Written Replies Nos. 223 - 246
223. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total cost to the State to date of the Flood Mahon tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39414/16]
View answerThe Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments (the Mahon Tribunal) was established by Order of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to inquire into and report on various planning matters, set out in resolutions passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann on 7 and 8 October 1997, respectively.
The final report of the Tribunal was published in March 2012, with Volume V (Chapter 19 - The Carrickmines Module) of the Final Report published on 31 July 2013.
The following table sets out details of the amounts paid by my Department in respect of the Tribunal's costs which total €119,534,923 up to 28 November 2016.:
|
YEAR |
ADMINISTRATION |
LEGAL FEES |
COURT COSTS |
3 rd PARTY COSTS |
TOTAL |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
1997 |
395,698 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
395,698 |
|
1998 |
1,026,372 |
1,856,794 |
0 |
0 |
2,883,166 |
|
1999 |
1,137,717 |
2,481,365 |
0 |
0 |
3,619,082 |
|
2000 |
1,608,085 |
2,401,482 |
1,011,264 |
0 |
5,020,831 |
|
2001 |
2,359,882 |
3,354,130 |
192,215 |
0 |
5,906,227 |
|
2002 |
2,557,071 |
3,087,483 |
222,854 |
0 |
5,867,408 |
|
2003 |
2,554,434 |
4,174,443 |
23,898 |
0 |
6,752,775 |
|
2004 |
2,872,195 |
4,217,340 |
67,254 |
0 |
7,156,789 |
|
2005 |
2,513,027 |
5,899,775 |
80,144 |
44,500 |
8,537,446 |
|
2006 |
2,803,828 |
5,747,046 |
999,534 |
6,623,570 |
16,173,978 |
|
2007 |
2,817,566 |
5,792,147 |
430,607 |
1,431,277 |
10,471,597 |
|
2008 |
2,607,203 |
5,523,611 |
1,004,369 |
2,101,169 |
11,236,352 |
|
2009 |
1,832,458 |
2,723,581 |
726,307 |
627,526 |
5,909,872 |
|
2010 |
1,383,365 |
1,580,246 |
76,076 |
241,381 |
3,281,068 |
|
2011 |
1,572,829 |
1,064,688 |
1,437,086 |
62,072 |
4,136,675 |
|
2012 |
1,432,776 |
844,220 |
418,486 |
586,076 |
3,281,558 |
|
2013 |
714,200 |
561,848 |
124,649 |
3,919,916 |
5,320,613 |
|
2014 |
462,312 |
348,369 |
323,434 |
4,191,443 |
5,325,558 |
|
2015 |
266,915 |
348,635 |
67,650 |
4,057,123 |
4,740,323 |
|
2016 Jan -Nov |
246,741 |
394,081 |
0 |
2,877,085 |
3,517,907 |
|
Totals |
33,164,674 |
52,401,284 |
7,205,827 |
26,763,138 |
119,534,923 |
224. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the persons or bodies that specifically hold responsibility for ensuring tenants adhere to fire safety regulations within council properties. [40290/16]
View answer258. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the body that specifically holds responsibility for ensuring tenants adhere to fire safety regulations within council properties. [40101/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 258 together.
The Building Regulations 1997-2014, in particular Part B Fire Safety, impose requirements in relation to fire safety in the construction of new buildings and works to existing buildings. However, there are no regulations imposing requirements on the tenants of residential properties.
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.
The Regulations specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light and fire safety. With very limited exemptions, these regulations apply to local authority and voluntary housing units as well as private rented residential accommodation.
Article 11 relates specifically to fire safety and the requirements with regard to houses and multi-unit buildings and provides that
- a house shall contain a fire blanket and either a mains-wired smoke alarm or at least two 10-year self-contained battery-operated smoke alarms.
- each self-contained unit in a multi-unit building shall contain a mains-wired smoke alarm, a fire blanket and an emergency evacuation plan.
- emergency lighting shall be provided in all common areas within a multi-unit building.
It is open to a local authority to include a condition in a tenancy agreement in relation to the notification of defects in a smoke alarm to the local authority.
225. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will take the high rents in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and their impact on families into consideration and instruct the local authority to employ flexibility with income limits in the assessment of eligibility for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39391/16]
View answerFor the purpose of assessing households under the income eligibility criteria, the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe the maximum net income limits that can be set by each housing authority to be applied in assessing an applicant’s eligibility for social housing support. The 2011 Regulations do not provide housing authorities with any discretion to exceed the thresholds that apply to their administrative areas.
