Pat Deering
Question:253. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the application for additional classrooms for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5966/17]
View answerSchool Accommodation Provision
Questions (253)
Written answers
I wish to confirm to the Deputy that the school in question has submitted an application to my Department for capital funding for additional accommodation. The application will be considered and a decision conveyed to the school authority when this process has been completed.
Third Level Staff
Questions (254)
Clare Daly
Question:254. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the diminishing of terms and conditions of employment of both academic and administrative staff in Trinity College (details supplied); and if so, his plans regarding same. [6004/17]
View answerWritten answers
In line with the Universities Act, 1997, third-level institutions have autonomy in relation to human resource policies, subject to compliance with Government policy in respect of employment numbers and pay policy. Employers in the higher education sector are also required to operate in accordance with the provisions of national industrial relations agreements. My Department is not aware of any instance in which Trinity College Dublin is not operating in accordance with good practice in relation to work and contract conditions. In the event that a union has concerns regarding work and contract conditions among staff in any university, that union can seek to have the matter addressed using the dispute resolution procedures provided for in the Haddington Road Agreement, and any individuals who have issues of dispute have a variety of dispute resolution options open to them.
Emergency Works Scheme Funding
Questions (255)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:255. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will provide financial assistance for remedial works to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6048/17]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that an Emergency Works Scheme application from the school in question is under consideration in my Department. A decision will issue directly to the Board of Management in this matter as soon as possible.
Oideachas Riachtanas Speisialta
Questions (256)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:256. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an gcuirfear múinteoireacht tacaíochta ar fáil sa Bhéarla, sa Ghaeilge agus sa Mhatamaitic i ngach scoil Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoil mar chuid de na socruithe nua atá ag teacht isteach maidir le tacaíocht foghlama agus acmhainní; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [6075/17]
View answerWritten answers
Beidh an Teachta feasach gur fhógair mé ar an ochtú lá déag d’Éanair go gcuirfear múnla nua chun acmhainní múinteoireachta don oideachas speisialta a dháileadh ar bhunscoileanna agus ar iar- bhunscoileanna príomhshrutha. Bheartaigh grúpa oibre a chuir an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Um Oideachas Speisialta, an múnla dháilidh nua ar bun, agus deineadh tuilleadh forbartha air ag an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna in éineacht le tuistí, oidí, ionadaí ó eagraíochtaí míchumais, agus páirtithe eile sa chóras oideachais.
Chuaigh an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna agus an Chomhairle Naisiúnta Um Oideachas Speisialta i gcomhairle le raon leathan páirtithe, Foras Patrúnachta, agus Gaelscoileanna Teo san áireamh maidir le dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ar an múnla nua. Tharla an cruinniú chomhairliúcháin is déanaí ar an dara lá déag d’Eanáir 2017.
Cé go gcuirfear an múnla dháilidh nua i bhfeidhm go cothram ar na scoileanna go léir, i slí atá bunaithe ar phróifíl de riachtanais speisialta na scoile, chomh maith le sin tá aitheantas faoi leith tugtha ag mo Roinn do raon dushlán a dárdaigh páirtithe a d’fhéadfaí a bheith i gceist maidir le Gaelscoileanna agus scoileanna Gaeltachta.
Ag díriú ar an eilimint den phróifíl scoile a bhaineann le riachtanais foghlama scoileanna mar a léirítear é i dtorthaí scrúdaithe caighdeánaithe sa litearthacht agus san uimhearthacht, chuir an Roinn san áireamh, an dearcadh a léirigh Gaelscoileanna Teo, ‘sé sin, d’fheadfaí in a lán Gaelscoileanna agus scoileanna Gaeltachta gurb í an Ghaeilge príomh-theanga dhaltaí a fhreastlaíonn ar an scoil agus go ndéanann roinnt scoileanna, tacaíocht bhreise a sholáthar don litearthacht trí mheán na Gaeilge.
