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Tuesday, 2 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 629-646

Seaweed Harvesting Licences

Questions (629)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

629. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding seaweed harvesting rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39688/18]

View answer

Written answers

I replied to the correspondence referred to on 29 August last.

In my response, I advised that I had recently clarified the legal position regarding the interface between applications to my Department for licences to harvest wild seaweed and existing harvesting rights. My letter explained that in conjunction with the Attorney General, it had been established that there were:

- appurtenant rights, which are generally confined in extent to the reasonable needs of the associated property, and

- profit-a prendre, a right to take, which can be both appurtenant, relative to the needs of the property, or in-gross, not relative to the needs of the property.

I went on to inform that while the provisions of the Foreshore Act do not apply to individuals who hold rights to take seaweed, the matter of registration of such rights is one for the Property Registration Authority.

With regard to Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) an invitation has been extended to Coiste Cearta Cladaí Chonamara to join the MSP Advisory Group which they have indicated they will accept.

Social and Affordable Housing Funding

Questions (630)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

630. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the commencement of the pilot cost rental scheme announced for Enniskerry, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39692/18]

View answer

Written answers

I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos 10 and 12 of 27 September 2018 which sets out the position with regard to this matter.

Local Authority Housing

Questions (631)

Mary Butler

Question:

631. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of second-hand houses and dwellings purchased by each local authority in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39756/18]

View answer

Written answers

Details on the number of properties constructed, purchased and leased by all local authorities, for letting to those on the social housing waiting lists, are available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision.

Local Authority Housing

Questions (632)

Mary Butler

Question:

632. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to allow local authorities to add additional rooms to local authority houses under their remit on the grounds of overcrowding only and in circumstances where no alternative accommodation is available or suitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39759/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department provides capital funding to all Local Authorities to undertake adaptations and extensions to their existing social housing stock under the Disabled Persons Grant (DPG) Scheme. The scheme applies to extensions that are needed to address over-crowding and the needs of older people or people with a disability, who may require stair lifts or the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom.

The total Exchequer funding allocated under the DPG scheme has increased by over 15% to €14m in 2018 in comparison with €12m in 2017 and my Department issued indicative allocations in respect of this scheme to all local authorities in July 2018.

Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund

Questions (633)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

633. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of local infrastucture housing activation fund, LIHAF, contracts in circumstances in which the land and planning permission are being sold to a third party that was not party to the original LIHAF contract with the local authority. [39762/18]

View answer

Written answers

The aim of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund is to relieve critical infrastructural blockages to enable the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites and to improve the economic viability of new housing projects in Dublin and in other urban areas with high demand for housing.

Thirty public infrastructure projects have been approved across 14 local authorities. Grant agreements have been signed by my Department with those local authorities in respect of the Exchequer funding element which is 75% of the project costs (capped at the grant amount), with the local authorities providing matching funding of 25%. The local authorities will build the infrastructure themselves using appropriate public procurement processes. In that regard, local authorities must provide evidence that they have acquired the land necessary for the construction of the infrastructure prior to engaging a contractor for the construction phase of the project where the majority of costs are incurred.

In advancing projects, local authorities have entered into local agreements with relevant landowners in respect of land for the infrastructure that will be constructed and in respect of delivery of housing by the developers in a particular timeframe, and in any event before 2021.

Where in the course of the project, the land relevant to the project changes hands, the local authority must ensure that their local agreement is assigned to the purchaser. This has already occurred in respect of one project and no issues arose with the assignment of the local agreement between the local authority and the new owner.

The LIHAF grant agreement entered into with local authorities provides for the possibility of termination of grant funding, if the local authority is unable to proceed with the project or to meet the grant conditions. My Department will monitor any changes in local agreements to ensure that the delivery targets remain unaffected and the local agreement obligations are successfully transferred where such a scenario arises.

Irish Water

Questions (634)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

634. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the policy on Irish Water taking over private sewerage plants in cases where a local authority is taking a housing estate in charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39871/18]

View answer

Written answers

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 process for taking-in-charge housing estates, including estates with developer-provided water services infrastructure (DPI). Under the terms of the NTICI, which was underpinned by €10 million in funding, developments subject to valid taking-in-charge applications were eligible for inclusion in the associated call for funding proposals. Ultimately, €7.5 million of the allocated funding was paid to local authorities in respect of 330 developments, containing some 14,930 homes.

