Written Answers Nos. 1 - 28
11. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the rationale for reconsidering the implementation of a deposit protection scheme under the control of the Residential Tenancies Board; the details of any lobbying from landlords regarding control of deposits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2179/17]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 provides for, among other things, the establishment of a tenancy deposit protection scheme to be operated by the Residential Tenancies Board.
Indecon Consultants were originally appointed to carry out the research on the development of a deposit retention scheme and they reported in November 2012. The provisions in the 2015 Act were developed subsequently, informed by their analysis. However, a lot has changed in the rental market since the scheme was first envisaged. The scheme was originally intended to be financed by the interest payable on deposits lodged; this is no longer viable in the current market. Furthermore, disputes relating to deposits are no longer the most common dispute type referred to the RTB. In 2015, deposit retention at 22% was the third most common dispute type referred to the Board, behind invalid notice of termination at 23% and rent arrears and over-holding at 32%.
While the Government is fully committed to the principle of ensuring effective protection of deposits, it is now proposed that the current legislative provisions be reviewed to take account of the changed circumstances and determine what improvements should be made to ensure that the scheme, when introduced, can operate effectively.
The development of the Strategy for the Rental Sector was supported by a stakeholder consultation workshop and an online consultation process which received close to 500 submissions. Many stakeholders, including landlords, contributed to both processes and their views were taken into account in the formulation of the actions in the Strategy.
The review of the scheme will take place this year with any necessary legislative changes to be included in the general scheme of a Residential Tenancies Bill which, under the Strategy for the Rental Sector, is to be brought forward by end 2017.
12. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the extent to which the housing needs as reflected in the waiting lists of the various local authorities are being met in line with requirements; the extent to which waiting lists have been reduced; if adequate provision in terms of emergency housing accommodation has become available or is becoming available; if he envisages the need for an emergency housing plan whereby rapid build housing techniques are employed with particular reference to the need to achieve targets in line with the urgency of the situation in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2134/17]
View answerThe results of the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments carried out in 2016 were published last month and show that there were 91,600 households on local authority housing waiting lists as at 21 September 2016. This figure represents an increase of 1,728 households, or 1.9%, on the 89,872 households recorded in the last summary which was carried out in May 2013. The results of the 2016 Summary are available on my Department’s website.
Rebuilding Ireland – An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, published in July 2016, sets out the Government’s approach to addressing the current challenges in the housing sector. Delivering on the ambitious targets set out in Rebuilding Ireland, including the commitment to deliver an additional 47,000 social housing units by 2021 and an accelerated roll-out of the Housing Assistance Payment over the same period, will address the needs of households on waiting lists. The 2016 Summary results will be used this year to inform the setting by my Department of social housing targets on a county by county basis for the period covered by the Action Plan.
Rebuilding Ireland also aims to address the unacceptable level of homeless families and persons in long-term emergency accommodation through the implementation of a range of measures, including the rapid-delivery housing programme.
It is important to note that rapid delivery housing needs to be viewed in the context of the wider range of solutions to address the high number of families currently being housed in emergency accommodation. These include the Housing Agency Programme to acquire 1,600 vacant units and the expanded HAP Homeless Pilot Scheme in Dublin, under which the target of 550 tenancies for 2016 was exceeded and a further 1,200 tenancies are targeted for 2017 across the greater Dublin region. While confirmed details are awaited from local authorities, it can be expected that at least 2,700 exits from homelessness will be achieved nationally in 2016, compared with 2,322 in 2015.
13. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of households and the equivalent number of persons that are in receipt of rent supplement, HAP and RAS in Galway city and county; the cost of rent supplement, HAP and RAS in Galway city and county for 2015 and 2016; the number of households that have had their rent increased above the prescribed rent supplement; the breakdown of one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom and so on of those households; the monetary value of those increases in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2175/17]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) which has been rolled out to local authorities on a phased basis was commenced in the Galway County Council administrative area on 16 November 2015 and in the Galway City Council administrative area on 1 February 2016. As HAP is rolled out nationally and replaces Rent Supplement for households with a long-term housing need, the number of households transferring to the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) will decrease. In the meantime, RAS continues to be an effective and secure form of social housing support that local authorities have been utilising in order to secure additional social housing.
