Written Answers Nos. 1-33
10. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the timeframe for farmers to spread slurry will be extended (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32200/16]
View answerThe European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014, as amended, give legal effect in Ireland to the Nitrates Directive and to our Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). The Directive requires all member states to define set periods when the land application of fertiliser, including slurry, is not allowed and in Ireland the closed season commenced on 15 October.
The closed periods in Ireland were decided following extensive consultation and were discussed with farming bodies and the European Commission when Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme was introduced. The provisions of the Regulations are underpinned by scientific research and good agricultural practice. The most recent scientific studies carried out on a diverse range of farm and soil types as part of Teagasc’s ongoing Agricultural Catchments Programme has provided further evidence in support of the efficacy of the prohibited spreading periods in reducing nutrient losses to waters.
Ireland faces considerable challenges in meeting the requirements of the Water Framework Directive to bring all waters back to good status at least. Taking those challenges and the evidence in support of the benefit of closed periods into consideration, I am not proposing any blanket variation at the present time to the terms of the NAP.
My Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) have closely monitored the situation and a number of farmers experiencing particular animal welfare concerns arising from an inability to spread slurry before 15 October were contacted by the DAFM who advised them of the appropriate action to take. I understand that around 70 farmers were contacted by DAFM in this regard and the specific concerns have now been alleviated.
11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that the plans for 8,000 homes in the Cherrywood SDZ will deliver sufficient social housing and affordable homes for low and middle income earners to rent and buy for this planned new town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35479/16]
View answerThe Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) site holds significant potential to deliver residential development at a pace and scale that would assist greatly in addressing the current critical shortage of housing supply in the Dublin Region. As is required under the SDZ process, there is a comprehensive planning scheme in place, approved by An Bord Pleanála, for the development of up to 8,000 homes as well as retail and supporting services and amenities provided for within the SDZ.
I am confident that there will be significant delivery of all housing types, including social housing, as an integral part of this area's development, as well as the provision of housing that is intrinsically affordable for the broad range of households likely to settle in the area including low- and middle-income earners seeking properties to rent or buy.
Implementing Part V alone will provide for some 800 new social housing units to be delivered. It will be a matter for the developers, the housing authority (in this case, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council) and other housing providers such as Approved Housing Bodies to consider if additional State-supported housing should be provided on this site, in line with the approved planning scheme and the county development plan.
More broadly, the overall market development of housing on this site will depend on such provision and investment being viable, relative to what prospective residents can afford in relation to purchase and rental costs. Cognisant of the imperative around ensuring viability of developments and affordability of the housing from those developments for households, the Government has progressed a range of relevant measures, including a targeted development contribution rebate scheme, updated statutory guidelines on apartment developments, the €200 million Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) and wider planning reforms, including the provision for improved timelines in making planning decisions.
Taken together, I believe that these measures will further support the delivery of both State-supported and affordable homes, not only in Cherrywood, but across other major residential sites throughout Dublin and other urban areas.
12. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the progress towards reaching the goal in Rebuilding Ireland that by mid-2017, emergency hotel and bed and breakfast type accommodation for families will only be used in limited circumstances. [35428/16]
View answerIt is fully recognised that the period of time that families spend in emergency hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation should be minimised. This is reflected in the commitment in Rebuilding Ireland that by mid-2017, hotels should only be used in limited circumstances for emergency accommodation for families. It is intended that this will be achieved by meeting their housing needs through the enhanced Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and general housing allocations, and by providing new supply to be delivered through an expanded Rapid Build Housing Programme and a Housing Agency initiative to acquire vacant houses.
My Department is working closely with local authorities and with the Housing Agency towards the achievement of these actions and initiatives. For example, a record level of exits from homelessness - 1,350 – was delivered by local authorities in the first six months of this year and the level of activity in this regard has continued to accelerate. As of 14 November 2016, 594 HAP tenancies had been created for homeless households under the Homeless pilot of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, already exceeding the end-year target of 550 set in Rebuilding Ireland.
The Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness contains a clear commitment to provide regular progress updates, particularly through quarterly progress reports. The first quarterly progress report (in respect of Quarter 3 commitments and actions) was published on 1 November, and can be accessed through the Rebuilding Ireland website, www.rebuildingireland.ie. Further progress reports will be published on a quarterly basis, with the next report 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.
13. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of housing developments in County Donegal with stand-alone treatment plants which are waiting to be taken over; when he expects these developments will be taken over; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35223/16]
View answer95. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the progress he has made to date in relation to the taking in charge of developments with stand-alone treatment plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35222/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 95 together.
As the Deputy will be aware from previous PQ replies, the National Taking in Charge Initiative (NTICI) for residential estates, with pilot scheme funding of €10m, was launched in April 2016 to accelerate the taking-in-charge process of housing estates by developing new working methods. Further information on the NTICI can be found on my Department’s website at a link that will be circulated with the Official Report.
[http://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current?query=Taking%20in%20Charge].
Baseline surveys carried out to inform the development of the NTICI in December 2015 indicated that, of the 5,566 housing developments yet to be taken in charge, there were approximately 914 estates with developer-provided infrastructure (DPI).
Under the terms of the NTICI, only those developments subject to valid taking-in-charge applications were eligible for inclusion in the call for proposals for pilot funding under Circular FPS3. It is important to recall that NTICI is not intended to establish a rolling annual funding programme to take in charge all estates not yet taken in charge but was instead intended to develop better knowledge and systems to support the taking in charge of further estates over time.
Nationally, 353 developments were approved for funding under the NTICI and of these, 44 contain stand-alone treatment plants or developer-provided infrastructure, which is the focus of the Deputy’s questions.
Seven local authorities were allocated funding of some €2.7m under Measure 2 of the NTICI in relation to DPI type infrastructure. To date, six of those local authorities have drawn funding totalling almost €900,000. Works are in progress and further updates are due from the relevant local authorities later this month.
With regard to the position in Donegal, the December 2015 survey that preceded the NTICI indicated a total of 281 developments with stand-alone wastewater treatment plants and, of these, 154 developments are subject to on-hand applications to be taken in charge. In respect of these, Donegal County Council was allocated approximately €634,000 in NTICI funding to progress 8 housing estates with stand-alone wastewater treatment plants to bring them to taking-in-charge standard. I understand that these works are progressing and some €313,000 has been drawn down to date.
I intend that the experience and learning from the operation of the NTICI over the course of 2016 will be used to point the way forward in relation to supporting the taking in charge process in future.
15. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of the commitment to provide a one-stop-shop in partnership with Tusla, local authorities and the homeless executive for families presenting as homeless. [35441/16]
View answerAs set out in Rebuilding Ireland, a ‘one-stop-shop’ assessment centre will be put in place in Dublin for families presenting as homeless by the end of this year. Implementation of this initiative is being led by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE). This centre will have multi-agency participation including the Dublin housing authorities, Tusla, Family Mediation Services, the Department of Social Protection, tenancy protection services and expert NGOs. The services concerned will work together to assess and support families with children presenting as homeless to ensure every effort is made to keep them in their current homes or to ensure appropriate homeless and other support services are provided. DRHE has indicated that it remains on track to have this One-Stop-Shop in place by the end of the year.
The Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness contains a clear commitment to provide regular progress updates, particularly through quarterly progress reports. The first quarterly progress report (in respect of Quarter 3 commitments and actions) was published on 1 November, and can be accessed through a web link that will be circulated with the official report. [http://rebuildingireland.ie/First-Progress-Report.pdf.]
Further progress reports will be published on a quarterly basis, with the next 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; therefore the January 2017 progress report will include details of the delivery of the one-stop-shop assessment centre.
16. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in view of the prospect of the State being issued with fines for breaches of the urban water water directive, the reason he has refused to publish the reasoned opinion from the European Commission; his views on the content of this reasoned opinion; and the actions being funded by his Department and being undertaken by his Department and Irish Water to resolve the issues raised in the Commission's opinion. [35456/16]
View answerThe Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive sets out the requirements for the collection, treatment and discharge of waste water from urban areas/agglomerations. Compliance with the requirements of this Directive is reported annually by the Environmental Protection Agency in their Urban Waste Water Treatment Report. In September 2013, the European Commission commenced formal infringement proceedings against Ireland regarding non-compliance with the requirements of the Directive in the case of certain named agglomerations. An additional letter of formal notice issued from the European Commission in September 2015.
In January 2016, my Department, assisted by Irish Water, and in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, responded to the Commission in relation to the infringement. The response set out the plans in place, including timeframes, to ensure compliance. This was followed by a 6 monthly progress update which was sent to the European Commission in July 2016.
In September 2016, a reasoned opinion on this infringement issued from the European Commission. My Department, with the support of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Irish Water, is currently preparing a response which will be completed before the end of November 2016. While these legal proceedings are still ongoing against the State, it would be inappropriate of me to comment further on the matter.
Since 1st January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels, including the management of urban waste water collection and treatment infrastructure. Irish Water has set out in its Water Services Strategic Plan its approach and strategies for the delivery of these services in a manner that will protect the environment and provide wastewater services in an efficient and economic manner. The strategic approach involved, supported by the planned investment for the period to 2021 outlined in more detail in Irish Water’s Business Plan, will play a critical role in ultimately supporting Ireland’s compliance with relevant EU water legislation.
17. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has undertaken an audit of potential bottlenecks and undue regulatory burdens slowing down the planning process for building multi-unit housing units, such as apartment buildings or housing estates; the findings of this audit and plans; and his plans to remove such blockages. [35469/16]
View answerMy Department routinely monitors the planning process and acts to ensure it facilitates appropriate multi-unit housing developments to meet the broader housing requirements of society.
The Dublin Housing Supply and Co-ordination Task Force indicates that sufficient planning permissions are in place in Dublin to yield almost 27,000 new dwellings, whereas only approximately 126 sites, producing around 4,000 dwellings, are active. This leaves around 22,000 dwellings uncommenced on approved sites.
While securing a planning permission is obviously important, having the funds or available potential purchasers necessary to support the activation of a permission is equally important. This is why tackling our current housing crisis demands a whole-of-Government approach, covering budgetary and financing issues, as well as planning and housing policy matters.
The publication of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness reflects the commitment to that whole-of-Government approach, with the theme of the third Pillar, “Building More Homes”, in particular setting the objective to more than double housing output between now and 2021.
In addition, and prior to the launch of Rebuilding Ireland, my Department progressed several measures identified in the policy package, Stabilising Rents - Boosting Supply, including publication of updated statutory guidelines on apartment developments, which addressed inconsistencies in development plan policies.
More recently, the establishment of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) has commenced a process for providing €200m for infrastructure investment over the 2017 to 2019 period, opening up key sites for early development and delivery in an economically efficient manner, and promoting affordable supply in the areas of greatest need.
Furthermore, the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 commenced debate in the Seanad this week, providing for a radical new approach to streamlining the planning process for urgently needed large-scale housing proposals. This is a response to a review of cases recently decided by An Bord Pleanála, which showed typical periods of up to 18-20 months to get approval for major residential developments from pre-planning consultations through to the final appeal determination.
Acknowledging the complexities of the housing market, the reasons why so many permissions have not been commenced and supply is lagging behind evident demand are multifaceted and no one single fix is going to address the issues. However, I believe that through the multiplicity of actions currently being progressed, the Government will create the conditions required for the restoration of a more sustainable and normally functioning housing market capable of providing the homes that people need, where and when they need them.
18. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of the new repair and leasing initiative (details supplied); if he will set out his vision for the early expansion of this scheme; the total number of housing units that will be brought into use each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35416/16]
View answerThe Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) has been developed to assist private property owners and local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to harness the accommodation potential that exists in certain vacant properties across Ireland.
The scheme was launched in Waterford and Carlow in early October 2016, on a pilot basis, and it is my intention that the scheme will be available nationally by April 2017.
