Written Answers Nos. 733-746
733. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the legislation, statutory instruments or departmental guidelines that permitted the use of rooms in hotels, guest houses and hostels for emergency accommodation for families and children in the period since 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53899/17]
View answerUnder the Housing Act 1988, housing authorities are empowered to provide assistance to persons that they regard as homeless; Section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements for a person to be regarded as homeless by a housing authority for the purposes of the Act, while Section 10 sets out additional provisions, including that any person regarded as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation, which the housing authority may arrange itself or which may be operated by a State-funded service provider. Under these provisions housing authorities’ powers to deal with homelessness are broad and flexible allowing them to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may present to them. I am satisfied that housing authorities are making every effort to provide the most suitable accommodation to homeless households seeking emergency accommodation.
As part of the response to the commitment contained in Rebuilding Ireland that commercial hotels and B&B's should only be used as emergency accommodation for families in limited circumstances, housing authorities are delivering a number of family-focused, supported temporary accommodation facilities, also referred to as ‘family hubs’. The long-term solution to the current homeless issue is to increase the supply of homes and accordingly Rebuilding Ireland is designed to accelerate all types of housing supply. It is intended that the long-term housing needs of households in emergency accommodation will be met as soon as possible through a range of social housing supports, such as the enhanced Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and general social housing allocations.
734. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of families and children housed in emergency accommodation in rooms at hotels, guest houses and hostels in each of the years 2009 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53900/17]
View answerThe Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS) was implemented nationally in 2014, as a national information and management system for homeless services that are overseen by housing authorities. My Department collates PASS data from lead housing authorities on a monthly basis and these monthly homeless reports are published on my Department's website and can be accessed using the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
These monthly reports include a breakdown based on accommodation type. Commercial hotels and B&Bs are included within the private emergency accommodation category. In relation to the information requested by the Deputy, such information is not available for the period prior to the introduction of the PASS system in 2014.
735. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the cost of the use of hotels and guest houses for emergency accommodation in each of the years 2009 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53901/17]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. Therefore, my Department does not fund any service directly, but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless services.
The purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Under Section 10 funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of such services from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Section 10 funding arrangements. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities for specific homeless related purposes, including accommodation in commercial hotels and B&Bs, are a matter for those authorities.
Details of the total Section 10 Exchequer funding provided to housing authorities by my Department for the years 2009 to 2016 and to date in 2017 are set out in the following table:
|
Exchequer Funding provided under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 |
|
|
Year |
€ |
|
2009 |
56,056,856 |
|
2010 |
54,703,457 |
|
2011 |
48,123,050 |
|
2012 |
46,545,963 |
|
2013 |
45,000,000 |
|
2014 |
49,205,774 |
|
2015 |
64,770,970 |
|
2016 |
88,676,500 |
|
To date - 2017 |
90,161,891 |
736. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the senior counsel investigation into certain planning matters in County Donegal; the timeframe involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54140/17]
View answerOn 12 June 2017, my Department received a report from Senior Counsel regarding his Review Into Certain Planning Matters In Respect Of County Donegal.
My Department is currently reviewing and assessing the contents of Senior Counsel’s report and I have requested the advice of the Attorney General in respect of a number of points.
When I have received the Attorney’s advice, my Department will finalise a submission for me and I will be in a position to consider the report in full and to take any appropriate further action.
737. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of NAMA units offered to local authorities; the number accepted; and the number transferred in each of the years 2011 to 2017, by county, in tabular form. [54149/17]
View answerThe National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) plays an important role in the delivery of social housing. To the end of September 2017, a total of 2,428 residential properties, which are part of the security for loans that NAMA has acquired, had been secured for use by local authorities or approved housing bodies. These comprise 2,216 completed properties and a further 212 that had been contracted and where completion work is on-going. A further 80 properties were considered as being active transactions whereby terms are agreed or active negotiation is on-going, and 285 other properties were to be further appraised for their suitability. These and other statistics are available on the website of the Housing Agency at http://www.housing.ie/NAMA.
The following table gives the breakdown of units offered and secured for social housing by NAMA and is broken down by local authority. The figures are available on a cumulative basis and a breakdown per annum is not available. However, previous status reports , which are published on a quarterly basis, are available on the website of the Housing Agency at https://www.housingagency.ie/our-services/housing-supply-services/nama/previous-status-reports.aspx.
