Written Answers Nos. 644-665
644. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of amendments (details supplied) regarding the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016; and if he has consulted with the Minister of State with special responsibility for housing and urban development on these amendments. [30998/17]
View answerThe Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016 is still being considered at Report Stage in the Dáil. The amendments referred to are connected to the proposed Office of the Planning Regulator.
In line with the commitment made at Report Stage, my Department is examining the amendments proposed and has had productive discussions with the Department under whose remit this falls. I understand there is a broad agreement on the approach but work is ongoing in relation to the legal and technical drafting aspects. I expect to bring forward an amendment to the Bill in the Seanad, which will appropriately address the issues involved.
645. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the regulations in place regarding accessibility in private sector housing developments to ensure the needs of persons with disabilities are met in the provision of private sector housing; and if he will provide copies of relevant regulations or legislation. [31033/17]
View answerAll new buildings must comply with the legally enforceable minimum performance standards set out in the Second Schedule of the Building Regulations 1997-2017. In this context, the Building Regulations (Part M) Amendment Regulations 2010, S.I. No. 513 of 2010, and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document M - Access and Use (2010), which came into effect on 1 January 2012, set out the minimum statutory requirements applicable to new buildings, and to existing buildings where new works, a material alteration or a material change of use is proposed.
The requirements of Part M aim to ensure that regardless of age, size or disability:
(a) new buildings other than dwellings (including multi-unit developments) are accessible and usable;
(b) extensions to existing buildings other than dwellings are, where practicable, accessible and useable;
(c) material alterations to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings, where practicable;
(d) certain changes of use to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings, where practicable; and
(e) new dwellings are visitable.
Part M of the Building Regulations aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. While the Part M requirements may be regarded as a statutory minimum level of provision, the accompanying technical guidance encourages building owners and designers to have regard to the design philosophy of universal design and to consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate.
A copy of the Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010 may be accessed at www.housing.gov.ie/housing/building-standards/tgd-part-m-access-and-use/si-513-2010-building-regulations-tgd-part-m.
My Department has also issued guidelines on ‘Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities’ which may be accessed at www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad%2C1979%2Cen.pdf.
These guidelines provide guidance on accessibility and adaptability in scheme layout and design and also dwelling design with the aim of ensuring ease of access and circulation for all residents, including people with impaired mobility.
646. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 2,100 of 20 June 2017, if these persons will now be included in his Department's monthly homeless statistics in view of the fact it is now sourced and funded by Dublin City Council under section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 (details supplied). [31037/17]
View answerOfficial homeless reports are published on my Department's website and can be accessed using the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities and produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), the single integrated national data information system on State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements overseen by housing authorities. These reports are published on a monthly basis capturing details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities.
With effect from 22 May 2017, the Department of Social Protection's New Communities Unit have no role in the placement or administration of emergency accommodation. All placements into emergency accommodation overseen by housing authorities, irrespective of nationality, are now completed by the relevant housing authority and those persons/households will be included in all future PASS monthly homeless reports published on my Department's website.
647. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the place finders service that was promised to assist programme refugees find private rented accommodation has been established; and if so, if he will allow the 399 persons with a form of status that reside in State provided accommodation to access the place finders service in order to find private rented accommodation. [31051/17]
View answerUnder the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, an operational sub-group under the auspices of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) Taskforce, composed of all relevant Departments of State and other bodies such as representatives of local authorities and the Irish Red Cross, was established to support the process of housing programme refugees referred to by the Deputy. This sub-group is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality.
Any person assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for housing support through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme.
Arrangements are being put in place at local authority level across the country to support the identification of units and housing for programme refugees, including through HAP. Such housing solutions are being funded from the €5.35billion approved by Government under Rebuilding Ireland. It should be noted that a range of other supports are also being made available at local level to support the integration of the families concerned into their new communities. My Department continues to work with key stakeholders in this area, as we finalise the necessary arrangements.
It should be noted that eligibility for consideration for social housing support for non-EEA nationals without refugee status requires such persons to be able to show that they have 5 year reckonable residence (out of the last 8 years) or the potential to have such residence, as well as a current valid stamp.
648. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to publish the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2017 in June or July 2017 and to seek to have the Bill passed before the 2017 summer recess; and if not, the implications for the current suspension of domestic water charges. [31074/17]
View answerThe report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services was published on 12 April 2017 and approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas.
The Government approved the priority drafting of a Bill to give effect to the relevant recommendations set out in the Committee's report on 30 May 2017. My Department is working with the Attorney General's Office on the drafting of the Bill with a view to it being published as soon as possible.
The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2016 provided for the suspension of domestic water charges. Charges are currently suspended until 31 July 2017. If necessary the period of suspension can be extended.
649. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide a county breakdown of homeless figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31079/17]
View answer650. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of instances in 2016 and to date in 2017 in which a local authority has provided emergency accommodation for persons presenting as homeless, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31080/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 649 and 650 together.
My Department publishes official homeless reports on a monthly basis. These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities and produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). These reports capture details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities and include data on a regional and county basis.
These reports are published on my Department's website and can be accessed using the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
651. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of inspections carried out by fire officers in each local authority over the past five years, by county; the number of properties that have failed these inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31081/17]
View answerLocal authorities have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under a range of legislation including the Building Control Act 1990, the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 and the Dangerous Substances Acts 1972 and 1979, all of which may be relevant in relation to fire safety arrangements in properties, other than those specifically excluded under the Acts.
Under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 local authorities are designated as fire authorities and overall details in relation to inspections and notices issued by fire services from 2011 up to 2015 are available on my Department's website at the link - 2016 information is currently being compiled and should be available shortly: www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current/sub-topic/statistics-fire-prevention/sub-type/fire/type/statistics?query.
Section 20 of the Fire Services Act, 1981 provides that the appropriate fire authority may serve a Fire Safety Notice on the owner or occupier of any building which appears to the authority to be a potentially dangerous building. Section 20(2)(a) of the Act provides that a Fire Safety Notice in relation to a building may prohibit the use of a building or part of a building for any of the purposes specified in the notice. Section 20(2)(b) of the Act provides that a Fire Safety Notice in relation to a building may prohibit the use of the building, or a specified part of the building, for any of the purposes specified in the notice unless or until specified precautions are taken to the satisfaction of the fire authority; whether by the provision in the building of specified appliances or fittings or by the execution of specified structural alterations or additions to the building, or by the removal from the building of furniture, furnishings, fittings or any other material or thing, or by the doing in relation to the building or its contents of any other thing whatsoever.
Section 20(6) of the Act provides that a Fire Safety Notice may specify a time-frame under which remedial actions, such as those set out above, must be completed. Failure to comply with the requirements of a Fire Safety Notice is an offence under the Act and any person found guilty may be subject to a range of penalties as set out in the Act.
Section 20(8) of the Act provides that each fire authority shall keep at its offices a register of Fire Safety Notices served by it and the register shall be open to inspection by any person at all reasonable times. Information on the details of individual Fire Safety Notices served by local authorities are not held by my Department but may be obtained directly from the relevant local authority.
652. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the moneys spent by each local authority to provide emergency accommodation each year for the past three years. [31082/17]
View answerMy Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under ‘Section 10’ funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Section 10 funding arrangements. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities on emergency accommodation are a matter for those authorities.
Section 10 Exchequer funding is provided through my Department to housing authorities on a regional basis. Drawdown for 2014, 2015 and 2016 is set out on a regional basis in the table below.
Funding under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988
|
Region |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Dublin |
€35,322,223 |
€48,270,201 |
€68,627,075 |
|
Mid-East |
€928,489 |
€1,716,245 |
€2,746,651 |
|
Midland |
€649,707 |
€805,995 |
€1,109,748 |
|
Mid-West |
€3,405,060 |
€3,499,898 |
€3,500,000 |
|
North-East |
€879,963 |
€996,849 |
€1,493,336 |
|
North-West |
€348,879 |
€387,643 |
€411,946 |
|
South-East |
€1,818,969 |
€2,394,619 |
€3,041,840 |
|
South-West |
€4,307,772 |
€5,000,686 |
€5,375,609 |
|
West |
€1,544,712 |
€1,698,834 |
€2,370,295 |
653. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of new dwellings which will be required each year over the coming 15 years based on headship rates and demographic projections and taking account of obsolescence, in view of under-supply of new housing compared to demand for the past number of years. [31084/17]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which is available at the following link http://rebuildingireland.ie/install/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Rebuilding-Ireland_Action-Plan.pdf, is a multi-stranded, action-oriented approach to achieving the Government’s housing objectives, as set down in the Programme for a Partnership Government. At its heart, it aims to increase housing supply, across all tenures, to 25,000 homes per year by 2021. The 25,000 target was the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) estimate of the housing requirement based on demographic change, household formation and a level of obsolescence of existing stock.
