Written Answers Nos. 778-799
778. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of vacant houses offered to the Housing Agency and/or his Department to purchase; and the number of those houses offered by banks. [39409/17]
View answerThe Housing Agency has been offered 1,700 vacant units for purchase of which 817 have been offered by banks. Within this, the Agency has been offered a total of 1,090 units specifically for its Acquisition Fund, of which 745 have been offered by banks.
Once properties have been offered for consideration, the Agency co-ordinates with local authorities regarding their local social housing requirements. Not all properties offered are deemed suitable. Properties may be physically or financially unsuitable (for example, poor quality dwellings or dwellings above price limits). It should also be noted that properties can be withdrawn during the process by the vendor due to legal or other issues.
As of 31 August 2017, the Agency has had bids accepted on 450 properties. Contracts have been signed for 392 dwellings and 324 of these purchases have closed. Overall, the objective of the Acquisition Fund is to acquire some 1,600 units over the period to 2020 for social housing use.
My Department does not receive offers to purchase vacant houses but rather funds acquisitions in response to applications from local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
779. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of RAS tenancies in each local authority area, in tabular form. [39410/17]
View answerThe most recent data regarding the number of tenancies funded under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.
780. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress in the Rebuilding Ireland target of rolling or choice-based letting, CBL, in each local authority area; the local authorities that are using CBL; the local authorities that are in the process of installing the system and training staff in its use; and the timeframe for the completion of this work. [39411/17]
View answerThe allocation of social housing support is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated regulations. Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 requires all housing authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.
The Government’s Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing & Homelessness contains a commitment to extend the use of choice-based letting (CBL) by local authorities as a method of allocating social housing support. This is in recognition of the benefits that a CBL system can deliver to social housing applicants, existing social housing tenants and to local authorities.
On 30th September 2016, the Social Housing Allocation (Amendment) Regulations 2016 were made, which required that all local authorities must, if they have not already done so, provide for CBL as a method of allocation in their housing allocation schemes by 31 December 2016.
Where a local authority, having included a provision on CBL in its allocation scheme, decides to operate a CBL scheme, it must implement it in accordance with Regulations 6-11 of the 2011 Regulations. Decisions on which properties are to be included under a CBL scheme is a matter for individual authorities.
I understand that a majority of local authorities have now used CBL, as a way of allocating some of their social housing properties. Where it has been introduced, the feedback has been very positive both from the authorities themselves and the customers they serve.
To facilitate the wider operation of CBL my Department issued updated guidance to authorities in December 2016. My Department will continue to liaise with housing authorities with a view to ensuring that CBL is implemented, as widely as possible, across the country.
781. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 613 of 27 June 2017, if he has received legal advice on the publication of the final report of the review into allegations of planning irregularities in County Donegal; if he is now in a position to publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39449/17]
View answerSenior Counsel has completed his review of certain planning matters in respect of Donegal County Council and a report was submitted to my Department on 12 June 2017.
My Department is currently reviewing and assessing the contents of the report and legal advice has been sought in respect of a number of matters, including publication. These initial advices have been received and are now being considered, with a submission currently being prepared. Arising from this process, a further request for legal advice has been made, seeking clarification on a particular issue.
When this has been received, I will be in a position to consider the matter of publication, and to make a statement as appropriate.
782. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has received a briefing document or proposal from Irish Water for a single public utility or single organisational model; the structures that are proposed; and if he has authorised same. [39524/17]
View answerThe Water Services Strategic Plan - A Plan for the Future of Water Services (WSSP), which was published in October 2015, set out strategic objectives for the delivery of water services for 25 years up to 2040. The WSSP committed to the preparation of Business Plans by Irish Water to set out targets for delivery of efficiencies in operational and capital expenditure and performance targets consistent with the delivery of the objectives of the WSSP.
The Irish Water Business Plan - Transforming Water Services in Ireland to 2021 was published in late 2015. It set the priorities for the utility to 2021 and underpins the transformation plan for the water sector to a single utility model. The plan was considered by Government and was approved subject to budgetary and regulatory review.
The Confidence and Supply Arrangement in support of the minority Government has confirmed the retention of Irish Water as a single national utility in public ownership responsible for the delivery of water and waste water services.
