Written Answers Nos. 1677-1696
1677. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of vacant properties; the number suitable for social housing; the number that have been considered for acquisition by local authorities broken down by authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36348/17]
View answerWhile my Department does not hold the information requested, the Central Statistics Office has made available a variety of data from Census 2016 on vacant residential properties. For example, CSO published a comprehensive report on 20 April 2017 entitled Profile 1 - Housing in Ireland which can be accessed via the following link: http://www.cso.ie/en/census/census2016reports/census2016publicationschedule/.
As per this Census 2016 data, the total housing stock in the State was 2,006,645, of which 183,312 were classified as vacant households (excluding holiday homes), representing around 9% of the overall national housing stock. Furthermore, almost 80,000 vacant dwellings were recorded in our cities and large towns. Further information on the number of vacant residential properties by small area has been made available on the CSO website from 20 July 2017 at the following link: http://census.cso.ie/sapmap/ .
While building new homes is a significant element of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, Pillar 5 of the Action Plan is specifically focused on Utilising Existing Housing Stock, with a key objective of ensuring that the existing vacant housing stock throughout the country and across all forms of tenure, in both the public and private sectors, is used to the optimum degree possible. In this regard, Action 5.1 of Rebuilding Ireland commits to the development of a National Vacant Housing Re-Use Strategy, informed by Census 2016 data.
To this end, the Housing Agency established a working group comprising senior representatives from my Department, local authorities and from the Housing Agency itself to inform the Strategy. My Department has received the output from the work of this Group and is presently engaging with key Departments and Agencies to consider the analysis and agree on the recommended actions, prior to publication.
I would like to see as much ambition as possible in bringing as many viable vacant properties back into use at an early stage. I intend, as part of the targeted review of Rebuilding Ireland, to explore what further actions can be taken and what new ideas we can bring to bear, in close liaison with Ministerial colleagues. If budgetary measures are needed to reinforce the ambition, this may delay the publication of the Strategy. But this will not delay the commencement of important work at local level in gathering more accurate and up-to-date information on where vacant properties are and who owns them, so that we can facilitate the re-use of many vacant properties, particularly in our cities and towns.
Following my meeting with local authority Chief Executives last Thursday (20 July), I am eager to advance a number of early key actions with local authorities to ensure that the timing of publication will not delay actions to get housing stock back into use.
Ahead of finalisation of the Strategy, it is important to note that my Department has already introduced a number of significant measures under Pillar 5 of Rebuilding Ireland to incentivise the increased use of vacant housing stock to help meet the needs of those in receipt of social housing assistance. These initiatives include the Repair and Leasing Scheme, the Buy and Renew Scheme, and the Housing Agency acquisitions fund, all of which have the potential to bring more vacant and under-utilised properties back into use to meet social housing needs.
1678. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the publicly owned land zoned for housing, broken down by local authority; if these lands are serviced, partially serviced or unserviced; the number of homes that could be built on this land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36349/17]
View answerThe active management of the public housing land bank is part of a range of actions taken under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, designed to accelerate and increase housing output. This is complementary to actions already undertaken to streamline the planning process, reform development contributions, and invest some €226 million in infrastructure, through the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), to facilitate housing delivery.
On 27 April 2017, details of some 1,700 hectares of land in local authority and Housing Agency ownership were published on the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map, with the potential to deliver some 42,500 homes nationally. The map also includes details of some 300 hectares of land in ownership of other State or semi-State bodies, with the potential to deliver 7,500 homes. Details in relation to these sites can be viewed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/.
In order to ensure a consistent and comprehensive approach nationally, I have asked local authorities to prepare Strategic Development and Management Plans for housing lands in their ownership by 30 September 2017, with particular emphasis on prioritising those sites with the most potential to deliver housing at scale, in the short to medium term, including mixed-tenure projects, where appropriate.
For its part, the Housing Agency is in the process of finalising a Strategic Development and Management Plan for the Land Aggregation Scheme sites, which will be published in due course. With regard to the sites identified that are owned by other State or semi-State bodies, my Department is working directly with the bodies concerned to drive the development of these sites at the earliest possible opportunity.
