Written Answers Nos. 200 - 221
200. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 244 of 24 May 2016, he will now consider changing legislation to allow residents of Part V housing to purchase their houses from their local authority, especially considering that the income stream will help the local authorities to fund additional housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40623/16]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016 and allows eligible local authority tenants to buy their homes. The Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 governing the Scheme provide for a number of specified classes of house to be excluded from sale, including units provided to Local Authorities under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The Part V provisions are designed to enable the development of mixed tenure, sustainable communities. Part V units are excluded from the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme to ensure that units delivered under this mechanism will remain available for people in need of social housing support and that the original policy goals of the legislation are not eroded over time. The continued development of mixed tenure communities remains very important in promoting social integration.
In line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government and reaffirmed in the Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, it is intended that a review of the Scheme will be initiated in January 2017 following its first 12 months of operation and any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme which are considered necessary based on the evidence gathered at that stage will be brought forward.
201. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total number of mortgage to rent transactions that have been fully completed at this stage; the number by local authority and by lender; if he will confirm the authoritative source of information on the scheme for distressed borrowers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40636/16]
View answerUp to the end of Quarter 3 2016, a total of 187 households have remained in their home having availed of the Mortgage to Rent Scheme which was introduced in 2012 for borrowers of private commercial lending institutions. A further 669 were being actively progressed through the process. Further statistical information relating to the Mortgage to Rent Scheme since its inception, including a breakdown of MTR cases by local authority and by lender, is available on the Housing Agency’s website at the following weblink: https://www.housingagency.ie/Our-Services/Housing-Supply-Services/Mortgage-to-Rent.aspx.
A number of amendments were made to the MTR scheme in July 2015 to allow more properties to qualify and to make the scheme more flexible and accessible to borrowers.
Information in relation to the MTR Scheme is available in the first instance from the lender concerned and also from a number of other sources including but not limited to the following primary sources of information-
- the Housing Agency who administer the scheme on behalf of my Department: https://www.housingagency.ie/Housing-Information/Mortgage-to-Rent-Scheme,
and
- Abhaile – the Government’s new Mortgage Resolution Service operated by the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) in conjunction with the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI), the Legal Aid Board and the Citizens Information Board: https://www.keepingyourhome.ie.
The Government is committed to supporting households in long-term mortgage arrears to remain in their homes and has included a review of the MTR Scheme for borrowers of private commercial lending institutions as an action in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. The review, currently underway, is examining what further amendments can be made to the scheme to make it work better for borrowers and my Department is consulting with key stakeholders in this regard. The review is to be completed by the end of the year.
202. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total use his Department has made of the Government jet since coming into office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40680/16]
View answer203. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total use his Department has made of the Government jet per annum from March 2011 to February 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40697/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together.
My Department made use of the government jet on eight occasions during the period March 2011 to February 2016, details of which are as follows:
|
Outbound |
Inbound |
Destination |
Event |
|
13/03/2011 |
14/03/2011 |
Brussels |
Meeting of EU Environment al Council of Ministers |
|
08/03/2012 |
09/03/2012 |
Brussels |
Meeting of EU Environment al Council of Ministers |
|
01/10/2012 |
01/10/2012 |
Brussels |
European Environmental Bureau Annual Conference |
|
03/04/2014 |
03/04/2014 |
Brussels |
Council of Europe Committee on Democratic Governance |
|
06/07/2014 |
07/07/2014 |
Kiev |
Inauguration of President Poroshenko, Ukraine |
|
19/05/2015 |
20/05/2015 |
Strasbourg |
EU Parliament Plenary session |
|
14/06/2015 |
Return was on a commercial flight |
Luxembourg |
Meeting of EU Environment al Council of Ministers |
|
16/12/2015 |
16/12/2015 |
Brussels |
Meeting of EU Environment al Council of Ministers |
My Department has not made use of the government jet since the current Government came into office.
