Written Answers Nos. 1317-1340
1317. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the public relations companies or agencies the services of which his Department used for information campaigns since 1 January 2017; and the costs incurred to date in 2017. [46080/17]
View answerMy Department has not engaged any external public relations firms since January 2017.
The engagement of external expertise is generally only considered where the issues involved require expert skills or capabilities that are not readily available within my Department.
1318. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he has taken to ensure that grant-aided organisations spend their moneys appropriately in view of the revelations regarding a charity (details supplied) in 2016; if his attention has been drawn to concerns about organisations funded by his Department; if so, the action he has taken; if his Department has issued new procedures regarding the use of credit cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46097/17]
View answerGrant funding is made available by my Department to relevant bodies and organisations in order to assist in the achievement of identified and agreed business objectives. Such funding is provided on the basis that all necessary requirements as detailed in grant assistance schemes are met by the bodies/organisations concerned and that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to ensure the exercise of proper financial controls. I am not aware of specific concerns that have arisen along the lines referred to in the Question regarding bodies/organisations funded by my Department.
1320. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of all planning and research work under way for the impact of the result of Brexit negotiations in his Department or related State agencies; if this analysis is intended for publication; the expected completion and publication date respectively of this research, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46123/17]
View answerAs Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, Minister Coveney has responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. In this capacity, he is working closely with his colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting from Brexit. This cooperation also involves the relevant State Agencies.
Work at Cabinet level is being prepared through cross-Departmental coordination structures. These represent a frequent and active channel through which all relevant Departments are providing their research, analysis and overall policy input to the Government’s wider response to Brexit, including its priorities for the ongoing Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK.
As the outcome of the negotiations is not yet known, an important focus of the planning and preparation being undertaken through these structures is on deepening the Government’s analysis and understanding of the exact consequences of a range of different possible scenarios. This represents an intensification of efforts to build on the Government’s contingency planning.
In so far as my Department is concerned, the National Planning Framework for Ireland 2040 is due to be finalised this year and, along with the Capital Plan and other long-term Government strategies, will play an important role in preparing for the consequences of Brexit.
In May 2017, my Department and the Economic and Social Research Institute commenced a three-year programme of collaborative research. The output of the research programme will be a series of published papers concerning housing economics and related topics. Part of this programme will include work on estimating housing demand, including examining the implications for the housing market of changes in population levels which might arise over the medium term. Net migration, whether due to Brexit or other factors, will be one of the variables considered. The first outputs from the programme in relation to estimating medium to long-term housing demand are expected in mid-2018.
My Department will continue to work across Government, supporting the sectorial workgroups established as required and will keep the potential impacts of Brexit under review as the negotiations unfold.
1321. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 539 of 26 September 2017, the number of applications received by each local authority for the tenant incremental purchase scheme; the number of applications that were refused; the reasons for refusal in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46188/17]
View answerThe new Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme for existing local authority houses came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme.
In 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. This includes data on sales, refusals and applications to purchase during the calendar year 2016. Following consultation with relevant Departments on implementation arrangements, I expect to be in a position to publish the outcome of the review in the coming weeks.
1322. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons who applied for the mortgage to rent scheme in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of these applications which were approved and proceeded to renting of the property by the applicant from a housing agency; the number of applications which were refused; the reason for refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46240/17]
View answerSince the introduction of the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) Scheme in 2012, a total of 3,765 cases have been submitted under the scheme to the end of September 2017. Of the 3,765 cases submitted, 2,909 were ineligible or terminated during the process. Of the remaining cases submitted, 282 have been completed, and the remaining 574 are actively being progressed.
The Housing Agency publishes, on a quarterly basis, detailed statistical information on the operation of the MTR scheme, including the number of applications that have been received, the number of completed cases and the number of cases that have been terminated and the reasons for same. This information is available on the Agency's website at the following link:
https://www.housingagency.ie/our-services/housing-supply-services/mortgage-to-rent.aspx .