In relation to HAP, at the end of 2015, seven households were being supported by HAP in the Galway County administrative area at a total cost of €548 in that year. At the end of 2016, an additional 381 households were supported by HAP in the administrative area of Galway County Council, with a provisional cost of €734,177 for the full year.
336 households were supported by HAP in the administrative area of Galway City Council at a provisional cost of €650,542 at the end of 2016, which was the first year of the scheme’s operation in the city.
In relation to RAS, at the end of 2015, 420 households were supported by RAS in Galway City with a further 391 households supported in the Galway County area. To end November 2016, a further 48 households had been transferred to RAS in Galway City and 21 new transfers to RAS in Galway County during 2016. The final number of households supported in 2016 in these two local authorities is being collated and will be provided on my Department’s website along with the figures for all other local authorities once available.
The cost of RAS in Galway City was €3.8m and €3.6m in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The cost of RAS in Galway County was €2.15m and €2.03m in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Details on the number of persons in each household supported by any of social housing schemes funded by my Department are not held by my Department; these would be a matter for the local authorities concerned.
Information relating to the cost of, and tenancies supported by, Rent Supplement is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
14. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will bring forward the implementation of the vacant site levy and commence it immediately; if he will raise the vacant site levy to 10%; his views on the recently published vacant sites register for Dublin in which all of the entries were left blank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2174/17]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced a new measure, the vacant site levy, which is aimed at incentivising the development of vacant or under-utilised sites in urban areas.
Under the Act, planning authorities are required to establish a register of vacant sites in their areas, beginning on 1 January 2017, and to issue annual notices to owners of vacant sites by 1 June 2018 in respect of vacant sites on the register on 1 January 2018. The levy will be applied by planning authorities, commencing on 1 January 2019, in respect of sites which were vacant and on the vacant site register during the preceding year (i.e. 2018 ) and will subsequently be applied on an annual basis thereafter, as long as a site remains on the vacant site register in the preceding year.
The timeframes set out in the legislation in relation to the commencement of the application of the levy are based on legal advice in relation to the constitutional rights of property owners and are intended to allow site owners sufficient time and opportunity to initiate development on their sites, or alternatively to sell their sites, in order to avoid becoming liable for the levy.
Planning authorities are empowered to apply an annual vacant site levy of 3% of the market value of vacant sites exceeding 0.05 hectares (or 500 square metres) in area - with reduced or zero rates of levy applying in specific circumstances – which, in the planning authority’s opinion, were vacant or idle in the preceding year, in areas identified by the planning authority in its development plan or local area plan for residential or regeneration development. The 3% rate of vacant site levy is consistent with the rate applied to derelict sites under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 and is considered reasonable, without being over-punitive, for the purposes of incentivising the activation of such sites for residential or regeneration purposes.
I have no proposals to amend the existing legislative provisions relating to the vacant site levy in relation to the timeframes for implementation or the rate of the levy to be applied as proposed.
My Department issued general guidance to planning authorities in July 2016 on the implementation of the vacant site levy. I understand that planning authorities are engaging in the necessary preparatory work, including the variation of development plans and the identification of specific vacant sites for entry on the register. My Department will monitor the implementation of the levy provisions to ensure that it is being fully used in line with its intended purpose.
15. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if will he engage with Meath County Council to fund the plans for the development of the proposed library in Ballivor, County Meath, and support the community to realise these plans drafted nearly ten years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2016/17]
View answerThe 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. Accordingly, the development of the proposed library in Ballivor is primarily a matter for Meath County Council.