With regard to housing supply requirements over the coming 15 years and beyond, the new National Planning Framework (NPF), to be titled Ireland 2040: Our Plan, will address emerging trends such as a potential population increase of one million, more than a fifth of whom will be over 65 by 2040.
As was broadly indicated in the NPF Issues and Choices consultation paper published in February 2017, over 500,000 new homes will be required to support an additional projected population of one million people by 2040. The ESRI has undertaken demographic and econometric modelling work to inform the drafting of the NPF. This work effectively provides a baseline ‘business as usual’ scenario as well as examining alternatives. Projected national housing supply requirements for the draft NPF have been determined based on headship rates, demographic projections and a rate of obsolescence.
Published data from Census 2016 has also become available since April 2017 and coupled with the work of ESRI, is informing the drafting process. As further planned data publications become available from Census 2016, they will be factored into policy considerations, as appropriate.
An initial draft of the NPF is nearing completion for consideration and approval by Government with a view to publication as a draft for public consultation over the Summer period, running into September. The NPF remains on schedule for completion by the end of this year.
654. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of new dwellings his Department estimates that will need to be built per year before supply begins to have an impact on enhancing affordability on rental prices and house prices. [31085/17]
View answer655. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether new housing supply in the coming years will have a downward impact on house purchase prices and on renting prices as opposed to just having an effect on stemming the upward inflation in both house prices and rents; and if reversing the price level rises in both is a policy goal of his Department. [31086/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 654 and 655 together.
Fundamentally, it is the lack of supply, across all tenures of housing, that is widely accepted as being primarily responsible for driving the high levels of house price and rental inflation we have seen in recent years. Residential construction output reached unsustainably high levels, with peak output of 93,000 new homes in 2006, and then dropped to 8,300 in 2013, including a large proportion of single houses. As a result, the construction of starter and affordable homes at scale came to a virtual standstill.
The Government has made housing a top priority, bringing forward the range of measures under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness in July 2016. The overarching objective of Rebuilding Ireland is to increase overall housing supply to a more sustainable 25,000 homes per year by 2021. The 25,000 target was the ESRI estimate of the housing requirement based on demographic change, household formation and a level of obsolescence of existing stock. The longer-term objective is to create a functioning and sustainable housing system, where supply more closely meets housing demand over time.
In order to directly influence and generate supply of new homes, Rebuilding Ireland contains a suite of actions that will increase housing construction and refurbishment, bringing forward the supply of thousands of extra homes. Under Pillar 2 of the Action Plan, 47,000 new social housing units will be delivered by 2021, supported by €5.35 billion in Exchequer funding. In terms of direct construction and refurbishment, 26,000 will be provided as part of the 2021 target. So far, good progress has been made and there are now over 10,000 new homes in the social housing construction pipeline, details of which are available at the following link; http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-construction-projects-report-2017/.
Pillar 3 contains a set of actions targeted at increasing private housing supply. The €226m Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund has now been fully allocated and will fund key enabling infrastructure to open up 34 sites across 15 local authorities. The LIHAF funding has the capacity to encourage the supply of 23,000 new homes by 2021.
Also under this Pillar, the State land bank is being actively targeted for the provision of new homes in the immediate term. In April, the Rebuilding Ireland Map was published, containing details of over 2,000 hectares of land in public ownership, with the potential to deliver up to 50,000 new homes nationally. As set out in the Strategy for the Rental Sector, the commitment to bring forward an affordable rental scheme is being progressed through kick-starting supply on such lands held by local authorities.
