Written Answers Nos. 301-312
301. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the income threshold limits for social housing applicant households for all local authorities, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4222/17]
View answerThe Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. A table setting out the details of the three bands and the limits currently applicable in each housing authority area is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/table_with 2016_income_limits.pdf.
The income bands are expressed in terms of a maximum net income threshold for a single-person household, with an allowance of 5% for each additional adult household member, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%; and 2.5% for each child, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%. The maximum net income threshold for a household in Co. Tipperary is therefore €30,000.
Income is defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy which was issued by the Minister under Regulation 17 of the 2011 Regulations. The policy sets out the manner in which housing authorities are to assess the means of any household seeking social housing support. Net income is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge. The policy defines the types of income to be taken into consideration when assessing eligibility for social housing support. Authorities do have discretion to disregard income that is considered to be temporary, short-term or once off in nature and which is outside the regular pattern of a person’s income.
The limits will continue to be kept under review by my Department, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda set out in the Social Housing Strategy 2020.
302. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will address concerns that local authority procurement processes are significantly delaying the provision of social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4223/17]
View answerProcurement in relation to social housing build developments, from pre-planning through to construction, arises primarily in relation to procurement of consultants and procurement of contractors. These procurement arrangements are the normal national and EU procurement requirements, as required by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of all publicly-funded capital projects. As major public sector bodies, local authorities deal with procurement on an ongoing basis across many areas of activity, not just social housing construction. Accordingly, they have a strong level of experience and expertise in the area of procurement.
However, I recognise that the ramping up of social housing activity in line with the targets of Rebuilding Ireland will create additional challenges for local authorities and AHBs. Accordingly, Rebuilding Ireland contains a commitment that the Housing Agency will establish a new Housing Procurement Unit to provide a procurement centre of excellence and advice in support of local authorities and AHBs in the accelerated delivery of their social housing programmes. The Procurement Unit has now been established and I look forward to the positive benefits it will bring in assisting social housing delivery.
308. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the funding and funding streams provided for the construction of a project (details supplied); if any public consultation on the project took place; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4287/17]
View answerI have no function in the matters raised which are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, as I understand that funding was provided for this project under the Rural Economic Development Zones initiative.
309. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the yield from motor tax for each year between 2013 to 2016, by each local authority area of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown and Dublin City Council, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4358/17]
View answerDublin City Council collects motor tax on behalf of South Dublin, Fingal and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils. A breakdown of the receipts between the individual authority areas is not available. Total gross motor tax receipts (including online receipts) for the Dublin area for the years requested are set out in the table.
|
Date |
Total Yield |
|
2013 |
€284,784,205 |
|
2014 |
€288,530,394 |
|
2015 |
€280,605,054 |
|
2016 |
€ 266,877,392 |
310. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the real need to develop facilities at Greencastle Harbour and Leenan Pier in County Donegal; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that his Department's funding system for piers and harbours severely curtails Donegal County Council's ability to carry out the necessary improvement works; and if he will urgently review this funding system. [4359/17]
View answerI have no function in relation to the provision of funding for individual piers and harbours. The funding for such infrastructural works is a matter for Donegal County Council, in the first instance.
311. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason responsibility to repair and maintain combined drains, private drains and connections were not transferred to Irish Water; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is causing significant distress to dwellers and home owners who are facing unfair financial liability for such repair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4415/17]
View answerWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for delivering public water services. Irish Water is also responsible for water services infrastructure including water supply pipes or drainage pipes extending from a waterworks or wastewater works to the curtilage of a private property.
Under sections 43 and 54 of the Water Services Act 2007, responsibility for maintenance and replacement of any water or wastewater pipes, connections or distribution systems that are located within the boundary of a private property rests with the owner. This was the position that pertained prior to the establishment of Irish Water, when individual local authorities held responsibility for public water services and infrastructure.
While the legal position is set out in the 2007 Act, my Department is engaging with Irish Water to set out clearly the responsibilities of Irish Water and property owners in relation to water supply and wastewater infrastructure.
312. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that all homeless persons, regardless of the location in which they live or their family status, will have access to a key worker or similar support, in view of the fact this is a crucial service in order to help persons get back on their feet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4479/17]
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. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related homeless services rests with individual housing authorities. My Department has no function in relation to operational issues such as those outlined in the Question. The Health Service Executive also oversees the provision of health and social care supports for homeless individuals.