On the rare occasion the use of the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) is required by my Department, they will take into account the relevant cost of the MATS to possible alternatives and submit an application, including a justification for the need to use the government jet, the destination, route, timings, passenger details and purpose of travel, to the Taoiseach in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1.19 of the Cabinet Handbook.
204. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the gender balances on each of the State boards under his remit. [40729/16]
View answerDetails in relation to the membership of State Boards under the aegis of my Department are available on the Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/corporate/transparency-data/appointments-state-boards/appointments-declg-state-boards.
In the case of certain appointments to State Boards, statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate. In addition, in the case of a number of boards, not all of the appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, and in some situations appointments are made by the Minister with the consent of another Minister.
205. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of housing units that his Department will fund in 2017 in counties Cavan and Monaghan; if his attention has been drawn to the increasing demand for local authority housing in both counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40790/16]
View answerAll local authorities, including Cavan and Monaghan were notified in April 2015 of social housing delivery targets and provisional funding allocations out to end-2017. These are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/housing/social-housing/minsters-kelly-coffey-announce-eu15-billion-social-housing-targets-local. Together, these two local authorities have a target to deliver 445 social housing units for the period out to 2017, supported by an allocation of €24 million, to be invested in a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes.
My Department has approved proposals for the delivery of 135 new units of accommodation in respect of Cavan and Monaghan under the local authorities’ own social housing construction programme and the Capital Assistance Scheme. The details of these projects are set out in announcements made in May 2015, July 2015 and January 2016, for which details are available on my Department’s website at the links below, and in projects approved subsequently, listed in the table below.
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,42225,en.htm
http://www.environ.ie/housing/social-housing/ministers-kelly-coffey-announce-further-1000-social-housing-units
|
Local Authority |
Location |
Delivery Method |
No. of Units |
|
Cavan |
Rosehill, Mullagh (Phase 6) |
LA Construction |
8 |
|
Monaghan |
Liseggerton, Clones by Oaklee Housing Trust |
AHB Construction |
16 |
|
Monaghan |
Monaghan Town |
3 Turnkey developments |
50 |
|
Monaghan |
Smithborough |
Turnkey development |
5 |
I am keen that these projects are advanced as soon as possible and funding to be provided to the Cavan and Monaghan Councils in 2017 will be directly linked to this delivery.
My Department will also continue to support Cavan and Monaghan Councils in 2017 in respect of work to return vacant social housing units to productive use and for certain targeted acquisitions. The precise numbers of social houses supported under these programmes will again depend on the numbers undertaken by the local authorities.
Local authorities also use a variety of current-funded mechanisms to secure social housing including the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP), Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) programmes, which my Department will continue to support in 2017 and beyond.
The SHCEP is currently funding 36 social housing units in Cavan and Monaghan. An additional 51 units approved for leasing by two approved housing bodies (AHBs) are anticipated to become operational by the end of 2016, bringing the total number of operational units to 87. These units will continue to be funded through SHCEP in 2017 in addition to any additional new units sourced by the local authorities or AHBs.
My Department also supports AHBs to deliver new social housing under the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and this is supporting the acquisition and construction of 55 additional units by three AHBs in Cavan and Monaghan. Delivery is contingent on AHBs securing the balance of funding required from private finance or other borrowings. If successful, it is anticipated that these 55 units will be delivered by the end of 2017. Locations include Kingscourt (16 units), Clones (6 units) and Carrickmacross (33 units).
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is currently available in 28 local authority areas, including Cavan and Monaghan County Councils. Since Monaghan County Council’s commencement of the HAP statutory pilot scheme on 1 October 2014, almost 350 households have been supported to date and HAP support will continue into 2017 and beyond. The scheme became statutorily operational in the administrative area of Cavan County Council on 1 December 2016. There are currently more than 16,000 households being supported by the scheme and just over 11,600 of these tenancies have been set-up in 2016 to date.
In relation to RAS, Cavan County Council’s end of year 2015 activity report indicated that there were 562 tenancies supported by the scheme. At the end of 2015, Monaghan County Council reported that there were 256 tenancies supported by RAS. These tenancies will continue to be supported into 2017 and beyond in addition to new tenancies which are added in 2016 and 2017.
206. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total number of septic tank owners nationally per census 2016 figures; the total number of septic tank units inspected in each of the years 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016 and planned inspections for the remainder of the year; the total number of septic tank units that failed and passed inspections in 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016; the number of septic tank owners who were awarded grant aid annually in this period; the total amount of grant aid in monetary value paid to septic tank owners; the average grant amount paid to septic tank owners in this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40803/16]
View answerCensus 2011, published by the Central Statistics Office, indicates that there were 437,652 septic tanks and 50,259 individual treatment systems in Ireland in 2011. Census 2016 figures are not yet published. The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 assigns responsibility to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make a National Inspection Plan (NIP) for domestic wastewater treatment systems and neither I, nor my Department, has any direct role in monitoring the implementation of the plan by the local authorities.
The EPA was the supervisory body for the purposes of the National Inspection Plan 2013: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems, which was adopted and published by the EPA in February 2013. The EPA has conducted a review of the implementation of the Plan for the period from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014. The report contains a breakdown by county of inspections that have taken place and includes details relating to non-compliant treatment systems and advisory notices. It is available on the Agency’s website at the following link:
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/wastewater/Report%20National%20Inspection%20Plan%20Web.pdf.
A further NIP Inspection Data Report 1 July 2013 - 31 December 2014 provided an update to the previous review and included data from inspections carried out in the period 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2014. This is available at: http://www.epa.ie/water/wastewater/nip/nip2013inspectiondatareport/.
The National Inspection Plan 2015 to 2017: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems was adopted and published by the EPA in 2015. The Plan provides for a minimum of 1,000 inspections to be carried out by the water services authorities (which are the 31 county, city, and county and city councils) on an annual basis up to December 2017. Details of the minimum number of inspections to be carried out in each county are included in the Plan. This plan is also available on the Agency’s website at:
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/wastewater/nationalinspectionplan2015-2017.html.
Applications for grant aid in respect of remediation works are submitted to, and processed by, the local authorities who then seek recoupment of the amounts paid from my Department. Information is not therefore held by my Department on grant applications approved or paid by local authorities. However, details of the grant amounts recouped by my Department to local authorities since the scheme was introduced in 2013 are published on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-quality/domestic-waste-water-systemsseptic-tanks/septic-tank-grants-paid-2014-to-2016.
207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total number of group water schemes in operation broken down by county; the total number of these schemes that are grant aided; and the total cost incurred to the State for all group water schemes over the 2014 to 2016 period, in tabular form. [40804/16]
View answerDuring 2015, my Department established a working group involving key stakeholders in the rural water sector, which includes group water schemes, to address the development of the sector within the overall water reform programme to ensure that the programme responds effectively to current and future needs. Local authorities, the Water Services Transition Office, Irish Water, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and my Department are represented on the working group.
The tasks of the working group include the development of a multi-annual approach to targeting funding to meet priority needs of the sector and to ensure that there is appropriate integration of the Department's Rural Water Programme and Irish Water's Capital Investment Programme so as to fully support rural development and address any environmental issues that may arise.
The compilation of a full dataset of group water schemes across the country is underway including the mapping of such schemes which is a critical aspect in the development of this sector. However, the Drinking Water Report 2014 published by the Environmental Protection Agency (which is available on their website at http://www.epa.ie/) outlines that there are 512 public group water schemes (supplied by Irish Water) and 421 private group water schemes (supplied from private sources), bringing the total number of schemes to 933.
In January 2016, my Department wrote to local authorities, advising them of a new multi-annual approach to the funding of group water schemes for 2016 and beyond under the Rural Water Programme. Details of the new multi-annual programme are available on my Department’s website at
http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues.
