Written Answers Nos. 666-687
666. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on implementing a policy (details supplied) to increase the level of voter registration here in view of the decision of Seattle City Council obliging landlords to provide voter registration information and an application form when a tenancy starts. [31247/17]
View answerThe preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty, as far as possible and with the cooperation and engagement of the public, to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of that register. In support of activity by local authorities in preparing the register of electors, my Department promotes greater awareness of the register of electors through an annual campaign of promotional posters, the use of social media and the taking out of both newspaper and on-line advertisements.
I understand that one of the aims of the decision by the Seattle City Council is to increase voter turnout amongst younger voters. In addition to the campaign that I have outlined, my Department liaises with student bodies and youth organisations, in the State, to promote awareness amongst their members and younger people generally who may be registering for the first time.
My Department has commenced work on the modernisation of the voter registration process. This is in the context of facilitating the registration of voters resident outside the State, in the event of an extension of the franchise at Presidential elections being approved by the people in a referendum. All aspects of voter registration, including the provision of registration information, and experiences from other countries, will be reviewed as part of this project.
667. 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 in 2017; the anticipated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31272/17]
View answerMatters 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 during the negotiation period.
668. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the cost of the pyrite remediation scheme; and the portion borne which has been covered by a company (details supplied) and his Department. respectively. [31282/17]
View answerThe Pyrite Resolution Act 2013, provides the statutory framework for the establishment of the Pyrite Resolution Board and for the creation of a pyrite remediation scheme to be implemented by the Board with support from the Housing Agency. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope.
Some €2.2 million was provided to the Housing Agency in 2014 to meet expenditure incurred under the scheme in respect of design work, contractors, expenses to homeowners, operational costs, the administrative costs to the Housing Agency and the remediation of a number of dwellings in the final quarter of that year.
An additional sum of €10 million was made available in Budget 2015 to fund the operation of the scheme in 2015. A further 148 dwellings had remedial works completed under the scheme in 2015.
An allocation of €19 million was provided for the pyrite remediation scheme in Budget 2016 to meet activity under the scheme in 2016. Sanction for a further €7.6 million to support additional activity under the scheme last year was granted in August 2016. Some 400 dwellings were remediated under the scheme in 2016.
A sum of €22 million was announced under Budget 2017 to fund the operation of the pyrite remediation scheme in 2017, of which €15.9 million has already been drawn down by the Housing Agency. This allocation will facilitate the remediation of some 400 additional dwellings this year and is a clear signal of the continuing importance attached by Government to addressing the issue of significant pyritic damage in private dwellings.
In the context of the pyrite remediation scheme, an agreement was reached between the Pyrite Resolution Board and the company referred to by the Deputy in June 2014, under which the company agreed to contribute technical and project management services to the Board to the value of €2 million. Such services include assisting in organising and managing the testing of dwellings and project management of remediation contracts. The company has also agreed to make available to the Pyrite Resolution Board/Housing Agency the results of testing undertaken by it prior to the operation of the scheme.
A Supplemental Agreement has been signed with the company for dealing with structural defects not related to pyritic heave, which are identified prior to or during the course of pyrite remediation works. In such cases, it will, under the Supplemental Agreement, make an appropriate contribution towards the cost of such structural works.
669. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the cost of the expert panel on concrete blocks; and the estimated costs of remediation of the defects identified in its report. [31283/17]
View answerThe Expert Panel on concrete blocks was established by my Department in April 2016, to investigate problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Counties Donegal and Mayo.
Estimating the possible costs of remediation was not included in the terms of reference of the panel. The panel had 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.
On 13 June 2017, the report of the Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks was published and included eight recommendations, which my Department are now advancing.
My Department has already taken action to implement recommendations 1 and 2 as priorities. With regard to Recommendation 1, the Department met with the NSAI recently to discuss the establishment of a Technical Committee to scope and fast track the development of a standardised protocol.
With regard to Recommendation 2, my Department has been in contact with Engineers Ireland in regard to the establishment of a register of competent engineers for homeowner/affected parties’ reference. Engineers Ireland provided assurance that they will collaborate with the Department, the NSAI and others on measures to establish such a register.
In addition and in light of the information contained in the report, I am currently 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.
The four members of the panel provided their services on a pro-bono basis. The cost of €9,072 associated with the preparation of the report relates to travel and subsistence (at Civil Service rates), legal fees and printing.
670. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the cost of the Millfield Manor fire defects report; and the estimated costs associated with remediation of same. [31284/17]
View answerIn July 2015, the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government directed that a review be undertaken by an independent fire expert to develop a framework for general application, in the interest of supporting owners and residents living in developments where concerns regarding non-compliance with fire safety requirements arise. A Steering Group was convened to oversee the review.