1679. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of housing applicants on local authority lists after the assessment of needs of earlier in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36350/17]
View answerThe Social Housing Strategy 2020, published in November 2014, included a commitment to undertake summaries of social housing assessments (SSHA) on an annual basis from 2016. The aim of the process is to capture the total number of households across the country which are qualified for social housing support and whose housing need is not currently being met. This data will allow my Department to target the delivery of social housing supports under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness to those most in need.
The summary process requires all housing authorities to review those households who are on their housing list but who are not currently in receipt of housing support to ensure that the details of the applicant households are up to date and accurate and that they are still eligible for, and in need of, social housing support. All local authorities then submit their returns electronically to a central IT system managed by the Local Government Management Agency. This information is then verified, analysed and collated in a report submitted to my Department by the Housing Agency. This work is underway at present and I expect the 2017 Summary to be finalised and published later this year.
1681. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount it would cost to restore funding to the community development programme to 2008 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36392/17]
View answerIn 2008, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs allocated funding of €83,450,000 under its Local and Community Development Programmes, specifically the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) and the Community Development Programme. Also in that year, that Department asked the Centre for Effective Services (CES) - an independent centre set up in a partnership between the Government and Atlantic Philanthropies - to review the design of both of these Programmes.
The CES review of these Programmes also coincided with the general downturn in economic activity which saw the Department’s allocation under its Community Development Programmes diminish considerably due to the need to ensure cost efficiencies and to ensure that funding was optimised at the front line. The amount of funding required to operate the Programmes was also affected by the cohesion process initiated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs some years previously, which resulted in a significant reduction in the numbers of local delivery structures for a range of rural and local development programmes over the following years.
From 1 January 2010, the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) and the Community Development Programme were both superseded by the new Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP). The LCDP officially ceased at the end of 2013, having operated for four years, and was implemented on a transitional basis until end of March 2015. The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), was rolled out across communities on 1 April 2015, following a competitive process.
The SICAP Programme Framework was informed, inter alia, by learning from the LCDP and previous community development programmes led out by Government.
SICAP operated for a 9 month period in 2015 and the funding allocation for that year included an allocation of €2 million under the European Structural Funds (ESF) Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020 and €2 million under the Youth Employment Initiative. The SICAP funding allocation for 2016 and 2017 includes an allocation of €3 million for each year under the ESF, which is matched by exchequer funding of the same amount.
In 2017, SICAP, as managed and overseen by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area, will direct some €38 million to support tackling poverty, social exclusion and long-term unemployment through front-line interventions. I am satisfied that the programme is ensuring that those most marginalised are benefitting from a targeted and cost effective range of supports. In addition, the programme is ensuring that resources are allocated in the fairest way possible, to make the maximum contribution to social inclusion, job creation and economic recovery.
1682. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount it would cost to fully restore all cuts to the Traveller accommodation budget. [36412/17]
View answerIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment and delivery of the accommodation needs of Travellers through the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing traveller-specific accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
Local authorities adopted the fourth round of Traveller Accommodation Programmes in 2014, with the five-year rolling accommodation programmes running from 2014 to 2018. These programmes provide a road map for local authority investment priorities over the period. They also form the basis for the allocation of funding from the Department for Traveller accommodation, on foot of proposals received from local authorities and subject to approval from my Department.
Traveller-specific accommodation is funded by means of 100% capital funding from my Department. Capital funding of €9m for Traveller-specific accommodation is being provided in 2017, an increase of €3.5m (64% increase) on the 2016 allocation. This is the third consecutive year that the capital budget has been increased. My Department also provides current funding for accommodation-related supports to operate in tandem with the capital programme. Current funding of €4.3m is being provided in 2017.