In January 2016, my Department announced a new Libraries Capital Investment Programme for the period 2016-2021 to support the development of priority capital projects submitted by local authorities. The programme was developed on the basis of priority proposals submitted by local authorities and will invest €22m in 16 or so projects as well as 23 pilot sites for My Open Libraries over its lifetime. The development of Ballivor library was not submitted as a priority by Meath County Council and, accordingly, was not considered for funding as part of the capital programme.
16. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the quality of emergency accommodation for homeless persons and families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2183/17]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. In accordance with section 37(2) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services, including the provision of good quality accommodation, rests with individual housing authorities. The matter raised in the Question is an operational issue in the day-to-day delivery of services and is therefore a matter for individual housing authorities in the first instance, working in conjunction with the range of homeless services providers engaged in the provision and management of emergency accommodation.
My Department understands that enhanced National Quality Standards for Homeless Services are currently being developed by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive on behalf of all local authorities. A national advisory group has been in place since 2014 with representation from non-governmental homelessness service providers, the Health Service Executive, Tusla, etc. as well as the housing authorities. Draft standards were piloted in services in four of the nine homeless regions during 2016 and it is expected that they will be implemented nationally in the first half of this year.
17. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the impact a company (details supplied) is having on the housing and homeless crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38848/16]
View answerIn publishing the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, the Government has set out a practical and readily implementable set of actions to create a functioning and sustainable housing system. The Plan is available at the website www.rebuildingireland.ie. The Plan is divided into five pillars, with each targeting a specific area of the housing system for attention.
On 13 December 2016 , Government approved the publication of a Strategy for the Rental Sector, which delivers on a commitment made under Pillar 4 of Rebuilding Ireland. The strategy is structured around 4 key areas: security, standards, supply and services. The measures under these four headings will be implemented through the 29 actions contained in the Strategy.
In terms of supply, the focus in the strategy is on maintaining existing levels of rental stock and encouraging investment in additional supply. The overarching objective of the strategy is to increase supply and support the development of a stable, strong and viable rental sector offering true choice for households, investment opportunities for providers and reflecting the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.
There are shortages in the supply of rental accommodation in key locations, particularly in urban areas. In some of these areas there is also significant demand for transitory short-term accommodation. In this context easier access to short term rentals at higher prices may be an attractive option for landlords.
However, a recent determination by An Bord Pleanala in a particular case has determined that the exclusive use of a residential apartment for short-term holiday lettings is a material change of use requiring planning permission.
My Department has, by way of Circular letter PL12/2016 of 22 December 2016, brought this determination to the attention of all planning authorities to ensure that they are aware of:
- the grounds on which the Board reached its decision,
- the planning implications in terms of the requirement for such commercial use of residential units to be the subject of an application for planning permission, and
- the importance of a proactive approach to planning enforcement generally in this regard.
The implications of this case have raised a number of regulatory and other related issues, such as tax liability, residential tenancy regulation, support for tourism, and planning. With a view to providing full clarity regarding the appropriate regulatory approach to be adopted by relevant statutory authorities in relation to short-term tourism-related lettings, and as provided for in the recently published Strategy for the Rental Sector, my Department is establishing a working group, comprising representatives of relevant stakeholders including local authorities, relevant Departments, public bodies and other interests in the area, to consider the disparate issues involved and report in Quarter 2 2017.
18. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the proposed uses for public expenditure on housing under the Rebuilding Ireland plan, including the amount that is earmarked for the construction of new State owned local authority housing and the amount that will be paid in subsidies to private landlords and developers through schemes such as HAP, SHCEP and Part V. [2184/17]
View answerTo support the implementation of the Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, I have secured €5.35 billion in Exchequer investment to deliver 47,000 social housing units through build, refurbishment, acquisitions and leasing, over the period to 2021.
This €5.35 billion investment comprises some €4.5 billion in capital funding and €844 million in support of programmes funded from current expenditure. The bulk of this funding is earmarked to support local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies in providing social housing. Funding for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), under which accommodation is sourced from private landlords, is determined on an annual basis as part of the Estimates process, covering the costs of those already accommodated through the schemes and the costs of new households accommodated in the year in question.
