Written Answers Nos. 920-936
920. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the anticipated launch date of the national regeneration and development agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30295/18]
View answerProject Ireland 2040, published in February 2018, signals a significant policy shift towards securing more compact and sustainable urban and rural development, which requires significantly more effective land management in key development areas. Against that background, it is proposed to establish a National Regeneration and Development Agency to assist in ensuring a more effective approach to strategic land management, particularly in terms of publicly owned land.
The Agency will act as a national centre of expertise, working with and supporting local authorities, public bodies and other interests, to harness public lands as catalysts to stimulate regeneration and wider investment and to achieve compact, sustainable growth, with a particular emphasis on complex regeneration projects and the provision of affordable housing.
Detailed arrangements in relation to the functions, powers and mechanisms and legislative arrangements for the establishment of the Agency are currently being developed by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of An Taoiseach and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with a view to their early finalisation. The current work in this area will inform the functions, resource needs, budgetary requirements and location of the Agency.
921. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to publish the report into certain planning matters in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30300/18]
View answerThe Review Into Certain Planning Matters In Respect Of Donegal County Council was received by my Department in June 2017.
Following initial analysis and assessment of the report’s findings and recommendations, including interaction with the Department’s own legal advisers and the Attorney General’s Office, a comprehensive set of queries and request for advice was submitted to the Attorney General's Office late last year and I expect a detailed response to all the matters raised, including the issue of publication and dissemination, in the very near future.
Once the Attorney’s advice is received and considered, a submission on the matter will be finalised for my consideration.
922. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of units covered by the enhanced leasing scheme by county; the anticipated cost in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30302/18]
View answerA range of housing options are necessary to ensure a supply of accommodation to meet different types of social housing need. Harnessing the off-balance sheet potential of private investment in social housing is an important objective of the Government and the social housing targets set out in Rebuilding Ireland over the period to 2021 reflect the ambition in that regard.
Of the 50,000 social housing homes to be delivered under Rebuilding Ireland, 10,000 are targeted to be leased by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) under leasing arrangements from a range of different sources, including 3,500 homes targeted using the Repair and Lease Scheme (RLS), and 6,500 homes using a combination of the existing social housing leasing arrangements, and the new Enhanced Lease Scheme. All homes delivered under leasing arrangements, including a new Enhanced Leasing Scheme, will be funded under the Department’s Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP).
It is intended that up to 2,000 units will be leased by Local Authorities in 2018 through a combination of the existing Long Term Leasing arrangements, the Repair and Leasing Scheme and the new Enhanced Leasing Scheme.
The new Enhanced Leasing Scheme has been developed by my Department, together with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), the Housing Agency and local authorities, in order to harness the potential of private sector interest in social housing delivery in a new set of long-term leasing arrangements, in a manner designed to leverage off-balance sheet funding opportunities in accordance with Rebuilding Ireland objectives. The new Scheme is targeted at new build or new to the market properties to be delivered at scale and will complement the existing long-term leasing arrangements, which will continue to be available. There are, however, a number of key differences between the existing long term lease and the enhanced lease, the purpose of which is to facilitate larger levels of private investment in social housing while ensuring that the capital investment is off balance sheet in respect of Government expenditure.
The scheme will be governed by my Department and operated by local authorities. The Housing Agency will manage and administer the scheme on behalf of my Department and will act as a national co-ordinator.
A call for proposals was launched on 31 January 2018 and the Housing Agency accepted submissions from interested parties until 12 April 2018. All proposals are subject to a range of criteria as set out in the “Calls for Proposals for Enhanced Long Term Social Housing Leasing Scheme” and the proposals will be assessed and marked in accordance with the terms set out therein. The Call for Proposals is available on the Housing Agency website at the following link.
A total of 33 submissions were received from interested parties which represents strong interest from the market. The Housing Agency is currently reviewing the proposals. Of those assessed, 14 proposals were returned on the grounds that they did not meet certain minimum qualifying criteria, 4 proposals did not pass suitability or appropriateness tests and 1 proposal has been withdrawn by the proposer. Following detailed requests for additional information from the proposer, I understand that 9 proposals were deemed incomplete by the Housing Agency and will not be proceeding. The remaining 5 Proposals are in the assessment process which I am hopeful will be complete shortly.