Income is assessed under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all housing authorities. Under the policy, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge. The policy provides for a range of income disregards, and housing authorities also have discretion to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once off in nature.
I am satisfied that the current income limits generally provide for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households unable to provide accommodation from their own resources. However, these limits will continue to be kept under review by my Department, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda set out in Social Housing Strategy 2020.
226. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to overhaul the present commercial rates system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39398/16]
View answerLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation pursuant to the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
Commercial rates form an important element of the funding of all local authorities. However, the legislative basis for the levying of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century. I have asked my Department to develop proposals for the preparation of a consolidated Rates Bill to modernise and consolidate the legislation in this area. I hope to bring proposals in this area to Government shortly.
227. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the development contribution scheme for each local authority, including the development contributions per square metre of residential and of commercial property for each class of infrastructure development, in tabular form. [39402/16]
View answerSection 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides the legislative basis for the application of development contributions by local authorities. These contributions are applied as conditions attached to planning permissions for the purpose of contributing to the costs associated with the provision of public infrastructure and facilities benefitting development in the area of the planning authority concerned.
In the case of residential development, for example, the development contributions applied – depending on the floor area of a house - can vary from approximately €10,000 per housing unit in the Dublin area to €3,000-4,000 in certain other local authority areas. Similar variations, but not quite of the same magnitude, also apply in respect of commercial development.
Section 49 of the 2000 Act provides for the application of supplementary development contributions in respect of ancillary public infrastructure or projects benefitting developments in specific areas. Such supplementary development contributions are generally applied in respect of the provision of large-scale infrastructure such as road projects, connections to motorways and light rail facilities servicing specific developments.
Details of the development contribution schemes applied by local authorities are published on their respective websites, and include therein the detailed statistical information requested. It is not possible to itemise the requested information into tabular form as differing development contribution charging regimes are applied by local authorities , depending on local circumstances in terms of the charges applied per square metre of residential and commercial development or for different classes of infrastructure development.
228. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39449/16]
View answerAddressing the under-provision of housing is one of the key objectives in the Programme for a Partnership Government and the Government has underpinned its commitment to tackling the housing supply shortage by publishing Rebuilding Ireland – An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness in July.
The provisions of the Planning and Development (Housing) And Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 intend to give early effect to a number of priority legislative measures in Rebuilding Ireland, including inter alia:
- the introduction of temporary fast-track planning arrangements in respect of large-scale housing developments, and
- introducing certain legislative amendments to enhance the functioning of the private rented sector.
Under the proposed new planning arrangements, planning applications for large-scale housing developments (100+ units), including student accommodation developments (200+ units), will be made directly to An Bord Pleanála and determined within a specified timeframe. This is intended to provide greater certainty for developers and facilitating the earlier provision of increased housing supply and helping to address the current housing supply shortage situation.
Under the new arrangements, the local planning authority will retain a major role in the planning process for large housing developments, with a statutory input into both the pre-planning application consultations conducted with the developer and the subsequent examination by the Board of the substantive planning application, in terms of advising whether or not the proposed development is broadly in compliance with the development plan or local area plan and is serviced by necessary supporting infrastructure .
Furthermore, members of the public will continue to be able to make submissions to the Board about applications for large housing developments in the same manner as currently applies in respect of planning applications submitted to the local planning authority or appealed to the Board.
In relation to the rental sector, the Bill proposes amendments to the Residential Tenancies Acts. One of the most significant proposals provides that, where a landlord proposes to sell multiple units within a single multi-unit development at the same time, the sale will be subject to the existing tenants remaining in situ. The purpose of this provision is to prevent a future recurrence of situations where numbers of residents in a single development have had their tenancies terminated simultaneously .
The Bill further improves security of tenure for tenants by providing for the abolition of a landlord’s right, during the first 6 months of a further Part 4 tenancy, to terminate that tenancy for no stated ground. This is an important amendment and one that has been welcomed both by those working with tenants and those working to prevent homelessness. It also provides for a number of other early actions which will enhance the Residential Tenancies Board’s enforcement and dispute resolution powers, including accelerated dispute resolution timeframes.
As committed to in Rebuilding Ireland , the provisions in the Bill will be supplemented by a new Rental Strategy, which I am launching today with a view to delivering a mature and stable rental sector, providing a balance between the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants.
229. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total photography costs for his Department per annum since March 2011 inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance in tabular form; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39469/16]
View answerMy Department engaged the services of photographers on a number of occasions since March 2011. The details are set out as follows:
|
Year |
Event |
Photographer |
Cost |
|
2011 |
Irelands Best Kept Towns Ceremony |
Maxwell Photography |
€932 |
|
2011 |
Tidy Towns national Awards ceremony |
The Picture Rooms |
€600 |
|
2011 |
Meeting of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management |
Lensmen Photography |
€302 |
|
2012 |
Launch of framework for Sustainable Development |
Maxwell Photography |
€485 |
|
2012 |
Putting People First launch |
Maxwell Photography |
€363 |
|
2012 |
Launch of CEDRA |
Maxwell Photography |
€170 |
|
2012 |
Minister Jan O’Sullivan visiting NAMA properties leased to L/A, Scotch Hall, Drogheda |
Paul Connor Photography |
€172 |
|
2012 |
Long Service Awards for Fire Personnel, including cost of providing print copies to 200+ award recipients |
Maxwell Photography |
€3,429 |
|
2013 |
EU Presidency: Informal Council of EU Environment Ministers - Clean Tech Cluster Forum and Expo, Wood Quay |
Maxwell Photography |
€103 |
|
2013 |
EU Presidency: Senior Officials Meeting of Water and Marine Directors, Dublin Castle |
Maxwell Photography |
€308 |
|
2013 |
Irelands Best Kept Town Ceremony |
Maxwell Photography |
€448 |
|
2013 |
Min O’Sullivan visit to Fingal Co Co housing insulation retro- fit project in Corduff, Blanchardstown |
Maxwell Photography |
€362 |
|
2014 |
Launch of Social Housing Strategy |
Maxwell Photography |
€551 |
|
2015 |
Rural policy launch in Caherciveen |
MacMonagle Photography |
€369 |
|
2015 |
Social Housing Construction Programme |
Kenny Photo Graphics |
€107.83 |
|
2015 |
Launch of Diversity Award 2015 |
Redmonds of Roscrea |
€246.00 |
|
2015 |
Ireland’s Best Kept Town Awards |
Lensmen Press & Public Relations Photographic Agency |
€239.85 |
|
2015 |
Photograph of Minister Alan Kelly and Pope Francis at the EU Environment Minister s ’ meeting on Climate Change in the Vatican |
Information not available |
€80 |
|
2015 |
Photographs of Dublin-based senior managers for the Whodoeswhat.gov.ie website |
Lafayette Graduation Services |
€326.91 |
|
2015 |
Photographs of Wexford-based senior managers for the Whodoeswhat.gov.ie website |
Gerard Hore Photography |
€184.50 |
|
2016 |
Photographs of Ballina-based senior managers for the Whodoeswhat.gov.ie website |
Corrine Beatty Photography |
€90 |
|
2016 |
Announcement of ERDF grant assistance to local authority capital works under the Designated Urban Centres Grants Scheme 2014 – 2020 |
Maxwell Photography |
€602.70 |
|
2016 |
Launch of the 2016-2020 Fire Services Capital Programme |
Maxwell Photography |
€430.50 |
|
2016 |
Material for public display in the reopened Custom House Visitor Centre |
Maxwell Photography |
€308.42 |
|
2016 |
Announcement of €25m for the first phase of the Dolphin House Regeneration Project |
Maxwell Photography |
€413.28 |
My Department’s Press Office generally provides photographic services. However, if external photography services are required, they are obtained in line with the Whole-of-Government Optional Framework for Photography Services, details of which are available from the Office of Government Procurement.
230. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011 per annum in tabular form; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date. [39485/16]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the following table:
|
Year Commissioned |
Consultant/Author etc. |
Name/Description of Report/Review/Study |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Amount Spent Since March 2011 |
|
2011 |
ARUP Consulting Engineers |
Study in respect of provision of fire detection and alarms systems in dwellings. |
Not intended for publication. It is a technical report, to inform work in the Department. |
€29,935 |
|
2011 |
Barrow Archaeological Services |
Archaeological reports on Met Éireann site at Valentia. |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€1,210 |
|
2011 |
Building Research Establishment Ltd |
Retrofitting Code of Practice. |
Published March 2014. |
(1) €21,190 |
|
2011 |
Dr. Eoin O'Sullivan, Trinity College Dublin |
Review of the Homeless Strategy 2008-2013. |
Published November 2012. |
€6,000 |
|
2011 |
Housing & Sustainable Communities Ltd. |
Toolkit for Local Authorities on regeneration. |
Not intended for publication. This was a report intended to provide assistance to Local Authorities in drawing up proposals for the regeneration of their areas. |
€12,300 |
|
2011 |
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
EIS Screening Report for site at Valentia. |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€6,336 |
|
2011 |
Marine Institute |
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (1) Initial Assessment; (2) Development of a Monitoring Programme; and (3) Development of a Programme of Measures necessary to achieve Good Environmental Status in Irish Marine Waters. |
(1) Initial Assessment - the technical report was published on the Department's website in Q2 2013 and the summary report was published in Q4 2013. (2) Monitoring Programme – sent to the EU Commission in April 2015. (3) Drawing up of programme of Measures - completed and published July 2016. |
(2) €2,676,479 |
|
2011 |
Murtagh & Partners |
Review of Dublin Region Homelessness Services and Funding in 2011. |
Published October 2011. |
€27,800 |
|
2011 |
National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) |
Audit reports for ISO9001:2008 in 2011 and 2012. |
Not intended for publication. These reports are for internal use only as an input for ongoing development of a Divisional Quality Management System. |
€6,699 |
|
2011 |
Price Waterhouse Coopers |
Independent assessment on establishment of National Water Utility. |
Irish Water - Phase 1 report and appendices published January 2012. Implementation Strategy published December 2012. |
€179,584 |
|
2011 |
Pyrite Panel |
Report of the Pyrite Panel - Independent report to provide options for the Minister to deal with the pyrite problem. |
Published July 2012. |
€22,719 |
|
2012 |
AECOM |
Cost optimal study for non-domestic buildings. |
Published March 2013. |
€53,517 |
|
2012 |
DKM Economic Consultants |
Review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000. |
Published July 2013. |
€39,690 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2012 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Analysis of Property Tax Options - a report to the Interdepartmental Expert Group on Property Tax. |
Published December 2012. |
€60,280 |
|
2012 |
Flynn Furney Consultants Ltd. |
Environmental Management Services re: review of CEMP at Valentia Site (Method Statement). |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€3,167 |
|
2012 |
Glas Ecology |
Environment Management Plan (Breeding Chough and Peregrine Survey, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry). |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€4,920 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2012 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review of leasing model. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
€1,937 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2012 |
Indecon |
Feasibility study on a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. |
Published November 2012. |
(3) €42,706 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Hendrik W van der Kamp |
Independent Evaluation of the Planning Review Report 2012. |
Published January 2013. |
€12,096 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC |
Review of the management by the Department of an application by Wicklow County Council for loan approval in respect of the compulsory purchase of land at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 1. |
Published March 2012. |
€19,680 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC |
Review of the compulsory acquisition of land by Wicklow County Council at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 2. |
Published April 2013. |
€49,200 |
|
2012 |
Munster Archaeology |
Report on archaeological investigation/survey of Met Éireann site at Valentia. |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€47,289 |
|
2012 |
Padraic Thornton Planning & Environmental Consultancy |
Preparation of EIA Guidelines. |
Published March 2013. |
€7,200 |
|
2012 |
Version 1 |
Evaluation of ICT Disaster Recovery configuration and capability. |
Internal Management Report. Not intended for publication. |
€9,363 |
|
2013 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Affordability aspects of the provision of water services in Ireland and subsequent analysis. |
Published in May 2014 as Appendix 2 and Appendix 5 of the "Report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Affordability Measures". |
€57,655 |
|
2013 |
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
Article 29(2) Report on Progress on Implementation of the EC (Good Agriculture Practices for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. |
Published April 2014. |
Nil |
|
2013 |
Garrett Fennell Solicitor |
Independent Review of the registration arrangements for Architects under the Building Control Act 2007. |
Published on the Department's website. |
Nil (report produced on a pro-bono basis) |
|
2013 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review of CALF assessment process. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
€11,675 |
|
2013 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Business Process Design of the Housing Assistance Payment. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