In practical terms, the development of these public lands will mean accelerating social housing delivery and securing more homes for sale and rent at lower and more affordable price points. Where local authorities have large sites in their ownership, there is a real opportunity to bring them forward for mixed tenure housing, at much more affordable price points, where the Council can directly influence the housing provision through the procurement process and development agreements. All local authorities have been requested to prepare Strategic Development and Management Plans for residential lands in their ownership to ensure they are brought forward for development at the earliest opportunity.
A key factor in terms of housing supply at scale, of both houses and apartments, is the cost of construction and the associated issue of viability. In this regard, a Working Group on housing delivery costs was established, led by my Department, to carry out a detailed analysis of housing delivery input costs with a view to identifying economies across a range of constituent areas such as finance, planning, design, land costs and levies. The Group comprises representation from all key public sector and industry stakeholders and is scheduled to complete its Report in the coming weeks.
Recent housing activity reports, available on www.rebuildingireland.ie, show that strong supply-side measures under Rebuilding Ireland are beginning to have a positive impact with all output indicators showing steep upward trends. However, it is crucial that we continue to focus on supply and particularly the supply of social and affordable homes at scale.
To this end, the Taoiseach signalled the Government’s intention to carry out a focused review of Rebuilding Ireland, as we approach the completion of the first year of its implementation. This work is now under way, with an emphasis on strengthening the measures already in place and identifying new initiatives that add value and raise ambition. As part of the review process, my Department will focus in particular on the broad issues of housing supply and affordability for different market segments, building on the measures already being advanced.
656. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way in which fire safety certificates can be awarded on developments, such as a development (details supplied) in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown in view of the fact these buildings were in breach of fire regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31087/17]
View answerMy Department has overall responsibility for the statutory regulatory framework governing Building Regulations, Building Control and Fire Services. Inspection and enforcement are a matter for local authorities who, under the Building Control Act 1990 and the Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003, are designated as Building Control and Fire Authorities in their respective functional areas and have extensive statutory powers of inspection and enforcement.
A Fire Safety Certificate is a certificate granted by a local Building Control Authority which specifies that the works or building to which the application relates will, if carried out in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted, comply with the requirements of Part B of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations. A Fire Safety Certificate is required for certain new buildings and works to existing buildings to which the requirements of Part B of the Building Regulations apply.
Fire Safety Certificates and all other statutory Certificates required pursuant to the Building Regulations and Building Control Regulations are lodged with the appropriate local Building Control Authority and my Department has no involvement in the operational aspects of this mandatory statutory requirement.
657. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to ensure that builders of substandard developments such as a development (details supplied) with fire safety standards that appear not to have been reached, cannot easily construct such developments again in the future; if planning applications are monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31088/17]
View answer658. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the statement recently by an organisation (details supplied) that has indicated that there should be a redress scheme put in place for the owners of apartments in developments, such as a development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31089/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 657 and 658 together.
Under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014, primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the owners, designers and builders of buildings. Enforcement of the Building Regulations is a matter for the 31 local building control authorities who have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under the Acts. Neither I nor my Department has any direct role in relation to enforcement matters and cannot interfere in individual cases.
In general, building defects are matters for resolution between the contracting parties involved: the homeowner, the builder, the developer and/or their respective insurers, structural guarantee or warranty scheme. It is important to note that while my Department has overall responsibility for establishing and maintaining an effective regulatory framework for building standards and building control it has no general statutory role in resolving defects in privately owned buildings, including residential apartments, nor does it have a budget for such matters.
In response to the many building failures that have emerged over the past decade, my Department introduced the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 9 of 2014), which require greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction by registered construction professionals and builders, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates.
A Certificate of Compliance on Completion is jointly signed by the builder and the assigned certifier. This must be accompanied by plans and documentation to show how the constructed building complies with the building regulations and also the inspection plan, as implemented.
At the end of May 2017, the Government approved the draft heads of a Bill to place the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) on a statutory footing and this Bill has now been referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government for pre-legislative scrutiny. Once it is enacted the Bill will provide consumers who engage a registered builder the assurance that they are dealing with a competent and compliant operator and will complement the reforms which have been made through the Building Control Amendment Regulations and contribute to the development of a culture of competence and compliance in the construction sector.
659. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps his Department has taken to increase the amount invested in further acquisitions for additional social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31133/17]
View answerThe acquisition of new and previously-owned houses and apartments through my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme has been a feature of delivery over the last several years of new social housing for those on the waiting lists. Delivery of social housing through acquisitions has increased in recent years in line with the Government commitment to accelerate the overall delivery of social housing through some €3 billion provided over the period 2015-2017.
Building on this investment, the funding framework for the implementation of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness provides €5.35 billion in investment to deliver 47,000 social housing units through build, refurbishment, acquisitions and leasing, over the period to 2021.
While statistics for acquisitions completed in 2016 are being finalised, it is estimated that almost 2,000 houses and apartments were purchased by both local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for social housing use last year. Further significant acquisitions will be made this year, including through the allocation of €70m for the Housing Agency to establish a revolving fund to acquire some 1,600 units over the period to 2020 for social housing use. The fund will be replenished by the Agency through the sale of units primarily to the AHB sector.
Acquisition of new and previously-owned houses and apartments has resulted in important early delivery of social housing. However, it is important that this activity is carried out with due regard to the impact it has on the local housing market. This principle is set out in the funding arrangements put in place by my Department for local authorities and AHBs in respect of social housing acquisitions. Also emphasised in these arrangements are that the acquisitions approach for new social housing should reflect the importance of mixed tenure, should not be overly-concentrated in any particular location, should represent reasonable value-for-money and that newly-acquired properties must comply with statutory building and fire safety regulations.
660. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the additional resources that local authorities are to receive to ensure adequate levels of inspection of private rented properties to enforce current minimum standards for rental properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31135/17]
View answerWhen a property is let, or available to let, it must comply with the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations. The Regulations specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, fire safety and safety of gas and electrical supply. Responsibility for enforcement of the regulations is a matter for the relevant local authority.
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 of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible.
The Government’s Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, sets out a number of actions in relation to standards, with the combined aim of improving the quality and management of rental accommodation. On 27 January 2017, the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017 were made and came into operation on 1 July 2017.
The Strategy for the Rental Sector also prioritises strengthening the inspection capacity of local authorities to increase the number and frequency of inspections of rental properties. In addition to the updated Regulations, procedures for a more efficient, standardised and transparent inspection and enforcement approach across all local authority areas will be introduced.
Specific ring-fenced funding for inspection and compliance activity will be identified from 2018 onwards and annual targets for both inspection and compliance will be agreed with local authorities. The objective set out in the Strategy is to increase inspection numbers incrementally each year so that, by 2021, 25% of all rental properties are inspected annually.
661. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the legislative proposals his Department is working on to secure the rights of sitting tenants in buy-to-let homes being repossessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31136/17]
View answerThe Strategy for the Rental Sector recognises that receivership and repossession processes in relation to rented dwellings can cause confusion and distress to tenants. It is essential, in such circumstances, that the rights of tenants are protected. While the circumstances of each case may vary, depending on the terms of the mortgage or charge under which a receiver is appointed, the appointment of a receiver should not affect the ability of tenants to vindicate their statutory or contractual rights under the Residential Tenancies Act.
However, the interplay between receivership law and the Residential Tenancies Act is complex. Recognising this, the Strategy for the Rental Sector committed my Department to establishing an Inter-Departmental Working Group to explore the scope for the obligations of landlords to transfer to receivers and for amending legislation to provide for greater protection of tenants’ rights during the receivership process. The objective is to ensure that persons appointed as receivers will be required to fulfil the obligations of a landlord.
Following the Government's endorsement of the Strategy, the Working Group was established in February, chaired by my Department, with representatives from the Departments of Finance; Justice and Equality; Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; and from the Office of the Attorney General.
The Working Group's Terms of Reference are to examine:
- the law governing the appointment of receivers to rented dwellings;
- the types of receiver that can be appointed to a rented dwelling;
- the effect of the appointment of a receiver on the rights of a tenant under a tenancy;
- the powers of a receiver appointed to a rented dwelling; and
- the scope for amending legislation to provide that the obligations of landlords transfer to receivers appointed to rented dwellings, and whether any such amendment could apply retrospectively.