The independent fire safety expert procured, has completed his review and a report on the matter has been received by my Department from the Chairman of the Steering Group. The report remains under consideration pending clarification of a number of legal issues at which point it is intended that the necessary arrangements for publication will be made.
The cost of the review was €34,905. The contracting authority for this report was Kildare County Council and the costs were recouped in full by Kildare County Council from my Department.
It is important to note that my Department has no general statutory role in resolving defects in privately owned buildings nor does it have a budget for such matters.
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. In this regard, it is incumbent on the parties responsible for poor workmanship and/or the supply of defective materials to face up to their responsibilities and take appropriate action to provide remedies for the affected homeowners.
671. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the full costs of remediation of the building defects at the Priory Hall development in Dublin; and the amount borne by his Department and Dublin City Council respectively. [31285/17]
View answerThe difficult process of resolution of the Priory Hall issue, involving the relevant members of the Irish Banking Federation, the Residents’ Committee, the Government and Dublin City Council, concluded with a Framework Agreement in October 2013. In recognition of the unique and exceptional circumstances which arose in Priory Hall, all parties entered into this Agreement. The Framework sets out that the cost burden is shared between the State, DCC, the Irish Banking Federation and other stakeholders, as appropriate.
The refurbishment of Priory Hall is being undertaken in a number of phases with 187 units overall being refurbished. The overall work scope relates to the extensive remediation of the residential and retail units, and extensive basement remediation including pyrite works.
While the full costs of the remediation have yet to be finalised, to date, €21.191m has been recouped to Dublin City Council for the refurbishment works (€10.288m of which was self-funded through Local Property Tax receipts with €10.903m being provided in Exchequer funds).
672. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the estimated cost of remediating building, fire safety or disability access defects in properties in use as social housing in each of the four Dublin local authorities over the past three years; and the portion of these costs that were borne by his Department and the local authorities respectively. [31286/17]
View answerMy Department is committed to supporting local authorities in maintaining and improving the quality of the national social housing stock through a range of measures, including large-scale urban regeneration programmes, improving the standard and energy efficiency of dwellings, pre-letting repairs and improvement and refurbishment works to vacant properties in order to return these to productive use as quickly as possible. Works under these programmes are carried out in accordance with relevant building standards.
The routine management, maintenance and upgrade of local authority housing stock, including the identification, prioritisation and implementation of related works programmes is, however, a matter for each local authority, and it is open to each authority to fund such works from within their own resources. My Department does not, therefore, hold details in relation to costs incurred by the four Dublin local authorities in respect of the categories of work referred to by the Deputy.
In certain limited circumstances funding has been made available in order to address defective social housing; details in relation to the local authorities concerned for the years in question will be compiled and forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A:
Details in relation to the local authorities concerned for the years in question are set out in the following table:
Table of funding made available in past 3 years to address defective social housing
|
Name of Project |
Defect |
Amount |
|
Dublin City Council |
Pyrite |
€9,492,096 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
Pyrite |
€244,605 |
673. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the consideration that has been given by Irish Water to identify and prioritise capital investment requirements for settlements that align with the sustainable transports links such as rail networks to support proportional and sustainable growth in areas in order to mitigate against transport related climate change effects. [31287/17]
View answerUnder Section 33 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, Irish Water is required to prepare a Water Services Strategic Plan (WSSP). In preparing a WSSP Irish Water must consult with the Commission for Energy Regulation, the EPA, local authorities and each regional body.
The Act also provides that when preparing the WSSP Irish Water must ensure, as far as practicable, that it is consistent with the National Spatial Strategy, regional planning guidelines and river basin management plans. The WSSP must also have regard to proper planning and sustainable development, housing strategies, special amenity orders, strategic development zones, water quality management plans, waste management plans and such other matters as the Minster may direct.
In October 2015, the then Minister for the Environment, Community and local Government approved Irish Water’s 25-year WSSP which sets out the challenges affecting the provision of public water services in Ireland and identifies the priorities to be tackled in the short and medium terms. A copy of the plan in available in the Oireachtas Library. The plan takes a long-term view of water services investment needs at a national level, and provides an opportunity to ensure that investment is strategically targeted towards priority needs.
The Act also requires that the WSSP is subject to review at least every 5 years.
674. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the issue with regard to the water connection at a location (details supplied) in County Louth will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31300/17]
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. Irish Water is responsible for water services infrastructure including water connections and I have no function in these matters.
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.
676. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of the 1,552 social housing acquisitions in 2017 that were purchased by local authorities and approved housing bodies respectively. [31373/17]
View answerThe number of social housing acquisitions in 2016 was approximately 1,960, as reflected in the publication of the Rebuilding Ireland Third Quarterly Progress Report, which can be seen at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/install/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Third_Quarterly_Progress_Report_RBI_31_May_2017.pdf.