Since 2013, working through Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with the Local Authorities, Irish Water has made significant progress in establishing the utility capability, which has included investing over €2 billion in the system to date. Over the past year, significant design phase work has been undertaken on the development of a transformation plan, in line with the Business Plan objectives. Flowing from this, I have been informed by Ervia (which has responsibility for Irish Water), that they consider that the public water system will benefit significantly by greater integration of operations into the single utility. Consequently, the Ervia Board has agreed in principle not to renew the SLAs beyond 2025 (when they are due to end) and to move to a full integrated public utility operations model. The Water Services Acts already provide the necessary protections for terms and conditions, and pensions of local authority staff working under the SLAs in such circumstances. It is the intention of Ervia to work with local authorities to manage this change within the life of the current Business Plan (i.e. by end of 2021).
A process of engagement with local authorities on the proposed next steps on the transformation plan has now commenced. The current SLAs remain in place until such time as an alternative is agreed.
783. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount which has been paid to a company (details supplied) for staff in each of the years 2014 to 2016. [39525/17]
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. Contracts entered into by Irish Water are a matter for the utility and I have no function in the matter.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
784. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount which has been paid to local authority staff in each of the years 2014 to 2016. [39526/17]
View answerThe total Gross Cash Remuneration (before taxation) for the local government sector, which comprises wages, salaries, allowances in the nature of pay, overtime or any other payments and employers contribution to social security but excludes employees contribution to superannuation, is outlined in the following table.
|
Year |
Amount in €millions |
|
2014 |
€1,293.9 |
|
2015 |
€1,283.8 |
|
2016 |
€1,308.8 |
785. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount which has been paid to consultants since Irish Water was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39527/17]
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. Consultants engaged by Irish Water are a matter for the utility and I have no function in the matter.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
786. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount which has been paid to Irish Water staff in bonus payments in each of the past three years. [39528/17]
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. Payments to staff by Irish Water are a matter for the utility and I have no function in the matter.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
787. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of rent Irish Water paid for its offices in each of the past three years. [39529/17]
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. Rent payments made by Irish Water are a matter for the utility and I have no function in the matter.
Irish Water Financial Statements have a breakdown of operational costs including an amount for the cost of rent, rates, utilities and insurance. The Financial Statements are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. In order to get a further breakdown of operational costs the Deputy may wish to contact the dedicated team established by Irish Water to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
788. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the operational expenditure and capital expenditure costs to councils in the past three years. [39530/17]
View answerCurrent expenditure (sometimes referred to as revenue expenditure) covers the service provision costs of local authorities, including staff salaries, housing maintenance, pensions, etc. Current expenditure is funded through a combination of commercial rates, charges for goods and services, specific Government grants, and Local Property Tax.
Capital expenditure results in the creation or acquisition by a local authority of an asset that has a use beyond the year in which it is provided e.g. road construction, building or purchase of houses, swimming pools, libraries, etc. Capital expenditure is funded through a combination of Government grants, borrowings and income from other sources.
An amalgamated Annual Financial Statement for the local government sector is prepared and published by my Department following the receipt of the audited annual financial statements of the local authorities. This document sets out the results for all of the local authorities under a number of revenue and capital headings and is published on the Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/archived/archived/current/type/publications?query=Local%20Authority%20Financial%20Statement.
Total local authority Current and Capital expenditure over the years 2013-2015 (the most recent year for which complete audited figures are available) are set out in the following table.
|
- |
2013 €m |
2014 €m |
2015 €m |
|
Current |
4,524 |
3,881 |
3,962 |
|
Capital |
1,511 |
1,070 |
1,315 |
|
Total |
6,035 |
4,951 |
5,277 |
789. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of staff in the Irish Water Cork call centre; the number of staff in Irish Water and the local authorities both temporary and permanent for the past three years. [39539/17]
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 staffing is a matter for the utility and I have no function in the matter.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
790. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the length of time the position of Galway county manager has been vacant; the reason the position has not been filled; when it is expected that the position will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39541/17]
View answerFollowing the retirement of the most recent permanent Chief Executive of Galway County Council, in line with section 145(6) of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, the then Minister with responsibility for local government, appointed a Temporary Chief Executive to the post. This temporary appointment commenced on 05 July 2014. A permanent appointment has not yet been made.