Of the 47,000 social housing units to be delivered under Rebuilding Ireland, it is estimated that 26,000 will be constructed, while 11,000 will be acquired by local authorities, AHBs and the Housing Agency, with a portion of these being newly built units, including over 2,000 newly constructed units obtained by local authorities under Part V. 10,000 units will be leased by local authorities and AHBs.
The exact blend of delivery of new social housing units between new builds and acquisitions will depend on a range of factors including, for example, the level of general new housing that is delivered and which in turn, generates Part V units. My Department will continue to engage with local authorities on an ongoing basis in this regard.
19. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to allow rural dwellers who supply their own water to be able to apply for a subsidy from the Government in respect of water charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38583/16]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to individual domestic water supplies more commonly known as private wells.
Funding is available under my Department’s Rural Water Programme towards the provision or necessary improvement of private wells. Local authorities were informed of the introduction of the grant scheme and the criteria to be met by way of Circular Letter L8/97 of April 1997. The terms and conditions of the scheme are set out in an Explanatory Memorandum which is available from the local authorities and on my Department’s website, the link for which will be circulated with the Official Report:http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/private-wells.
While my Department recoups funding under the Rural Water Programme to local authorities who administer the programme for the grant scheme for the provision or necessary improvement of private wells there is no subsidy scheme for the ongoing operation of this type of water supply.
Under the Confidence and Supply Arrangement, agreed in the context of facilitating a minority government, the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2016 provides for the suspension of domestic water charges for a period of nine months from 1 July 2016. This period of suspension of charges is to allow for an ongoing deliberation process to be undertaken on the future funding model for domestic public water and waste water services. Other water elements contained in the Arrangement which relate to rural water, relate to the restoration of subsidies to Group Water Schemes to pre-2015 levels for the suspension period, multi-annual funding for the Rural Water Programmes and revised grant levels to new group water schemes and for the refurbishment of private wells.
I am pleased to say that the subsidies to Group Water Schemes have been restored to the pre-2015 levels for the suspension period, multi-annual funding for the Rural Water Programme which includes revised grant levels for new group water schemes, is in place, and examination by my Department of the grant levels for private wells is well advanced.
20. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has met the groups representing the Home Sweet Home movement since their occupation of Apollo House; if he is in contact with the Irish Housing Network; the collaborative work he and his officials will undertake with this group over the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2018/17]
View answerDuring the course of the occupation of Apollo House, my primary focus was the welfare of homeless individuals accommodated there and I sought to facilitate their transition to alternative accommodation where appropriate support services could be accessed to meet their short and long-term needs. Together with officials of my Department and Dublin City Council, I met with various individuals and groupings involved with a view to achieving that aim. I will continue to liaise with a range of stakeholders on an on-going basis in relation to issues concerning homelessness.
21. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of houses built, purchased and allocated to tenants by each of the local authorities in the greater Dublin area in the past 12 months to date; the number of houses under construction in the same areas during the same period and now ready for occupation; the number of local authority loans issued during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2135/17]
View answerUnder my Department’s Social Housing Capital Investment and Social Housing Current Expenditure Programmes, funding is provided to local authorities to deliver additional social housing stock through new construction projects and through the acquisition of new and previously owned houses/apartments. Details on the number of properties constructed and purchased by all local authorities, including all four Dublin Local Authorities for letting to those on their social housing waiting lists are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
Information on the full year of 2016 is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.
Details of projects under construction, by local authority area and approved housing body where applicable, are available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/attachments/1a3-sh-approvals-2015-2016.xlsx.
All of these projects are now at various stages of advancement through the 4 stage approval process, some of which having progressed through all stages and are now on site.
My Department does not hold information on the allocation of social housing supports to households on the waiting list. The allocation of such support is a matter for each housing authority in accordance with its allocation scheme made under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.
