Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:800. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost in 2018 to reduce leakages in water infrastructure from current levels to 25%. [39784/17]
View answerWater Services Expenditure
Questions (800)
Written answers
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
If Deputies have any queries on specific issues in relation to water services, they may be aware that 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.
Mortgage to Rent Scheme Administration
Questions (801)
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:801. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the proposed changes to the mortgage to rent scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39796/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Review of the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) Scheme, published on 8 February 2017, introduced a range of amendments to the eligibility criteria and administration of the MTR scheme in order for it to work better for borrowers. My Department and the Housing Agency are working with all stakeholders to ensure that the actions set out in the Review are being effectively implemented to benefit a greater number of households.
The Review also concluded that the current financial model of the MTR scheme may not, in its current configuration, be capable of delivering the scale of successful cases that could benefit from the scheme over time. In order to test the operability of alternative funding models for the scheme, the Housing Agency has been working with a number of financial entities who have expressed an interest in working with the MTR scheme to progress a number of alternative long-term lease arrangements. In advance of these pilots and to establish the operability of an alternative financing approach, a targeted market testing exercise has been undertaken by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), to test the suitability of the proposed enhanced leasing arrangement to ascertain if they would be viable for a MTR cohort taking account of the necessity to provide a long-term stable solution for eligible households.
The responses to the market testing exercise have been reviewed by the Housing Agency and my Department and the next step is to issue a formal call for Expressions of Interest from bodies interested in pursuing pilot operating models. Once the Expressions of Interest process is concluded, the Housing Agency will make recommendations to the Department as to the make-up of the pilots which can then be initiated. The drafting of the content of the Expressions of Interest Request is underway and is expected to issue in the coming weeks.
Commercial Rates Exemptions
Questions (802)
Pearse Doherty
Question:802. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding which will be given to local authorities in 2018 in lieu of the loss of commercial rates from Irish Water properties; and the funding given in 2016. [39840/17]
View answerWritten answers
Section 12 of the Water Services Act 2014 states that public water services property is not rateable for the purposes of the Valuation Act 2001. This exemption applies to Irish Water for the provision of water supply and waste water treatment. Government provides equivalent funding directly to local authorities, through the Local Government Fund, in respect of rates income foregone.
Local authorities have been compensated to the amount of over €46m in 2016 in respect of rates income foregone in respect of Irish Water's infrastructure. A breakdown of the amounts paid to local authorities in 2016 is set out in the following table. A similar provision is being made available in 2017 and an equivalent provision is expected to be made available to local authorities in 2018, subject to the normal budgetary process.
|
Local Authority |
2016 €'000 |
|
Carlow County Council |
49 |
|
Cavan County Council |
30 |
|
Clare County Council |
165 |
|
Cork City Council |
712 |
|
Cork County Council |
1,544 |
|
Donegal County Council |
357 |
|
Dublin City Council |
14,052 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
3,334 |
|
Fingal County Council |
5,249 |
|
Galway City Council |
102 |
|
Galway County Council |
35 |
|
Kerry County Council |
256 |
|
Kildare County Council |
2,571 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
23 |
|
Laois County Council |
77 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
22 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
1,988 |
|
Longford County Council |
78 |
|
Louth County Council |
586 |
|
Mayo County Council |
201 |
|
Meath County Council |
308 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
11 |
|
Offaly County Council |
Nil |
|
Roscommon County Council |
Nil |
|
Sligo County Council |
132 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
6,852 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
427 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
4,479 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
69 |
|
Wexford County Council |
129 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
2,182 |
|
Total |
46,020 |
Fire Stations Provision
Questions (803)
Brendan Smith
Question:803. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of a project (details supplied); when this project will proceed to the next stage; the timeframe for the project to reach tender and construction stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39899/17]
View answerWritten answers
A five-year Fire Services Capital Programme is currently underway within my Department. This has an allocation of €40 million, based on the current annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres. Under this programme, the list of priority projects to be progressed will be kept under review on an annual basis.