The position of Chief Executive of Galway County Council will be considered in the context of a report that will be brought to Government in the coming weeks pursuant to the Programme for a Partnership Government commitment on potential measures to boost local government leadership, accountability and ensure that local government structures strengthen local democracy. This will take account also of the recommendations of the committee established to examine local government arrangements in Galway.
791. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the detail of current vacancies including grade and area in Galway County Council; the length of time of each vacancy; the reason for the vacancies; when it is expected the positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39542/17]
View answerMy Department gathers quarterly data on staff numbers in local authorities. The data gathered does not provide the detail the Deputy is looking for in terms of vacancies within Galway County Council.
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. In this regard, it is a matter for each individual Chief Executive to recruit and assign staff to specific functional areas.
My Department currently has five staff sanction requests from Galway County Council, which are currently under consideration. These sanction requests all relate to posts within the Galway library service.
792. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of appeals under the exceptional circumstances clause that have been granted by the Pyrite Remediation Board since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39556/17]
View answerThe Pyrite Resolution Act 2013 provides for the making of a pyrite remediation scheme by the Pyrite Resolution Board for certain dwellings affected by significant pyrite damage. The Pyrite Resolution Board, with the support of the Housing Agency, is responsible for the implementation of the pyrite remediation scheme. The pyrite remediation scheme is a scheme of “last resort” and is limited in its application and scope. The full conditions for eligibility under the scheme are set out in the scheme which is available on the Board’s website, www.pyriteboard.ie.
The scheme is applicable to dwellings which are subject to significant damage attributable to pyritic heave established in accordance with I.S. 398-1:2013 - Reactive pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material - Part 1: Testing and categorisation protocol. In this regard, it is a condition of eligibility under the scheme that an application to the Board must be accompanied by a Building Condition Assessment with a Damage Condition Rating of 2. Dwellings which do not have a Damage Condition Rating of 2 are not eligible to apply under the scheme. This ensures that, having regard to available resources, the focus of the scheme is on dwellings which are most severely damaged by pyritic heave.
Where a dwelling, otherwise not eligible for inclusion in the scheme, adjoins a dwelling already included in the scheme, such a dwelling may be considered in accordance with the exceptional circumstance provisions set out in section 17 of the Act. Section 17 provides that exceptional circumstances may apply where -
- failure to include a dwelling in the scheme may result in damage to that dwelling or damage to the dwelling being remediated under the scheme, or
- pyrite remediation work is causing or may cause damage to a dwelling.
The Housing Agency will consider if exceptional circumstances apply when the Remedial Works Plan is being drawn up; the Board will be informed of any recommendation for a decision in the matter. As matters currently stand, no dwellings have been included in the pyrite remediation scheme under the exceptional circumstances provisions of the Act.
793. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the maximum amount a person in receipt of HAP is allowed to contribute towards rent; if this is stated in the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39573/17]
View answerUnder the Housing Assistance Payment scheme (HAP), a tenant sources their own accommodation, the tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord and is covered by the Residential Tenancy Act 2004 (as amended). The accommodation sourced should be within the limits of the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on the household size and the rental market within that area. HAP applicants are informed of the maximum rent limits for their local authority area; these elements of the scheme are stated in the HAP Tenant Information Booklet, on the dedicated HAP website, www.hap.ie, and local authority staff are expected to explain them to each HAP applicant.
Recognising the pressures in the rental market, the Government increased the maximum rent limits available under the HAP scheme across the country with effect from 1 July 2016. Furthermore, additional flexibility above the existing HAP rent limits was made available to all HAP local authorities from the same date. Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 20% (enhanced support under the Homeless HAP scheme is statutorily provided for in the Dublin Region) above the prescribed maximum rent limit in circumstances where it is necessary, because of local rental market conditions, to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it. It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis.
From available data, at the end of Q2 2017, 17.8% of the total number of households being supported by HAP were benefitting from the additional flexibility that was provided to local authorities to exceed the maximum rent limits. When the additional discretion available to homeless households in the Dublin Region is removed, 12.6% of households nationally were benefitting from the additional flexibility.