The total amount of house purchase loans issued by each local authority in the Dublin area in Q1-Q3 2016 is shown in the following table. Local Authorities in the Dublin area issued house purchase loans totalling €2,589,700 during the period 1 January 2016 to 30 September 2016. Data for Q4 2016 is not yet available.
Local Authority Loans Paid
|
Local Authority |
2016 - Q3 |
|
|
County Council |
Number |
Value (€) |
|
DL/Rathdown |
0 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
13 |
1,938,100 |
|
South Dublin |
2 |
250,000 |
|
City Council |
||
|
Dublin City Council |
3 |
401,600 |
|
Total |
18 |
2,589,700 |
22. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of the proposed 200 rapid build homes that were delivered in Q4 2016 with regard to action 1.1 of his housing plan Rebuilding Ireland; the specific plans to deliver a further 800 of these homes in 2017, by scheme, in tabular form; the current stage of development of each scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2022/17]
View answer41. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason just 22 of the 300 promised modular housing units were completed before the end of 2016; if he has directed local authorities to build permanent homes on these sites as a matter of urgency; his views on final housing output figures for 2016 and expected output in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2019/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 41 together.
My Department is working closely with the four Dublin local authorities in relation to the Rapid Delivery Programme. At the end of 2016, a total of 350 rapid build homes were advancing through various stages of delivery, including construction, with 22 rapid build homes being delivered and occupied in 2016. A further 650 rapid build homes will be advanced in 2017, with another 500 units to be delivered in 2018.
In terms of specific progress at the end of 2016, Dublin City Council were advancing a number of rapid build projects, including on four sites at Finglas, Darndale, Cherry Orchard and Drimnagh, which are under construction and will deliver a further 131 homes over the coming months. My Department is working closely with the Council to expedite delivery.
In addition to these four projects, further work across the four local authorities has resulted in the 350 rapid build homes, referred to above, advancing through various stages of delivery by the end of the 2016. The additional sites in question are in Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire, Cherry Orchard, Tallaght, Blanchardstown and Balbriggan. Construction dates will be finalised in the context of completion of procurement and award of contracts. In addition, sites are being identified and planning requirements advanced for a further 650 rapid build homes in 2017, across the 4 Dublin local authority areas and other local authority areas across the country. This will ensure that the commitment in Rebuilding Ireland to deliver 1,000 rapid build homes over 2016 and 2017 is met. It is important to note that the units being delivered are permanent, high quality homes, with 60 year life guarantees.
There has been significant pressure to ramp-up rapid build delivery, which local authorities have been responding to positively. However, there are requirements, such as in relation to procurement, that must be adhered to and in some instances this has caused delays. Notwithstanding this, I am confident that all parties are endeavouring to move the programme forward speedily. Of particular note is the establishment of a framework of rapid build contractors by the Office of Government Procurement, which means that local authorities will be able to run quicker procurement competitions and advance projects to site more efficiently and effectively.
Finally, it is important to note that rapid delivery needs to be viewed in the context of the wider range of solutions to address the unacceptable level of families in emergency accommodation. These include the Housing Agency Programme to acquire 1,600 vacant units and the expanded HAP Homeless Pilot Scheme in Dublin, where some 800 homeless HAP tenancies were entered into and a further 1,200 tenancies are targeted for 2017 across the greater Dublin region. Overall, the significant programme of actions underway has resulted in an estimated 2,700 exits from homelessness being achieved nationally in 2016, a significant increase on the comparable figure of 2,322 in 2015.
23. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has had any discussion with the Minister for Social Protection on the inclusion of FIS as a reckonable payment for local authority rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36048/16]
View answerThe making and amending of rent schemes is the responsibility of local authorities as an integral part of their housing management functions, subject to broad principles laid down by my Department in Circular letter HRT 3/2002 of 6 March 2002. It is a matter for local authorities, when assessing individual households, to consider whether rents payable are in accordance with the authority’s rent scheme. Therefore, decisions on whether or not to disregard either a proportion of income or particular sources of income, such as Family Income Supplement (FIS), for the purposes of calculating rents are matters for each individual local authority in accordance with their own rent scheme. Consequently, I have not had any discussions to date with the Minister for Social Protection on the matter.