Ballybay is included under the 2016 - 2020 Capital Programme as a new build station project to be included in annual reviews. My Department requested a revised cost plan for the proposed project in July. On receipt of same my Department will consider the project further.
The projects in the Capital Programme are reassessed on an annual basis and priority may be adjusted to bring forward projects offering best value-for-money and to take account of the state of readiness of the projects.
Housing Estates
Questions (804)
Seán Fleming
Question:804. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the level of funding provided to local authorities for taking in charge housing estates in 2016 and 2017; if funds are expected to be available under this heading in 2018; the funding provided in 2016 and 2017 by local authority; the number of housing estates that are covered by this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39900/17]
View answerWritten answers
The taking-in-charge of housing estates is a matter for the relevant local authority. In an attempt to enhance learning and systems development and to accelerate the taking-in-charge process of housing estates, my Department launched the National Taking-in-Charge Initiative (NTICI) in April 2016. The Initiative was set up on a time-bound basis in order to both better understand and stimulate the taking-in-charge process, due to the backlog of estates waiting to be taken in charge.
The NTICI was underpinned by €10m in funding. Under the terms of the NTICI, developments subject to valid taking-in-charge applications were eligible for inclusion in the call for funding proposals. Of the funding allocated, €7.7 million was paid to local authorities in respect of 330 developments, containing some 13,400 units.
It is important to note that the NTICI was not intended to establish a rolling annual funding programme to take-in-charge all estates not yet taken-in-charge, but was instead intended to develop better knowledge and systems to support the taking-in-charge of further estates over time. Therefore, there is no corresponding funding line after 2016.
A report on the 2016 NTICI Programme is currently being finalised by my Department which will include findings and recommendations on sustaining progress on the taking-in-charge issue, and will help to inform future taking-in-charge plans.
The funding provided in 2016 for each local authority is indicated below:
|
Local Authority |
No. of estates |
Total number of units |
Total monies paid out |
|
CARLOW |
8 |
247 |
€189,393.50 |
|
CAVAN |
23 |
891 |
€151,354.15 |
|
CLARE |
12 |
230 |
€437,114.00 |
|
CORK COUNTY |
15 |
658 |
€387,405.52 |
|
CORK CITY |
3 |
197 |
€124,969.86 |
|
DLR |
0 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
DONEGAL |
39 |
1,774 |
€825,903.86 |
|
Dublin City |
0 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
FINGAL |
7 |
868 |
€200,853.50 |
|
Galway CITY |
2 |
16 |
€19,691.43 |
|
GALWAY COUNTY |
21 |
980 |
€382,721.10 |
|
KERRY |
18 |
666 |
€362,652.00 |
|
KILDARE |
6 |
365 |
€166,161.49 |
|
KILKENNY |
9 |
694 |
€229,900.00 |
|
LAOIS |
5 |
165 |
€141,873.30 |
|
LEITRIM |
9 |
188 |
€151,950.00 |
|
LIMERICK |
6 |
383 |
€268,500.00 |
|
LONGFORD |
12 |
487 |
€163,500.00 |
|
LOUTH |
0 |
0 |
€0.00 |
|
MAYO |
11 |
340 |
€336,234.00 |
|
MEATH |
6 |
300 |
€169,659.00 |
|
MONAGHAN |
12 |
211 |
€111,170.00 |
|
OFFALY |
21 |
673 |
€320,280.00 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
9 |
157 |
€224,468.00 |
|
SDCC |
1 |
745 |
€30,000.00 |
|
SLIGO |
12 |
272 |
€252,911.98 |
|
TIPPERARY |
13 |
311 |
€521,296.40 |
|
WATERFORD |
10 |
544 |
€141,896.00 |
|
WESTMEATH |
5 |
53 |
€210,130.00 |
|
WEXFORD |
29 |
817 |
€887,819.85 |
|
WICKLOW |
6 |
155 |
€290,192.00 |
|
330 |
13,387 |
€7,700,000.94 |
NOTE : Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and Louth County Councils did not avail of NTICI funding.