My Department recoups funding for group water schemes to local authorities which administer scheme funding on behalf of my Department. This recoupment consists of both grants for improvement/upgrading of existing schemes or development of new schemes (which includes extensions to existing schemes) and subsidies, as a contribution towards the annual operational cost of the domestic element of schemes. The table sets out the amounts recouped over the period 2014 - 2016.
|
Year |
Grant Amount |
Subsidy Amount |
Total Amount |
|
2014 |
€11,083,589 |
€21,054,754 |
€32,138,343 |
|
2015 |
€11,443,319 |
€18,891,449 |
€30,334,768 |
|
2016 (Provisional) |
€8,372,042 |
€11,049,108 |
€19,421,150 |
The amounts in the table do not include the administration and overhead costs of local authorities in administering the Rural Water Programme (approx. €1.8m per annum) which are also recouped to local authorities by my Department.
208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total amount in State funding committed to the rural water programme in 2016 and 2017. [40805/16]
View answerMy Department recoups funding for the Rural Water Programme to local authorities who administer the funding on behalf of my Department. This recoupment consists of both grants for capital works under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2016-2018 and subsidies as a contribution towards the annual operational cost of the domestic element of group water schemes. In 2016 my Department’s budget for the multi-annual programme was €17.535m. The 2017 Revised Estimates Volume will be published by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in the coming weeks. In addition, the 2016 budget for subsidies from the Local Government Fund was €23.2m and a similar provision is anticipated in 2017.
209. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of all grant payment schemes available for private well owners, in tabular form; the total number of private wells which are grant aided, by county; and the total cost of these for each of the past three years. [40806/16]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
My Department recoups funding under the Rural Water Programme to local authorities who administer the programme on behalf of my Department. Funding is available under the programme towards the provision or necessary improvement of individual domestic water supplies (more commonly known as private wells).
Details of the grant for the provision of individual domestic water supplies are available from local authorities and on my Department’s website at the following link http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/private-wells.
The tables set out the number of such supplies that are grant aided and the amounts recouped by county over the period 2014 – 2016.
2014
|
County |
Number of Individual Domestic Water Supplies (Private Wells) |
Amount |
|
Carlow |
47 |
€75,106.08 |
|
Cavan |
16 |
€29,339.81 |
|
Clare |
20 |
€35,649.17 |
|
Cork |
268 |
€434,142.11 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
3 |
€4,722.13 |
|
Galway |
18 |
€31,188.89 |
|
Kerry |
15 |
€23,515.98 |
|
Kildare |
20 |
€36,047.82 |
|
Kilkenny |
90 |
€148,336.26 |
|
Laois |
32 |
€62,255.00 |
|
Leitrim |
7 |
€14,184.16 |
|
Limerick |
84 |
€148,343.40 |
|
Longford |
10 |
€17,800.95 |
|
Louth |
68 |
€117,325.64 |
|
Mayo |
11 |
€19,942.99 |
|
Meath |
66 |
€123,677.03 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
€8,022.84 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
€6,728.10 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
€6,787.85 |
|
Sligo |
2 |
€4,063.16 |
|
South Dublin |
8 |
€14,604.28 |
|
Tipperary |
45 |
€81,467.75 |
|
Waterford |
83 |
€133,810.42 |
|
Westmeath |
19 |
€33,367.60 |
|
Wexford |
174 |
€269,277.60 |
|
Wicklow |
119 |
€179,614.90 |
|
Total |
1,238 |
€2,059,321.92 |
2015
|
County |
Number of Individual Domestic Water Supplies (Private Wells) |
Amount |
|
Carlow |
46 |
€82,532.04 |
|
Cavan |
15 |
€27,683.00 |
|
Clare |
23 |
€37,603.82 |
|
Cork |
416 |
€573,214.98 |
|
Donegal |
18 |
€33,341.06 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
5 |
€9,566.32 |
|
Galway |
22 |
€40,957.43 |
|
Kerry |
13 |
€21,425.33 |
|
Kildare |
29 |
€55,738.32 |
|
Kilkenny |
78 |
