Written Answers Nos. 245-265
245. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department will provide funding for a group water scheme (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2700/17]
View answerRusheen No. 3 Group Water Scheme was included by Kerry County Council in its bid under Measure 3 of the Rural Water Multi-Annual Programme 2016-2018 for funding those group water schemes in areas where a public scheme and private wells are not a viable option. However, following examination of all local authorities' proposals under this measure by the Expert Panel convened for this purpose, the Rusheen Group Water Scheme was not recommended for funding under the programme. A copy of the Expert Panel's report and consideration of all proposals under the Programme is 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.
246. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to create a link road between a sports centre (details supplied) and the Garrycastle area which would open up a massive land bank for the purpose of housing; and if there are no plans, if he will investigate this matter. [2749/17]
View answerI presume the Deputy is referring to proposals submitted by local authorities under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund. The aim of this 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 with 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. Westmeath County Council submitted a proposal in relation to Brawny, Athlone which includes the link road between the sports centre and the Garrycastle area.
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. Following completion of this analysis, I intend to announce successful applications during the first quarter of this year.
247. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans in respect of a new affordable housing scheme; when plans will be made public in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2793/17]
View answerAction 4.6 of Rebuilding Ireland provides for the introduction of an affordable rental scheme to enhance the capacity of the private rented sector to provide quality and affordable accommodation for households currently paying a disproportionate amount of disposable income on rent.
As set out in the recently published Strategy for the Rental Sector, this commitment is to be progressed through kick-starting supply in rent pressure zones. Lands held by local authorities in rent pressure zones are to be brought to market on a competitive tendering basis, with a view to leveraging the value of the land to deliver the optimum number of units for rent, targeting middle income households, in mixed tenure developments. The cost of providing rental units is to be permanently reduced by lowering the initial investment and development costs for providers - AHB or private - allowing the rental units to be made available at below market prices without the need for ongoing rental subsidies.
The local authorities concerned will identify a number of sites with the potential for up to 1,000 units of accommodation and will move forward, as soon as possible, to issue calls for proposals from parties interested in developing projects. As speed of delivery will be critically important, appropriate licence arrangements, incorporating clear timescales for delivery, will be a key feature of the process.
This programme is being co-ordinated with the dedicated measures in Rebuilding Ireland to accelerate housing output from the Major Urban Housing Delivery Sites, including support from the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) where necessary. Possible project locations include O Devaney Gardens and Oscar Traynor Road in Dublin. In tandem, new-build rental accommodation is also to be provided in the major build-to-rent projects planned for strategic development zones and other large sites in Dublin and other locations, such as Cherrywood in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council area.
249. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views regarding the range of flexibility afforded within the operation of the pyrite remediation scheme in relation to adding on properties to be remediated as part of particular phases, in the interests of co-ordinated development and securing economies of scale (details supplied). [2810/17]
View answerThe Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister, I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. The Board may be contacted by phone at Lo call 1890 252842 or by email to info@pyriteboard.ie.
However, it is important to note that section 14(5) of the Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides that the Board, having regard to the need to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of the funds available to the pyrite remediation scheme, may arrange dwellings into groups for the purpose of a programme of pyrite remediation.
250. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if an application for funding in respect of the phase 2 Clúid housing project for Letterfrack has been approved; if not, when it is likely this application will be considered and a decision made on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2859/17]
View answerThe assessment of a proposal for the provision of 11 new social units by Cluid Housing Association, as a second phase development at Letterfrack, County Galway, will be finalised shortly. I therefore expect to be in a position to convey a decision to Galway County Council within the next two weeks.
251. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if there will be any change in national policy to support more sewerage schemes in 2017 (details supplied); and if he will provide support to an application by Westmeath County Council for the Marlinstown sewerage scheme in view of the fact that this application meets all the criteria and is shovel ready. [2860/17]
View answerMy Department’s new Rural Water Multi-annual Programme 2016-2018 was developed through a working group of key stakeholders involving local authorities, the Water Services Transition Office, Irish Water, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes as well as my Department. The programme provides for the funding of demonstration Group Sewerage Schemes, through Measure 4(d), where clustering of households on individual septic tanks is not a viable option, particularly from an environmental perspective.
