme, an application must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment, carried out by a competent person in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 indicating a Damage Condition Rating of 2. There is no requirement on applicants to undertake a ground floor test. Where an applicant is included in the scheme, remediation works are subsequently carried out in accordance with I.S. 398-2:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material - Part 2: Methodology for remediation works, also published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland in January 2013, which provides a clear methodology for the remediation of ground floor dwellings, including apartments, affected by pyrite in the subfloor hardcore.
Where apartment blocks incorporate common areas, an application will need to be made to the Pyrite Resolution Board by the owner of, or the Management Company responsible for, the common areas concerned. It is a matter for individual apartment owners to make applications to the Board in respect of their own individual apartments subject to meeting the eligibility criteria set out in the pyrite remediation scheme. Where an apartment owner is excluded from the pyrite remediation scheme on the grounds that the owner does not satisfy the eligibility criteria of the scheme, responsibility for the remediation of the apartment concerned would rest with the owner or any agent acting on behalf of the owner.
373. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is concerned at the extent of derelict or semi-derelict gaps in the street scape of cities, towns and villages, with particular reference to the urgent need to project a positive modern image; if he has made adequate provision to set a specific deadline for meeting such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9578/16]
View answer391. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how he will help rectify the situation whereby retail units remain empty in many rural towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9668/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 391 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 878 of 13 January 2016 which sets out a range of actions to support the regeneration of towns and villages.
In addition, the Programme for a Partnership Government published last week sets out a series of additional measures which will be progressed to attract people back into main streets and town centres. These include seeking Oireachtas support for a new Town and Village Renewal Scheme to support the revitalisation of towns and villages and improve the living and working environment of communities. Using the €30 million available to local authorities for town and village regeneration over the coming years, the scheme will, among other things, seek to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of our towns and villages as places to live and work.
In the context of this new scheme, the Government will examine a range of further measures aimed at regenerating our urban centres, including –
- introducing a scheme similar to the ‘Living City Initiative’ to regenerate town centres and villages throughout Ireland,
- reclassifying and incentivising the use of under utilised or vacant areas over ground floor premises in towns, for both residential and commercial use,
- mandating local authorities with better land management powers, including the possibility of additional CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) capabilities, and
- introducing a new Rural Resettlement Scheme to promote the advantages of rural living and ease housing pressures in high demand urban areas.
It is intended that the new package of measures will build on and complement the measures introduced by the previous Government, and which were set out in the previous reply to which I refer, thereby assisting in providing much-needed impetus towards revitalising our urban centres and our rural towns and villages in the coming years, so that they are better positioned to take advantage of the upturn in our economy.
374. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will allocate resources to Meath County Council to enable it to process non-medical priority applications under the housing adaptation grant scheme for older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9534/16]
View answerMy Department provides 80% funding to local authorities in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The detailed administration of the grants, including the approval and prioritisation of grants to applicants, is the responsibility of each individual local authority. For 2016, the total funding availability for Meath County Council in respect of these grants is €1,507,054. This was announced on 2 February 2016 and represents an increase of 75% on the authority’s 2015 funding.
375. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of difficulties landlords have had in availing of house insurance if they are to take part in local authority housing schemes such as the housing assistance payment scheme; the number of such cases he is aware of, by local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9604/16]
View answer399. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how he can assist landlords involved in the rental accommodation scheme who appear to be having difficulties in getting insurance cover due to the fact that the landlord does not directly vet the tenants, which is of great concern to the local authorities in County Dublin as the rental accommodation scheme has been of great value meeting social housing needs for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10228/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 399 together.
My colleague the Minister for Finance is responsible for the legal framework governing financial regulation. The provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are accepting and adequate provisioning to meet those risks.
