Written Answers Nos. 331-343
331. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government following the publication of his action plan for housing and homelessness four months ago, the status of the progress made to date on action 3.2; the details of the uptake of the scheme by local authorities to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35076/16]
View answerAction 3.2 of Rebuilding Ireland provides for the provision of capacity through increased borrowing and access to Housing Finance Agency (HFA) financing for participating local authorities to provide matching funding for the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF).
The Housing Finance Agency has agreed to work with local authorities to facilitate access to matching funds. On 29 August 2016 the HFA corresponded with local authorities to inform them that local authorities have access to loan finance options through the HFA subject to the normal approval process (i.e. Council resolution and Department sanction). The HFA further advised that they would be able to tailor the match funding as required to support a local authority’s application for the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund, with offers ranging from short term variable rate finance up to long term fixed rate, at very competitive interest rates.
In addition, effective from 1 October 2016, the HFA reduced the interest rates charged on existing offerings and approved a range of new fixed rate lending products to support the funding of new social housing and infrastructure projects by AHBs and local authorities. The new range of products provides extremely competitive fixed interest rates ranging from 5 to 30 years. Local authorities will be able to borrow fixed rate funding for 25 years at 1.5% or lower. The interest rate reduction will result in saving of €6m per annum on interest rate payments by local authorities.
Proposals received under the LIHAF are currently being evaluated and assessed in line with the criteria set down in the call for proposals. The uptake in respect of the accessing of matching funding by individual local authorities will be dependent on the outcome of this process in respect of the specific projects selected.
338. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government following the publication of his action plan for housing and homelessness four months ago, the status of the progress made to date on action 3.9 to support the development of online planning services for the local authority sector and An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35083/16]
View answerThe Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016, published in January 2016, proposes to amend section 33 of the Planning and Development Act to empower the Minister to make regulations to facilitate the on-line submission of planning applications and appeals, including relevant fees, by electronic means (referred to as e-planning) to planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála respectively. The Bill further proposes that decisions in relation to planning applications and appeals may also be dealt with by planning authorities and by An Bord Pleanála respectively by electronic means.
These proposals are amongst a broad package of measures currently being progressed by my Department to facilitate the further streamlining of the planning system, to bring it up to date technologically, and to make it more administratively efficient. The Bill will shortly be concluding Second Stage debate in the Dáil and it is my intention to make the necessary regulations to underpin the introduction of e-planning at an early date following its enactment, with a view to facilitating its accelerated roll-out across the local authority sector and An Bord Pleanála by end 2017, as envisaged in action 3.9 of Rebuilding Ireland – An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
339. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government following the publication of his action plan for housing and homelessness four months ago, the status of the progress made to date on action 3.10 to implement a root and branch review of the planning system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35084/16]
View answerI am currently progressing two Bills through the Houses of the Oireachtas proposing significant reforms of the planning system. The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016 is primarily intended to give legislative effect to the planning-related recommendations of the Final Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments (otherwise known as the Mahon Tribunal), including the establishment of the new independent Office of the Planning Regulator. The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 provides for the legislative underpinning of a number of key priority commitments in the Government’s Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness – Rebuilding Ireland, published in July 2016.
Action 3.10 of the Action Plan incorporates a commitment to commence a "root and branch" review of the planning system, particularly around forecasting, planning and delivering residential development and taking account of the work underway in relation to the development of the National Planning Framework. It is intended to commence the implementation of this action in the first quarter of 2017, in line with the timeline indicated in the Action Plan.
341. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government following the publication of his action plan for housing and homelessness four months ago, the status of the progress made to date on action 4.1 to develop a comprehensive strategy for the rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35087/16]
View answerPillar 4 of the Rebuilding Ireland, entitled "Improve the Rental Sector", commits to developing a comprehensive strategy for the rental sector in Q4 2016. The Strategy, which is on track to be finalised and published by the end of this year, will provide a vision for the development of a stable, strong and viable rental sector offering true choice for households, investment opportunities for providers and reflecting the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.
The Strategy will be centred on the four critical areas of security, supply, standards and services. Following a stakeholder consultation event in Dublin on 20 October 2016, written submissions on policy matters relevant to the rental sector were invited from interested parties, up to 7 November 2016. Submissions were received from a wide range of stakeholders, which will contribute to shaping the strategy.
Rebuilding Ireland contains a clear commitment to reporting regular progress, through both a monthly housing activity report and a quarterly overall progress report. The First Quarterly Progress Report on the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness - Rebuilding Ireland (in respect of Quarter 3 2016 commitments and actions) was published on 1 November 2016, and can be accessed through the following link:- http://rebuildingireland.ie/First-Progress-Report.pdf.
342. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government following the publication of his action plan for housing and homelessness four months ago, the status of the progress made to date on action 4.2 to legislate to deal with circumstances where there are sales of property with tenants in situ and to address the Residential Tenancies Board's enforcement and dispute resolution powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35088/16]
View answerPillar 4 of Rebuilding Ireland, entitled "Improve the Rental Sector", commits to bringing forward legislation to amend the Residential Tenancies Acts for early enactment. These legislative proposals will be given effect through the Planning and Development (Housing ) and Residential Tenancies Bill. The Bill includes measures to prevent a future recurrence of situations where large numbers of residents in a single development are simultaneously served with termination notices, together with other early actions to enhance the Residential Tenancies Board’s (RTB) enforcement and dispute resolution powers.
The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 was published on 8 November 2016 and is scheduled for Seanad Second Stage on Wednesday, 16 November 2016 .
Rebuilding Ireland contains a clear commitment to reporting regular progress, through both a monthly housing activity report and a quarterly overall progress report. The First Quarterly Progress Report on the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness – Rebuilding Ireland (in respect of Quarter 3 2016 commitments and actions) was published on 1 November 2016, and can be accessed through the following link:- http://rebuildingireland.ie/First-Progress-Report.pdf.
Further progress reports will be published on a quarterly basis, with the next, in respect of Quarter 4 2016 commitments and actions, due to be published in January 2017. Each Quarterly Report will focus on the actions due to be progressed or completed in the preceding quarter.
343. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government following the publication of his action plan for housing and Homelessness four months ago the status of the progress made to date on action 4.3 to complete the review of the Housing (Standards for Rental Houses) Regulations 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35089/16]
View answerI am committed to developing a real and meaningful strategy for the rental sector to enable it to develop to its full potential. Ensuring quality accommodation standards in the sector is an integral part of this process.
Minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, as amended by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, made under section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992. The Regulations specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and safety of gas and electrical supply. With very limited exemptions, these regulations apply to local authority and voluntary housing units as well as private rented residential accommodation. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations.
To ensure that the standards reflect the requirements of a modern rental market, a review of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, as amended, has been initiated. The review is at an advanced stage with new regulations currently being finalised for conclusion before the end of the year.
Additionally, as indicated in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a number of measures in relation to improving the enforcement of standards will be considered in developing the strategy for the rental sector, including a move towards delivery of enforcement services on a regional basis.
Rebuilding Ireland contains a clear commitment to reporting regular progress, through both a monthly housing activity report and a quarterly overall progress report. The First Quarterly Progress Report on the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness – Rebuilding Ireland (in respect of Quarter 3 2016 commitments and actions) was published on 1 November 2016, and can be accessed through the following link:- http://rebuildingireland.ie/First-Progress-Report.pdf.
Further progress reports will be published on a quarterly basis, with the next, in respect of Quarter 4 2016 commitments and actions, due to be published in January 2017. Each Quarterly Report will focus on the actions due to be progressed or completed in the preceding quarter.