€125,009.60 |
|
Laois |
28 |
€50,068.76 |
|
Leitrim |
3 |
€5,949.60 |
|
Limerick |
45 |
€76,158.25 |
|
Longford |
5 |
€9,639.59 |
|
Louth |
69 |
€116,822.56 |
|
Mayo |
11 |
€20,447.94 |
|
Meath |
97 |
€164,211.86 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
€4,089.58 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Roscommon |
8 |
€16,189.79 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
€2,031.58 |
|
South Dublin |
4 |
€8,013.23 |
|
Tipperary |
51 |
€92,905.71 |
|
Waterford |
91 |
€134,006.81 |
|
Westmeath |
21 |
€38,366.17 |
|
Wexford |
239 |
€369,002.39 |
|
Wicklow |
53 |
€85,645.31 |
|
Total |
1,394 |
€2,200,621.03 |
2016 (Provisional - up to and including 9th December 2016 only)
|
County |
Number of Individual Domestic Water Supplies (Private Wells) |
Amount |
|
Carlow |
55 |
€94,250.71 |
|
Cavan |
12 |
€22,391.82 |
|
Clare |
7 |
€12,960.22 |
|
Cork |
256 |
€448,290.72 |
|
Donegal |
8 |
€15,020.44 |
|
Dun Laoighaire/Rathdown |
1 |
€1,095.00 |
|
Galway |
16 |
€30,398.04 |
|
Kerry |
17 |
€29,151.55 |
|
Kildare |
38 |
€71,318.38 |
|
Kilkenny |
19 |
€31,370.66 |
|
Laois |
37 |
€69,069.83 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
Limerick |
81 |
€148,901.69 |
|
Longford |
13 |
€21,270.76 |
|
Louth |
62 |
€110,425.11 |
|
Mayo |
4 |
€6,206.99 |
|
Meath |
106 |
€195,714.73 |
|
Monaghan |
9 |
€16,439.39 |
|
Offaly |
17 |
€32,323.90 |
|
Roscommon |
5 |
€10,157.90 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
South Dublin |
6 |
€9,994.91 |
|
Tipperary |
37 |
€71,407.00 |
|
Waterford |
89 |
€142,463.84 |
|
Westmeath |
29 |
€52,396.28 |
|
Wexford |
156 |
€241,674.52 |
|
Wicklow |
127 |
€192,888.18 |
|
Total |
1,207 |
€2,077,582.57 |
210. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department allocated funds which will increase the subvention to group water schemes in 2017; if not, the reason; and the details for increased grant aid available. [40807/16]
View answerIn line with the suspension of domestic water charges, as set out in the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2016, and to ensure equity of treatment with households on public water supplies, the subvention for those on group water schemes was restored to the level that pertained prior to the introduction of domestic water charges for households connected to the public water supply for the same period as set out in the Act. Details of the revised subsidy rates are available on my Department’s website at : http://housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues.
The consideration by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Water Services of the report of the Expert Commission on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services and the outcome of the Oireachtas process will be a determinant in any future financial implications that may arise for the subsidisation of group water schemes.
211. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total funding allocated to the social inclusion and community activation programme in each year since being established, in tabular form; and the total allocation in 2017. [40814/16]
View answerMy Department’s Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) was rolled out across communities on 1 April 2015 and will run until 31 December 2017, with the following allocations for the 51 SICAP Lots.
|
2015 (9 months) |
2016 |
2017 |
|
€28 million |
€37.5 million |
€37.5 million |
212. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the proposals, if any, he will bring to Cabinet regarding local authority powers for the collection of commercial rates; his views on whether changes will avoid putting disproportionate administrative burden and excessive compliance costs on small businesses; and his further views on the revaluation of commercial rates before bringing forward proposals in this area. [40825/16]
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 Acts 2001 to 2015. 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. This would include addressing the enforcement powers available to local authorities to address non-compliance with the payment of rates, which would not increase the compliance costs to business currently paying rates. I hope to bring proposals in this area to Government shortly.