Detailed information with respect to the numbers and locations of the units proposed for leasing under the Scheme will only be available once the individual proposals have been assessed, marked and accepted in accordance with the terms and methodology set out in the Calls for Proposals document and the respective Local Authorities have signed any Agreements for Lease arising.
923. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of staff engaged in the housing delivery office per annum since its establishment; the average length of service in the office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30303/18]
View answerIn line with the commitment under Action 2.9 of Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a dedicated Housing Delivery Office (HDO) was established within my Department, in August 2016, to support the accelerated delivery of housing across the social and private sectors, and tenure spectrum, in an integrated and timely manner. Working with the broader Housing and Planning Divisions in my Department, other key agencies, local authorities and the construction sector, the HDO supports the roll-out of complex projects, including identifying and resolving barriers to delivery, and monitors progress across key sites as they progress.
At the time of its establishment, the HDO comprised a team of 4 people with extensive expertise in project management, finance, planning and local government, including staff seconded from the local government sector and the National Development Finance Agency. Having carried out a range of initial initiatives, and taking account of the fact that some assignments to the office were time-limited, the HDO was refocused in September 2017 to work more closely on supporting local housing delivery and land management. In that context, the current team of 3, with service ranging from 3 to 22 months, works closely with the extensive range of highly experienced officers within the wider housing and planning areas of my Department and local authorities, across key disciplines such as architecture, planning, engineering and building control, project and construction management, quantity surveying, capital programme delivery and administration. As with all critical areas of activity in my Department, the resources available to the HDO are kept under regular review in the context of ongoing evolution of the Office's role and, in that context, I expect additional resources to be assigned to the Office in the coming months.
924. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of vacant site levy designations that have been appealed to An Bord Pleanála to date; the status of the appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30304/18]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 introduced the vacant site levy aimed at incentivising the development of vacant, underutilised sites in urban areas. Under the Act, planning authorities are required to establish a register of vacant sites in their areas, beginning on 1 January 2017. Planning authorities issued notices to owners of vacant sites by 1 June 2018 in respect of vacant sites on the register on 1 January 2018, indicating that the levy will apply to those sites on 1 January 2019.
There are a number of appeal provisions in the Act, including an appeal against the entry of a site on the register, an appeal of market value determination of a site and an appeal against demand for payment of the levy.
By end June 2018, An Bord Pleanála had received a total of 74 valid appeals against the entry of sites on the registers of planning authorities; 53 of these cases have been decided, leaving 21 still to be determined.
925. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the section of the Local Government Act 2014 that makes the making of a differential rent scheme a reserved function of elected local authority members will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30309/18]
View answerAt present the making of rent schemes and the setting of rent levels is a matter for each local authority under the provisions of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such schemes is not a reserved function and does not require the approval of the elected members; however, it is subject to the influence of the elected members through the annual estimates process. The Chief Executive of the authority makes the (non-statutory) rent scheme subject to broad principles laid down by my Department in Circular letter HRT 3/2002 dated March 6th 2002.
I assume the Deputy is referring to Section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 which is not yet commenced. Section 31(7) of the Act provides that the making and revocation of a rent scheme are reserved functions. Section 31(8) provides that the charging of rents or other charges in accordance with a rent scheme are executive functions.
Considerable work has been carried out by my Department in developing a draft national differential rents framework under section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. Such a framework had as its main aim the facilitation of a significant harmonisation in local authority rents, including a set of standardised income disregards, whilst retaining the general principle of rents related to household income.
The introduction of a rent framework could mean that the amount of rent payable by some households may be subject to change. This work is now being examined further in the light of the broader commitment given in the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, to review the disparate systems of differential rent for social housing in place across local authorities. The overall objective is to ensure that housing supports are fair and sustainable, prioritise those on lowest incomes and avoid creating social welfare traps that may prevent people from either returning to work or to the private housing market.
I expect that the review will be completed in the near future.
926. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there is a fund from which local authorities can draw on for exceptional circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30348/18]
View answerThere is no funding available in my Department for the circumstances outlined in the question.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants which are the responsibility of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
927. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if it is policy across local authorities not to allow a prospective tenant to view a property offered before deciding whether to accept the allocation. [30395/18]
View answerThe allocation of social housing support is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations.