€54,938 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2013 |
Indecon |
Assessment of Potential Merits of New Initiative re Purchase of Local Authority Houses by Existing Tenants. |
This report is available on request from the Department. |
Nil (report produced on a pro-bono basis) |
|
2013 |
KW Research & Associates |
NTACC Research into why Travellers leave Traveller-specific accommodation. |
Published on the Department's website April 2014. |
€11,938 |
|
2013 |
RPS Group |
Public consultation process on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and producing a report. |
Published November 2013. |
€9,000 |
|
2013 |
Userneeds |
Usage survey on the Met Éireann website. |
Internal Management Report. Not intended for publication. |
Nil (provided as a free sample) |
|
2014 |
Glas Ecology |
Environment Management follow up Report (Breeding Chough and Peregrine Survey, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry). |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€1,599 |
|
2014 |
MacCabe, Durney Barnes |
Independent Planning Review. |
Published December 2015. |
€94,521 |
|
2014 |
Padraic Thornton Planning & Environmental Consultancy |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Directions in Westmeath. |
Published May 2014. |
€5,000 |
|
2014 |
Patricia Thornton Tom Philips Associates |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Directions in Limerick. |
Published August 2014. |
€4,151 |
|
2015 |
AECOM |
Additional cost optimal calculations for domestic and non-domestic buildings. |
Published February 2015 |
€33,683 |
|
2015 |
Behaviour & Attitudes Ltd. |
Market Survey to determine weather forecast consumption behaviour of the Irish public. |
Not intended for publication. Report for internal purposes, primarily to inform strategic business decisions. |
€19,865 |
|
2015 |
Deloitte |
Business Case Review for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). |
Not intended for publication. Undertaken as part of technical work to update financial modelling related to the preparation of the original business case. |
€28,939 |
|
2015 |
Dr. Dagmar Stengel |
Best practice in relation to the sustainable exploitation and management of intertidal seaweed resources. |
Not intended for publication. Informative research sought to address a gap in knowledge at the time. |
€14,391 |
|
2015 |
Independent Review Group |
An Bord Pleanala - Organisational Review. |
Published March 2016. |
€18,760 |
|
2015 |
IT Executive Focus |
Review of the Structure and Delivery Model of the ICT Services for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. |
Internal Management Report. Not intended for publication. |
€55,289 |
|
2015 |
MartinPlan Consulting |
To consider the implications of the C-50 judgment in the context of waste water discharge licensing and to make any necessary recommendations. |
Not expected to be published. Report forms part of an ongoing deliberative process. |
€1,750 |
|
2015 |
Mazars Consulting |
Independent Review of Homeless Services (2015). |
Published on the Department's website January 2016. |
€27,075 |
|
2015 |
Rory Mulcahy, Senior Counsel |
Review Report in relation to Certain Planning Matters in respect of Donegal County Council. |
Issue of publication to be considered following completion of report. |
€0 |
|
2015 |
Steering Group on Fire Safety Review (Chaired by Martin Riordan) |
Review of Fire Safety arrangements in multi-unit developments where concerns arise regarding non-compliance with statutory requirements. |
Date of publication to be decided. The report remains under consideration pending clarification on a number of issues. |
€34,905 |
|
2016 |
Bruce McCarthy |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Westmeath. |
Published in August 2016 |
€1,970 |
|
2016 |
Des Johnson |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Louth. |
Published February 2016 |
€3,000 |
|
2016 |
Des Johnson |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Kildare. |
Published in June 2016. |
€3,000 |
|
2016 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review by the Housing Agency of the scheme of loans & grants for purchase of caravans by Travellers. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
Nil |
|
2016 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency/PACEC |
Independent Review of funding for Traveller-specific Accommodation since 2000 in the context of the delivery and implementation of Local Authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes. |
Expected to be published in Q2 2017. |
Nil |
|
2016 |
Mr. Hendrik W van der Kamp |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Donegal. |
Published in August 2016 |
€2,688 |
|
2016 |
RPS Group |
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the draft River Basin Management Plans. |
Will be published with the River Basin Management Plans in December 2017. |
€171,503 |
|
2016 |
School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin |
Review of CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) in fire service. |
Not intended for publication. It is a technical report, to inform work in the Department. |
Nil |
(1) The contract was in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Total cost of the study is €169,302 (inclusive of VAT). My Department's contribution was €21,190 (inclusive of VAT) with the balance met by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (i.e. €148,112 inclusive of VAT).
(2) The Initial Assessment report, monitoring programme and programme of measures each arise from a broader process connected with Ireland’s obligation to implement the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The work primarily consists of a determination of the status of Ireland’s marine waters, the measures necessary to achieve, or maintain, the required Good Environmental Status by 2020 and a programme to monitor this. The preparation of a draft Initial Assessment (under Art. 8 of the MSFD) including proposals for Good Environmental Status (Art. 9) and for draft Environmental Targets (Art.10) is underpinned by a suite of monitoring measures to measure the maritime environment against these targets (Art. 11). Where human activities are preventing these targets from being met, a Programme of Measures to mitigate the effect of these activities, or halt them as appropriate (Art.13) has been finalised.