Table: Total number of dwellings offered and secured for use by local authorities or approved housing bodies, by local authority, to end September 2017
|
Local Authority |
Identified by NAMA |
Demand Confirmed |
Secured |
|
Carlow Co. Co. |
193 |
115 |
103 |
|
Cavan Co. Co. |
49 |
1 |
0 |
|
Clare Co. Co. |
230 |
80 |
55 |
|
Cork City |
470 |
157 |
138 |
|
Cork Co. Co. |
817 |
333 |
321 |
|
Donegal Co. Co |
124 |
31 |
5 |
|
Dublin City |
853 |
437 |
396 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Co. Co. |
480 |
288 |
254 |
|
Fingal Co. Co. |
312 |
150 |
143 |
|
Galway City |
203 |
202 |
196 |
|
Galway Co. Co. |
145 |
42 |
32 |
|
Kerry Co. Co. |
221 |
69 |
42 |
|
Kildare Co. Co. |
352 |
175 |
172 |
|
Kilkenny Co. Co. |
189 |
69 |
56 |
|
Laois Co. Co. |
133 |
36 |
35 |
|
Leitrim Co. Co. |
35 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
163 |
38 |
16 |
|
Longford Co. Co |
38 |
2 |
0 |
|
Louth County Council |
32 |
27 |
27 |
|
Mayo Co. Co. |
75 |
31 |
0 |
|
Meath Co. Co. |
236 |
53 |
39 |
|
Monaghan Co. Co. |
45 |
38 |
38 |
|
Offaly Co. Co. |
83 |
32 |
30 |
|
Roscommon Co. Co. |
104 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo Co. Co |
122 |
29 |
4 |
|
South Dublin Co. Co. |
594 |
148 |
146 |
|
Tipperary Co. Co |
161 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford Co. Co |
109 |
51 |
51 |
|
Westmeath Co. Co. |
108 |
22 |
20 |
|
Wexford Co. Co. |
225 |
123 |
102 |
|
Wicklow Co. Co. |
45 |
14 |
7 |
|
Grand Total |
6,946 |
2,793 |
2,428 |
738. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a study by a group (details supplied) which found over 90% of properties available for rent were beyond the affordability of persons on HAP; the steps he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54185/17]
View answerRebuilding Ireland sets out the Government's ambition to increase the supply of housing, in terms of social housing, the private rental market and private housing for purchase. In the context of social housing, this will involve a blended approach to delivery and providing local authorities with a range of mechanisms to achieve the best value for money within the financial resources available. I have made it clear that there must be an increased focus on building new social housing homes, and it is in that context that I increased the targets for new social housing over the period to 2021 to 50,000 and have provided the necessary financial resources to achieve that.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. There are currently more than 30,000 households having their housing needs met via HAP. On average, 350 new households are supported by HAP each week in 2017, and the Rebuilding Ireland 2017 target of supporting 15,000 additional households with the scheme has been exceeded. The increased HAP rent limits introduced by the Government last year, together with the additional discretion available to local authorities to exceed the maximum rent limit where necessary, are allowing HAP households to find suitable accommodation and willing landlords. Particular additional targeted supports are available to homeless households in the Dublin and Cork City regions to assist them in finding accommodation in the private rental market, with the support of HAP.
From available data, at the end of Q3 2017, approximately 20% of the total number of households being supported by HAP were benefiting 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, 14.4% of households nationally were benefiting from the additional flexibility. In those cases, the average rate of discretionary payment being used was 14.9% above rent limits provided.
The Strategy for the Rental Sector, published in December 2016, recommended the introduction of a Rent Predictability Measure to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising - where households have greatest difficulties in finding accommodation they can afford. The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 provided for the Rent Predictability Measure and for areas, called Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs), where rents can now only rise by a maximum of 4% annually for a period of three years.
This measure was implemented immediately in the four Dublin local authority areas and in Cork City as these areas already met the criteria for a Rent Pressure Zone in December 2016. A further 12 Local Electoral Areas (LEAs) were designated in January 2017, with the measure further extended to Maynooth and Cobh LEAs in March 2017 and to Drogheda and Greystones LEAs in September 2017.