Section 22 of the 2009 Act requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households. The manner in which the allocation process is managed including allowing prospective tenants to view properties being offered is a matter for the relevant local authority concerned. My understanding is that currently the approach varies across the country.
As part of the broader social reform policy framework the Social Housing Allocation (Amendment) Regulations 2016 were made on 30th September 2016, and required all local authorities, if they had not already done so, to provide for Choice Based Letting (CBL) as a method of allocation in their allocation schemes by 31 December 2016. Where a local authority, having included a provision on CBL in its allocation scheme, decides to operate a CBL scheme, it must implement it in accordance with Regulations 6 – 11 of the 2011 Regulations. Decisions on which properties are to be included under a CBL scheme is a matter for individual authorities.
CBL is a method, whereby available social housing is let by being openly advertised, allowing qualified applicants to 'bid' for or 'register an interest' in available homes. Applicants have to act on their own initiative to respond to adverts and bid for dwellings that they would like to live in, rather than waiting for an authority to offer a dwelling.
This approach offers more choice and involvement for applicant households in selecting a new home, thereby reducing the likelihood of a refusal, and helping to build sustainable tenancies and stable communities. In order to improve responses to CBL, authorities have been asked to consider putting in place a process to allow bidders to view the property.
My Department is committed to monitoring the roll-out of CBL across all Local Authorities and will continue to liaise with them over the course of the second half of the year, with a view to ensuring that CBL is implemented, as widely as possible, across the country.
928. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if lands or properties vested in wholly owned subsidiary incorporated bodies of local authorities in which the chief executive is the sole shareholder should be included in the register of fixed assets of that local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30404/18]
View answer929. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if lands or properties vested in wholly owned subsidiary incorporated bodies of local authorities in cases in which the chief executive is the sole shareholder have been duly entered in the register of fixed assets for each local authority will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30405/18]
View answer930. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the action he will to take to ensure lands or properties vested in wholly owned subsidiary incorporated bodies of local authorities in which the chief executive is the sole shareholder have been duly entered on the register of fixed assets for each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30406/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 928 to 930, inclusive, together.
A fixed asset register records all movements of assets owned or controlled by an entity, and is generally used for internal administrative purposes. Accounting details of assets such as the date of purchase, location, cost, supplier details, warranty if applicable, serial number, depreciation method and rate, insurance details and disposal details are usually contained within the register.
The Local Authority Accounting Code of Practice, as published by my Department, states that every local authority shall keep a register of assets, including all lands acquired or leased by the local authority itself.
The position in relation to properties vested in or lands owned by a wholly owned subsidiary of a local authority, in which the chief executive is the sole shareholder, is that these assets should be recorded in the financial statements of the subsidiary incorporated body itself rather than in those of the local authority. However, Appendix 8 to the annual financial statement of each local authority records the interest a local authority has in companies and joint ventures and discloses the total assets and liabilities of each such subsidiary and joint venture.
The accounting code of practice is available on my Department’s website at the following link.
931. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if funding for a sewerage treatment tank upgrade in respect of a housing development (details supplied) in County Kerry will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30499/18]
View answerThe taking-in-charge of housing developments is a matter for the relevant local authority under section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). My Department launched the National Taking-in-Charge Initiative (NTICI) in April 2016 to trial new approaches and working methods in supporting and accelerating overall national and local action on the taking-in-charge process of housing estates, including estates with developer-provided water services infrastructure (DPI).
Under the terms of the NTICI, which was underpinned by €10m in funding, developments subject to valid taking-in-charge applications were eligible for inclusion in the associated call for funding proposals. Ultimately, €7.7 million of the allocated funding was paid to local authorities in respect of 330 developments, containing some 13,400 homes.
Findings and recommendations from the NTICI process will be included in a report on the initiative that I intend to publish shortly. The publication of the NTICI report will be of value to local authorities and other stakeholders in applying the lessons from the pilot authorities, in a more general roll-out of a streamlined approach to taking-in-charge. I expect that the initiative will contribute to further streamlining of the taking-in-charge process, through, for example, securing coordination with capital works by Irish Water.