Findings and recommendations from the NTICI process will be included in a report on the initiative that it is intended 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 programme in a more general roll-out of a streamlined approach to taking-in-charge, including through coordination with capital works by Irish Water.

In addition, the National Development Plan includes a provision of €31 million for DPI in the period 2018-2021, demonstrating the Government's commitment to transition from the pilot phase under NTICI to a programme phase.

My Department intends to write to local authorities to advise them of the future funding arrangements for DPI-type housing estates that are not taken in charge, following the publication, shortly, of the review report on the 2016 NTICI.

Housing Assistance Payment

Questions (635)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

635. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to amend legislation to ensure that payments issued to landlords under the housing assistance payment, HAP, scheme issue as soon as an applicant signs up to HAP in view of the fact that landlords require rent in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39886/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) 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. The earliest date a HAP payment will be payable 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 Service Centre (SSC) manage 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.

The HAP scheme has been structured in a way that most protects the Exchequer funding by ensuring that payment issues only on valid and complete applications. For this reason rent is paid in arrears and ensures that money is only paid in respect of time that the property has actually been occupied by the tenant. This practice also avoids a situation where the local authority has to attempt to recover money from the landlord and simplifies the administration of the scheme. It is recognised that certain landlords seek rent in advance; however, the benefit of the HAP scheme is that it offers a security of regular monthly payment for the landlord from the SSC.

At the end of Quarter 2 2018, there were more than 37,700 active tenancies in receipt of HAP support and over 21,000 separate landlords and agents involved in providing accommodation to those households. My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review.

Brexit Issues

Questions (636, 637)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

636. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures taken to protect the housing market in the context of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39892/18]

View answer

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

637. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the areas in which he envisages potential risks to the housing sector associated with Brexit; the contingencies in place; his views on whether he has the resources required to prepare for this eventuality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39893/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 636 and 637 together.

The extent to which Brexit will impact on the housing market is not clear at this point as it will be determined, at least in part, by the outcome of the negotiations between the EU and the UK.

The risks and opportunities presented by Brexit generally, highlight the importance of adopting a strongly strategic approach to public capital investment as set out in the National Development Plan. In planning for the implications of Brexit, we are planning for significant population growth and for that growth to be sustainable. To ensure that the economy remains competitive, the Plan includes, inter alia, significant investment in housing for a growing workforce.

The Government recently launched a new Getting Ireland Brexit Ready public awareness campaign which will provide information on the latest preparedness and support measures being taken by Government. This will include a series of outreach events across the country throughout October.

In the meantime, work continues apace across Government on Brexit preparedness and contingency planning. As negotiations on a withdrawal agreement enter the final stages, my Department will continue to assess the particular risks to all aspects of its functional responsibilities, including housing, bearing in mind that detailed negotiations on the exact nature of the future relationship cannot begin until after the UK formally ceases to be an EU Member State on 29 March 2019.

Housing Data

Questions (638)

Catherine Martin

Question:

638. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the spend on housing units under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39973/18]

View answer

Written answers

The total social housing delivery output for 2017 included 522 Part V homes and a breakdown of this delivery by local authority is published on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/attachments/2fa5-pt-v-area-2014-2017_0.xlsx.

Of the 522 homes, 81 were delivered under the Social Housing Capital Investment Programme (SHCIP); 12 homes were delivered under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS); 163 homes were delivered under the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF); 142 homes were delivered through leasing and 124 homes were delivered by local authorities but were not submitted for recoupment of funding from my Department.

It is important to note that for all delivery programmes, Part V delivery and expenditure may not necessarily arise in the same calendar year, depending on timing of recoupment claims by local authorities and phased drawdown of funds. However, in relation to Part V homes delivered in 2017, my Department has carried out an analysis of the average cost across all delivery streams and this is attached for information.