Local authorities were invited in January 2016 to submit bids under the programme. The invitation envisaged no more than two demonstration sewerage projects being brought forward under the measure in any one year of the three year programme. The demonstrations will allow, over the course of the programme, my Department to determine the appropriate enduring funding levels and relationship with the current grant scheme.
Marlinstown Group Sewerage Scheme was included by Westmeath County Council in its bid under Measure 4(d) of the Programme. However, following examination of all local authorities’ proposals under this measure by the Expert Panel convened for this purpose, the scheme was not recommended for funding under the Programme. A copy of the Expert Panel’s report and consideration of all proposals under the Programme is available on my Department’s website at the following link –
http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues.
252. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when he expects the Mulcahy report into allegations made concerning certain planning matters in County Donegal to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2892/17]
View answerMy Department appointed Senior Counsel on a non-statutory basis in September 2015 to prepare a review report in relation to planning matters in Donegal. Senior Counsel was originally due to submit a review report to my predecessor by end-October 2015; however, further interactions and clarifications sought with regard to the scope and nature of the review resulted in delays to its conclusion.
These clarifications have now been provided and I expect Senior Counsel to complete his independent review as soon as possible over the coming months. While I intend to publish the report after having considered its contents, I will only be in a position to confirm this after I have received the report and fully considered it.
253. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the cost to his Department in defending judicial review proceedings taken in relation to his use of section 31 of the Planning and Development Acts from 2010 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2893/17]
View answerIn relation to judicial review proceedings concerning decisions by me as Minister to direct planning authorities on the content of their development plans, one case was settled but legal costs arising have not yet been determined. A further two cases have not yet been heard by the High Court, and so costs are not yet known.
254. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of Secretaries General in his Department; the annual pay of each Secretary General within his Department at 1 Jan 2017; the expected change in that pay as a consequence of the provisions of the Lansdowne Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2907/17]
View answer255. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of assistant secretaries general in his Department; the annual pay of each assistant secretary general within his Department at 1 January 2017; the expected change in that pay as a consequence of the provisions of the Lansdowne Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2923/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 255 together.
There are one Secretary General and 6 Assistant Secretaries General in my Department, along with 2 further Assistant Secretary General equivalent posts. The current pay scales for both grades are available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at https://civilservicepayscales.per.gov.ie/.
Under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015 (FEMPI), for those on salaries in excess of €110,000 the salary reductions imposed under the FEMPI Act 2013 will be restored in three equal phases on 1 April 2017, 1 April 2018 and 1 April 2019. A circular setting out the revised salary rates applicable from 1 April 2017 to general Civil Service grades, including Secretaries General and Assistant Secretaries General, is currently in preparation and will be issued by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in due course.
256. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to help reduce financing costs for the construction industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2955/17]
View answer257. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to help reduce input costs for the construction industry; the way in which such costs are tracked by his Department; the targets his Department is working to in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2957/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.
Under Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, the Government is committed to a broad range of measures to tackle, among other things, some of the costs associated with the provision of housing in the interests of reducing construction overheads. This includes undertaking a detailed analysis, in conjunction with the construction sector, to benchmark housing delivery input costs in Ireland, in order to facilitate an increased level of housing output into the future. A working group, chaired by my Department, with a broad range of industry representatives has been established. The first meeting took place in December and there is another meeting scheduled to take place this week. While it is intended that the working group will concentrate on the domestic market, the Housing Agency is currently advancing an independent review and analysis of delivery costs and international comparisons. Both studies are expected to be complete in the first half of 2017.
My Department has also input into work led by the Department of Finance in relation to construction costs, which was undertaken under the Construction 2020 Strategy. In addition, costs are examined in the context of proposed legislative changes, particularly in relation to Building Regulations, and a cost benefit analysis and regulatory impact analysis is carried out on any proposed amendments.