Dá bhrí sin, maidir le Gaelscoileanna agus scoileannna Gaeltachta, d’aontaigh an Roinn go ndéanfar na torthaí ó scrúduithe caighdeánaithe sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla a chomhbhailiú chun áireamh a dhéanamh don ghné den phróifíl scoile a bhaineann le gnóthú daltaí bunscoile sa litearthacht.
Cuirfidh an dáil de mhúínteoreacht bhreise don oideachas speisialta a bheidh ann do gach scoil de réir an mhúnla nua, tacaíocht ar fáil sa litearthacht. I scoileanna lán Ghaeilge is féidir leis an scoil an tacaíocht a sholáthar do fhorbairt na litearthachta sa Ghaeilge nó sa Bhéarla, nó a rogha a dhéanamh de réir riachtanais na scoile fein.
Ta státseirbhísigh ón Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna sásta bualadh le Gaelscoileanna Teo, go luath amach anseo, maidir le forbairt an mhúnla dháilidh nua a phlé agus conas mar a cheapann siad go rachadh an dáil nua i bhfeidhm ar an oideachas i suíomh thumoideachais.
Electoral Reform
Questions (257)
Brendan Ryan
Question:257. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to extend the franchise for general election voting to Irish emigrants living outside of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5355/17]
View answerWritten answers
I have no plans to extend the right to vote at Dáil general elections to Irish emigrants.
Local Authority Staff
Questions (258)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:258. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has a role in providing resources to dog wardens to increase their capabilities in view of severe problems of dog waste persisting in certain areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5582/17]
View answerWritten answers
Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions, including the Dog Warden service, of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. Therefore, the matter raised in relation to providing resources to dog wardens is a matter for each Chief Executive.
Social and Affordable Housing Provision
Questions (259)
Seán Fleming
Question:259. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the advice available from his Department to local authorities as they facilitate long-term leasing arrangements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6018/17]
View answerWritten answers
Local authorities require a range of flexible options to meet the variety of housing needs of the households on their social housing waiting lists. Similarly, there are a range of delivery mechanisms and programmes available to local authorities that make the most of the opportunities in the private rental market, in the approved housing body sector and the housing construction sector generally. My Department works closely with local authorities in the operation and ongoing management of these programmes to ensure they continue to meet the conditions of the property market and are being implemented appropriately at a local level.
Local authorities and approved housing bodies (AHBs) are available to discuss proposals with owners of all types of properties who are interested in making properties available for social housing. Properties must be of good quality and can be new or previously occupied. Each local authority and approved housing body will also assess the suitability of properties proposed with reference to the housing needs that have been identified for that area and for overall compliance with planning and building control. In return, the local authority or AHB will enter into a legal arrangement which can include a long term lease with the owner for the use of the property for an agreed term and guarantee rent payments for the term. Property owners interested in making their properties available to local authorities using one of these contractual arrangements can discuss this with their local authority directly. Alternatively, the Housing Agency publishes information for property owners in this regard https://www.housingagency.ie/Housing-Information/Do-You-Have-a-Property-to-Let.aspx.
The operation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is underpinned by Part 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. Under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, a tenant sources their own accommodation and the tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord. As with other private rental tenancies, the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended) governs the relationship between landlord and tenant; the length of the tenancy, therefore, is a matter that must be agreed between the landlord and tenant in that context.
Once a household has been deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household.
Brexit Issues
Questions (260)
John Lahart
Question:260. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the measures he has taken in co-ordinating the four Dublin local authorities in preparing Dublin for a post-Brexit situation in order to maximise the housing opportunities for immigrant workers associated with such foreign direct investment opportunities. [5354/17]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has adopted a whole-of-Government approach to the challenges posed by Brexit, led by the Cabinet Committee on Brexit, which is chaired by the Taoiseach. While the specific impact of Brexit will be determined by the nature of the new relationship between the EU and the UK, our objective to grow the number of jobs supported by the enterprise agencies remains, and in that context additional resources have been provided for Enterprise Ireland and the IDA specifically to help enterprises to deal with the impact of Brexit. As part of our offering, investors will look for adequate availability of both residential and commercial property.