In cases where landlords are experiencing difficulties in obtaining insurance, I would advise them to contact Insurance Ireland which operates free insurance information for those who have queries or complaints, or experiencing difficulties in relation to acquiring insurance. That service can be contacted at 01 676 1914 or by email at info@insuranceireland.eu
I will ensure that this matter is kept under review in my Department in so far as it relates to the availability of social housing. As part of the development of the Government’s Action Plan for Housing, I am committed to examining a range of proposals designed to overcome barriers to increasing the supply of private rented accommodation for tenancies provided to households with a long-term social housing need.
377. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of his report into the fire at Millfield Manor in Newbridge, County Kildare as a case study; when he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9583/16]
View answerI understand that Kildare County Council is liaising with the residents of the development at Millfield Manor on an ongoing basis in an effort to be of support and assistance to residents at this difficult time.
Part B of the Building Regulations sets out the statutory standards of fire safety that apply when a new building is constructed in order to ensure the safety of persons in and about the building. Compliance with the building regulations is first and foremost the responsibility of the owners, designers and builders of the building concerned.
My predecessor as Minister, in the interests of supporting owners and residents living in developments such as Millfield Manor where concerns regarding non-compliance with fire safety requirements arise, announced that a review would be undertaken by an independent fire safety expert to develop a framework for general application in such situations. The independent fire safety expert has now completed this task and the report on the matter is currently being considered in my Department with a view to publication at an early date.
378. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will include Castleisland in County Kerry under the town centre renewal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9662/16]
View answerI assume the Question is referring to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which was launched in late 2015. The aim of the Scheme is to improve the living and working environment in small rural town and village communities and enhance their potential to support increased economic activity into the future. The Scheme will be delivered by Local Authorities in conjunction with local communities and development organisations as part of a concerted effort to support the sustainable and coordinated development of rural towns and villages. While the precise mechanisms for the selection of projects and the approval of funding have yet to be finalised, I can assure the Deputy that the selection process will be open and transparent and in that context it is not possible, at this time, to say what towns will be awarded funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
It should be noted that my Department is also contributing to the work of the Retail and Town Centre Revival Working Group, which is overseen by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, as part of the Retail Consultation Forum. This Working Group is developing a framework for town centre revival, which can be used by towns and villages to support business growth and job creation.
379. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the position of tenants in housing association properties is now disimproved by the application of the Residential Tenancies Acts to their tenancies; if these tenants have to go through probationary periods again; and the circumstances in which such tenancies can now be ended.
View answerThe Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 amended section 3 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 so that dwellings let by approved housing bodies (AHBs) to social housing tenants now come within the remit of the Act. The position of these tenants is significantly improved by the change, which commenced on 7 April 2016, as they now benefit from the following:
- Increased security of tenure;
- Access to Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) dispute resolution procedures, including free mediation;
- Binding obligations on AHBs as landlords to, inter alia, register all tenancies, keep dwellings in good repair and allow peaceful occupation.
AHB tenants will automatically gain these rights under Part IV of the Act 6 months after registration of their tenancy with the RTB.
The Act provides that tenancies may only be terminated in cases where:
- A tenant is non-compliant with their obligations;
- A landlord wishes to sell the property or requires the property for their own use of use by a family member;
- A landlord wishes to refurbish the property;
- A landlord wishes to change the use of the dwelling.
AHB tenants also benefit from amendments introduced under the 2015 Act to significantly strengthen the protections around tenancy terminations by placing strict controls on the process by which a tenancy can be terminated. These measures involve, inter alia:
- A landlord having to explain in a written statement to the tenant why a property might no longer be suitable to their accommodation needs having regard to the number of bed-spaces and the size and composition of the household; and,
- A landlord having to make a statutory declaration as to their intention to sell a property.
Moreover, tenancies may be terminated only by means of a formal notice of termination, regardless of why the termination is happening. The 2015 Act also increased the notice period for termination so that a landlord will now have to give a tenant up to a maximum of 224 days notice for tenancies of 8 years or more.
380. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 312 of 4 May 2016, the outcome of his meeting with the students' union in the National University of Ireland Dublin on 2 September 2015; and if he committed to assisting the union in promoting a rent-a-room scheme and the steps he has taken in this regard [9735/16]
View answerThe then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, met with University College Dublin Students’ Union and the Union of Students of Ireland (USI) on 2 September 2015 to discuss a range of issues relating to student accommodation, including the rent-a-room scheme. As set out in the reply to Question No. 312 of 2 May 2016, this scheme was introduced with the aim of increasing the availability of rented residential accommodation. The governing legislation is contained in section 216A Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, and comes within the remit of the Minister for Finance.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) Report, Student Accommodation: Demand and Supply, published in September 2015 contains a recommendation to encourage and support the take-up of the rent-a-room scheme by homeowners in areas adjacent to higher education institutions. The report assigns responsibility for that recommendation to the Department of Education and Skills, the HEA, USI and Higher Education Institutions.
381. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 463 of 20 April 2016, the number of housing units that have been constructed as part of that plan since the original Limerick regeneration master plan in January 2008; the details of the vision plans, Our Community, Our Vision, Our Future; the number of units demolished since January 2008; the locations of all units demolished and constructed, by postal address; the number of units that are refurbishments of pre-existing structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9622/16]
View answerThe Vision Plans for the regeneration of Southill, Ballinacurra Weston and Moyross were prepared by the Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency and Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency, respectively, and launched in January 2008. These Plans set out the broad objective for the regeneration of these areas, following from the publication of the Fitzgerald Report in April 2007. The publication of the Limerick Regeneration Masterplan - A Vision for Moyross, Southill/Ballinacurra Weston and St. Mary's Park - followed in October 2008. The strategies and actions developed in this Master plan built on the Vision Plans and were shaped to respond to the extensive and complex problems of the estates.
The Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan was launched in September 2013 and following from the Masterplan, it provides the roadmap for the physical, social and economic regeneration of the areas over the coming years. A strategy for the demolition/retention of certain houses is outlined in the Implementation Plan and is kept under constant review.
Limerick City and County Council is responsible for advancing the Implementation Plan. I understand that between January 2008 and March 2016, there have been 108 housing units constructed, with a further 97 currently under construction and 50 due to commence shortly. A total of 278 housing units have been refurbished under the thermal upgrade programme with a further 438 to be refurbished this year, while 979 housing units have been demolished since 2008. My Department does not hold detailed information regarding the locations and addresses of constructed or demolished units; this is a matter for the Council.
383. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date of commencement of the new Leader programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9672/16]
View answer395. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when Leader funding will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9947/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 395 together.
I anticipate a phased commencement of the LEADER programme across all areas between now and July. My Department is currently concluding the selection of LEADER local development strategies, in accordance with strict EU regulatory requirements. I expect to issue the first contracts to local action groups this week as discussions on contract and implementation arrangements are concluded. At this stage, 32 strategies have been received from the 28 designated LEADER areas, of which 26 have been evaluated. The remaining six strategies will be evaluated by the Selection Committee at the end of May.
Discussions have commenced on contracts and implementation arrangements with 12 local action groups whose strategies have reached the required standard. Discussions will progress with the remaining groups over the coming weeks with a view to commencing programme implementation in all areas as soon as possible, while also focussing on securing high quality LEADER strategies that will yield optimum results for rural Ireland.
384. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to increase the number of county councillors in local authorities which have less than 20 councillors; if it is sufficient for Sligo County Council to have only 18 councillors, given their much larger workload following the reforms in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9674/16]
View answer385. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the re-establishment of borough councils such as the one abolished in County Sligo in 2014, which abolition has had a drastic effect on the effective running of services in Sligo town, due to services now being overseen by a local authority which is under-funded and which does not have enough staff to conduct works and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9675/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 385 together.