My Department and the Housing Agency met with representatives from both local authorities as recently as last week and I understand that the pilot is progressing well at a local level. Waterford and Carlow have been advertising the scheme with local media and have made good progress in engagements with property owners. Inspections of potential units have also commenced.
Several AHBs will be working together with the Waterford and Carlow local authorities to manage the scheme in those particular areas and, as the scheme becomes available nationally, I expect that more AHBs will become involved over time and as the scheme is rolled out nationally.
Over the period 2016 to 2021, it is anticipated that up to 3,500 units will be secured for social housing under this scheme and I will be making up to €140m available. It is expected that 150 units will be delivered in 2017 and based on the early progress of the scheme in both Carlow and Waterford to date, I am confident that we will achieve those numbers.
19. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether rent controls are urgently needed considering the further dramatic increases in rent in Dublin and other urban centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35477/16]
View answer23. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the measures he plans to take to deal with the escalating rise in rents in the private rental market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35431/16]
View answer34. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will introduce emergency rent controls in view of the fastest increase in rents on record in reports (details supplied) predicting further large increases over the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35471/16]
View answer35. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce rent certainty measures, along the lines of those in Germany which cap rents for new tenancies at 10% above the existing rental benchmarks, particularly in view of the recent figures from his Department which show that the number of homeless families in Dublin has surpassed 1,000 for the first time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35484/16]
View answer40. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce an amendment to the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill to provide for rent certainty in view of the recent data from a company (details supplied) which shows ever increasing rental costs. [35439/16]
View answer51. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce measures to link rent during a tenancy to the annual percentage change in the consumer price index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35485/16]
View answer52. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if, in view of the recent figures indicating large increases in private rental costs in each of our cities, he will propose to the Government that rent increases should be controlled by, for example, linking them to the consumer price index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35237/16]
View answer53. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the proposals other than increasing supply, he is considering to try to stem inflation in rent prices in the private rental sector in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35470/16]
View answer58. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if a report in a newspaper (details supplied) stating that rent certainty will not be included in the forthcoming strategy for the private rental sector is accurate. [35463/16]
View answer60. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to regulate the rental market by linking rents to the consumer price index; his further plans to make secure rents and protection for tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35475/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 23, 34, 35, 40, 51 to 53, inclusive, 58 and 60 together.
The significant increases in rents that we are seeing currently, particularly in urban areas, are caused, primarily, by a severe shortage in supply. The best way to address rents in the long term, and benefit the entire sector, is to increase the supply of rental accommodation and accelerate also the delivery of housing for the private and social rented sectors. However, I acknowledge that there is a need for short-term measures also.
Pillar 4 of the Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness commits to developing a comprehensive strategy for the rental sector. The strategy will include measures to address immediate issues affecting the supply, cost and accessibility of accommodation. In addition, the strategy will consider measures to increase security of tenure and, in particular, the potential of new mechanisms for both setting and reviewing rents. There will also be a focus on maintaining existing levels of rental stock and encouraging investment in additional supply.
The strategy will provide a vision of the role that the rental sector will play in the short, medium and long term in the context of the Government’s overall objectives for the housing sector. I expect it to be finalised before the end of the year.
Some of the measures in the rental strategy will require supporting amendments to be made to the Residential Tenancies Act. However, other legislative changes are being accelerated for early enactment in the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016, which commenced Second Stage in the Seanad yesterday. Tenants and landlords alike will therefore see a number of improvements in place arising from these legislative provisions.
The key challenge is to ensure the development of a viable and sustainable rental sector that can provide choice, quality, value and security for households together with secure, attractive investment opportunities for rental providers.
20. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the standards in place or the guidelines provided by his Department to local authorities to ensure that all new social housing new builds funded through the Exchequer meet the highest possible energy efficiency, water efficiency and environmental sustainability standards. [35433/16]
View answerIt is important that the public sector continues to show leadership in the areas of energy efficiency, water efficiency and environmental sustainability, including in the provision of social housing. My Department has published best practice design guidelines, Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities, which promote environmental sustainability and resource efficiency in new housing, including social housing.