In that context, my priority, as Minister with responsibility for housing and planning, is to ensure that all reasonable steps are being taken to secure the required increase in housing supply to at least 25,000 homes per annum by 2021. This includes measures to encourage and incentivise the increase of housing supplied by the private sector for purchase and rent. I am also working to ensure that housing is delivered much more quickly from key strategic sites in both public and private ownership, particularly off State lands.
In addition, local authorities, through the City and County Management Association are engaging directly with the Department of An Taoiseach and my Department in relation to the impact and implications of Brexit.
With regard to ensuring sufficient supply is coming on-stream in Dublin, my Department works closely with the four Dublin local authorities, through the governance arrangements under Rebuilding Ireland and more specifically, through the Dublin Housing Supply Coordination Taskforce, which was established to address supply-related issues to the delivery of homes in the Dublin region. The Taskforce comprises representatives from my Department, the Chief Executives of the four Dublin local authorities (Dublin City, Fingal County, South Dublin County and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils), NAMA and other agencies. Its remit includes monitoring relevant housing data on the supply of viable and market-ready approved developments.
In that regard, in its report for Quarter 3 2016, the Taskforce reports that there are some 5,500 homes under construction in Dublin, with permissions in place for a further 23,700 homes on which construction has not yet commenced. The full report can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/construction-2020-strategy/dublin-housing-supply-task-force/housing-supply-coordination-1.
A suite of actions is being implemented under Rebuilding Ireland, building on actions already underway, to make residential property delivery viable, at a far greater scale and at more generally affordable prices and rents. A copy of Rebuilding Ireland can be accessed at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/install/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Rebuilding-Ireland_Action-Plan.pdf.
Under Pillar 3 of Rebuilding Ireland, “Build More Homes”, I have identified twenty three Major Urban Housing Development Sites with the potential to deliver up to 30,000 additional homes, 20,000 of which will be in Dublin, on existing zoned lands and close to the key areas of demand, over the next three to four years. These sites will be highlighted as exemplars for the co-ordination and delivery of plan-led housing development and active land management.
Full details of these sites can be accessed at the following link: http://www.rebuildingireland.ie/RebuildingIreland-Pillar3PressRelease.pdf.
In order to get these and other key sites activated quickly, a €200 million Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) has been established. Twenty-one local authorities, including the Dublin local authorities, working in conjunction with housing providers, submitted proposals for funding which are currently being evaluated. Successful bid proposals will be announced shortly.
Separately, the NTMA and ISIF are currently exploring opportunities to support the delivery of housing-related on-site enabling infrastructure in large-scale priority development areas with a view to kick starting the development process.
Providing affordable, quality and accessible housing is a top priority for the Government. Under the aegis of the Cabinet Committee on Housing, chaired by An Taoiseach, the Government and I will be keeping the implementation of Rebuilding Ireland under careful review. The First Quarterly Progress Report, for Quarter 3 2016, was published in November 2016, and is available to view and download at: http://rebuildingireland.ie/First-Progress-Report.pdf. The Second Quarterly Progress Report, for Quarter 4 2016, will be published shortly.
While we were working from a low base, with only 12,666 housing completions in 2015, the output trends are positive and upward, with completions reaching circa 15,000 homes for 2016. All stakeholders now need to build on these early gains to further accelerate output to meet the target of at least 25,000 homes per annum by 2021, in order to achieve moderated rents and house prices, with the consequential benefits a sustainable housing system will bring for any FDI opportunities that may arise post-Brexit.