(3) This report was co-funded by my Department and the Private Residential Tenancies Board. The cost to my Department of €42,706 represents 50% of the total cost.
231. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the details of the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department per annum since March 2011 in tabular form; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39501/16]
View answerMy Department has not engaged any external public relations firms since March 2011.
In relation to my Department’s policy for the engagement of external expertise, this is generally only considered where the issues involved require expert skills or capabilities that are not readily available within my Department.
232. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount that was allocated by his Department or otherwise to Roscommon County Council for the refurbishment of local authority housing in each of the years 2013 to 2015. [39512/16]
View answer233. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount that was invested by Roscommon County Council for the refurbishment of local authority housing in each of the years 2013 to 2015. [39513/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together.
In addition to the local authorities’ own maintenance programmes, my Department supports local authorities to upgrade their social housing stock via targeted funding programmes, such as support for returning vacant social housing units back to productive use and a programme to undertake insulation retrofitting.
The following is the funding provided to Roscommon County Council under these initiatives from 2013 to 2015:
|
Funding Scheme |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Remediating Vacant Units |
Programme commenced 2014 |
€224,028 |
€258,773 |
|
Insulation Retrofitting Programme |
€186,232 |
€472,438 |
€232,886 |
The amount that each local authority has invested in its own housing stock is a matter for the authority, as housing authority for their area, and my Department does not hold that information.
234. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing emergency legislation to permit local authorities to compulsory purchase zoned land in the four Dublin, Cork and Limerick and other local authority areas with great housing shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39517/16]
View answer235. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing emergency legislation to permit local authorities to compulsory purchase land with planning permissions in the four Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and other urban regions to build these permissions to eliminate homelessness and up to 10 years plus waiting times on housing lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39518/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 234 and 235 together.
I have no powers in relation to the initiation of Compulsory Purchase Orders, this being the responsibility of relevant local authorities.
The issues raised in the Questions relate, essentially, to the adequacy of land supply to address the current housing supply shortage. In broad terms, the Government does not believe that acquisition, compulsory or otherwise, of significant levels of additional land for public housing building programmes is required at this time and considers that local authorities have sufficient lands upon which to deliver the commitments under Rebuilding Ireland, including the delivery of 47,000 additional social housing units between now and 2021 through a number of means as part of an overall Exchequer commitment of €5.35 billion.
In addition, the active pursuit of progressing housing developments on State-owned lands, including local authority lands, is a major part of the new approach to housing provision under Rebuilding Ireland – Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. This involves identifying and mapping sites in local authority and public ownership with appropriate lands to be master-planned to deliver increased mixed-tenure housing, including social and more affordable housing. Overall, between the Land Aggregation Scheme sites and Local Authority lands approximately 700 sites in total have been identified, which are referenced on page 50 of Rebuilding Ireland, in the context of the potential for mixed-tenure development on State-owned and other lands. These sites are being mapped in detail and in accordance with the timelines outlined in Rebuilding Ireland and the Housing Agency is preparing a Strategic Management Plan for all 73 Land Aggregation Scheme sites which will be completed in Quarter 1 2017.
My Department has already written to all key Departments and State Agencies and to relevant local authorities to gather information and assess further prospective sites in State ownership to be mapped on an effective and easy-to-use database of publically owned lands, suitable for housing, collated in one location. This work will provide a further indication of the extent of the sites available that may be suitable for housing, in particular in areas of highest need.
During this data gathering phase, a number of early actions have already been undertaken by local authorities and the Housing Agency to progress housing development on sites in public ownership, particularly in areas of high housing demand. One such proposal was announced by South Dublin County Council at the recent launch event for Pillar 3 of Rebuilding Ireland in relation to a local authority owned site with the potential to yield almost 1,000 new homes in Kilcarberry, Clondalkin. I expect further proposals to be brought forward by other local authorities in the coming months.
236. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when he will ensure that all homeless families and children are rehoused from emergency accommodation in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39519/16]
View answerThe long-term solution to homelessness is to increase the supply of homes. A range of measures are being progressed in this regard under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness which was launched in July 2016 and provides a multi-stranded, action-oriented approach to achieving the Government’s key housing objectives, including tackling homelessness in a comprehensive manner.
Rebuilding Ireland fully recognises 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 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.
237. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the dates on which polling was designated to take place on each of the offshore islands for general election 2016 and for the local and European elections 2014 in tabular form; if he will provide the deadline dates for those wishing to register for the postal vote in respect of each of these types of elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39537/16]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the following table:
|
Election |
Donegal islands |
Mayo islands |
Galway islands |
Cork islands |
|
General election Friday 26 February 2016 |
Thursday 25 February 2016 |
Thursday 25 February 2016 |
Thursday 25 February 2016 |
Friday 26 February 2016 |
|
European Parliament and Local Elections Friday 23 May 2014 |
Thursday 22 May 2014 |
Thursday 22 May 2014 |
Thursday 22 May 2014 |
Friday 23 May 2014 |
Completed application forms for inclusion in the supplement to the postal voters’ list had to be received by the local registration authorities by 5 February 2016 in the case of the general election in February 2016 and by 3 May 2014 in the case of the European and local elections in May 2014.
238. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the situation with regard to measures to address the sewage discharges at Doldrum Bay, Howth; the timeframe he envisages to deliver a long-term solution for the cessation of sewage discharges near this location and from the Howth peninsula generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39538/16]
View answerNeither I nor my Department has any role in monitoring or supervising the delivery of water services. Irish Water has statutory responsibility for the planning, delivery and operation of public water and wastewater services at national, regional and local levels. The EPA is responsible for licensing and regulating urban waste water discharges.
Irish Water has informed my Department that it has completed works on site as part of a short term solution to address the historic discharge of wastewater from a small number of houses to the beach at Doldrum Bay, Howth, Co. Dublin. These works included the construction of a replacement pipeline on the beach and upgrade works to the distribution chamber. The new outfall pipeline is now fully functional with the discharge point below the spring low water mark. The visual and aesthetic impact of the discharge is, therefore, now substantially alleviated.
Irish Water is evaluating options for a long term strategy to entirely remove the Doldrum Bay discharge. The longer term solution will involve diverting the discharge via two pumping stations and connecting it, ultimately, to the Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant. The design of a permanent scheme has been commenced by Irish Water. This long term solution will be subject to statutory planning and environmental processes that will be carried out as part of the detailed design programme.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
239. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason all local authority job vacancies are not advertised on the local government jobs website; if he will make the advertising of all positions compulsory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39540/16]
View answerUnder section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible.
Each Local Authority is an individual employer in its own right. Therefore, the methodology to be used in recruitment for posts, other than those which are recruited directly through the Public Appointments Service, is a matter for each local authority.
Local Authorities will generally use a mixture of local and national advertisement where appropriate. I am aware that there is a dedicated website www.localgovernmentjobs.ie which is available for local authorities to use in the recruitment process. The Local Government Management Agency has written to each local authority to confirm their awareness of this site and to advise of the benefits that can be accrued in using this site in order to maximise awareness of the roles that are available within the local authority sector.
240. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has used any private unsecured e-mail accounts for official business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39583/16]
View answerMy Department's ICT function provides a private and secure email service to staff. I use a private email account for political and constituency purposes. For reasons of operational convenience, arrangements are made for this account to also be used for communications on certain matters, such as diarying issues, speeches and information updates, but generally not for the purposes of confidential official business.
241. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when his Department received an application for funding in respect of phase 2 Clúid housing project for Letterfrack, County Galway; when a decision is likely to be made on this application in view of the current housing crisis in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39619/16]
View answerAn application for the provision of 11 new social units by Cluid Housing Association as a phase 2 development at Letterfrack, County Galway was received by my Department from Galway County Council on 29 November 2016. The proposal is now being assessed following which a decision will issue to Galway County Council.
I am pleased to see the recent completion and tenanting of 13 new units at this site to cater for persons with disabilities and older persons at a capital cost of €2.8 million.
242. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has received an application from Sligo County Council for a foreshore licence in respect of the development of the proposed pier and pontoon scheme in Rosses Point, County Sligo; when it is expected that the license will be signed and issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39649/16]
View answerThe application to carry out pier enhancement works at Rosses Point which will involve the extension to the slipway and remedial works to the existing slipway, provision of a floating pontoon and access gangway and mooring/anchoring arrangements at the pier from Sligo County Council was approved in principle by me on 8 December 2016.
The Chief State Solicitor’s Office has now been requested to prepare the requisite legal documentation.
243. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason for the low take-up of house purchases by the Housing Agency from banks (details supplied) as detailed in Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 1 December 2016; and if he will provide additional funding to the Housing Agency to increase the number of these properties to be purchased as a matter of urgency. [39725/16]
View answerThe Housing Agency currently acts as a central co-ordination body at national level for banks/investors to interact with. This activity began in early 2015 and to date has yielded 174 properties across 29 local authorities at a total value of over €25m. Rebuilding Ireland, the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, provides for a new acquisitions initiative under which the Housing Agency is to be provided directly with capital funding with the specific focus of engaging with banks and investment companies to acquire properties for social housing nationally, thereby increasing social housing delivery. Under this acquisitions programme, the Agency will use a rotating fund of €70m, which was provided for in Budget 2017, to acquire vacant properties in areas with high levels of social housing demand.
In doing this, the Agency will work in close consultation with local authorities to ensure that suitable properties are only purchased in areas where there is a demand for social housing. It is estimated that this mechanism, implementation of which is already underway, will deliver some 1,600 units over the period to 2020.
In relation to properties that have been forwarded for consideration from banks to date, some of these properties were deemed unsuitable for different reasons including quality, price limits, and location. In respect of the 500+ vacant properties forwarded by AIB for consideration by the Agency at the end of November 2016, approximately 55% were of interest to the local authorities concerned. However, local authorities were still reviewing some of the property information provided to them by the Agency so that proportion may increase.
Details of the progress under this initiative will be outlined in future Rebuilding Ireland quarterly progress reports.
244. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has received an application (details supplied) to the €200 million fund to service residential lands; when a decision on this will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39728/16]
View answerThe aim of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund is to relieve critical infrastructural blockages to enable the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites and to improve the economic viability of new housing projects in Dublin and in urban areas of high demand for housing. The €200m Fund will be composed of an Exchequer allocation of €150 million, matched by a €50 million contribution from participating local authorities.
A call for proposals under the fund was issued to local authorities on 26 August 2016, with a closing date for receipt of proposals of 14 October. It was open to all local authorities to apply, with funding to be allocated on the basis of a competitive bid process. Twenty-one local authorities have submitted a total of 74 project applications, relating to specific sites or development land areas. Limerick City and County Council submitted a proposal in relation to Greenpark which includes the former Limerick racecourse.
The overall total cost of the 74 funding bid applications is approximately €800m, with funding of some €600 million being sought from the Exchequer and local authorities agreeing to fund approximately €200 million as part of their matching fund requirements. It will not be possible to approve all applications, given the scale and value of applications received.
The viability of the applications is currently being examined in detail against the assessment criteria set out in the Call for Proposals, with a focus on the level of funding required and what it might leverage, the number of housing units that could be delivered, their strategic location and speed of delivery, and affordability levels of a proportion of the homes. I intend to make an initial announcement on progress on the assessment of the proposals before the end of the year.
245. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will meet with representatives from the Irish Glass Bottle Housing Group that have been seeking a meeting with him regarding the potential for building significant quantities of social and affordable housing on that site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39743/16]
View answer246. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to meet with representatives of the Ringsend Glass Bottle Site Housing Action Group (details supplied) to discuss their plans for the old glass bottle site portion of the SDZ in Ringsend, Dublin; and if he will consider their proposals for maximising the provision of social and affordable housing in that location. [39771/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together.
The Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) site has significant potential to deliver additional housing supply, including for social housing purposes, at a pace and scale that will greatly assist in addressing the current critical shortage of housing supply in the Dublin Region.
The Government Order, designating the Poolbeg West area as a Strategic Development Zone, with Dublin City Council as the relevant development agency, pursuant to the provisions of Section 166 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), provides for, inter alia, the provision of social and affordable housing.
As is required under the SDZ process, a Planning Scheme must now be prepared and adopted by Dublin City Council for the planned development of these lands, including providing in excess of 2,000 – 2,500 new homes, which will include social and affordable housing, as well as supporting social, educational and recreational infrastructure.
As this process is about to be undertaken by Dublin City Council with full statutory consultation with the local community and other stakeholders, and having regard to the provisions of Section 30 of the Planning Act, which prevent the Minister from becoming involved in individual planning cases, it would not be appropriate at this stage of the process for me to engage with stakeholders outside of my statutory role in formally commenting on the draft Planning Scheme.
Nevertheless, I expect the site to provide for the delivery of residential and appropriate commercial development, with supporting infrastructure and facilities, in a timely, sustainable and co-ordinated manner. Moreover, I am confident that the draft Planning Scheme, to be considered fully by the members of Dublin City Council, will enable significant delivery of all housing types, including 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.
I urge all interested stakeholders to engage with the Planning Scheme process within the statutory framework laid out in the Planning Act.