Part L of the Building Regulations deals with the conservation of fuel & energy and applies equally to all new social housing and new private housing. In respect of dwellings, taking the energy efficiency requirements established in 2005 as the benchmark, the current requirement delivers a 60% aggregate improvement in both energy and carbon performance. A further amendment to Part L will be made by my Department over the coming months, in order to ensure that Ireland meets its 'nearly zero energy buildings' obligation under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive by 2020.
Furthermore the Building Regulations (Part L Amendment) Regulations 2011 require that renewables are included on all new dwellings, including new social housing, which has contributed to both improving energy efficiency and environmental sustainability through reducing carbon dioxide emissions within the built environment.
21. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will extend the eligibility under the pyrite remediation scheme in order that building condition assessments with a damage condition rating of 1 can be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35230/16]
View answer28. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 63 of 5 October 2016 and 124 of 20 October 2016, if he will acknowledge the deficit in the present pyrite remediation scheme for properties with pyrite but a DCR of less than 2; and if he will initiate an immediate review of the scheme to facilitate the inclusion of these dwellings. [35487/16]
View answer31. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will initiate an immediate review of the pyrite remediation scheme starting with a survey of those whose homes have been remediated to evaluate their experiences and improve the scheme for those accepted for remediation but also to survey those whose properties have been excluded to address the problems of gaining access to the scheme. [35486/16]
View answer74. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of dwellings since the establishment of the pyrite remediation scheme which had a damage condition rating of 1 when their building condition assessments were first completed and which were refused under the pyrite remediation scheme that have now progressed to a damage condition rating of 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35231/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 28, 31 and 74 together.
The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme by the Pyrite Resolution Board for certain dwellings affected by significant pyrite damage. The Report of the Pyrite Panel (June 2012) provided the overarching framework for the pyrite remediation scheme and its eligibility criteria are reflective of the conclusions and recommendations of that report. The independent Pyrite Panel was clear in its view that only dwellings with significant damage due to pyritic heave should be remediated and that it would be unreasonable to expect dwellings not exhibiting such damage to be remediated unless or until they exhibit significant pyritic damage. This remains the position with regard to dwellings which do not display significant pyritic damage.
The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The scheme is applicable 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. It is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a Damage Condition Rating of 2. Dwellings which do not have a Damage Condition Rating of 2 are not eligible to apply under the scheme. I have no proposals to amend this eligibility criterion or to review the scheme in this regard.
Given that the scheme does not apply to dwellings which have a Damage Condition Rating of 1, the Pyrite Resolution Board does not maintain records on the number of properties that fall into this category. Nevertheless, the Board is aware that 7 dwellings, which had a Damage Condition Rating of 1 when their building condition assessments were first completed, and which were refused under the scheme, have now progressed to a Damage Condition Rating of 2; these dwellings have now been included in the pyrite remediation scheme following the submission of new applications.
22. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to conduct a full and independent analysis of the staffless libraries pilot scheme on which the current roll-out scheme is based. [35444/16]
View answer79. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that the continued roll-out of the staffless library scheme will not result in staffing hours being cut. [35445/16]
View answer83. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will reconsider the plan for opening libraries without the necessary skilled staff in view of the nationwide ballot of librarians on the issue of staffless libraries and the widespread public opposition to this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35478/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 79 and 83 together.
From the outset, I want to make it clear to the Deputies that there will be no reduction in staffing levels or staffed hours. A professional and skilled library staff is vital for a successful library service and my Department is working with local authorities to enhance staffing resources and extend staffed library hours.
‘My Open Library’ is an initiative under Opportunities for All, the national public library strategy 2013-2017 and is part of a strategy to address customer demand. To this end, My Open Library allows library members the freedom and flexibility to use the library at times that suit them. It provides additional opening hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days-per-week, ensuring access to library services for users who cannot avail of them during regular staffed hours.