Rent Pressure Zones
Questions (261, 262, 263)
Barry Cowen
Question:261. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will publish the data used to determine which LEAs were eligible for designation as rent pressure zones; and if he will publish the advice and the report given to him by the Housing Agency on designations. [5398/17]
View answerBarry Cowen
Question:262. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way in which the Housing Agency and ESRI calculated the rental average for each local electoral area, LEA; if they calculated by averaging the averages for each electoral division within each LEA or if they were estimated using pooled rental data of all registered tenants with an address within the LEA; and if the average rent level used to determine designation was population weighted to give more weight to large towns in estimating the average for a LEA. [5399/17]
View answerBarry Cowen
Question:263. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether it is problematic that the towns of Maynooth and Greystones, which according to the RTB rental data have the highest rent levels and highest rent inflation in their respective counties, have not been designated as being rent pressure zone, RPZ, areas while towns, villages and townlands with much lower rents and rental inflation within these counties have been designated as RPZs; and his further views on whether this anomaly demonstrates that there are inconsistencies in the methodology used to decide upon designations. [5400/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 to 263, inclusive, together.
The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 amends the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to provide that the Housing Agency, in consultation with housing authorities, may make a proposal to the Minister that an area should be considered as a Rent Pressure Zone.
Following receipt of such a proposal, the Minister requests the Director of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to conduct an assessment of the area to establish whether or not it meets the criteria for designation and to report to the Minister on whether the area should be designated as a Rent Pressure Zone.
The reports received from the RTB and the Housing Agency in relation to the designation of further rent pressure zones and the methodology used in the analysis of data for producing those reports, are available on the websites of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) at:
http://www.rtb.ie/media-research/rent-pressure-zone-reports
and the Housing Agency at:
https://www.housingagency.ie/our-publications/private-rented-sector.aspx
The development of the methodology is a matter for the RTB in the performance of their functions under the Act.
The Clerk of the Dáil has requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P) 05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB and the Housing Agency have set up dedicated email addresses for this purpose at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie and publicreps@housingagency.ie, respectively.
For an area to be designated a Rent Pressure Zone, it must satisfy the following criteria set out in section 24A(4) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended by section 36 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016):
(i) The annual rate of rent inflation in the area must have been 7% or more in four of the last six quarters; and
(ii) The average rent for tenancies registered in the area with the RTB in the last quarter must be above the average national rent (the National Indicative Rent in the RTB’s Rent Index Report) in the last quarter.
Following the enactment of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016, the Housing Agency reviewed the rental markets in certain counties nationally and identified nine housing authorities containing electoral areas that could potentially be Rent Pressure Zones. The Housing Agency consulted with the relevant housing authorities regarding their views on the rental markets, including housing demand and supply, and their experiences in relation to the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), trends in relation to both general housing needs and homelessness and other relevant issues.
On the basis of this analysis, five housing authority areas were examined in more detail by the Housing Agency to identify local electoral areas with significant rental pressures. The areas of Galway County, Limerick City and County, Louth and Waterford City and County were excluded by the Housing Agency from this more detailed analysis, as the preliminary analysis had indicated that these areas would not currently meet the criteria for designation as Rent Pressure Zones.
Accordingly, on 24 January 2017 the Housing Agency proposed that 15 Local Electoral Areas in the following five housing authority areas should be considered by the RTB for designation: Cork County, Galway City, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. On foot of the proposal from the Housing Agency, and in accordance with section 24A(2) of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended), I requested the Director of the RTB to make a report to me as to whether these areas met the criteria for designation as Rent Pressure Zones.
On 26 January 2017, I received a report from the RTB confirming that 12 out of the 15 Local Electoral Areas examined met the criteria. As required by section 24A(5) of the Act, I made Orders designating the 12 Rent Pressure Zones on 26 January 2017. The Orders came into effect on 27 January 2017. Details of the areas that met the criteria and have been designated as Rent Pressure Zones are available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/private-rented-housing/coveney-designates-new-rent-pressure-zones
The Local Electoral Areas of Cobh, Maynooth and Greystones were found not to meet the criteria.
The Housing Agency will continue to monitor the rental market and may recommend further areas for designation. Where, following the procedures set out in the Act, it is found at a future date that additional areas meet the criteria, they will be designated as rent pressure zones.
Under the Act, I have no further role or discretion in proposing areas for designation as Rent Pressure Zones or in deciding whether they should be designated. The designation process is independent and based on clear objective criteria and quantifiable evidence.