The Commissioner for Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters except appeals of valuation procedures set out under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended, which comes under the remit of an independent Valuation Tribunal. The Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 come under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
Under Part 5 of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended, the Commissioner of Valuation is conducting a revaluation of all commercial and industrial properties throughout the State. To date, revaluations have been completed in South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Dublin City Council, Waterford City and County Council and Limerick City and County Council. I understand that revaluations in Kildare, Leitrim, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath County Councils are due to be completed in 2017.
213. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the changes that have been implemented to Irish Water since the confidence and supply arrangement; if there are plans for changes to be implemented in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40866/16]
View answerIn line with the “Confidence and Supply Arrangement” agreed with Fianna Fáil in the context of supporting a minority government, the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2016 provided for the suspension of domestic water charges for a period of nine months from 1 July 2016. During the period of suspension, no Irish Water customers will receive bills for domestic water charges. This period is to allow for an extensive deliberative process to be undertaken on the enduring funding model for domestic public water services which will culminate in an Oireachtas vote on the matter by the end of March 2017. The “Arrangement” clearly states that those who have paid their water bills to date will be treated no less favourably than those who have not and people remain liable for unpaid domestic water charges and arrears of water charges incurred by households remain to be discharged. Pending the outcome of the Oireachtas decision on the funding of domestic water services, it is not possible to determine what financial implications may arise for Irish Water post March 2017; the financial implications arising from the suspension of water charges up to March 2017 have already been addressed by the Government.
214. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the powers vested in him pursuant under section 9(7)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 have ever been exercised by him or his predecessors; and if so, the details of its usage. [40941/16]
View answerTo date, there have been no instances where it has been necessary for either myself or previous Ministers at this Department to exercise powers under Section 9(7)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Planning authorities are required under sections 9(4) and 9(5) of the 2000 Act to have regard to the Development Plans of adjoining authorities and to take into account the effect of their Plan on adjoining authorities. My Department also encourages a collaborative approach between planning authorities in the preparation of their statutory plans, as well as providing observations on draft plans during the plan making process. This approach has worked well without the requirement for the formal intervention referred to above.
215. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the stage a project (details supplied) is at; when this project will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for the award of a contract and construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40987/16]
View answer216. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the stage a project (details supplied) is at; when this project will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for the award of a contract and construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40988/16]
View answer217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the stage a project (details supplied) is at; when this project will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for the award of a contract and construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40989/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 215 to 217, inclusive, together.
My Department announced a new €22m Libraries Capital Investment Programme for the period 2016-2021 to support the development of priority projects submitted by local authorities. In this regard, the programme includes a priority proposal submitted by Cavan County Council in respect of Virginia library. As Ballyjamesduff and Kingscourt were not submitted as a priority by Cavan County Council, they could not be considered for funding as part of this capital programme.
The development of Virginia Library will be supported by my Department under the Capital Investment Programme. My Department will provide a contribution of €850,000 under the capital programme towards the overall cost of the proposed development, which is estimated at €3.5m. The matching funding will be provided by Cavan County Council, which has responsibility generally for the provision of premises and facilities in the public library service in its capacity as a library authority.
Projects will be funded on a phased basis over the lifetime of the capital programme. Accordingly, while the development of Virginia library may progress at the discretion of Cavan County Council, Department funding for the proposal will be available for drawdown from 2021. The project will also be subject to a four-stage approval process, which will be dictated largely by Cavan County Council’s readiness to proceed through the various stages. Stage one of the approval process, the initial project capital appraisal, has commenced and I expect the outcome of the appraisal will be notified by my Department to Cavan County Council shortly.
The provision of premises and facilities in the public library service is generally a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority.
218. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of local authority housing loan applications approved by each council in each of the years from 2010 to 2015 on an annual basis; his plans to enhance this loan scheme due to the difficulties persons are experiencing in having loan applications approved by financial institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40990/16]
View answerThere are currently two house purchase loan offerings available to lower - income first - time buyers from local authorities. The first is a standard annuity mortgage available from all local authorities. A first-time buyer unable to get a loan from a building society or a bank, may be eligible for a mortgage from the local authority concerned to purchase a new or second hand property or build their own home. The loan can be up to 97% of the price of the house subject to a maximum loan of €200,000. A local authority mortgage is an annuity mortgage with variable interest rates, so repayments will go up and down in line with interest rate changes. The relevant terms and conditions applying to local authority housing loans are set out in the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 2012. Key eligibility criteria provide that a loan applicant must be a first-time buyer and must be able to show their local authority that they cannot get a loan from a bank or building society. Also, the gross income (before tax) of a single-income household in the previous year must be €50,000 or less and the combined gross income (before tax) of a two-income household in the previous year must be €75,000 or less. Prospective applicants should contact their relevant local authority for further information.
The second option is the Home Choice Loan which is available for first-time buyers to purchase a new or second-hand property or build their own home. The relevant terms and conditions applying to the Home Choice Loan are set out in the Housing (Home Choice Loan) Regulations 2009. Home Choice Loan provides up to 92% of the market value of a property purchased, subject to a maximum loan amount of €285,000. The loan is a normal capital and interest bearing mortgage which is repaid on a monthly basis. Home Choice Loan offers one variable interest rate. The rate is currently set at 3.25% variable, APR 3.30%. Further information is available at http://www.homechoiceloan.ie.
To support local authorities in operating their housing loan schemes in a consistent and efficient manner, the Housing Agency provides a central underwriting service to local authorities. The credit underwriting process considers the impact that family circumstances may have on the loan applicant’s capacity to make loan repayments. The final decision on loan approval is a matter for the relevant local authority and its credit committee on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the relevant statutory Credit Policy that underpins the scheme and aims to ensure prudent lending.
The total number of new loans issued by local authorities under both schemes in the years 2010 to 2015 is set out in the table.
I will continue to keep the operation of both schemes under review.
|
Year |
No. of annuity loans issued |
€m |
No. of Home Choice Loans issued |
€m |
|
2010 |
69 |
7.4 |
6 |
1.206 |
|
2011 |
106 |
11.0 |
3 |
0.554 |
|
2012 |
149 |
14.7 |
5 |
0.776 |
|
2013 |
143 |
11.4 |
1 |
0.276 |
|
2014 |
171 |
13.1 |
2 |
0.318 |
|
2015 |
248 |
22.8 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
886 |
80.4 |
17 |
3.13 |
219. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to amend the planning regulations in respect of afforestation in view of the fact lands are now being planted very close to dwelling homes and farm yards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40991/16]
View answerThe principal Planning and Development Regulations were amended in September 2011 by the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011 to provide that initial afforestation shall be exempted development. This activity is exempted from the requirement to obtain planning permission, as it is subject to a separate statutory development consent system under the European Communities (Forest Consent and Assessment) Regulations 2010, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The 2010 Regulations make specific provision for public consultation in the application and approval processes.
I have no proposals to further amend the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, in this regard.
220. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for the awarding of a contract and construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40992/16]
View answerThe provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects. In February 2016, my Department announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on the current annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres.
A fire station project in Virginia is included in this programme under the list of priority projects to be progressed in 2016. Original project documentation including contract documents and a cost plan were received in my Department in 2011, indicating a total project cost of €864,000. A revised cost plan was received in August 2016 totalling €971,761 and on 1 November approval was granted by my Department to Cavan County Council to begin seeking tenders for the construction of the proposed fire station at Virginia.
The projects in the capital programme will be reassessed on an annual basis and priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects.
221. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for the awarding of a contract and construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40993/16]
View answerThe provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects. In February 2016, My Department announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on the current annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres.
A fire station project in Ballyjamesduff is included in this programme under the list of priority projects to be progressed for 2018. Original project documentation including contract documents and a cost plan were received in my Department in 2011, indicating a total project cost of €828,887.
My Department is liaising with relevant local authorities to progress proposed projects in this programme within the indicated timescales. The projects in the capital programme will be reassessed on an annual basis and priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects.