Funding allocated from 2008 to date is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Capital |
Current |
|
2008 |
€40,000,000 |
€7,173,000 |
|
2009 |
€35,000,000 |
€7,173,000 |
|
2010 |
€35,000,000 |
€6,673,000 |
|
2011 |
€15,000,000 |
€6,439,000 |
|
2012 |
€6,000,000 |
€4,000,000 |
|
2013 |
€4,000,000 |
€3,500,000 |
|
2014 |
€3,000,000 |
€3,250,000 |
|
2015 |
€4,300,000 |
€4,000,000 |
|
2016 |
€5,500,000 |
€4,220,000 |
|
2017 |
€9,000,000 |
€4,220,000 |
1683. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount of land in the ownership of the local authorities that was sold or disposed of in 2016. [36413/17]
View answer1684. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount of all local authority land sales or land disposals yielded to the State in 2016. [36414/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1683 and 1684 together.
The information requested is not available in my Department.
However, in accordance with the Local Authority Accounting in Ireland Code of Practice and Accounting Regulations, which is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/accounting_code_of_practice_january_2017_final.pdf.
Proceeds from the disposal of property, plant and equipment should be credited or debited to a local authority's capital reserve, and accounted for on an accruals basis. The proceeds from disposals should, in accordance with standard and prudent accounting practice, be applied in either the purchase or construction of capital type assets, and as such are recorded in the Annual Financial Statements of the local authority.
Moreover, every local authority is required to maintain a register of all lands in its ownership or leased by the local authority. Where such land is no longer held by the local authority, the date and manner in which the local authority ceased to hold such land and the consideration, if any, paid to the local authority in respect of such land, should be recorded.
In this regard, a local authority may dispose of land no longer required by it for its statutory functions. The procedures to be followed are set out in section 183(1) of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended. The Act provides, inter alia , that prior notice of the disposal be sent to each of the elected members of the local authority. It is a matter for the elected members, by resolution, to decide that the disposal shall not be carried out or that it shall be carried out in accordance with specified terms.
A key objective of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is to increase the supply of high quality social housing and homes at more affordable price points, on local authority lands as quickly as possible, particularly in areas where demand is greatest. In that regard, on 27 April 2017, details of some 1,700 hectares of land in local authority and Housing Agency ownership were published on the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map, with the potential to deliver some 42,500 homes nationally. These sites can be viewed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/.
All local authorities have been requested to prepare Strategic Development and Management Plans for their lands by 30 September 2017.
1685. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has requested an independent valuation of each of the sites in the State’s ownership which he has identified as being suitable for mixed tenure developments on State lands and other lands in the Government’s action plan for housing and homelessness, Rebuilding Ireland. [36415/17]
View answer1686. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has requested an independent valuation of each of the 700 sites described on page 50 on the Government’s action plan for housing and homelessness, Rebuilding Ireland (details supplied). [36416/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1685 and 1686 together.
The active management of the public housing land bank is part of a range of actions taken under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, designed to accelerate and increase housing output. This is complementary to actions already undertaken to streamline the planning process, reform development contributions, and invest some €226 million in infrastructure, through the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), to facilitate housing delivery.
It is now crucial that the State fully exploits the suite of actions taken to ensure the accelerated and increased delivery of social and affordable homes at a greater scale on the local authority and Housing Agency land bank. In this regard, in order to ensure a consistent and comprehensive approach nationally, I have asked local authorities to prepare Strategic Development and Management Plans for housing lands in their ownership by 30 September, with particular emphasis on prioritising those sites with the most potential to deliver housing at scale, in the short to medium term, including mixed-tenure projects, where appropriate. For its part, the Housing Agency is in the process of finalising a Strategic Development and Management Plan for the Land Aggregation Scheme sites, which will be published in due course.
In total, some 1,700 hectares of land in local authority and Housing Agency ownership were published on the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map on 27 April, with the potential to deliver some 42,500 homes nationally. These sites can be viewed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/.