My Department and I are constantly monitoring HAP data, as well as other key information relating to the private rental market. Indications are that the current HAP rent limits and the flexibility to exceed those rent limits provide local authorities with sufficient capacity to assist households in securing rented accommodation that meets their needs. Increasing the HAP rent limits in particular local authority areas could have further inflationary effects on the private rented sector, which could have a detrimental impact on the wider rental market, including for those households who are not receiving HAP support. Based on the data outlined above, I am currently satisfied that the maximum rent limits, together with the additional flexibility available to local authorities, are generally sufficient to meet the demand of the rental market in these areas.
I continue to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review but I am currently satisfied with how the scheme is operating and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme committed to under Rebuilding Ireland.
739. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if further consideration has been given to the introduction of an affordable housing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54186/17]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No 34 of 7 December 2017 which sets out the position in relation to this matter.
740. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the photography costs for his Department in each year since March 2011 inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used, in tabular form; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54231/17]
View answerMy Department’s Press Office generally provide photographic services when required. However, on such occasions where this is not possible, a service provider is selected from the OGP panel in line with the procurement framework. No photography costs have been incurred from the Ministerial allowance available to me.
The details requested by the Deputy are as follows.
|
Year |
Amount |
||
|
2011 |
€302.00 |
Meeting of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management |
Lensmen Photography |
|
2011 |
€600.00 |
Tidy Towns National Awards ceremony |
The Picture Rooms |
|
2011 |
€932.00 |
Ireland's Best Kept Town Awards |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2011 |
€3,969.00 |
Fire Services Long Service Awards |
Lensmen Photography |
|
2012 |
€170.00 |
Launch of CEDRA |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2012 |
€172.00 |
Minister O’Sullivan's visit to NAMA properties leased to LA, Scotch Hall, Drogheda |
Paul Connor Photography |
|
2012 |
€363.00 |
Putting People First launch |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2012 |
€485.00 |
Launch of framework for Sustainable Development |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2012 |
€3,257.00 |
Fire Services Long Service Awards |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2013 |
€103.00 |
EU Presidency: Informal Council of EU Environment Ministers - Clean Tech Cluster Forum and Expo, Wood Quay |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2013 |
€172.00 |
Fire Services Long Service Awards |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2013 |
€308.00 |
EU Presidency: Senior Officials Meeting of Water and Marine Directors, Dublin Castle |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2013 |
€362.00 |
Minister O’Sullivan's visit to Fingal Co Co housing insulation retro- fit project in Corduff, Blanchardstown |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2013 |
€448.00 |
Ireland's Best Kept Town Awards |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2014 |
€551.00 |
Launch of Social Housing Strategy |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2014 |
€2,161.00 |
Fire Services Long Service Awards |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2015 |
€23.50 |
Fire Services Long Service Awards |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2015 |
€80.00 |
Photograph of Minister Alan Kelly and Pope Francis at the EU Environment Ministers’ meeting on Climate Change in the Vatican |
Information not available |
|
2015 |
€107.83 |
Social Housing Construction Programme |
Kenny Photo Graphics |
|
2015 |
€184.50 |
Photographs of Wexford-based senior managers for the Whodoeswhat.gov.ie website |
Gerard Hore Photography |
|
2015 |
€239.85 |
Ireland’s Best Kept Town Awards |
Lensmen Photography |
|
2015 |
€246.00 |
Launch of Diversity Award 2015 |
Redmonds of Roscrea |
|
2015 |
€326.91 |
Photographs of Dublin-based senior managers for the Whodoeswhat.gov.ie website |
Lafayette Graduation Services |
|
2015 |
€369.00 |
Rural policy launch in Caherciveen |
MacMonagle Photography |
|
2016 |
€90.00 |
Photographs of Ballina-based senior managers for the Whodoeswhat.gov.ie website |
Corrine Beatty Photography |
|
2016 |
€308.42 |
Material for public display in the reopened Custom House Visitor Centre |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2016 |
€413.28 |
Announcement of €25m for the first phase of the Dolphin House Regeneration Project |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2016 |
€430.50 |
Launch of the 2016-2020 Fire Services Capital Programme |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2016 |
€602.70 |
Announcement of ERDF grant assistance to local authority capital works under the Designated Urban Centres Grants Scheme 2014 – 2020 |
Maxwell Photography |
|
2017 |
€413.95 |
Launch of the public consultation of the NPF – Ireland 2040 |
Frank Fennell Photography Ltd. |
|
2017 |
€430.50 |
Campaign to prevent dog attacks on sheep. |
Barry Cronin |
|
2017 |
€519.40 |
Leader announcement in March 2015 |
Fergal Shanahan Photography |
|
2017 |
€551.04 |
HAP event with Dublin City Council |
Maxwell Photography Ltd. |
|
2017 |
€551.04 |
NPF Ireland 2040 Green Schools National Poster Competition |
Maxwell Photography Ltd. |
|
2017 |
€602.70 |
Social housing funding announcement with the EIB |
Maxwell Photography Ltd. |
|
2017 |
€706.02 |
Social housing event |
Maxwell Photography Ltd. |
|
2017 |
€4,086.64 |
Fire Services - Long Service Awards |
Maxwell Photography Ltd. |
741. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department in each year since March 2011; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54247/17]
View answerMy Department has not engaged any external public relations firms since March 2011.