An extended pilot phase of the ‘My Open Library’ initiative will commence in 22 branches from January 2017 and, subject to review, will be considered for wider introduction across the public library network thereafter. I am satisfied that the learning from the original pilots, which operated in Banagher, Tullamore and Tubbercurry from November 2014, and the very positive feedback from library users, justify extending the pilot phase without the need for a further review.
24. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the figures released by the CSO at the end of September 2016, which showed almost one fifth of new housing purchases in Dublin over the past two years were made by investment funds and REITS; his further views on the effects this will have on both the rental market and the property market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35476/16]
View answerA lack of additional housing supply coming on stream over the past decade or so in the areas of strongest demand is one of the principal root causes of our current housing crisis. Activity by institutional and professional residential sector investment specialists such as Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS) in purchasing housing and engaging in the building out of part completed schemes and commencing new housing projects is a positive signal of investment beginning to flow back into the housing sector to provide the housing that people need.
The acquisition and management of properties by professional Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS) is one component part of a more sustainable, long-term property rental market for both investors and tenants. While commercial property investment has been a key focus for some of the REITs launched to date in Ireland, residential property also forms part of the sector's interest and exposure. It is expected that the sector will continue to develop over time and in so doing to increase the supply of professionally managed, good quality, secure and affordable rented accommodation.
Historically the private rented sector in Ireland has been largely made up of small-scale landlords, who will continue to provide the bulk of private rented accommodation. However, a more diverse sector, which includes institutional investors specialised in providing and managing larger scale residential rental projects, is more stable and less exposed to property market risk and volatility. Institutional investors can also help provide the range of tenancy options that households need across their lifecycles. Attracting large-scale investment in property has an important role to play in helping to deliver the professional high-standard rental sector that tenants deserve.
The forthcoming Rental Sector Strategy will outline more detailed proposals and policies to enhance the stability of, and supply to, the growing rental sector as a key element of a broader restructuring of the housing sector. Moreover, the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016, which commenced Second Stage in the Seanad yesterday, includes measures to prevent a future recurrence of situations where investors seek to serve tenancy termination notices on large numbers of residents in a single development in order to facilitate vacant possession and sale of the property.
25. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount of funding drawn down in each county subsequent to being approved under measure 2 of the NTICI since June and July 2016. [35224/16]
View answer87. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of those projects which were granted funding under measure 2 of the NTICI on which works have actually commenced on site; and the procedures he has put in place to progress the scheme in Cork. [35225/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 87 together.
Seven local authorities were allocated funding under Measure 2 of the National Taking in Charge Initiative (NTICI). To date, all of those local authorities, with the exception of Cork County Council, have drawn down 50% of their allocated monies, amounting to a total of €892,982. A breakdown of the funding drawn down to date across the six local authorities is as follows:
|
County |
Amount |
|
Clare |
€119,075 |
|
Donegal |
€312,827 |
|
Galway |
€45,000 |
|
Kerry |
€40,098 |
|
Waterford |
€143,000 |
|
Wexford |
€232,982 |
|
Total |
€892,982 |
Works are in progress across a range of sites in these local authorities. Updates on activity are due by the end of this month and consultation has been ongoing with all the relevant local authorities, Irish Water, the EPA and my Department.
With regard to the position regarding Cork County Council, I understand that this authority is working closely with Irish Water and is currently engaging expert technical advice to determine the best solution to address the developer-provided water services infrastructure issues that have arisen on the relevant sites.
26. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of meetings that have taken place between his departmental officials working on the national planning framework and corresponding departmental officials in Government Departments in Northern Ireland detailing the number of meetings, the date on which they took place and the matters discussed; and if he will provide a list any future scheduled meetings of this kind. [35448/16]
View answerMy Department keeps in regular contact with the relevant Departments and agencies in Northern Ireland on planning matters.
Furthermore, recognising the importance of cross-border co-operation on strategic planning and development matters, my Department, together with the former Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland, has previously published a document entitled the Framework for Co-operation: Spatial Strategies of Northern Ireland & the Republic of Ireland.