Local authorities play a crucial role in place-making, by ensuring that local areas are attractive places in which to live, to work and to invest. They own a range of land and property assets, which are reflective of their broad range of functions, including for the delivery of social and affordable homes. In accordance with the Local Authority Accounting in Ireland Code of Practice and Accounting Regulations, which is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/accounting_code_of_practice_january_2017_final.pdf a local authority is required to record its assets in the Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet) when it is probable that the future economic benefits will flow to the local authority, and the asset has a cost or value that can be measured reliably. This includes land acquired for the purpose of housing delivery.
1687. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the sources of funding, including contributions in kind, for all aspects of the proposed venture relating to the foreshore lease planning application to construct an offshore electricity generating station on Galway bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36429/17]
View answerAs Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, I have responsibility for regulating the use of the foreshore in Ireland in accordance with the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, and the relevant environmental directives in force at the time of granting any particular foreshore lease or licence.
I have no role in relation to the funding of any project which is the subject of an application for a foreshore lease or licence, such issues being a matter for the promoters of each individual project.
1688. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the review of the tenant purchase scheme is now completed; if so, if he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36442/17]
View answerIn line with the commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a review of the first 12 months of the Tenant Purchase scheme’s operation has been undertaken. The review has incorporated analysis of comprehensive data received from local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme during 2016 and a wide-ranging public consultation process which saw submissions received from individuals, elected representatives and organisations.
The review is now complete and a full report setting out findings and recommendations has been prepared. Following consultation with relevant Departments on implementation arrangements, I expect that definitive proposals will be submitted to me very shortly.
1689. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of local authorities that tendered for the procurement of dog control or dog pound services; the number of local authorities that roll over such contracts and the commencement year in each case; if his Department has issued instructions on such procurement; if the local authorities are compliant with national or EU law in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36443/17]
View answerUnder the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have responsibility for operating and managing dog control and licensing services in their administrative areas, including the management of dog pounds or shelters and my Department has no involvement in that process.
The procurement of any service in that regard, therefore, is a matter for each local authority, and the management and operation of such pounds or shelters are matters solely for the relevant local authority.
Accordingly, it is a matter for each local authority to ensure that it is compliant with all relevant national and EU legislation.
1690. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way in which he is addressing the anomaly which sees city councillors receive a lower remuneration than that of their county council counterparts for effectively doing the same job; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36461/17]
View answerThere is no existing disparity between the rate of remuneration received by city councillors and county councillors.
My Department is reviewing the supports provided to councillors to enable them to do their important work in line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government and the announcement made by my predecessor earlier this year. In this context, my colleague John Paul Phelan TD, Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform, recently met with representatives of the Association for Irish Local Government (AILG) to discuss the views of its members on this and other issues of interest.
Following the implementation of the local government reforms in 2014, it is recognised that, in general, there are now fewer councillors with an increased workload arising from an enhanced range of functions and responsibilities, particularly at sub-county level. My Department, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, is now considering how best to address this issue in a manner that is fair and equitable to all councillors. An announcement will be made once these consultations have concluded.
1691. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 7 of 13 July 2017, the number of persons in receipt of HAP that have availed of the DHRE offer to access two months rent in advance payments and a month's deposit in respect of supports to secure a tenancy, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36467/17]
View answerThe flexibility of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) as a social housing support is one of the scheme’s key characteristics and was one of the primary benefits envisaged at the outset of the scheme. Circular: Housing 15/2017, which issued on 4 April 2017, provides direction and guidance to local authorities in the operation of HAP in incidences where the HAP supported tenant wishes to have their housing need met in a different local authority area.
The Homeless Place Finder Service which operates in Dublin and Cork can also utilise HAP inter-authority movement, in seeking potential properties suitable for households who have been identified as homeless. For example, in the case of the Dublin Placefinder Service, because of the flexibility of HAP, the Service can support homeless households residing in emergency accommodation but who wish to have their long-term housing needs met in another local authority area, to find suitable accommodation supported by HAP. However, the rent limits that will apply to any HAP property, in respect of any household, will be those which apply in the local authority where the property is situated. All local authorities facilitating inter-authority movement, including those assisting homeless households to exit homeless accommodation via a Place Finder Service, must consult with the new local authority in relation to the appropriate level of support that should be provided in order to ensure equity.