In addition, the recently published National Development Plan includes provision of €31 million for the period 2018-2021 for DPI. This is clear evidence of the Government's commitment to transition from the pilot phase under NTICI to a programme phase, commencing with an estimates provision of €3m in 2018 on which further details will be announced in due course.
932. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the cost of travel expenses for him and those that travel with him since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30514/18]
View answerDetails of ministerial expenses that have been paid to me are available, along with other transparency data, on my Department’s website at this link. To date, I have been paid a total of €10,969.13 in domestic and foreign travel and subsistence costs since being appointed Minister. To date, foreign travel and subsistence costs paid to officials and advisors travelling with me in that period amounted to €2,714.41. The information requested in respect of domestic travel and subsistence costs paid to officials and advisors travelling with me is not readily available as it involves a relatively wide range of officials from across the Department and its compilation would involve an inordinate amount of staff time and cost.
933. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount in funding provided to local authorities for the improvement works in lieu grant scheme in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30524/18]
View answerMy Department provides capital funding to Local Authorities for Improvement Works In Lieu of local authority housing (IWIL’s) to enable them to repair, improve or extend privately owned houses that are occupied by approved housing applicants as an alternative to the provision of local authority housing. My Department contributes 90% and the local authority contributes 10%of the cost of such works.
IWIL’s are administered under the Disabled Person’s Grants Scheme. The detailed administration of these grants, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications is the responsibility of the local authorities.
To date, no local authority has submitted a recoupment request for IWILs funding in 2018. Details of IWILs funding provided to local authorities for the years 2016 and 2017 are set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Local Authority |
Funding (€’s) |
|
2016 |
Cavan County Council |
29,511 |
|
2017 |
Westmeath County Council |
9,940 |
|
2017 |
Mayo County Council |
86,515 |
934. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of times he has met his officials regarding Project Ireland 2040 since its launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30555/18]
View answerEarlier this year, the Government launched Project Ireland 2040, the overarching policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland. It includes a detailed capital investment plan for the period 2018 to 2027, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027, and the 20-year National Planning Framework (NPF).
Since its launch, work has continued under Project Ireland 2040 in relation to its implementation. The issues involved are broad-ranging and, therefore, I engage on a constant, effectively daily, basis with relevant officials in my Department in relation to progressing the many important national objectives in the NPF.
For example, you will be aware that last week my Department launched the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, one of the four funds allocated under Project Ireland 2040. The Urban Fund was opened for applications by my Department on Tuesday, 3rd July, and just yesterday I held an information seminar on the URDF, primarily geared towards key stakeholders in the local government sector.
I and my Department will be continuing to work proactively on the roll out of the NPF.
935. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of freedom of information, FOI, requests his Department has received since January 2018; the number of refusals; the number that have been appealed and that are ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30572/18]
View answerThe number of FOI requests that my Department has received from 1 January 2018 to 5 July 2018 is 260. A total of 10 cases sought internal review (i.e. were appealed), 54 requests were refused and 37 are as yet undecided. The remainder were either granted, part-granted, withdrawn or lapsed.
936. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of vacancies on state boards under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30589/18]
View answerThe following table presents for each State Body under the aegis of my Department the current number of vacancies required to be filled in order to bring board membership to the level required by legislation and the number of appointment processes currently underway.
|
State Body |
Maximum Board Size |
Minimum Board Size |
Current Board Membership |
Vacancies (to reach Minimum Board Size) |
Appointment processes underway |
|
An Bord Pleanála1 |
10 |
3 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
|
Ervia |
11 |
None |
10 |
N/A |
1 |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
6 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
12 |
2 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
9 |
7 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
|
Irish Water |
12 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
11 |
7 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission2 |
9 |
6 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
12 |
None |
12 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
9 |
4 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
|
Property Registration Authority |
11 |
7 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
7 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
12 |
9 |
9 |
0 |
3 |
|
Water Advisory Body3 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 An order was made on 29/3/18 increasing the membership of An Bord Pleanála by 1 in order to enable the Board to fulfil its duties and objectives. The order is for a maximum period of 5 years.
2 On 19 October 2016 an order was made increasing the number of members of the National Oversight and Audit Commission to 11 for a period of two years in order to enable the efficient and effective discharge of its functions.
3 The Water Advisory Body was established on 1st of June 2018; the recruitment process to fill the two vacancies is in preparation.