The reasons why a case may not have progressed are varied and can depend on the lender, the property, the household and the ability of the AHB sector to increase their involvement in the scheme. Following a Review of the Mortgage to Rent (MTR) Scheme, published on 8 February 2017, a range of amendments to the eligibility criteria and administration of the MTR scheme came into effect to enable more properties to qualify and to make the scheme more flexible and accessible to borrowers. The Review, available at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/changes-in-mortgage-to-rent-scheme/, explored the impediments to participation in the scheme and recommended a number of actions to make the scheme work better for borrowers. Key changes include:
- Lenders are now required to formally communicate with borrowers as to why they are not suitable for the scheme;
- The property price threshold for a house in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow has been increased to €365,000 (from €350,000) while the threshold for an apartment / townhouse in these areas has been increased to €310,000 (from €300,000). For the rest of the country, the threshold for a house has been increased to €280,000 (from €250,000) and for an apartment / townhouse to €210,000 (from €190,000);
- Flexibility has been provided in relation to the size of properties which qualify for the scheme. In practical terms, this means that an assessment of the property size suitable to a particular household now allows for a maximum of two additional bedrooms in the property above the actual needs of the household, with the property still being considered eligible;
- The administrative process has been streamlined, including certain steps of the MTR process now being required to be completed prior to the submission of a completed MTR application to the Housing Agency;
- There are a number of actions to improve knowledge and understanding of the scheme. A range of state agencies are being facilitated to assist and guide borrowers who could benefit from the scheme.
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. I am providing an additional €5m for the MTR scheme in 2018, which will support at least 250 additional MTR cases to be completed by Approved Housing Bodies working together with lenders using the existing MTR scheme.
The MTR 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 arrangements 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. A call for Expressions of Interest from bodies interested in pursuing pilot operating models was initiated by the Housing Agency on 26 October 2017. 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.
1324. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average cost of providing public water to domestic customers of Irish Water; the average cost of providing wastewater services to domestic customers; if the subsidy to Irish Water is based on these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46358/17]
View answerThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) determined in December 2016 the cost of water services for the two year period 2017 and 2018 at €1,843m (2015 prices). This will be funded through Exchequer subsidy and Non-Domestic charges. This revenue allows for operations and maintenance, the depreciation of IW assets and a return on capital investment. The cost of water services is assumed to split 50:50 between water and wastewater and 80:20 between domestic and non-domestic expenditure.
The Exchequer subsidy to Irish Water is based on this CRU determination.
1326. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the contracts his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department have with a company (details supplied) or its subsidiaries; the value of the contracts; the year in which the contracts were concluded; when the contracts will be up for renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46376/17]
View answerMy Department has one contract in place with Capita Transformation, as detailed in the following table.
|
Description of Contract |
Value of Contract € |
Year of Contract Conclusion |
Contract Renewal Date |
|
Provision of Business Process Mapping and associated recommendations |
95,000 |
2017 |
N/A |
The information in relation to agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is as below:
|
Agency |
Email address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
Ervia, Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Housing Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
1327. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to extend modular housing as a response to the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46421/17]
View answerMy Department is encouraging the use of rapid build methodologies, including modular build, for accelerated delivery of social housing units and considerable progress is being made.
In that regard, my Department recently asked all local authorities to review the social housing projects in their areas and in the interest of achieving earliest delivery, they have been requested to consider their suitability for Design and Build contracts under the Rapid Build Framework, which includes modular design, set up by the Office Of Government Procurement. They were asked to consider, in particular, schemes which are amenable to early commencement, particularly in terms of their approved planning status.
In response, some authorities have indicated that a number of approved schemes and new schemes under consideration may be suitable. I expect that some authorities will utilise the OGP Rapid Build framework to help expedite delivery and I expect to be announcing further details in this regard in the coming weeks.
The question of utilising rapid build methodologies and other innovative construction technologies, including modular is, ultimately, a matter for consideration by each local authority and Approved Housing Bodies (AHB's) in the context of individual projects. Utilising innovative construction technologies can accelerate housing provision, as timeframes are considerably less than for traditional build.
My Department and I will continue to work with local authorities and AHB's to accelerate the delivery of all housing, including rapid build, in order to tackle the current housing waiting lists and to deliver homes, as quickly as possible, to those who need them.
1328. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to make changes to the planning regulations to allow persons have a greater input into the planning process (details supplied) [46438/17]
View answerPublic participation is a long established and crucial element of all substantive decision-making processes under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended. In this regard, the 2001 Regulations require an applicant for planning permission to give public notice of a planning application on site and in a newspaper approved for the purpose, advising where the application and accompanying documents may be viewed and a copy purchased, and that submissions and observations on the application may be made to the planning authority concerned within a specified period.
Under article 35 of the 2001 Regulations, where a planning authority receives further information, revised plans etc in relation to a planning application that the authority considers contain significant additional data, including information in relation to effects on the environment, the applicant must give public notice of the significant further information by similar means and in similar terms to the public notice of the original application. Prescribed bodies and persons who made submissions or observations on the original application must also be notified of the significant further information received and given the opportunity to make further submissions on the application to the authority.
When making its decision on a planning application, the planning authority must have regard to any submissions or observations received in relation to the original application as well as any further significant information received.