Unfinished Housing Developments
Questions (805)
Seán Fleming
Question:805. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the level of funding provided to local authorities for unfinished housing estates in 2016 and 2017; if funds are expected to be available under this heading in 2018; the funding provided in 2016 and 2017 by local authority; the number of housing estates that are covered by this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39901/17]
View answerWritten answers
There was no direct funding provided by my Department towards unfinished housing estates in 2016 and 2017. The 2016 Annual Progress Report on Unfinished Housing Developments, published in March 2017, highlighted that the number of ‘unfinished’ developments had reduced by over 85% from just under 3,000 developments in 2010 to 420 developments in 2016. Funding of the resolution process is now centred around investment by housing providers and their funders as well as income from bonds and securities.
The 2016 report is available at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/resolving_unfinished_housing_developments_-_2016_annual_progress_report.pdf.
The residual level of unfinished housing developments remaining is expected to show further reduction when the 2017 survey is finalised and the 2017 Annual Progress Report is published by year end.
Local Authority Housing Funding
Questions (806, 807)
Brendan Smith
Question:806. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding allocated to date in 2017 to Cavan County Council for the housing capital programme; the additional funding that will be made available before the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39909/17]
View answerBrendan Smith
Question:807. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding allocated to date in 2017 to Monaghan County Council for the housing capital programme; the additional funding that will be made available before the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39910/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 806 and 807 together.
Rebuilding Ireland has put in place both the targets and the funding resources to accelerate the delivery of social housing for all local authorities, including Cavan and Monaghan County Councils. There are currently over 600 social housing construction projects included in the Status Report on Social Housing Construction Projects, which is now published on a quarterly basis and includes projects that are recently completed, on site, or undergoing planning and design. This list is being added to on an ongoing basis and the most recent report, covering the period to end Quarter 1 of 2017, is available at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/social-housing-construction-projects-report-2017/.
The report covering the period to the end of quarter 2 of 2017 will be published shortly.
The Status Report includes 16 construction projects of various scale in Counties Cavan and Monaghan, involving 226 new social homes, one of which was completed in Quarter 4 of 2016 and four others that are currently on site. Funding is provided to local authorities in line with their advancement of projects through construction. Accordingly, the level of funding that will be provided in 2017 to Cavan and Monaghan County Councils for their social housing delivery activity will be directly linked to the scale of delivery they achieve on these projects.
So far this year my Department has provided funding amounting to almost €3.8 million to both local authorities to advance their social housing construction programme including delivery by approved housing bodies under both the Capital Assistance Scheme and the Capital Advance Leasing Facility. I am keen that both local authorities bring forward and advance projects as speedily as possible and they have been assured that funding is in place to support their activity in this regard.
In tandem with the construction programme, all local authorities have been undertaking the targeted acquisition of properties and since January 2017, my Department has provided over €1.7 million to Cavan County Council and over €2.6 million to Monaghan County Council for this purpose, through which the two local authorities have secured 15 and 11 new properties for social housing use, respectively.
My Department also provides funding to local authorities for a range of social housing stock improvement initiatives, such as the energy efficiency retrofitting programme, adaptations to houses for people with a disability and the elderly, and returning vacant properties to productive use. Allocations for 2017 in respect of these programmes are as follows:
|
2017 |
Voids allocation |
Energy efficiency |
DPG/IWIL (Combined local and national funding) |
|
Cavan |
€221,950 |
€293,080 |
€353,709 |
|
Monaghan |
€182,000 |
€2,600* |
€175,854 |
*This allocation is based on a return received from the LA outlining works proposed for the year and associated costs.
Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility
Questions (808)
Brendan Smith
Question:808. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the review of income eligibility limits for social housing has commenced; the date for completion of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39911/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each housing authority, in different bands according to the area, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. The limits also reflect a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn and thereby promote sustainable communities.
Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources.
As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of the income eligibility limits for social housing supports is scheduled to commence later this year. I would expect the results of this review to be available for publication in early 2018.