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.
742. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date, in tabular form. [54263/17]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the following table:
|
Year Commissioned |
Consultant/Author etc. |
Name/Description of Report/Review/Study |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Amount Spent Since March 2011 |
|
2011 |
ARUP Consulting Engineers |
Study in respect of provision of fire detection and alarms systems in dwellings. |
Not intended for publication. It is a technical report, to inform work in the Department. |
€29,935 |
|
2011 |
Barrow Archaeological Services |
Archaeological reports on Met Éireann site at Valentia. |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€1,210 |
|
2011 |
Building Research Establishment Ltd |
Retrofitting Code of Practice. |
Published March 2014. |
(1)€21,190 |
|
2011 |
Dr. Eoin O'Sullivan, Trinity College Dublin |
Review of the Homeless Strategy 2008-2013. |
Published November 2012. |
€6,000 |
|
2011 |
Housing & Sustainable Communities Ltd. |
Toolkit for Local Authorities on regeneration. |
Not intended for publication. This was a report intended to provide assistance to Local Authorities in drawing up proposals for the regeneration of their areas. |
€12,300 |
|
2011 |
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
EIS Screening Report for site at Valentia. |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€6,336 |
|
2011 |
Marine Institute |
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (1) Initial Assessment; (2) Development of a Monitoring Programme; and (3) Development of a Programme of Measures necessary to achieve Good Environmental Status in Irish Marine Waters. |
(1) Initial Assessment - the technical report was published on the Department's website in Q2 2013 and the summary report was published in Q4 2013. (2) Monitoring Programme – sent to the EU Commission in April 2015. (3) Drawing up of programme of Measures - completed and published July 2016. |
(2)€2,857,481 |
|
2011 |
Murtagh & Partners |
Review of Dublin Region Homelessness Services and Funding in 2011. |
Published October 2011. |
€27,800 |
|
2011 |
National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) |
Audit reports for ISO9001:2008 in 2011 and 2012. |
Not intended for publication. These reports are for internal use only as an input for ongoing development of a Divisional Quality Management System. |
€6,699 |
|
2011 |
Price Waterhouse Coopers |
Independent assessment on establishment of National Water Utility. |
Irish Water - Phase 1 report and appendices published January 2012. Implementation Strategy published December 2012. |
€179,584 |
|
2011 |
Pyrite Panel |
Report of the Pyrite Panel - Independent report to provide options for the Minister to deal with the pyrite problem. |
Published July 2012. |
€22,719 |
|
2012 |
AECOM |
Cost optimal study for non-domestic buildings. |
Published March 2013. |
€53,517 |
|
2012 |
DKM Economic Consultants |
Review of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000. |
Published July 2013. |
€39,690 |
|
2012 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Analysis of Property Tax Options - a report to the Interdepartmental Expert Group on Property Tax. |
Published December 2012. |
€60,280 |
|
2012 |
Flynn Furney Consultants Ltd. |
Environmental Management Services re: review of CEMP at Valentia Site (Method Statement). |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€3,167 |
|
2012 |
Glas Ecology |
Environment Management Plan (Breeding Chough and Peregrine Survey, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry). |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€4,920 |
|
2012 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review of leasing model. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
€1,937 |
|
2012 |
Indecon |
Feasibility study on a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. |
Published November 2012. |
(3)€42,706 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Hendrik W van der Kamp |
Independent Evaluation of the Planning Review Report 2012. |
Published January 2013. |
€12,096 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC |
Review of the management by the Department of an application by Wicklow County Council for loan approval in respect of the compulsory purchase of land at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 1. |
Published March 2012. |
€19,680 |
|
2012 |
Mr. Seamus Woulfe SC |
Review of the compulsory acquisition of land by Wicklow County Council at Charlesland, Co. Wicklow - Phase 2. |
Published April 2013. |
€49,200 |
|
2012 |
Munster Archaeology |
Report on archaeological investigation/survey of Met Éireann site at Valentia. |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€47,289 |
|
2012 |
Padraic Thornton Planning & Environmental Consultancy |
Preparation of EIA Guidelines. |
Published March 2013. |
€7,200 |
|
2012 |
Version 1 |