Furthermore, any person who made a submission on a planning application to a planning authority may appeal the planning authority’s decision to An Bord Pleanála or may make a submission to the Board in relation to an appeal of that decision.
I am satisfied that the current arrangements for the consideration of planning applications allow for extensive public participation in the decision-making process and I have no proposals to amend the legislation in this regard.
1330. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the statutory definition of overcrowded housing in legislation; the statutory standards that can be used; the standards that are used for calculating the permitted number of persons for a dwelling; and the regulations that relate to statutory standards for overcrowding. [46450/17]
View answerSection 63 of the 1966 Act refers specifically to the sleeping arrangements of persons in a dwelling and sets out a definition of overcrowding in accommodation for the purpose of the Housing Acts. Paragraph (a) of the definition states that a dwelling is deemed overcrowded when the sleeping arrangements are such that any two opposite-sex persons aged 10 or more who are not married must sleep in the same room. Paragraph (b) refers to the free air space in any room used for sleeping for any person not being less than 400 cubic feet.
In the context of reforms in relation to the rental sector, particular attention will be given to considering possible amendments to the provisions in relation to overcrowding. While the legal definition, although long established, is robust, we need to review and, if necessary, strengthen the enforcement actions and sanctions applicable to such situations.
1331. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of improvement notices, prohibitions orders and or fire safety notices there have been in each local authority or in selected ones for which there is data relating to overcrowding of rented households. [46451/17]
View answerMinimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with these regulations. Responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations rests with the relevant local authority.
Following enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, local authorities have a strengthened legislative framework available to them which provides for the issuing of Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices where landlords are in breach of their obligations. Fines for non-compliance with the regulations were also increased; the maximum fine increased from €3,000 to €5,000 and the fine for each day of a continuing offence increased from €250 to €400.
Information in relation to where notices were served on landlords for improvements to be carried out, as well as legal actions initiated, can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-building-and-private-rented/private-housing-market-statistics.
Information on prohibition notices issued in relation to overcrowding is not collated by my Department.
Local authorities have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under a range of legislation including the Building Control Act 1990, the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 and the Dangerous Substances Acts, 1972 and 1979, all of which may be relevant in relation to fire safety arrangements in properties, other than those specifically excluded under the Acts.
Under the Fire Services Acts of 1981 and 2003 local authorities are designated as fire authorities and overall details in relation to inspections and notices issued by fire services from 2011 up to 2016 are available on my Department's website at the link below;
http://www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current/sub-topic/statistics-fire-prevention/sub-type/fire/type/statistics?query.
Information on the details of individual Fire Safety Notices served by local authorities are not held by my Department but may be obtained directly from the relevant local authority.
1332. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department or a body under its aegis has statistics on the estimated number of overcrowded households in Dublin city and suburbs and the number nationally. [46452/17]
View answerMy Department does not collect specific statistical information on the estimated number of overcrowded households, as sought by the Deputy.
Housing statistics that are collected by my Department can be accessed on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/housing-statistics.
However, the Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) does collate information from all Local Authorities. Table 2.5 of the document ‘Main Need for social housing support’ reports on the number of households that are qualified for and in need of social housing support due to their current accommodation being overcrowded. The most recent SSHA for which data have been published was conducted on 21 September 2016 and the results are available on my Department’s website at the link below:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/summary_of_social_housing_assessments_2016.pdf.
It should be noted that summaries are now being carried out an annual basis. I expect the results of the 2017 Summary to be available for publication in the coming weeks.
1333. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 264 of 19 October 2017, if the definition of Dublin city and suburbs matches that of the NTA in the greater Dublin transport strategy encapsulating the inner metropolitan and outer metropolitan areas of Dublin. [46453/17]
View answerThe Dublin Metropolitan Area as defined by the National Transport Authority (NTA) Transport Strategy for Dublin referenced in the National Planning Framework (NPF) is not the same as Dublin City and Suburbs as defined and mapped by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) for census and statistical purposes.
Dublin City and suburbs is a smaller, more compact area. The Dublin Metropolitan area extends further out to areas such as Donabate to the north, Kilcock to the west and Greystones to the south. It would normally be the case that metropolitan areas around cities are generally more extensive than a city’s contiguous built-up area or city and suburbs area.