Further measures taken by my Department to bring down the cost of providing housing and reduce the amount of finance required include the €200 million Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), which will provide much-needed enabling infrastructure on key sites to open up lands for development from early 2017 onwards.
In addition, the NTMA, through the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), is developing proposals to offer competitive financing on a commercial basis, and in line with ISIF’s statutory mandate, to meet other infrastructure requirements on large development sites.
258. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the supports he will introduce for landlords in 2017. [2970/17]
View answerOn 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 overarching objective of the strategy is to increase security and supply and support the development of a stable, strong and viable rental sector offering choice for households, investment opportunities for providers and reflecting the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords.
The measures under these four headings will be implemented through the 29 act ions contained in the Strategy. Action 9 commits to the establishment of a working group on the tax and fiscal treatment of rental accommodation providers. The working group will examine and report on the tax treatment of landlords and put forward options, where identified and appropriate, for amendment to such tax treatment. The first meeting of the working group took place on 19 January 2017.
In addition, the Rental Strategy contains a number of actions of importance to landlords, which will be implemented in 2017. These include the introduction of unfurnished lettings in the case of long leases, a fast track process for effective termination procedures in cases of non-payment of rent and measures to improve the enforcement of Determination Orders issued by the Residential Tenancies Board and reduce the time taken for dispute resolution. The RTB will also establish a one stop shop for information on the Residential Tenancies Act and a voluntary accreditation scheme for landlords.
259. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the procedure whereby contractors, whether commercial or not for profit, can bid for contracts for the delivery of rapid build housing in Dublin, as outlined in the Government's housing action plan. [3059/17]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for the provision of funding for social housing construction projects delivered through local authorities and approved housing bodies. As they are the delivery agents for social housing, they conduct the procurement exercises for the projects, including rapid build/delivery solutions. Contractors, whether commercial or not for profit, are welcome to compete for these construction projects as and when they are advertised. All notices in relation to procurement are advertised on eTenders and, where required, in the EU Journal.
In addition, the Office of Government Procurement, has established a national multi-party framework agreement for the provision of rapid delivery housing projects. This was set up following a pre-tender Request for Information exercise with the market, a tendering process and two bidders briefing sessions, all of which occurred in 2016. Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies and other Framework Clients may award contracts under the Framework Agreement in accordance with the rules set out in the Agreement.
262. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the position regarding the Carlow boundary report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3134/17]
View answerIn June 2015, an independent statutory Committee was appointed to carry out a review of local government boundaries in Athlone, Carlow, Drogheda and Waterford. In each case, the committee was asked to carry out a review of the boundary between the respective local authorities and to make recommendations with respect to those boundaries and any consequential matters that they consider necessary in the interests of effective local government.
The report in relation to Carlow was submitted to me in late December 2016. I will be considering it along with the other boundary reports, which I intend to address as part of the overall report on local government matters to be submitted to Government and the Oireachtas in mid-2017 under the Programme for a Partnership Government.
263. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of applications to the pyrite remedial scheme, by county, in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of applications which were approved and rejected, by county and by year; the number of repairs completed, in process and scheduled, by county and by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3142/17]
View answerThe Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope to dwellings which have significant damage attributable to pyritic heave.
The latest figures available from the Pyrite Resolution Board indicate that 1,498 applications have been received under the pyrite remediation scheme (620 in 2014, 373 in 2015 and 505 in 2016 respectively) as set out in the following Table:-
|
- |
Dublin City |
Dun Laoghaire |
Fingal |
Kildare |
Meath |
Offaly |
South Dublin |
|
Application: Stage 1 |
2 |
3 |
126 |
2 |
34 |
7 |
1 |
|
Verification: Stage 2 |
0 |
0 |
90 |
0 |
38 |
1 |
0 |
|
Remedial Works Plan: Stage 3 |
3 |
4 |
147 |
0 |
46 |
1 |
0 |
|
Tendering: Stage 4 |
7 |
0 |
70 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Decision to Contract: Stage 5 |
0 |
0 |
2 6 |
0 |
18 |
0 |
0 |
|
Remediation: Stage 6 |
0 |
0 |
205 |
2 |
35 |
0 |
0 |
|
Retention: Stage 7 |
4 |
3 |
242 |
8 |
12 7 |
9 |
11 |
|
Closed: Stage 8 |
29 |
10 |
1011 |
21 |
389 |
26 |
12 |
There were 77 unsuccessful applicants.