While certain remaining details in respect of quarter 4 activity for 2016 are being finalised, approximately 1,400 of these acquisitions were by local authorities, with the remainder by AHBs.
677. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the development contribution balances of each local authority; if special development contributions are included; if so, the balances of these of each local authority; the amount of both balances for years other than 2017; the number of requests for sanction of spending on specific projects that have been made to his Department, by local authority; the projects that were given sanction; the amount involved in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31391/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not collated within my Department but should be available from each individual local authority.
678. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the planned cooking and recreational facilities and size of the living space that will be in the new family hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31394/17]
View answerStatutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, while my Department’s role involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. It is therefore a matter for the relevant housing authorities to consider the precise support services/facilities to be available at specific family hubs, taking account of guidelines provided by my Department, the physical configuration of individual buildings and any specific needs of families being accommodated.
679. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if families leaving emergency accommodation to be moved into family hubs will be given assurances on tenure there; if there will be a maximum stay in these hubs; if families will be then rehoused by local authority or voluntary housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31395/17]
View answerAs part of the response to the commitment contained in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness that, by mid-2017, hotels will only be used as emergency accommodation in limited circumstances, housing authorities are delivering a number of family-focused, supported temporary accommodation facilities (Family hubs).
Family hubs are an important first response for families who become homeless and who have no alternative other than commercial hotels. The hubs will provide more appropriate and suitable accommodation for families. They are not a long term housing solution as families will move into houses and apartments that will be provided under social housing supports, as supply becomes available. This type of emergency accommodation provides a secure and stable placement for families on an on-going basis unlike the insecurity of hotel accommodation especially during peak periods and holidays.
These custom-developed facilities will offer family living arrangements with a greater level of stability than is possible in hotel accommodation while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured. Furthermore, such arrangements will facilitate more coordinated needs assessment and support planning including on-site access to required services, such as welfare, health, housing services, cooking and laundry facilities and appropriate family supports.
Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, while my Department’s role involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. In relation to the Deputy's specific query, the operation and management of individual housing solutions for families, such as family hubs, Housing Assistance Payments, local authority allocations, etc. are a matter for the relevant housing authorities.
680. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the account taken of the census of population in the local property tax redistribution model; the way in which new needs associated with new populations are measured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31399/17]
View answer681. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the consideration which is given following the publication of the census of population; the sections involved; if it prompts policy responses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31420/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 680 and 681 together.
The Statistics and Data Analytics Unit within my Department closely monitors all the outputs of the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The Unit is the primary point of contact between the Department and the CSO and as such is regularly in contact with that Office in relation to a variety of different issues, including assisting with queries of a statistical nature and developments such as the National Data Infrastructure.
Census results are of interest right across the Department but particularly inform policy considerations in respect of planning, housing, water, local government and franchise functions. Census data is centrally relevant to much of the planning arena both in relation to strategic planning such as for the National Planning Framework (NPF),but also in preparing for the forthcoming Regional, Spatial and Economic Strategies to be prepared by the three Regional Assemblies. As part of the formulation of the NPF, the finalised Census 2016 results are under review to ensure the most recent and accurate data is considered and reflected in any evidence-based proposals that may form part of the draft NPF and subsequent Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies.
In relation to housing, up-to-date Census information is utilised across all areas of policy development. In April and May of this year for example, the CSO released two major Census 2016 publications of relevance to the housing area. These were Census 2016 Profile 1 - Housing In Ireland and Census 2016 Profile 2 - Population Distribution and Movements both of which can be accessed via the following weblink: www.cso.ie/en/census/census2016reports/census2016publicationschedule. These reports contain important data in terms of the context in which housing policy is formulated and they will be a key data source to inform the recently announced review of Rebuilding Ireland.
My Department collaborates actively with the CSO and, by way of example, engaged extensively with the Office prior to Census 2016 being conducted, in view of the CSO’s intention to publish a specific Homeless Persons report. The Department is represented on the CSO's Housing Data Group and the CSO in turn participates in the Department's Housing Data Analytics Group.
Census data also informs policy considerations in the franchise area. The publication of preliminary census results triggers the establishment of a Constituency Commission under the Electoral Act 1997 and the Commission is required to present its report on Dáil and European Parliament constituencies within three months of publication of final census results. Other franchise considerations informed by Census data include, for example, voting age and citizenship requirements for voter registration and voting rights.
Census information also informs the preparation of terms of reference for any review of local electoral areas to be undertaken and provides a basis for the work of any Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee established by the Minister or any other local government review committee which may be established from time to time. Population changes are also one of a range factors that my Department considers in the context of Local Property Tax allocations, which are kept under review to ensure equitable treatment of all local authorities, recognising also that the resource requirements of local authorities vary significantly across the State.