Library Services
Questions (264)
John Brassil
Question:264. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department carried out a cost benefit analysis of the proposed State-wide tender for literature and stock in the Library Service; if not, if one can be carried out to ascertain the full impact of these proposed changes to the SMEs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5424/17]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has no role in relation to the procurement of book-stock for public libraries. The provision of public library services, including the procurement of books, is a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under the Local Government Act 2001.
In this regard, a national tender for book stock procurement was run recently by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) on behalf of local authorities. The tender process has concluded and contracts have been signed with the successful tenderers. Irish companies were successful in four of six lots.
All matters related to the tender process were managed by the LGMA with support from the Education Procurement Service. My Department had no direct role in this process. Accordingly, any queries in respect of the tender process, including the need or otherwise for a cost-benefit analysis, should be addressed directly to the LGMA who can be contacted at corporate@lgma.ie.
Rent Controls
Questions (265, 266, 267)
David Cullinane
Question:265. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the process, Department circulars and policy that local authorities must adhere to in carrying out rent reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5428/17]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:266. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason hundreds of social housing tenants in Waterford city and county have received letters advising of significant back rent liabilities; the action being taken to assist the families involved; if a delay in processing changes of circumstances forms by the council is in part responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5429/17]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:267. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether it is fair that local authority tenants who submitted changes in circumstances forms to Waterford City and County Council regarding a rent review in March 2016 only had their revised rent rates, including significant rent arrears, processed in December 2016 and January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5430/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 to 267, inclusive, together.
The reviewing of local authority housing rents and the collection of rents from tenants is a matter for individual local authorities and I, as Minister, have no function in the matter.
Guidelines entitled “Rent Assessment, Collection, Accounting and Arrears Control” were published by the Housing Unit (which subsequently became part of the Housing Agency) in January 2001. These guidelines, developed in conjunction with my Department and the City and County Management Association, set out good practice in the administration of rent related matters. The Guidelines stated that local authorities should review the rent assessment of all existing tenants at least annually to ensure that all tenants are paying the correct rent and to update rents to reflect changes in tenants’ incomes and in housing management costs.
It will normally be a part of the tenancy agreement that the tenant should inform the local authority of any change in circumstances, including increases in family income. When this is done by the tenant, any change in rent that is warranted can be applied promptly.
The above Guidelines also state that arrangements for the repayment of rent arrears should be determined primarily by the tenants’ ability to pay.
Housing Adaptation Grant Funding
Questions (268)
Thomas Byrne
Question:268. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when he expects Meath County Council will receive its annual funding allocation to carry out home adaption works; if his attention has been drawn to the serious and unacceptable delay in processing applications under the local authority adaption works scheme for tenants of local authority houses in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5492/17]
View answerWritten answers
Funding allocations to all local authorities, including Meath County Council, under the programme to support Housing Adaptations and Extensions to meet needs of Local Authority tenants with a disability will issue shortly. As funding from my Department under this programme has been maintained or increased in many cases, there is no reason for a particular delay in processing applications; however, the management of the programme locally and the selection, prioritisation and submission of individual projects, is a matter for each local authority.
Ahead of the formal funding allocations, local authorities have scope to commence activity under the programme up to a maximum value of 65% of their 2016 allocation.
Private Rented Accommodation
Questions (269)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:269. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the persons and the groups on the departmental working group considering the regulatory approach in relation to online letting platforms such as a company (details supplied); the number of times this working group has met or plans to meet; and if the working group will be meeting with and taking submissions from relevant stakeholders. [5598/17]
View answerWritten answers
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 Pleanála 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.
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. The issue was considered in the preparation of the recently published Strategy for the Rental Sector and, with a view to providing more information on the scale and nature of the issue and full clarity regarding the appropriate regulatory approach to be adopted by relevant statutory authorities in relation to short-term tourism-related lettings, my Department, as provided for in the strategy, 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.