Ultimately, the Board, together with the Housing Agency, will arrange for all eligible dwellings to be remediated to a high standard and at no additional cost to the affected homeowners. Remediation works will continue to be carried out at the earliest possible opportunity having regard to the existing demands of the scheme and the optimum use of available resources.
264. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of legal proceedings currently ongoing with the Pyrite Resolution Board, indicating the builders and developers that are in this process; the number of legal proceedings completed with the Pyrite Resolution Board, indicating the builders and developers and the amounts awarded to the PRB as contributions towards remedial works that were agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3143/17]
View answerThe Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions, and as Minister, I have no role in the operational matters pertaining to the implementation of the scheme. The Board may be contacted by phone at Lo call 1890 252842 or by email to info@pyriteboard.ie.
265. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to lower the damage rating for eligibility for remedial works for pyrite-affected homes; his further plans to assist home owners in accessing engineer reports on whether pyrite is present in a property and the extent to which it is present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3144/17]
View answerThe Report of the Pyrite Panel (June 2012) recommended a categorisation system as a means of prioritising pyrite remediation works in recognition of the expensive and intrusive nature of pyrite remediation and the unpredictability of pyritic heave. The independent Pyrite Panel was clear in its view that only dwellings with significant damage due to pyritic heave (i.e. red category) should be remediated and that it would be unreasonable to expect dwellings not exhibiting such damage to be remediated. Dwellings which have no significant damage but have reactive pyrite in the hardcore material (i.e. amber category) should be monitored and only remediated if they display significant damage due to pyritic heave. This remains the position with regard to dwellings, which do not display significant pyritic damage.
In response to this recommendation, I.S. 398-1:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1: Testing and Categorisation was published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland in late January 2013, and provides the means by which dwellings, which may be affected by pyrite can be tested and categorised. In broad terms, the national standard sets out a two-step process to facilitate the testing and categorisation of dwellings.
The first step requires that a Building Condition Assessment be carried out; this comprises a desktop study and a visual non-invasive internal and external inspection of a dwelling to establish the presence or absence of visible damage that is consistent with pyritic heave and to quantify the extent and significance of such damage in that dwelling. Damage ratings of 0, 1 or 2 can be assigned to a dwelling under this process.
The second step involves the sampling and testing of the sub-floor hardcore material and is informed by the assignment of the Damage Condition Rating under the Building Condition Assessment process. At the conclusion of this two-step process, buildings may be categorised under I.S. 398-1:2013 into four categories which are broadly consistent with the traffic light system that was used by the Pyrite Panel as a means of prioritising pyrite remediation works.
The Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme by the Pyrite Resolution Board for certain dwellings affected by significant pyrite damage. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme, which is available on the Board’s website (www.pyriteboard.ie ).
The scheme is applicable to dwellings which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013. It is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a Damage Condition Rating of 2. Dwellings which do not have a Damage Condition Rating of 2 are not eligible to apply under the scheme. There are no proposals to amend eligibility criteria.
In late 2015, the National Standards Authority of Ireland commenced a review of I.S. 398-1:2013 in the light of practical experience since the standard was first introduced in January 2013. The standard is being updated and revised to reflect the on-site experiences and evidence gathered by technical experts, such as engineers, geologists, professionals providing sampling and testing services and other technical experts, who have been using the standard over the past four years. A public consultation was announced on the revision of I.S. 398-1:2013, which closed on 17 December 2016. My Department understands that it is anticipated that the revised standard will be published later this year.