The Working Group has just finalised an interim report, producing findings in terms of:
- the definition and scale of the issues to be addressed in any legislative amendment;
- the objectives of such legislative change; and
- the application of the legislation and the identification of the obligations to be transferred from landlords to receivers.
On receipt of further legal advice, the Working Group intends to produce its final report with findings and recommendations in relation to the feasibility, nature and content of legislative change.
662. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of homes that have been acquired for social housing under initiatives such as the repair and leasing scheme; the amount spent on this in tabular form; the number of units in the next 12 months to be delivered under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31149/17]
View answerMy Department has introduced a range of schemes to provide local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) with the capacity to utilise existing vacant stock for social housing use. In particular, the Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) is targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their properties up to the required standard for rental property.
In recognition of both the critical demand for units and the potential the RLS has to offer, an additional €26m was assigned to fund the scheme in 2017, which brings the total amount available this year to €32m. This additional investment in 2017 means that delivery under the scheme can be accelerated and up to 800 vacant properties can be brought back into use as new homes for families on local authority waiting lists this year.
Individual targets have been communicated to each local authority to ensure that the objective of 800 units for 2017 is achieved, and local authorities have been provided with delegated authority to enter into contractual arrangements in respect of that number of units. If a local authority is in a position to secure more units through the scheme than their target, this is welcomed and funding will be provided accordingly. The RLS targets for each local authority are set out in tabular form below.
My Department will be closely monitoring this activity to ensure that the scheme works well; that the funding available is utilised effectively; and ultimately, that new social houses are delivered using the scheme in 2017. The progress of individual local authorities will be reported later in the year.
The Buy and Renew Scheme is also available to local authorities to complement the Repair & Leasing scheme, allowing local authorities and AHBs to approach owners of vacant, privately-owned houses in need of repair or remediation, with the option to either lease and repair, or to buy and repair, the unit. An initial €25 million has been made available in 2017 and may be increased to as much as €50 million in 2018, which should result in at least 400 - 500 renewed houses – or a greater number if costs per unit prove reasonable.
In addition in 2017, a capital fund of €70m is being provided to the Housing Agency to establish a revolving fund to acquire some 1,600 units over the period to 2020 for social housing use. The fund will be replenished by the Agency through the sale of units primarily to the Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector.
This is intended to be a short term to medium term initiative, targeting the vacant property portfolios of financial institutions and investment companies and is a direct response to the current shortage that would be designed to complement, not displace, ongoing targeted acquisition activity by local authorities and AHBs.
Under Actions 2.5 and 5.6 of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, the Housing Agency continues to actively and positively engage with banks and investment companies in relation to its acquisitions programme to deliver on the overall target of acquiring some 1,600 units by 2020. In that context, since the launch of Rebuilding Ireland in July 2016 and as of 31 May 2017, the Agency has accepted bids on 489 dwellings from a range of vendors. Of these, the Agency has signed contracts for 379 dwellings and 225 of these purchases have closed. Bids are pending on a further 18 dwellings.
2017 RLS Targets per Local Authority
|
Local Authority |
RLS Target 2017 |
|
Carlow County Council |
14 |
|
Cavan County Council |
9 |
|
Clare County Council |
18 |
|
Cork City Council |
26 |
|
Cork County Council |
50 |
|
Donegal County Council |
22 |
|
Dublin City Council |
150 |
|
Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council |
25 |
|
Fingal County Council |
41 |
|
Galway City Council |
24 |
|
Galway County Council |
20 |
|
Kerry County Council |
27 |
|
Kildare County Council |
31 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
13 |
|
Laois County Council |
13 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
6 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
30 |
|
Longford County Council |
10 |
|
Louth County Council |
22 |
|
Mayo County Council |
20 |
|
Meath County Council |
18 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
5 |
|
Offaly County Council |
13 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
8 |
|
Sligo County Council |
10 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
47 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
23 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
53 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
20 |
|
Wexford County Council |
19 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
13 |
|
800 |
663. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he has taken to review fire safety in apartment blocks in view of the appalling tragedy at Grenfell tower in London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31153/17]
View answerWhile there are no residential buildings in Ireland directly comparable or of a similar scale to Grenfell Tower, in response to this tragedy and in recognition of fears expressed for fire safety, I requested that a number of initial actions be taken, including:
- Local authorities were requested to review fire safety in the multi-storey social housing sector and to report back to my Department by 19 July 2017;
- The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) were requested to notify all landlords of their responsibilities and obligations as landlords in terms of ensuring that their properties fully comply with fire safety requirements. An information notice on fire safety has gone up on the RTB’s website and a further fire safety information leaflet is in the process of being distributed to all landlords;
- A Building Control Management System (BCMS) alert was issued to all 57,000+ registered users of the BCMS to remind those involved in works to existing or new buildings of the need to be vigilant in relation to compliance with the Building Regulations and in particular to Part B Fire Safety;
- The Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management met and reviewed the state of preparedness of Ireland’s local authority fire services to respond to large scale incidents. The Board noted the recent report of the External Validation Group titled “Local Delivery - National Consistency - Fire Services in Ireland” and concluded that the available evidence provides for confidence regarding the capability of fire services to respond to emergencies.