Section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 allows the Minister to make regulations in respect of various matters to be included in a rent scheme, including the sources of household income that may be assessed for the purpose of determining rent levels. Considerable work has been carried out by my Department in developing a draft framework for a harmonisation of the approach to be taken by local authorities in regard to various aspects of rent schemes. This includes providing for a common set of income disregards to be applied by all housing authorities in determining a household’s assessable income for rent calculation purposes. These proposals are now being examined further in the light of the broader commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, to review the disparate systems of differential rents for social housing in place across local authorities to ensure that housing supports are fair and sustainable, prioritise those on lowest incomes and avoid creating social welfare traps that may prevent people from either returning to work or to the private housing market.
As part of this review process, which I expect to be completed before the end of Quarter 2 2017, my Department will directly engage with key stakeholders, including other relevant Government Departments such as the Department of Social Protection, to seek their views on particular aspects of the current differential rents schemes in place across the country.
24. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider initiating discussions with the Minister for Finance with a view to suspending the proposed NAMA plan to build 20,000 houses by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2173/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the root cause of the very challenging housing crisis lies in a chronic under-supply of housing across all tenures. The key objective of the Government's Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, available at http://rebuildingireland.ie/Rebuilding%20Ireland_Action%20Plan.pdf, is to increase and accelerate housing delivery, in general.
Rebuilding Ireland represents a whole-of-Government response to the issues in the housing market and is designed to stimulate housing supply and remove many of the barriers to a normally functioning housing system. Oversight of implementation of the range of measures in the Action Plan is provided by the Cabinet Committee on Housing which is chaired by An Taoiseach and involves many key Ministers, including the Minister for Finance.
NAMA is making a very substantial contribution, on a commercial basis, to the increased supply of new homes through its residential delivery programme. Against the background of major supply shortage in urban areas, NAMA has undertaken to fund the delivery of up to 20,000 residential units by 2020. This represents an important element of overall housing supply and I have no plans to engage with the Minister for Finance in relation to its suspension.
It should be noted that residential developments funded by NAMA are subject to the same planning and regulatory requirements as all other developments. This includes policies relating to Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and as such, it is expected that a minimum of 10% of the anticipated output of this investment by NAMA, or about 2,000 units, will become available for social housing through this statutory mechanism over this period.
Furthermore, in terms of social housing provision, by the end of 2016, NAMA had delivered 2,378 residential units for social housing purposes to local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
Further information on NAMA’s contribution to meeting housing supply requirements is contained in its End of Year Review: 2016, which was published on 5 January, 2017 and can be accessed at: https://www.nama.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/NAMA_-_End_of_year_Review_2016.pdf
25. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the guidance that has been issued to local authorities with regard to the policy and procedural aspect of their housing role which will ensure effectiveness and consistency in local authority responses to victims of domestic violence; if he will ensure that local authorities are issued with guidelines on the way to allow for flexibility on issuing payments to those transitioning from an abusive situation in local authority areas where the HAP scheme has been rolled out; and if his Department plans to review and issue guidelines on the situation whereby local authorities do not consider women entitled to social housing if they jointly own a property with their abuser, regardless of the fact that this property is not available to them as they would not be safe there. [2140/17]
View answerIn line with commitments in Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness (Action 1.8) and the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021 (Action 2.300), my Department has issued guidance to all housing authorities in relation to assisting victims of domestic violence with emergency and long-term accommodation needs. The guidance can be accessed using the following link to my Department’s website: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/policy/homelessness.