Mortgage to Rent Scheme Administration
Questions (809)
Brendan Smith
Question:809. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when an amended mortgage to rent scheme will become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39912/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Review of the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) Scheme, published on 8 February 2017, introduced a range of amendments to the eligibility criteria and administration of the MTR scheme in order for it to work better for borrowers. My Department and the Housing Agency are working with all stakeholders to ensure that the actions set out in the Review are being effectively implemented to benefit a greater number of households.
The Review also concluded that the current financial model of the MTR scheme may not, in its current configuration, be capable of delivering the scale of successful cases that could benefit from the scheme over time. In order to test the operability of alternative funding models for the scheme, the Housing Agency has been working with a number of financial entities who have expressed an interest in working with the MTR scheme to progress a number of alternative long-term lease arrangements. In advance of these pilots and to establish the operability of an alternative financing approach, a targeted market testing exercise has been undertaken by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), to test the suitability of the proposed enhanced leasing arrangement to ascertain if they would be viable for a MTR cohort taking account of the necessity to provide a long-term stable solution for eligible households.
The responses to the market testing exercise have been reviewed by the Housing Agency and my Department and the next step is to issue a formal call for Expressions of Interest from bodies interested in pursuing pilot operating models. Once the Expressions of Interest process is concluded, the Housing Agency will make recommendations to my Department as to the make-up of the pilots, which can then be initiated. The drafting of the content of the Expressions of Interest Request is underway and is expected to issue in the coming weeks.
Defence Forces Properties
Questions (810, 811)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:810. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that dangerous chemicals such as ardrox 666 were disposed of for the Air Corps by a company that collected and disposed of all such highly toxic, corrosive and carcinogenic chemicals; and if the amount of chemicals purchased corresponds with the amount sent for safe disposal by the company engaged by the Air Corps to carry out such work in the past 20 years. [39259/17]
View answerAengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:811. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that dangerous chemicals were over the years in a systematic fashion leeched into the soil on lands at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel; if soil and or ground water samples have been taken on the 600 acre site at Baldonnel during the past 20 years; if so, the results of those tests; the action taken to prevent this practice; if decontamination of the soil occurred; and if such practice has now ended. [39260/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 810 and 811 together.
As this matter pertains to litigation which is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment at this time.
Defence Forces
Questions (812, 813, 814, 815)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:812. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the LÉ Samuel Beckett has embarked on a trip to London to attend an arms fair (details supplied); if so, the purpose of this trip; the body funding it; the name of the person that proposed and approved the Naval Service's attendance at this event; his views on whether it is appropriate that a navy ship from a neutral country attend an international arms fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39322/17]
View answer
Ruth Coppinger
Question:813. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel and Department staff that are attending the defence and security equipment conference in London; the cost of attending this event for members of the Defence Forces and Department staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39334/17]
View answerRuth Coppinger
Question:814. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if Naval Service ships are present at the defence and security equipment conference in London; if so, the cost of the attendance; the duties which have not been carried out while the ship has been present in London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39335/17]
View answer
Clare Daly
Question:815. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the purpose for which the Naval Service vessel, the LÉ Samuel Beckett is attending an international arms fair in London; the other members of the Defence Forces attending this arms fair; if the exchequer is funding this excursion; if so, the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39434/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 812 to 815, inclusive, together.
A Naval Service vessel, LÉ Samuel Beckett, attended the bi-annual Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London last week. The event ran from Tuesday 12th September 2017 to Friday 15th September 2017. The visit of the ship followed a request from Babcock International, the company responsible for the build of LÉ Samuel Beckett and her sister ships in the Naval Service fleet, LÉ James Joyce and LÉ William Butler Yeats. Babcock International is currently in the middle of building a 4th sister Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Irish Naval Service which is due for delivery in 2018. This ship is to be named LÉ George Bernard Shaw.