My Department is aware that some HAP recipients are making payments directly to their landlords, beyond the amount of HAP being paid on their behalf. There is no legislative provision precluding HAP supported households contributing towards the monthly rent to their landlord. Where a qualified household sources accommodation outside the maximum rent limits, it is important to highlight the responsibility falling on the household to ensure the landlord receives the full amount of rent charged for the property as set out in their tenancy agreement. In cases where the tenancy would clearly not be sustainable, local authorities have been advised to refuse HAP support for the accommodation sourced. It is also important to remember that households in receipt of HAP support can work full-time without losing their housing support, which is not the case for Rent Supplement recipients.
Ultimately, decisions in relation to levels of HAP support made available to individual households are a matter for the local authority concerned. Equally local authorities must assess the sustainability of each tenancy where a tenant proposes making additional payment beyond the HAP Payment to the landlord. The increased flexibility provided to local authorities offers them, as housing authorities, more capacity to assist households in securing rented accommodation that meets their needs. Currently over 27,000 households are having their housing needs met via HAP.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. I am satisfied with how the HAP scheme is operating and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under Rebuilding Ireland.
794. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a person must pay their water bill in order to purchase a local authority house through the incremental purchase scheme, in view of the fact that refunds are now being issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39580/17]
View answerThe current position is that, pending any legislative change, arrears of water charges incurred by households remain to be discharged before the sale of a dwelling. Under Section 3(A)(9) of the Water Services Act 2014 (inserted by Section 48 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2015) a person who is a tenant of a dwelling let to him under the Housing Acts 1966 to 2014 and who proposes to purchase the dwelling shall before completion of the sale provide the local authority concerned with a certificate of discharge from Irish Water confirming that any charge under section 21 of the No. 2 Act 2013 in respect of the dwelling owed to Irish Water has been paid. The sale of the dwelling cannot proceed until a certificate of discharge in respect of the dwelling has been received from Irish Water.
In line with the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2016, domestic water charges are suspended from 1 July 2016 to the end of 2017. However, Irish Water domestic customers remain liable for any water charges (and late payment charges) in respect of the period prior to this suspension, i.e. from 1 January 2015 to the 30 June 2016.
Following approval by the Government, the Water Services Bill 2017 will be published shortly. The Bill reflects the recommendations of the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services. This report, published on 12 April 2017, was approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill provides for the discontinuance of domestic water charges for dwellings as set out in the Water Services Act 2014, including the repeal of section 3(A) of that Act. Pending the passage of the Bill, the current legislative framework remains in place and tenants who propose to purchase a property under the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme must provide a certificate of discharge from Irish Water confirming charges up to 30 June 2016 have been paid.
795. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of shared ownership loans and first-time buyer's loans in each local authority issued since these schemes came into existence, in tabular form; the number of each category currently in mortgage arrears of less than and more than 90 days; the number of properties repossessed as a result of mortgage arrears; the number of properties that were voluntarily sold; the value of these mortgages; and the value of the arrears on these mortgages. [39672/17]
View answerThe Shared Ownership Scheme was introduced in 1991 and was stood down in 2011. From 1991 to 2010, a total of 16,492 loans were issued under the scheme, of which 3,585 remained at the end of Q1 2017. The attached table gives a breakdown of outstanding Shared Ownership loans by local authority at the end of Q1 2017.
Table 1: Shared Ownership Loans by Local Authority Area at end Q1 2017
|
Local Authority |
Total |
|
Carlow County Council |
28 |
|
Cavan County Council |
25 |
|
Clare County Council |
113 |
|
Cork City Council |
70 |
|
Cork County Council |
405 |
|
DLR County Council |
70 |
|
Donegal County Council |
149 |
|
Dublin City Council |
858 |
|
Fingal County Council |
176 |
|
Galway City Council |
15 |
|
Galway County Council |
47 |
|
Kerry County Council |
65 |
|
Kildare County Council |
295 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
87 |
|
Laois County Council |
200 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
3 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
114 |
|
Longford County Council |
35 |
|
Louth County Council |
11 |
|
Mayo County Council |
26 |
|
Meath County Council |
61 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
21 |
|
Offaly County Council |
18 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
12 |
|
Sligo County Council |
100 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
121 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
102 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
209 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
65 |
|
Wexford County Council |
33 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
51 |
|
Grand Total |
3585 |
To ensure effective targeting of limited resources, local authority house purchase loan finance, including finance advanced in the past for the purchase of properties under the Shared Ownership Scheme, is targeted at first time buyers only.
