Written Answers Nos. 185-190
185. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which the price of residential land and commercial land is tracked by his Department; and the measures used by his Department to track price inflation. [43274/17]
View answer186. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which concentration of ownership of residential land and commercial land is tracked by his Department; and the measures used by his Department to track this issue and prevent land oligopolies. [43275/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.
Information regarding the availability of residential zoned land is available on the Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land map. This is based on a national survey of all lands zoned for residential or primarily residential development in statutory local authority development plans and local area plans across Ireland, to determine the location and quantity of lands that may be regarded as being undeveloped and available for primarily residential development purposes. The Rebuilding Ireland map can be accessed at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/.
While my Department does not hold specific data regarding the ownership of residential and commercial land, the Property Registration Authority records the names and addresses of every registered land owner. The index is kept in respect of each county and can be accessed at www.landdirect.ie.
Furthermore, information regarding the consideration paid and the details of the transfer of lands is maintained by the Revenue Commissioners from stamp duty returns filed relating to the transfer of land.
In the context of the current housing supply shortage, the Government recognises the pressing need to ensure that land, in urban areas in particular, that is suitable for the development of housing is not held back by developers. A range of measures are being implemented under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan to ensure that such land is brought forward for development at the earliest opportunity.
The vacant site levy, provided for in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, is designed to incentivise the development of vacant and under-utilised sites in urban areas for housing and regeneration purposes. A 3% levy becomes liable for payment on such lands from January 2018. As announced in Budget 2018, the 3% levy rate which applies in the first year of the vacant site appearing on the register will be increased to 7% in year 2 and subsequent years, resulting in an effective vacant site levy of 10% over the first two years. Any levy outstanding will remain a charge on the land concerned until paid and therefore there will be a cumulative effect associated with not activating a site for development.
Furthermore, in order to address the issue of the hoarding of residentially zoned land, a number of amendments have been tabled in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016, which is currently at Dáil Report Stage. The amendments proposed are collectively aimed at tightening up existing provisions to ensure that extensions of duration of planning permissions cannot be granted where substantial development work has not been carried out during the initial life of the permission, with a particular focus on housing developments.
In addition, in relation to commercial land purchased for the development of housing, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform signalled his intent to introduce a stamp duty refund scheme because of the housing supply challenge. The refund will be subject to certain conditions, including a requirement that developers will have to commence the relevant development within 30 months of the land purchase. The details in relation to this measure will be set out in the Finance Bill.
Rebuilding Ireland attaches a particular priority to using publicly owned lands for the delivery of housing as quickly as possible, supported by the acceleration in Exchequer-funded social housing and the delivery of more homes for sale and rent at lower and more affordable price points. All local authority housing sites and an initial set of broader State-owned sites have now been mapped and can be accessed at:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/rebuilding-ireland-land-map/.
Local authorities and the Housing Agency are now preparing strategic development plans for the prioritised development of these sites.
187. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the process regarding new planning guidelines for windfarms, the delay in which is causing uncertainty for communities that have planning applications in their areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43356/17]
View answerMy predecessor as Minister, in conjunction with my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, announced an emerging "preferred draft approach" to the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines in June 2017.
A copy of the announcement is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/guidelines/wind-energy/coveney-and-naughten-announce-key-development-review-wind-energy-development-guidelines.
As part of the overall review, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) will be undertaken on the "preferred draft approach" to the revised Guidelines before they come into effect. This is in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, the SEA Directive. SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process.
It is envisaged that the SEA process will take approximately nine months and tendering to engage the necessary expertise to carry out that process is currently underway. In light of the SEA requirements, it is expected that the revisions to the Guidelines will not be finalised and come into effect until 2018. In the meantime, the current Guidelines remain in force.
When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities, and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts.
Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. As a consequence, I cannot comment on any individual planning case.
188. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason or fault for which a building (details supplied) at Casement Aerodrome, Dublin was condemned and ordered out of bounds to all personnel; the date of condemnation; the person who signed the order condemning the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43216/17]
View answerI have been advised by the military authorities that the former ERF Avionics building, which was a mixed brick and prefabricated structure, was demolished in 2009 as a direct result of the completion of more permanent, bespoke designed workshops in 2007. They have further advised that following a review of records at the relevant locations within the Defence Forces no known documentation exists indicating that this building was ever condemned or placed out of bounds prior to being demolished.
189. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that there are adequate vetting procedures in place for recruitment to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43253/17]
View answerSecurity vetting, which is a matter for the military authorities, has a number of layers and is conducted in conjunction with an Garda Síochána. The process has changed and modernised in recent years and is kept under ongoing review.
The Military Authorities have kept me apprised of any changes in procedure and have confirmed to me that the security vetting procedures in place are both necessary and appropriate.
For operational security reasons it would be inappropriate to set out or discuss the detailed processes.
190. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason for the reduction in the basic training hours provided to new recruits into the Defence Forces; the steps he is taking to ensure this does not negatively impact the level of professionalism within the Defence Forces; the way in which he plans to address the wider issue of retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43360/17]
View answerThe changes to the Recruit Training Syllabus, referred to by the Deputy, were made by the Military Authorities following a routine review, which identified elements of training being deemed more appropriate to a later stage within the development cycle of the enlisted soldier than heretofore had been the case. Such reviews are intended to ensure that training syllabi remain efficient and effective.
As there is a level of turnover of personnel in the Permanent Defence Forces which is higher than the rest of the public service, targeted recruitment has been and is currently taking place so as to maintain the agreed strength levels. The level of turnover also reflects that a significant number of personnel leave before the completion of basic training. In 2017, the Defence Forces have been targeting an increase in the level of recruitment across the range of recruitment streams. A total of 99 Cadets were recently inducted (on the 25th September 2017) of which, just over 20% were female. General Service recruitment campaigns for both the Army and Naval Service were launched earlier this year. These competitions have progressed and general service recruitment has commenced from these campaigns. A further General Service recruitment campaign was launched in late September.
As with other areas of the public service, challenges have arisen in relation to the recruitment and retention of certain skilled personnel, including Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers. This challenge was highlighted in the Department of Defence submission to the Public Service Pay Commission and can be considered when the Commission begins its next phase of work.
At the recent PDFORRA Annual Delegate Conference, I also announced a range of measures relating to contracts, promotions and other issues which had been identified within the Defence Forces Climate Survey. The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with operational requirements.
With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, the Government is committed to retaining the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and overseas.