Evaluation of ICT Disaster Recovery configuration and capability. |
Internal Management Report. Not intended for publication. |
€9,363 |
|
2013 |
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
Affordability aspects of the provision of water services in Ireland and subsequent analysis. |
Published in May 2014 as Appendix 2 and Appendix 5 of the "Report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Affordability Measures". |
€57,655 |
|
2013 |
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
Article 29(2) Report on Progress on Implementation of the EC (Good Agriculture Practices for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. |
Published April 2014. |
Nil |
|
2013 |
Garrett Fennell Solicitor |
Independent Review of the registration arrangements for Architects under the Building Control Act 2007. |
Published on the Department's website. |
Nil (report produced on a pro-bono basis) |
|
2013 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review of CALF assessment process. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
€11,675 |
|
2013 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Business Process Design of the Housing Assistance Payment. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
€54,938 |
|
2013 |
Indecon |
Assessment of Potential Merits of New Initiative re Purchase of Local Authority Houses by Existing Tenants. |
This report is available on request from the Department. |
Nil (report produced on a pro-bono basis) |
|
2013 |
KW Research & Associates |
NTACC Research into why Travellers leave Traveller-specific accommodation. |
Published on the Department's website April 2014. |
€11,938 |
|
2013 |
RPS Group |
Public consultation process on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and producing a report. |
Published November 2013. |
€9,000 |
|
2013 |
Userneeds |
Usage survey on the Met Éireann website. |
Internal Management Report. Not intended for publication. |
Nil - provided as a free sample |
|
2014 |
Glas Ecology |
Environment Management follow up Report (Breeding Chough and Peregrine Survey, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry). |
Not intended for publication as it is a technical report relating to a site on Valentia Island where Met Éireann are building an Air Monitoring Facility. |
€1,599 |
|
2014 |
MacCabe, Durney Barnes |
Independent Planning Review. |
Published December 2015. |
€94,521 |
|
2014 |
Padraic Thornton Planning & Environmental Consultancy |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Directions in Westmeath. |
Published May 2014. |
€5,000 |
|
2014 |
Patricia Thornton Tom Philips Associates |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Directions in Limerick. |
Published August 2014. |
€4,151 |
|
2015 |
AECOM |
Additional cost optimal calculations for domestic and non-domestic buildings. |
Published February 2015 |
€33,683 |
|
2015 |
Behaviour & Attitudes Ltd. |
Market Survey to determine weather forecast consumption behaviour of the Irish public. |
Not intended for publication. Report for internal purposes, primarily to inform strategic business decisions. |
€19,865 |
|
2015 |
Deloitte |
Business Case Review for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). |
Not intended for publication. Undertaken as part of technical work to update financial modelling related to the preparation of the original business case. |
€28,939 |
|
2015 |
Dr. Dagmar Stengel |
Best practice in relation to the sustainable exploitation and management of intertidal seaweed resources. |
Not intended for publication. Informative research sought to address a gap in knowledge at the time. |
€14,391 |
|
2015 |
Independent Review Group |
An Bord Pleanala - Organisational Review. |
Published March 2016. |
€41,142 |
|
2015 |
IT Executive Focus |
Review of the Structure and Delivery Model of the ICT Services for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. |
Internal Management Report. Not intended for publication. |
€55,289 |
|
2015 |
MartinPlan Consulting |
To consider the implications of the C-50 judgment in the context of waste water discharge licensing and to make any necessary recommendations. |
Not expected to be published. Report forms part of an ongoing deliberative process. |
€1,750 |
|
2015 |
Mazars Consulting |
Independent Review of Homeless Services (2015). |
Published on the Department's website January 2016. |
€27,075 |
|
2015 |
Rory Mulcahy, Senior Counsel |
Review Report in relation to Certain Planning Matters in respect of Donegal County Council. |
Issue of publication to be considered following completion of report. |
€55,350 |
|
2015 |
School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin |
Review of CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) in fire service. |
Not intended for publication. It is a technical report, to inform work in the Department. |
Nil |
|
2015 |
Steering Group on Fire Safety Review |