The Rental Strategy is an ambitious but achievable set of prioritised and sequenced actions, a number of which involve interdepartmental working groups. These are being established and are commencing their work in accordance with the timeframes in the Rental Strategy. Other working groups with shorter timeframes have already started work and the working group in question will commence its work shortly, including considering its working arrangements, allowing it to report within the timeframe outlined in the Strategy.
Water and Sewerage Schemes
Questions (270, 271)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:270. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount of funding which was allocated for the development of new group sewerage schemes in the past two years; and the amount which was actually approved. [5617/17]
View answerAindrias Moynihan
Question:271. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of group sewerage schemes that were approved funding in each county over the past two years, in tabular form. [5618/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.
Block grant based allocations by my Department in 2015 for new group sewerage schemes amounted to €1.908 million. The amount recouped by my Department for the year, based on the claims for payment by the local authorities, was €0.889 million.
A multi-annual funding approach was introduced for the first time for the Rural Water Programme in 2016. Under the new Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2016 – 2018 two new group sewerage schemes were approved for funding at a total estimated cost of €1.258 million. While my Department approved €0.145 million for these to commence construction in 2016 no monies were drawn down by the local authorities concerned. It is expected that these schemes will commence construction, and will be grant aided by my Department, in 2017. My Department recouped €0.217 million in 2016 to local authorities for schemes commenced in 2015 but not finished until 2016.
The number of group sewerage schemes that were funded in each county over the past two years is set out in the table. The table includes the two schemes, one in Kerry and one in Leitrim, that had funding approved in 2016 under the new Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2016 – 2018 but did not draw down any funding in 2016.
|
Year |
Local Authority |
Number of Group Sewerage Schemes |
|
2015 |
Carlow |
1 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
|
Clare |
1 |
|
|
Cork |
3 |
|
|
Kildare |
1 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
|
|
Leitrim |
1 |
|
|
Waterford |
2 |
|
|
Wexford |
2 |
|
|
Wicklow |
2 |
|
|
2016 |
Kerry |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
Housing Issues
Questions (272)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:272. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of the work of the expert panel set up to examine the mica issue; when the panel will report its findings to his Department; if he has a timeline for a decision on putting a redress scheme in place to provide financial assistance to affected homeowners following on from the panel's report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5655/17]
View answerWritten answers
An expert panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in April 2016 to investigate the problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Donegal and Mayo. The panel have the following terms of reference: -
(i) To identify, insofar as it is possible, the numbers of private dwellings which appear to be affected by defects in the blockwork in the Counties of Donegal and Mayo;
(ii) To carry out a desktop study, which would include a consultation process with affected homeowners, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals, testing laboratories, industry stakeholders and other relevant parties, to establish the nature of the problem in the affected dwellings;
(iii) To outline a range of technical options for remediation and the means by which those technical options could be applied; and
(iv) To submit a report within six months.
The expert panel on concrete blocks met on twelve occasions since it was first established and a similar number of meetings have taken place with key stakeholders, including affected homeowners, the elected members of Donegal and Mayo County Councils, local authority officials, industry bodies, academics, public representatives and other interested parties. A substantial volume of information has been provided by affected homeowners in both counties, as well as from Donegal and Mayo County Councils; additional information was also provided through the consultation process.
The panel have now concluded their meetings and are in the process of finalising their report, which I anticipate shortly. In this regard, I will await the outcome of the panel’s report before considering what further actions may be required to assist the parties directly involved in reaching a satisfactory resolution to the problems that have emerged in the two counties.
Traveller Accommodation
Questions (273)
David Cullinane
Question:273. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the Traveller accommodation projects which have been approved for funding with Waterford City and County Council; the allocated sum that has been spent to date; the cases in which approval has been granted but funds have not yet been drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5657/17]
View answerWritten answers
In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
Approval in principle was provided by my Department in June 2016 to Waterford City and County Council for the demolition of the existing halting site at Kilbarry and the construction of twelve new dwellings, along with the provision of a temporary site for the duration of the works. Total costs of €2.7 million were estimated by the Council and my Department is currently considering clarifications received from the Council in respect of these costs. In addition, approval was granted by my Department to the Council in August 2016 to proceed to planning and tender stages in relation to the demolition and construction of a house at Green Road, Waterford. An allocation of €263,000 was made to the Council in 2016 in respect of initial costs for these projects and €13,545 has been recouped to date. It is expected that these projects will progress in 2017.