The attendance of LÉ Samuel Beckett at the exhibition was an opportunity to portray, to a wide audience, the considerable level of commitment and investment made in recent years towards protecting and safeguarding Irish territorial waters, by showcasing the success of the Offshore Patrol Vessel design and build capabilities. This design and build process for the current OPVs has involved a long and cooperative contractual relationship with the Department of Defence and the Naval Service with Babcock International’s Appledore shipbuilding facility in Devon in the UK. LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh were also built in the same shipyard, some fifteen or more years ago. Given the Department’s and the Naval Service’s involvement with the company during the course of the shipbuilding contracts, I approved a positive recommendation from my Department for the attendance of the ship.
It is not considered that the attendance of the ship at the event compromised our neutrality in any manner. In that regard, it is clearly understood that Ireland will continue to maintain a policy of military neutrality characterised by non-membership of military alliances and non-participation in common or mutual defence arrangements.
No additional advantage or benefit was received by the Naval Service or the Department of Defence, and no additional costs arose to the Defence Organisation as a result of the attendance of the ship at the exhibition.
In addition to the attendance of LÉ Samuel Beckett, the event was attended by a number of Department of Defence and Defence Forces personnel. This is standard practice within the Defence Organisation and attendance of personnel has been a feature at previous exhibitions. It is best practice in Defence acquisition to carry out product and services research at major shows of this nature. The estimated cost of travel and subsistence for the attendance of these personnel is €4,500.
The purpose was to visit the many exhibition stands involving the wide range of companies that the Defence Organisation deals with on a regular basis. These include companies involved in the land, sea and air environments, all of which are of interest to the Defence Organisation given the various roles of the Defence Forces at home and overseas. It was also an opportunity to visit the stands of several Irish companies exhibiting.
The exhibition provided personnel with a valuable opportunity to meet key suppliers across the full spectrum of military and defence equipment and activities. This ties in to the primary purpose for the procurement of such defensive equipment by the Department of Defence which is to enhance the capability of the Defence Forces. Attendance at such events is necessary to ensure that the Defence Forces retain the capabilities to fulfil all roles assigned by Government both at home and overseas.
Commemorative Medals
Questions (816)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:816. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the date on which commemorative medals will be issued to the surviving veterans of the siege of Jadotville and family members of those since deceased; if he will liaise with the organisers of the annual Jadotville day commemoration that will take place in Athlone, County Westmeath, on 21 October 2017 to try and ensure that the medals are presented on that day of celebration to minimise the travel and inconvenience to the elderly veterans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39680/17]
View answerWritten answers
Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): On the 13th June last I decided to award a medal to the men of “A” Company, 35th Infantry Battalion and to family representatives of deceased members, to give full and due recognition in honour of the courageous actions of the men during the siege at Jadotville in September 1961. This fully recognises their bravery and courage during the unique circumstances of the Siege of Jadotville.
A working group comprising civil and military officials has been established to co-ordinate efforts required to implement the plans for a medal ceremony. It has been agreed that the event will take place in Custume Barracks, Athlone where “A” Company assembled in advance of their deployment to the Congo.
Consideration is being given to suitable dates for this event and that includes liaison regarding local events taking place in Athlone. The design and procurement process of the medals is the other main factor impacting on finalising a date for the ceremony. As the delivery of the medals cannot be guaranteed in advance of 21st October 2017, unfortunately the medal ceremony cannot take place on that date. The Department are actively considering other suitable dates.
Defence Forces Properties
Questions (817)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:817. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the State Claims Agency has been tasked with taking health and safety risk assessments at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel; the date on which these assessments commenced; if they are still ongoing; the findings of these health and risk assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39834/17]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised that the State Claims Agency do not undertake health and safety risk assessments in the Defence Forces. This function is the responsibility of the Defence Forces.
With regard to the Air Corps, the Deputy will be aware that the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), following a number of inspections in 2016, issued a Report of Inspection to the Air Corps on 21 October 2016, listing a number of matters requiring attention which included the areas of risk assessment.
The Air Corps as a consequence of this HSA report have implemented an improvement plan which is being conducted over eight phases. Seven of the eight phases have now been fully completed. The final phase is a continuous ongoing process. The implementation plan focuses on a number of areas, including risk assessments.