Review of Fire Safety arrangements in multi-unit developments where concerns arise regarding non-compliance with statutory requirements. |
Published August 2017. |
(4)€35,597 |
|
2016 |
Bruce McCormack |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Westmeath. |
Published in August 2016 |
€1,970 |
|
2016 |
Des Johnson |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Louth. |
Published February 2016 |
€3,000 |
|
2016 |
Des Johnson |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Kildare. |
Published in June 2016. |
€3,000 |
|
2016 |
Economic & Social Research Institute |
Research Programme on Economic and Demographic Modelling. |
Expected to be published in Q1 2018. |
€150,000 |
|
2016 |
Expert Panel on Concrete Blocks |
Report on the problems that have emerged in the concrete blockwork of certain dwellings in Donegal and Mayo. |
Published June 2017. |
(5)€10,194 |
|
2016 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Review by the Housing Agency of the scheme of loans & grants for purchase of caravans by Travellers. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
Nil |
|
2016 |
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency/PACEC |
Independent Review of funding for Traveller-specific Accommodation since 2000 in the context of the delivery and implementation of Local Authority Traveller Accommodation Programmes. |
Published on the Department's website in Q3 2017. |
Nil |
|
2016 |
Invas Biosecurity |
Production of Program of measures on Invasive Alien Plant Species for the Water Framework Directive. |
Not published separately, forms part of the draft River Basin Management Plan published in February 2017. |
€9,225 |
|
2016 |
Mr. Hendrik W van der Kamp |
Independent Review of Draft S31 Direction in Donegal. |
Published in August 2016. |
€2,688 |
|
2016 |
RPS Group |
Strategic Environmental Assessment, Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment reports for National Planning Framework documents. |
Expected to be published in Q1 2018. |
€97,902 |
|
2016 |
RPS Group |
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the draft River Basin Management Plans. |
Will be published with the River Basin Management Plans in early 2018. |
€171,503 |
|
2017 |
A&L Goodbody Solicitors Ltd. |
Report on Water Abstractions. |
Not intended for publication as report forms part of an ongoing deliberative process. |
€23,985 |
|
2017 |
AECOM |
Development of Modelling and Cost Data Services for Part L- Dwellings. |
January 2018 |
Nil |
|
2017 |
ASM Chartered Accountants |
Review of the Department ICT Backup systems |
Internal Management Report. Not intended for publication. |
€18,400 |
|
2017 |
CAAS Ltd |
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Flood Risk Appraisal on the draft revisions to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006. |
Expected to be published in Q3 2018. |
Nil |
|
2017 |
Capita |
Business Process Mapping and recommendations for Business Process Improvements. |
Not Intended for publication. Report for internal use only. |
€116,850 |
|
2017 |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
Joint Research Programme on Housing Economics between the Department and the Economic and Social Research Institute. |
The consultancy is a 3 year research collaboration agreement which will involve the publication of multiple research papers. The first paper emanating from the research agreement was published in November 2017. |
Nil |
|
2017 |
Ipsos MRBI |
Behavioural research on the tenure choices of renters. |
Expected to be published in Q2 2018. |
(6)Nil |
|
2017 |
KOSI Ltd |
Efficacy and Risk Review of the Department's Cyber and IT Security Systems and Computer Rooms. |
Internal Management Report. Not intended for publication. |
€26,000 |
|
2017 |
Limerick Institute of Technology |
Carrying out of Research and the Development of a Report and Recommendations on Guidance to Planning Authorities Regarding Enterprise Development in Rural areas. |
Expected to be published in Q1 2018. |
Nil |
|
2017 |
O’Brien Learning |
The Introduction of a Formal Mentoring Programme within an Organisation |
Published October 2017. |
€2,622 |
|
2017 |
Optimize Consultants |
Study to identify and assess relevant instruments and incentives to reduce the use of single-use and other items, which impact the marine environment as marine litter. |
Expected to be published before the end of 2017. |
€6,150 |
|
2017 |
RPS Group |
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment for Nitrates Action Programme. |
To be published in December 2017. |
Nil |
|
2017 |
Userneeds |
Usage survey on the Met Éireann website. |
Internal Management Report in preparation. Not intended for publication. |
Nil |
(1) The contract was in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Total cost of the study is €169,302 (inclusive of VAT). My Department's contribution was €21,190 (inclusive of VAT) with the balance met by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (i.e. €148,112 inclusive of VAT).