It is expected that this guidance will be of assistance to local authorities in relation to their housing remit and will contribute towards ensuring an effective and consistent housing response for victims of domestic violence. The guidance covers a range of scenarios that may arise for victims of domestic violence in seeking social housing supports, including provisions around the use of the Housing Assistance Payment scheme, or the Rental Accommodation Scheme, where a victim has a joint interest in the family home, or ownership of alternative accommodation, but would otherwise qualify for social housing support.
26. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when his Department will prepare official guidelines to regulate solar energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2121/17]
View answerThere are no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar farms. Proposals for individual solar farm developments are subject to the statutory requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, in the same manner as other proposed developments. Planning applications are made to the relevant local planning authority with a right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, each planning authority’s development plan must set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned. Section 10 of the Act requires a development plan to include, inter alia, objectives for the provision or facilitation of the provision of infrastructure, including energy facilities and many local authorities have developed renewable energy strategies for their areas in this context.
In making decisions on planning applications, planning authorities and the Board must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the local development plan, any submissions or observations received and relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any relevant guidelines issued by my Department. Planning authorities must then make their own decisions, based on the specific merits or otherwise of individual planning applications.
I am satisfied that the planning code is sufficiently robust to facilitate the assessment of individual planning permission applications for solar farm developments. However, the matter will be kept under review, in consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, and his Department - which leads on renewable energy policy - in the context of the Government’s White Paper on Energy Policy, published in December 2015, the development of a Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework and the finalisation of a new support scheme for renewable electricity by his Department, expected in late 2017.
27. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the details and timeframe as to the way in which he plans to uphold his pledge to end the use of hotels and bed and breakfasts as emergency accommodation for families by the middle of 2017. [2141/17]
View answerRebuilding Ireland:Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness 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 as emergency accommodation for families. Full details and timeframes in relation to the range of actions to address family homelessness are set out in Rebuilding Ireland, which is available on the www.rebuildingireland.ie website.
The increases in Rent Supplement and Housing Assistance Payment levels from 1 July 201 6 will play an important role in the achievement of this overall objective, in terms of supporting families to remain in rented accommodation. However where families do find themselves in homelessness situations there are a range of solutions in place and bring progressed. These include the Housing Agency programme to acquire 1,600 units and the expanded HAP Homeless Pilot Scheme in Dublin, where some 800 homeless HAP tenancies were entered into by end-2016 and a further 1,200 tenancies are targeted for 2017 across the Dublin Region. A rapid-build programme is also in place, with over 350 rapid-build homes advancing at end-2016. My Department engages with the Dublin region local authorities on a regular and on-going basis in relation to the delivery of these initiatives.
Overall, it is important to note that the significant programme of actions underway has resulted in an estimated 2,700 exits from homelessness being achieved nationally in 2016, a significant increase on the comparable figure of 2,322 in 2015.
28. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has considered the effects of introducing staff-less hours to the public library service and the change of ethos this would potentially bring about across the 23 public libraries being mentioned under the scheme. [2169/17]
View answer33. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will cease the roll-out of staff-less library pilot schemes throughout the country due to concerns of workers that this scheme is precipitating a race to the bottom in terms of employment standards in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2017/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 33 together.
I have no plans to cease the roll-out of the My Open Library service. My Open Library seeks to enhance the library services available and to secure a flexible, responsive and ground-breaking service for as wide a range of users as possible. To this end, the service allows library members the freedom to use the library at times that suit them. It provides additional opening hours from 8am to 10pm, seven days-per-week, clearly enhancing the service for users and providing access for those who cannot avail of the library service during standard working hours.
I do not agree that My Open Library will precipitate a race to the bottom in terms of employment standards. Neither do I accept that it represents a change of ethos within the library service. As previously stated, there will be no reduction in staffing levels or staffed hours as a result of the service, nor will there be any change to the working terms and conditions of library staff. A professional and skilled library staff is vital for a successful library service. To this end, my Department is working with local authorities across a range of areas to enhance staffing resources, maximise staffed library hours and secure the highest possible service delivery for library users.