1334. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the names of the special advisers employed in his Department; the names of special advisers to junior Ministers in his Department; the annual salary of each adviser; if these persons were special advisers immediately prior to taking up their current role or immediately prior to the June 2017 Cabinet reshuffle; if so, the Minister to which they were appointed to; the date each special adviser was appointed with effect as stated in the Government order; the date of the Government order; if they received a salary for the period before the appointment order was signed in the case of special advisers whose appointment order date has an effect date earlier than the order date; if so, by whom they were paid; if a special adviser during a period later backdated by appointment order had access to confidential material and or Cabinet papers; if they were subject to the Official Secrets Act 1963 during this period; if any persons currently employed as special advisers have not yet been appointed by order since the Cabinet reshuffle of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46471/17]
View answerTwo Special Advisers, Mr. Jack O'Donnell and Ms. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, are employed in my Department. Both are paid by my Department on the Principal Officer (Standard) PPC pay scale (€81,767 - €100,333). There are no Special Advisers employed in respect of the Ministers of State in my Department.
Immediately prior to the formation of the current Government in June 2017, Mr. O'Donnell was employed as Deputy Government Press Officer. Ms. Caroll MacNeill has previously worked as a Special Adviser in the Departments of Children and Youth Affairs and Justice and Equality but was not working in a Government Department immediately prior to the June 2017 Government formation.
Mr. O'Donnell was appointed with effect from 14 June 2017. The Government Order appointing Mr. O'Donnell, the Appointment of Special Adviser (Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government) Order 2017, was made on 26 July 2017. Mr. O'Donnell was paid from the date of his appointment.
Ms. MacNeill was appointed with effect from 6 November 2017 and a Government Order in relation to her appointment will be drafted in the coming weeks. She will also be paid from the date of her appointment.
Both Mr. O'Donnell and Ms. Carroll MacNeill have full access to Departmental material and Cabinet papers, as appropriate, and have been subject to the Official Secrets Act in respect of their current roles since the dates of their appointment.
1337. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the cost of photography in his Department since January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46534/17]
View answerWhile my Department’s Press Office generally provides photographic services when required, the services of external photographers were engaged on 7 occasions since January 2017. The details are set out in the following table.
|
Event |
Cost (incl. VAT) |
|
Launch of the public consultation of the NPF – Ireland 2040 |
413.95 |
|
Campaign to prevent dog attacks on sheep |
430.50 |
|
HAP event with Dublin City Council |
551.04 |
|
NPF Ireland 2040 Green Schools National Poster Competition |
551.04 |
|
Social housing funding announcement with the EIB |
602.70 |
|
Social housing event |
706.02 |
|
Fire Services - Long Service Awards |
4,086.64 |
|
Total |
7,861.29 |
In addition, an invoice outstanding since 2015 amounting to €519.40 in respect of photography costs at a LEADER announcement was paid in 2017. The delay in payment arose due to difficulties contacting the photographer to clarify elements of the invoice.
The practice will continue to be to utilise my Department’s Press Office for most photographic services. However, if external photography services are required, they are obtained in line with the Whole-of-Government Optional Framework for Photography Services, details of which are available from the Office of Government Procurement.
1338. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department is examining extending the eligibility to vote via postal vote to those persons with severe mental health difficulties, such as agoraphobia and so on, under the provisions of the Electoral Act 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46539/17]
View answer1339. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the provisions available to persons with severe mental health difficulties such as agoraphobia and so on that would like to vote but are unable to travel to polling stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46540/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1338 and 1339 together.
Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of certain categories of persons who are entered in the register of electors - whole-time members of the Defence Forces; members of An Garda Síochána; Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses or civil partners; electors living at home who are unable to attend at a polling station because of a physical illness or a physical disability; electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day and full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State; certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside; and electors who because of the circumstances of their detention in prison pursuant to an order of a court are likely to be unable to go in person on polling day to vote.
I have no proposals at present to extend existing arrangements for postal voting. However, electoral law is subject to ongoing review and, in particular in the period ahead, provisions - operational and legal - for voter registration will be subject to review as part of the voter registration modernisation project announced in March 2017.
1340. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he expects to publish a new national vacant housing reuse strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46600/17]
View answerAction 5.1 of the Government's Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness - Rebuilding Ireland, which was published in July 2016, commits to the development of a National Vacant Housing Re-Use Strategy informed by Census 2016 data, to -
- inform the compilation of a register of vacant units across the country,
- identify the number, location and reasons for longer-term vacancies (i.e. over 6 months) in high demand areas, and
- set out a range of actions to bring vacant units back into reuse.
The Housing Agency, which has lead responsibility for co-ordinating the development of the Strategy, established a working group in September 2016 comprising senior representatives from my Department, local authorities, the Irish Council for Social Housing and from the Housing Agency itself to inform the Strategy. The working group met 6 times between November 2016 and March 2017.
My Department received the output of the working group in June 2017 and is presently engaging with key Departments and Agencies with a view to finalising the strategy and publishing it in the near future.