(2) The Initial Assessment report, monitoring programme and programme of measures each arise from a broader process connected with Ireland’s obligation to implement the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The work primarily consists of a determination of the status of Ireland’s marine waters, the measures necessary to achieve, or maintain, the required Good Environmental Status by 2020 and a programme to monitor this. The preparation of a draft Initial Assessment (under Art. 8 of the MSFD) including proposals for Good Environmental Status (Art. 9) and for draft Environmental Targets (Art.10) is underpinned by a suite of monitoring measures to measure the maritime environment against these targets (Art. 11). Where human activities are preventing these targets from being met, a Programme of Measures to mitigate the effect of these activities, or halt them as appropriate (Art.13) has been finalised.
(3) This report was co-funded by my Department and the Private Residential Tenancies Board. The cost to my Department of €42,706 represents 50% of the total cost.
(4) The contracting authority for this report was Kildare County Council and the costs were recouped by my Department.
(5) The four members of the panel provided their services on a pro-bono basis. The costs associated with the preparation of the report related to travel and subsistence (at Civil Service rates).
(6) This report is being co-funded by my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
743. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the level of expenditure by his Department from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017 on advertising of Government information campaigns published specifically in national and regional newspapers in addition to all online advertising for all such Government information campaigns; the name for each such information campaign to which this expenditure related; the cost of each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54279/17]
View answer744. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017 on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54295/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 743 and 744 together.
The information requested is being compiled to the extent to which it can reasonably be collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders. The details requested in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the individual bodies concerned. Arrangements have been put in place by each Agency to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for each agency is set out in the following table:
|
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 |
745. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the length of time it has taken for HAP applications to be processed and approved from date of application to date of processing and payment by number, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54301/17]
View answerHAP is deemed to be a social housing support under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. As a long term housing support, an assessment of housing need must be completed in order for a household to qualify for HAP. Any household with an identified housing need is eligible for HAP. The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 provide that subject to conditions, a housing authority shall deal with such an application within a period of 12 weeks.
Local authorities will prioritise housing needs assessments for those in greatest need and average waiting times are significantly shorter that the statutory maximum in many areas.
Under the HAP scheme, eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector. My Department does not hold details on the processing times for HAP applications or payments. The earliest date a HAP payment will issue to a landlord is the date a complete and valid HAP application has been received by the local authority. Limerick City and County Council provide a highly effective transactional shared service on behalf of all HAP local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Once a HAP application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is then processed by the HAP SSC. On average, HAP applications are processed by the HAP Shared Service Centre within 1 working day of receipt. Any rental payment arising for a given month will then be made to a landlord on the last Wednesday of that month.
More than 30,700 households are currently in receipt of HAP support. My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. In general, I am satisfied with the operation of the HAP scheme and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
746. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will ensure the protection of turf cutting for domestic use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53596/17]
View answerThe National Peatlands Strategy 2015 states clearly that the Government has no intention of ending the traditional practice of cutting turf for a person's own domestic use but is committed to ensuring that the law of the land is upheld in relation to nature protection. This is reaffirmed in the Programme for a Partnership Government (2016) which provides that the Government recognises that domestic turf cutters have a traditional right to cut turf. This right is balanced with the conservation objectives and legal obligations on the State.
The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, administered by my Department, was established in 2011 in relation to turf cutting on raised bog designated sites. A pilot scheme targeted at encouraging energy efficiency and low carbon heating solutions among those coming within the ambit of this scheme is being developed by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, working with my Department and Bord na Móna.
Applicants under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme from six special area of conservation bogs, will receive an offer of a tailored package of energy efficiency improvements with significant State supports. Irish Rural Link have been engaged to liaise with householders in the areas in question and public workshops on the pilot scheme will commence in January 2018.