This Framework for Co-operation on Spatial Planning provides a broad context for interaction between Ireland and Northern Ireland on strategic planning matters, which is now being progressed by the new Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure. In this context, officials from my Department and the corresponding Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland met in Dublin last week to review progress in both the implementation of the Regional Development Strategy for Northern Ireland and the ongoing development of the new National Planning Framework, which is intended to be published in draft form by March 2017.
The two Departments discussed opportunities to co-ordinate and align infrastructure provision that would be of mutual interest as well as common spatial issues and priorities, including balanced regional development, regional economic development and the functional reach of settlements across administrative boundaries. Both Departments agreed on technical working and information sharing arrangements to carry forward these considerations, with further meetings to take place as required.
29. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the increase in the percentage of housing owned by private landlords and the consequences for security of tenure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35423/16]
View answerThe rental market in Ireland has grown significantly in recent years. According to the most recent Census data available, almost one-fifth of the population lives in the rental sector and there are now over 324,000 tenancies registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). In publishing the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, the Government has set out a practical and readily implementable set of actions to create a functioning and sustainable housing system. The Plan is available at the website www.rebuildingireland.ie.
The Plan is divided into five pillars, with each targeting a specific area of the housing system for attention.
Pillar 4 of the Plan commits to developing a comprehensive strategy for the rental sector. The strategy will be structured around 4 key areas: security, standards, supply and services. My Department has just completed a public consultation process, and has received a number of submissions from a wide range of stakeholders, which will contribute to shaping the strategy.
In developing the strategy, all key measures to promote long-term tenancies and provide for increased security of tenure will be explored. One of the specific measures that will fall to be considered under the heading of security is the scope for a move to indefinite leases, replacing the Part 4 four-year tenancy, along with measures which might encourage landlords to waive their right to terminate a tenancy in the event of the sale of the property.
Some of the measures in the rental strategy may require supporting amendments to be made to the Residential Tenancies Act. However, other legislative changes are being accelerated for early introduction in the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016, the debate on which commenced in the Seanad yesterday. 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. Tenants and landlords alike will therefore see a number of improvements on foot of this legislation.
The overarching objective of the strategy will be to increase supply and support 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.
30. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will examine with other Departments the wider infrastructural, transport and social needs of towns that have been assigned SDZ housing scheme status on extensive land banks in view of the demand on services and infrastructure that would arise in the designated towns from such extensive housing schemes outside of the narrow scope of the particular zoned lands. [35360/16]
View answerThe designation of an area as a Strategic Development Zone under Section 166 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) is a collective Government decision, taking on board observations from relevant Government Departments and the various Agencies and public bodies under their aegis. Thereafter, the relevant development agency within the meaning of Section 165 of the Act, usually the relevant local authority, is responsible for drawing up a detailed planning scheme or masterplan for the designated area.
The preparation of such a planning scheme demands extensive engagement with, and commitments from, a range of stakeholders, including relevant State Agencies and Government Departments, to ensure a reasonable degree of certainty that, within broader budgetary and fiscal considerations, the implementation of the planning scheme will be supported by a programme of delivery in relation to relevant transport, social and other infrastructural requirements.
Where the decision of the relevant local authority to adopt such a planning scheme is appealed to An Bord Pleanála, the Board independently assesses the planning scheme.
As part of the Construction 2020 Strategy, my Department reviewed broad arrangements in relation to the SDZ process and as a result, decided to progress amendments to the legislative provisions surrounding SDZs, principally concerning the review mechanisms, which ultimately were approved by the Oireachtas as part of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2015.
I am therefore satisfied that, having set a broad legislative and policy framework for the identification and implementation of SDZ designations, and having conducted a review of the arrangements involved, existing arrangements in relation to institutional and infrastructural engagement around the implementation of SDZs are sufficient. Ultimately, it is a matter for the owners of the relevant lands and/or the relevant development agency to develop implementable planning schemes, within the legislative framework set down in the Act.
