Written Answers Nos. 211-222
211. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the potential health risks associated with dog breeding establishments spreading dog faeces on tillage fields; and his plans to cease this public health hazard. [16936/17]
View answerThe holding, transport or management of waste is a matter for the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and I have no function in this regard.
212. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether the current regime in planning effectively allows developers a free hand once planning permission is granted, without any meaningful prospect of sanction by either removing an unauthorised construction or applying for retention permission, in the event of planning violations, breaches of planning permission in particular or of planning law in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16937/17]
View answer213. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on enforcement as an aspect to the planning process; his further views on the desirability of funding the following activities (details supplied); whether he considers money spent on the following to be money well spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16938/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.
My role, as Minister, in relation to the planning system is mainly to provide and update the legislative and policy guidance framework. The legislative framework comprises the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, (the Act) and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended.
With regards to policy guidance, my Department has issued a large number of planning guidelines (available on the Department’s website, www.housing.gov.ie) under section 28 of the Act, to which planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are obliged to have regard in the exercise of their planning functions. The day-to-day operation of the planning system is, however, a matter for the planning authorities.
Under planning legislation, enforcement of planning control is a matter for the relevant planning authority which can take action if a development does not have the required permission, or where the terms of a permission have not been met. Under section 30 of the Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case, including an enforcement issue, with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
There are extensive enforcement provisions provided for in Part VIII of the Act, with a view to ensuring that works pertaining to permitted developments are carried out in accordance with the planning permission granted and any associated conditions and that no unauthorised development takes place. If a person is of the view that any development works being undertaken are not in compliance with the permission granted or are unauthorised, s/he may make a written complaint to the relevant planning authority who shall investigate the matter and take any appropriate enforcement action, including, where necessary, the seeking of a Court order requiring that the development is carried out in conformity with the planning permission and any condition pertaining to that permission.
If an enforcement notice is not complied with, the planning authority may itself take the specified steps and recover the expense incurred in doing so. A planning authority may also seek a Court order under section 160 of the Act, requiring any particular action to be done or not to be done.
In May 2013, a Ministerial Policy Directive was issued to all planning authorities, reminding them of their statutory obligations under Part VIII of the Act relating to enforcement. The Directive required that planning authorities ensure that sufficient and appropriate human resources are made available for enforcement purposes. It also required planning authorities to undertake appropriate monitoring of planning enforcement and directed them to prioritise large-scale unauthorised development and enforcement cases.
I am satisfied that planning authorities have sufficient enforcement powers at their disposal under the existing legislation. Further to the Policy Directive referred to, it is a matter for planning authorities to ensure that they assign appropriate resources for effective planning enforcement.
214. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will set up a housing advisory council to monitor the Government's activity in this area, similar to the Fiscal Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16939/17]
View answerIn response to the current very challenging housing crisis, rooted in a chronic under-supply of housing, the Government has published the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness, with the objective of increasing and accelerating housing delivery, across all tenures, to help individuals and families find homes.
Clear and well defined governance structures are in place to ensure that Rebuilding Ireland is implemented effectively across the range of lead Departments and Agencies. The overall implementation is being overseen by a dedicated Cabinet Committee on Housing, chaired by An Taoiseach. This approach provides for a regular, inter-Departmental, review of implementation and analysis of market conditions. The Cabinet Committee is supported by a Senior Officials Group and specific Rebuilding Ireland-related structures are in place, including an Oversight Group and Project Board with membership from relevant Government Departments, local authorities, approved housing bodies, the construction industry and other stakeholders across the housing spectrum. In addition, the development of individual policy initiatives involves extensive public consultation and engagement, and housing issues have been the subject of considerable engagement with stakeholders on the National Economic and Social Council.
This inclusive and informed approach will help to ensure that well planned, high quality, socially integrated and affordable housing is delivered.
I am satisfied that there are appropriate governance arrangements in place and there are no plans to establish a housing advisory council along the lines suggested.
215. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the current scientific evidence on which the legislation governing the control of dogs is based, in particular the evidence that has determined the breeds of dogs listed for control in the regulations; the method by which breed type is currently identified; if he is satisfied that current identification methods are scientifically sound; if he is satisfied that the current regulatory regime for the control of dogs is based on sound scientific evidence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16950/17]
View answerThe Control of Dogs Acts 1986 (as amended) set out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 (as amended) set out further requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs have to follow, namely that such dogs must be muzzled and led, on a sufficiently strong leash or chain not exceeding 2m in length, by a competent person over 16 years of age when in a public place.