Finally, regarding the water function in my Department, the Census results provide statistics on the number of households connected to different types of piped water supplies and to different types of sewerage facilities. This data is vital in relation to policy on public water and wastewater services, the group water sector, private wells and small private supplies.
682. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the annual allocation under the housing adaption scheme made by his Department to each local authority in each of the years from 2002 to 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [31428/17]
View answerThe Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability were introduced on 1 November 2007. Information on Exchequer funding provided by my Department to each local authority for these schemes for the years 2008 to 2016 is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics.
Details of the allocation for the grant schemes in 2017 are available at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/rebuilding-ireland/older-people/minister-coveney-announces-eu598million-improve-homes-older.
683. Deputy James Lawless asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel in the Defence Forces receiving technical pay group 3 in each of the years from 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30788/17]
View answerThe information requested is shown in the following table:
|
Year |
Number in receipt of Technical Pay Group 3 |
|
2011 |
766 |
|
2012 |
792 |
|
2013 |
790 |
|
2014 |
782 |
|
2015 |
749 |
|
2016 |
738 |
|
2017 to date |
670 |
684. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a recruitment drive for the Air Corps will occur in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31065/17]
View answerThe Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service personnel, as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence.
The Air Corps (Pilot Officer) Cadetship competition was launched at the end of March 2017. There are currently 3 Cadet Classes, comprising 26 personnel, at various stages of their Pilot Officer ‘Wings Course’. 6 Cadets of the Senior Cadet Class are due to be commissioned as Pilot Officers in Q4 of 2017.
On 13 March 2017, a class of 11 new Apprentice Technicians began their training, who, along with 12 General Service Recruits in training, will be assigned to the Air Corps on completion of their training.
It is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue to be carried out for the Air Corps, Army and Naval Service.
685. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence 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 in 2017; the anticipated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31270/17]
View answerThe outcome of the vote of 23 June 2016 in the UK will have implications across all aspects of the business of the European Union. While the vote does not give rise to fundamental strategic issues for Defence Forces operations or for Ireland’s continuing engagement within the EU in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), it is expected that Brexit will have an impact on future developments in the Defence sphere.
The structures put in place in the Department of Defence to address the potential challenges arising from Brexit include the assignment of responsibility to a senior official at Assistant Secretary General level in relation to Brexit related matters. The senior official is leading the Department’s input to deliberations within the framework established across Government and is supported in their role by a number of branches in the Department. The senior official represents the Department on the Interdepartmental Group on EU-UK Affairs which is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and is engaged with the identification of key strategic, operational and policy issues arising from Brexit. In addition, the Management Board is acting as a clearing house for Brexit and maintains oversight on an ongoing basis.
As the Deputy will also be aware, the Government has adopted a contingency framework to deal with all issues arising in respect of the UK vote to leave the EU. Accordingly, any issues arising, including those within the Defence area, whether bilateral, or in respect of developments in CSDP, or regarding our wider international multilateral defence engagements, will be also addressed within that framework.
As matters relating to Brexit are currently being absorbed and dealt with within already existing Department structures and resources, there is currently no dedicated Brexit funding allocation in the Department of Defence.
As the Deputy is aware the formal EU-UK negotiations commenced earlier this month. All potential consequences in the defence sphere, arising during these negotiations, will remain the subject of ongoing consideration by my Department throughout this process, including whether there will be a future requirement for a dedicated unit to exclusively handle Brexit related matters.
686. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason the 1916 to 2016 commemorative medals issued to members of the Defence Forces for their respective contributions and service to the State were not also issued to members of the emergency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31397/17]
View answerThe Programme for Government provided for the award of a commemorative medal to all Defence Forces personnel, Permanent and Reserve, who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016. This was a special acknowledgement from the Government to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, both Permanent and Reserve, who served during the centenary year of 2016.
Recognition of the contribution to the State by members of the emergency services is a matter that is not within my remit as Minister with responsibility for Defence.
687. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of civil servants in his Department who have requested a transfer to a location outside County Dublin; the number of civil servants in his Department who have requested a transfer from a location outside of Dublin into County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31776/17]
View answerThe Department of Defence is largely a decentralised department with offices in Newbridge, Galway and Roscrea. From time to time civil servants based in my Department may apply for specific posts in other Government Departments but aside from such cases my Department does not currently hold central information on civil servants seeking to transfer out of the Department to another location, including to or from County Dublin.
Action 15 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan has a commitment to develop a mobility scheme within the Civil Service. Work on this scheme is ongoing with the Civil Service Management Board, Departments and staff interests. When that scheme is operational I understand a facility will exist to report on numbers on lists per department and location.