The number of members in each local authority area and the configuration of local electoral areas are matters that are appropriate to a review of local electoral areas. The most recent review of local electoral areas was carried out from November 2012 to May 2013 by a Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee established under the Local Government Act 1991. There is no constitutional or legislative requirement for the revision of local electoral areas. I am not in a position to indicate, at this stage, when a review of local electoral areas might next be undertaken.
The Government’s decision to replace town authorities with a new model of municipal governance was designed to strengthen local government within counties and to address widely acknowledged and long-standing weaknesses and anomalies in the previous system, including divided administration between town and county authorities, for example, in relation to matters such as planning, rating and charges.
Municipal districts and borough districts, where they arise, now cover the entire territory of each county, reflecting European norms, removing outdated boundaries and ending the anomaly of small towns having municipal status and dual representation, while some larger centres and rural areas lacked any sub-county governance. As well as creating a more rational and comprehensive structural arrangement, the new system will over time result in more effective and community-focused decision making and implementation. Moreover, under the new arrangements, there is full integration of local authority resources across each county and elimination of duplication both in administrative and electoral terms. In 2015, after one full year of the operation of municipal districts, a broadly based Advisory Group was convened to carry out a review of their operation, in conjunction with a Local Government Forum for engagement with the Association of Irish Local Government. Feedback from these deliberations and from surveys of local authority members and chief executives suggests that the revised structures are generally operating well but will need more time to bed down fully.
The Programme for a Partnership Government includes the preparation of a report for Government and the Oireachtas by mid-2017 on potential measures to boost local government leadership and accountability and to ensure that local government funding, structures and responsibilities strengthen local democracy.
386. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he can ensure adequate economic growth while at the same time meeting carbon emission requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9764/16]
View answerThe National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, adopted by the previous Government in April 2014, clearly identifies competitiveness as a pillar of the fundamental national objective on transition to a low-carbon economy by 2050. The National Policy Position also sets out a number of key issues for consideration in the on-going evolution of national climate policy, including –
(i) the need to ensure that objectives are achieved at the least cost to the national economy and that any measures adopted to achieve those objectives are cost-effective, and do not impose an unreasonable burden on the Exchequer, and
(ii) the need to take advantage of environmentally sustainable economic opportunities both within and outside the State.
The Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Act 2015 statutorily underpins these and other key economic considerations, to be taken into account in the development of the mitigation and adaptation plans to be adopted by the Government for the purpose of progressing the national transition agenda.
387. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he can enact the seventh amendment to the Constitution and extend the voting franchise for the university panels of Seanad Éireann to all university graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9625/16]
View answerA Programme for a Partnership Government includes a goal for this Government to pursue the implementation of the Manning report, formally known as the Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform. That report makes recommendations to restructure and reform the Seanad, including extending the university franchise at Seanad elections to graduates of other institutions of higher education in the State.
388. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the Commission for Energy Regulation will unveil the new pricing strategy for water supply connections for newly-built homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9383/16]
View answerWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water shall collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it in accordance with a water charges plan to be approved by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Section 22(5) of the Act provides that a water charges plan may provide for charges in respect of the provision of a service connection (within the meaning of the Water Services Act 2007) to, or in respect of, a premises. In its decision on Irish Water’s water charges plan, published in October 2014, the CER stated that until it made a decision on Irish Water’s new connection charges, Irish Water should continue to apply the rates which were charged by the local authorities at 31 December 2013. In its Water Charges Plan Decision Paper of 5 March 2015, the CER outlined the areas that it would be progressing, which includes the development of a connection charging policy.
I understand that the CER has commenced work on the project to establish Irish Water’s connection charging policy and that it expects to commence the public consultation later this year on the development of an enduring policy for domestic and non-domestic connections to Irish Water’s network.
389. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the revenue lost due to the introduction of the new and welcome higher goods vehicle taxation bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9661/16]
View answerBased on the annual rates of motor tax, the cost of the reductions in motor tax rates for goods vehicles announced in Budget 2016 is in the order of €49.5 m per annum.