Following on from these initial actions, on 27 June 2017, I tasked my Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management with coordinating a high-level Task Force to lead Ireland’s re-appraisal of fire safety in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.
The Task Force will oversee and report on the initial steps already taken and look to identify and consider urgently potential life safety issues and to initiate appropriate remedial action where necessary. Following this initial work, the Task Force will review and re-appraise existing arrangements and systems for Fire Safety and related issues/issues which impact on fire safety in Ireland.
The Task Force will prepare an interim report by the end of September 2017, with a Concluding Report at a later stage setting out, inter alia, proposals for the consideration of the Minister.
The Task Force consists of senior representatives from the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management and other Divisions of my Department, in addition to representatives from the local government sector including the Chief Fire Officer, Dublin who is also Chair of the Chief Fire Officers Association, an international fire service expert, a fire safety consultant and a representative from Insurance Ireland. Further representatives, including representatives from other public bodies, may be invited to join the Task Force as work develops and issues emerge.
I have also directed that a series of further steps be undertaken in the weeks ahead. These include:
- The preliminary survey of the use of cladding products on residential buildings over 18m (more than 6 storeys) being undertaken by fire services in Dublin is to be extended to the rest of the country and to cover buildings in all categories over 18m in height. The results to be reported to my Department by 19 July;
- My Department is to meet with the local authority Chief Fire Officers in the coming weeks to review current activities and to plan for further fire safety initiatives in prioritised areas of action;
- Responsibility for fire safety in buildings of all kinds (other than dwellings) is placed by section 18(2)(4) of the Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003 on the ‘person having control’ of each building. In order to assist those in both the public and private sector who hold this responsibility, I have requested that the Fire Safety Task Force give urgent consideration to the publication of a guide on undertaking Fire Safety Assessments as provided for in section 18(6)(a) of the Act. This will facilitate persons having control of buildings to demonstrate that they are complying with their statutory responsibilities;
I will consider all issues emerging, including regulatory arrangements, in line with developments and the reports of the Task Force and, particularly, as further information becomes available in respect of the Grenfell Tower situation.
664. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the discussions his Department has had with a firm (details supplied) regarding the company establishing a special purpose vehicle to build 1,000 social and affordable homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31154/17]
View answerWhile my Department is aware of the proposal referenced, it has not had discussions with the company in question in respect of this proposal.
665. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when he plans to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations for Dáil Éireann constituencies in the Constituency Commission Report 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31209/17]
View answerFollowing publication of the preliminary census results on 14 July 2016, the Constituency Commission (Establishment) Order 2016 was made establishing an independent Constituency Commission to begin work on a report on Dáil and European Parliament constituencies. In accordance with requirements under section 9 of the Electoral Act 1997 (as amended), the Constituency Commission Report 2017 was presented to the Chairman of the Dáil on 27 June 2017. Under the Act, the Constituency Commission stands dissolved upon presentation of its report.
Given the report is now published, the next step, in accordance with accepted practice, is for the preparation of a Bill in my Department to give statutory effect to the Commission’s recommendations. Ultimately, the final determination of the constituencies for Dáil Éireann will be a matter for the Oireachtas to prescribe in legislation. In this regard, I will bring the necessary legislation forward in the coming months for the consideration of the Oireachtas.