The information requested in relation to loans advanced by each local authority, local authority mortgage arrears and local authority repossessions (both forced and voluntary) is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity. This data is not broken down by loan type.
796. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which persons will be able to view documents, drawings, maps and submissions on planning applications for 100 units or more that will be considered by An Bord Pleanála under the strategic housing development planning applications either by hard copy and or online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39713/17]
View answerThe Planning and Development (Strategic Housing Development) Regulations 2017 (the Regulations) set out procedural and administrative matters relating to proposed strategic housing developments, as provided for under Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016.
Article 301 of the Regulations details the requirements for making an application for a strategic housing development available for public inspection. It states that a copy of the application, including any environmental impact statement or Natura impact statement or both of those statements, if required, and all other documents, particulars, plans or information that accompany the application, will be made available for inspection at the offices of An Bord Pleanála (the Board) and in the relevant planning authority(s), from when the application is made and for a period of 8 weeks following the Board’s decision on the application. In addition, the applicant is also required to make the application available for inspection on-line on a website for the same period.
Article 302 of the Regulations provides that submissions or observations in relation to a proposed strategic housing development may be made by members of the public and prescribed bodies to the Board during a 5-week public consultation period, commencing from the receipt by the Board of the application. The Board is also required to send a copy of any submissions or observations received to the relevant planning authority.
In accordance with standard practice relating to planning applications, the submissions and observations received on proposed strategic housing developments are associated with the related planning file and are available for inspection at the offices of the Board and the relevant planning authority.
797. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the policy on private tenants in situ in apartments that have been bought by a voluntary housing body when those tenants are entitled to HAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39728/17]
View answer798. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the rights of a private tenant that is eligible for housing and housing assistance payment, HAP; and who lives in a property that has been bought by a voluntary housing body but is not paying differential rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39729/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 797 and 798 together.
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 regulates the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2015 amended section 3 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 so that dwellings let by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to social housing tenants now come within the remit of the Act. Tenants in HAP supported tenancies and AHB tenancies are afforded the same rights and protections available to all those in private rented tenancies, with some minor exceptions in relation to rent setting and reviews for AHB tenancies.
In a case where an Approved Housing Body (AHB) purchases apartments that have tenants in situ who are qualified for social housing support and are on the record of qualified households, it is a matter for the individual local authority as to whether such apartments should be allocated to the tenants in question in accordance with its social housing allocations scheme.
Local authorities are by law (Section 63(1) of the Local Government Act 2001) independent in the performance of their functions. The allocation of social housing support to qualified households is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with its allocation scheme made in accordance with section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations.
Where social housing units are provided by AHBs under Payment and Availability (P&A) arrangements with local authorities, it is a condition of such funding that rents be determined in accordance with the differential rents scheme of the local authority in which the dwelling is situated, and AHBs will carry out rent reviews from time to time in accordance with the particular rents scheme in question.
Where sheltered housing is provided by AHBs under the Capital Assistance Scheme, my Department’s guidance states that rents should be at levels which are reasonable having regard to tenant’s incomes and the outlay of the AHB on the accommodation.
799. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the proposed figures for investment in repairing and upgrading the water infrastructure over the coming three years. [39783/17]
View answerThe Irish Water Business Plan 2014-2021 forecasts €5.5 billion in capital expenditure over the period. It is anticipated that €2.2 billion will be spent by the end of 2017, leaving some €3.3 billion to be invested to the end of the Plan period. The Commission for Energy Regulation has approved the capital spending for the current regulatory period to end 2018 and the 2019-2021 regulatory period is being re-profiled in the light of investment to date.
Arising from recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services, a new funding model is being put in place for Irish Water. This will involve the State funding the cost of domestic water services. The requirements for 2018 to 2021 are being finalised in the context of the 2018 Estimates and the Capital Plan.