Wind Energy Guidelines
Questions (274)
Michael Harty
Question:274. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when he plans to publish the updated windfarm planning guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5673/17]
View answerWritten answers
In December 2013, my Department published proposed draft revisions to the noise, setback distance and shadow flicker aspects of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. These draft revisions proposed:
- the setting of a more stringent day and night-time noise limit of 40 decibels for future wind energy developments,
- a mandatory minimum setback distance of 500 metres between a wind turbine and the nearest dwelling for amenity considerations, and
- the complete elimination of shadow flicker between wind turbines and neighbouring dwellings.
A public consultation process was also initiated on these proposed draft revisions to the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines, which ran until February 2014. The Department received submissions from 7,500 organisations and members of the public during this public consultation process.
In light of the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to finalise the Guidelines and on-going policy and legal developments in this area, my Department is continuing to advance work on the Guidelines and related matters in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, in order to bring the various issues to a conclusion as early as possible. I expect to be in a position to make a statement on the matter in the coming weeks, outlining the timelines for implementation of the various elements.
Election Management System
Questions (275)
John Paul Phelan
Question:275. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the voter identification requirements which apply to general elections and the verification process which takes place at polling stations, with reference to legislation and any guidelines issued to returning officers or polling stations by his department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5688/17]
View answerWritten answers
Section 111 of the Electoral Act 1992 provides that only persons on the register of electors for a constituency are entitled to vote at an election in that constituency. Subsection (2)(b) provides that the Minister may make regulations in relation to specified documents that may be requested from any person applying for a ballot paper at a polling station at a Dáil general election, for the purpose of ensuring that he or she is the person on the register of electors. Subsection 2(c) provides for the presiding officer to put certain questions to a person applying for a ballot paper, or to administer an oath or affirmation, by the person, to confirm that they are the person on the register of electors.
The Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 321 of 2014) specify, in regulation 2(b), the identification documents that are acceptable for this purpose. These are a passport (either a traditional passport or a passport card); a driving licence; an employee identity card containing a photograph; a student identity card issued by an educational institution and containing a photograph; a travel document containing name and photograph; a bank or savings or credit union book containing address in constituency; and a Public Services Card; or a cheque book, cheque card, credit card, birth certificate or marriage certificate accompanied by further documentation which establishes the address of the holder in the constituency.
These legal provisions are repeated in the Memorandum for the Guidance of Returning Officers issued by my Department in advance of polling day. In that guidance the purpose of the provisions is identified as being to strengthen the safeguards against the offence of personation, particularly against the possibility that the offence may be attempted on a widespread and organised basis. It is also made clear that it is not intended that the provision would be so operated as to prevent qualified electors from voting. In the guidance document, returning officers are reminded of the importance of presiding officers being familiar with the requirements and procedures for the identification of voters; these are set out in the Manual for Presiding Officers prepared by my Department and issued by returning officers to presiding officers in their constituency. In the manual, presiding officers are instructed to seek evidence of identity whenever requested by a personation agent or candidate present in the polling station; whenever the presiding officer suspects that a person is attempting personation; and in the case of a proportion of the persons attending to vote, selected by the presiding officer at random throughout the day. The presiding officer is instructed that the persons selected at random should constitute at least 25% (1 in 4) of persons coming to vote at the polling station and that they should be particularly vigilant at rush hours because it is then that personation is most likely to be attempted. The manual also outlines procedures for asking questions and administering the oath or affirmation set out in section 111(2)(c) of the Electoral Act 1992.
In the days before polling day at an election or referendum my Department places public notices in newspapers, and online, reminding voters of the identification requirements.