Several jurisdictions have addressed the matter of restrictions of particular breeds of dogs in a similar way to Ireland, based on the experience and behaviour of particular breeds in those countries. England, Northern Ireland, France and New Zealand all have similar restrictions on specific breeds of dog.
I am satisfied that the legislation is fit for purpose and I have no plans to further amend the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 (as amended).
216. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will instruct Irish Water to provide the list of residential properties in County Tipperary in its possession that still have lead water pipes in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16951/17]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the supervisory authority for public water supplies. The procedures to be followed where there is non-compliance with the parametric value for lead of 10 microgrammes per litre, and the roles of the water supplier, the EPA and the Health Services Executive (HSE), are set out in the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library.
I have no role in monitoring implementation of the Regulations. However, I understand that in cases where the presence of lead pipes were found on the customer side, which may have resulted in exceedances of the statutory limit, customers have been advised by Irish Water.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
217. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of private investigation firms hired by statutory agencies and-or semi-State bodies under the aegis of his Department in the past five years and to date in 2017; the names of the firms; the amount they were paid; if they supplied his Department with a report on completion of their work; if he will provide copies of reports submitted to him from these firms as a result of his engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16983/17]
View answerThe details requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is as follows.
Email address for each agency
|
Agency |
Email address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Irish Water Safety |
oireachtas@iws.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie. |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Pobal |
oireachtasqueries@pobal.ie |
218. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if there is a senior official with designated responsibility for Brexit matters in his Department; if so, the grade of the designated official; the funding allocated to the said Brexit unit; the cost to date; the anticipated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17001/17]
View answer219. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of staff deployed full-time in his Department in respect of Brexit; if there is a designated section or unit to deal with Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17017/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.
Matters in relation to Brexit are managed by the team responsible for the existing coordination of EU and international business in my Department, with input from relevant line sections and experts across the organisation, as necessary. The relevant team, in the Assistant Secretary led Corporate and Business Support Division, is headed by a senior official at Principal Officer level and, while there are no staff deployed full-time to the issue, three people are involved directly at various times along with input from a larger number of staff across the organisation as required. Brexit-related matters are also kept under regular review by my Department's Management Board. Apart from the normal staff and overhead costs, which have not been quantified to date, no specific additional funding has been allocated in my Department for Brexit-related matters at this point in time.
Brexit is a Government-wide issue and my Department has been working closely with other Departments on the preparations to date and will continue to do so in the negotiation period ahead.
220. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of newly built social housing units that have been constructed in Dublin 7 and 9 in the past 12 months in tabular form. [17028/17]
View answer232. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of newly built social housing units that have been constructed in Dublin, 5 and 13 in the past 12 months, in tabular form. [17147/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 232 together.
My Department has published a comprehensive status list of all social housing construction schemes that are advancing nationwide, as at end-Quarter 4 of 2016. Over 500 approved schemes were listed that, when completed, will deliver some 8,500 new social homes. The schemes range from those that are being designed, through to those currently on site and those completed in 2016. It showed that over 650 new social houses were built in 2016 and a further 90 schemes, delivering over 1,800 newly built social houses, went on site last year.
Details of the individual projects involved are set out in the status list, which is available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-developments/.
A range of other actions are also underway by local authorities to respond to housing need. These include targeted acquisitions, the new Repair and Leasing initiative, rapid delivery housing, and the full roll out of the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme.
221. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if persons accommodated in family hubs will be included in his Department's statistics on the number of homeless persons in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17029/17]
View answerThe official monthly homelessness data report published by my Department is compiled from information provided by housing authorities and produced via the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), the single integrated national data information system on State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements overseen by housing authorities. The 'family hubs' currently being delivered by housing authorities are categorised as supported temporary accommodation and accordingly the details of households accommodated in such arrangements will be reflected in the monthly reports published by my Department.
These reports are published on my Department's website as soon as they are available and can be accessed using the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
222. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of new build local authority completions excluding voids and regeneration units for each year since 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17030/17]
View answerMy Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing and planning statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of policy. Details regarding the volumes of new build local authority completions (which do not include voids or regeneration units) can be found on the Department's website at: http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/attachments/1b1-la-bld-by-area_5.xlsx.