The following table provides details of the inter-authority movement since April, when the option was made available:
Summary of Inter-LA Movement (as at 19 Jul 2017)
|
Area |
Number |
|
Intra Dublin |
239 |
|
Dublin to other LA's |
25 |
|
All other inter-LA movement |
147 |
|
411 |
Of the 25 households that have been set up on HAP by Dublin local authorities in other non Dublin local authority areas, seven were homeless households. Those seven homeless households were set up on HAP by the DRHE in other local authority areas as follows: 4 Meath, 1 Kildare, 1 Wicklow and 1 Cork. During the same 15 week period the DRHE Place Finder service supported some 500 homeless households via HAP across the four Dublin local authority areas.
HAP is an important and valuable tool in supporting all households, including homeless households, who need assistance with their long-term housing needs.
1692. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the person or organisation that has statutory responsibility for decisions taken by the marine licence vetting committee, MLVC, in the MLVC's assessment of foreshore lease licence planning applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36468/17]
View answer1693. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the person or organisation that appoints persons to the Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC); the process of MLVC member selection, specifically, the person or organisation that appointed the nine members to the original MLVC to assess a planning application (details supplied); the person or organisation that appointed the seven members of the MLVC assessing the foreshore planning application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36469/17]
View answer1694. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if all foreshore lease licence planning applications are assessed by the same marine licence vetting committee, MLVC, or if the MLVC members change for each foreshore lease licence application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36470/17]
View answer1695. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the specific categories of application relating to foreshore lease and foreshore licence planning applications; the steps involved in the application process for each specific category; the composition of the MLVC necessary for each specific category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36471/17]
View answer1696. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way a marine licence vetting committee functions in his Department in view of the fact the assessment instrument to advise him on the issue of foreshore lease licence planning application consents, which is based on various legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36472/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1692 to 1696, inclusive, together.
Standard procedures have been developed by my Department that are followed when processing any application under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended. While there may be differences in the constitution of the MLVC, in different circumstances, these differences were detailed in former Minister Coveney's letter of 12 April 2017 to the Deputy. That letter explained that "the marine licence vetting committee (MLVC) is an ad-hoc multi-disciplinary committee which is convened, as required, for the purposes of undertaking a technical assessment of an application under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended. It is not established on a statutory basis and members undertake to participate in each instance voluntarily, as representatives of their individual organisations."
This letter also highlighted the different ways in which the MLVC may operate and stated that:
"The committee operates in three different ways:
1. For specific categories of application, the application and supporting documentation will be assessed by either the Chair of the MLVC or a member of the Department’s Water and Marine Advisory Unit (WMAU). Examples include site investigations, one day events, slipways, moorings and other projects deemed to be not significant in nature.
2. Larger projects require the convening of the full MLVC. However, the members may not meet in person. The Chair of the MLVC will correspond with the individual members for their views on the application including any submissions from prescribed bodies and the public.
3. Finally, when it is required, due perhaps to the complexity of the application and its supporting documentation or the volume of information to be assessed, the full MLVC may convene and meet to discuss the application, for example: strategic infrastructure developments."
It was also highlighted that the MLVC is normally chaired by Dr. Terry McMahon of the Marine Institute. However, since the Marine Institute was the applicant in the case referred to, Dr. McMahon was not involved in any way in the assessment process and the MLVC was chaired by Mr. Richard Cronin, Senior Advisor within the Water and Marine Advisory Unit of my Department.
Since participation in the MLVC is voluntary, members are invited to participate rather than being appointed. Members are representatives of their respective organisations and it is up to those organisations to ensure that their staff have the requisite knowledge and expertise to perform their duties including participating in technical evaluations of foreshore applications.
The MLVC makes a recommendation within a report which is included as part of the submission for determination by the Minister with responsibility for making decisions on foreshore applications. It is the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government that has the statutory responsibility to make the final determination on any application having taken all relevant information into account.