LA

Total Part V output 2017

SHCIP Part V output 2017

Average Cost of SHCIP part V unit €

CAS Part V output 2017

Average Cost of CAS Part V unit €

CALF Part V output 2017

Average total cost of CALF Part V unit €

Average CALF Approved for CALF Part V unit €

Average annual P&A cost for CALF Part V unit €

Leased Part V unit output 2017

Average annual P&A cost €

Non DHPLG funded Part V units output 2017

Carlow

10

10

184,395

0

0

Cavan

1

1

130,000

0

Clare

4

4

222,500

0

0

Cork City

0

0

0

0

Cork County

7

5

179,772

0

2

Donegal

0

0

0

0

Dublin City

56

1

240,434

0

-

55

DLR

137

0

8

266,476

15,057

20,021

124

14,210

5

Fingal

101

11

206,855

66

222,464

32,511

14,431

24

Galway

34

2

32

189,287

56,474

9,670

0

Galway City

0

0

137,512

0

0

Kerry

0

0

0

0

Kildare

24

8

181,240

0

16

Kilkenny

3

0

3

93,503

13,090

6,584

0

Laois

1

1

165,000

0

0

Leitrim

0

0

0

0

Limerick

9

9

169,215

0

0

Longford

0

0

0

0

Louth

1

0

0

1

Mayo

0

0

0

0

Meath

23

0

12

233,157

61,458

15,088

11

Monaghan

5

5

206,117

0

0

Offaly

0

0

0

0

Roscommon

0

0

0

0

Sligo

6

0

6

238157

0

0

South Dublin

80

10

220,434

6

200000

36

257,496

64,328

15,346

18

13,754

10

Tipperary

0

0

0

0

Waterford

13

13

178,383

0

0

Westmeath

0

0

0

0

Wexford

6

0

6

203,846

61,154

9,384

0

Wicklow

1

1

315,000

0

0

All LAs

522

81

12

163

142

124

Rental Accommodation Scheme Data

Questions (639)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

639. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of RAS tenancies active on 1 September 2018, by local authority area. [39992/18]

View answer

Written answers

The most recent month for which relevant data is available is June 2018, at which point there were a total of 19,336 active RAS tenancies, details of which, broken down by local authority, are set out in the following table.

No. of Active RAS Tenancies by Local Authority @ 30th June 2018

Local Authority

Total All RAS

Carlow CC

519

Cavan CC

554

Clare CC

376

Cork City Cl.

839

Cork CC

892

Donegal CC

542

Dublin City Cl.

1874

Dublin South CC

1383

Dun-Rathdown CC

530

Fingal CC

689

Galway City Cl.

437

Galway Co. Cl.

336

Kerry CC

919

Kildare CC

631

Kilkenny CC

906

Laois CC

225

Leitrim CC

109

Limerick Ct & Co.

1104

Longford CC

206

Louth CC

119

Mayo CC

847

Meath CC

432

Monaghan CC

209

Offaly CC

133

Roscommon CC

416

Sligo CC

558

Tipperary

1142

Waterford City & Co.

693

Westmeath CC

602

Wexford CC

672

Wicklow CC

442

Total

19,336

Social and Affordable Housing

Questions (640)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

640. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the use of stage payments in turnkey social housing projects will be sanctioned to accelerate the uptake and delivery of these projects; if stage payments will be sanctioned on contracts agreed which have not commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40093/18]

View answer

Written answers

Local authorities have been making productive use of turnkey development opportunities to achieve delivery of new social housing since the commencement of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan. Under the procurement arrangements that apply to such transactions, an initial 10% is usually paid as a deposit and the balance of the funding is provided on completion and delivery of the housing units in a 'turnkey' condition. An option for turnkey projects can also be to agree delivery on a phased basis, which allows for payment to be made to the developer on completion of each individual phase.

While I am always open to innovative approaches to housing delivery, I cannot depart from the procurement requirements that apply to 'turnkey' transactions. I have been heartened by the strong level of successful delivery we have achieved around the country for new social housing using the turnkey approach, the evidence of which can be seen in the most recently published social housing construction quarterly status report, covering the period to the end of Quarter 2 of 2018, which is available at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-latest-social-housing-construction-report/ .

In many cases, the developments being supported through these turnkey arrangements would not go ahead without the certainty of the end purchaser and they are particularly beneficial where local authorities have limited or no lands available for housing in an area.

Casual Trading Regulations

Questions (641)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

641. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to issue guidelines, directions or circular letters to ensure market places are provided and maintained; if his attention has been drawn to the recent closure of six weekend markets (details supplied) in summer 2018 in Dublin city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40096/18]

View answer

Written answers

As I have no function in relation to the provision or maintenance of market places, I have no plans to issue guidelines, directions or circular letters to local authorities in the matter.

Casual trading is regulated in the Dublin City Council area through bye-laws made under the Casual Trading Act 1995, an Act for which my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, has primary responsibility.

Waterways Issues

Questions (642, 643, 644)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

642. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the timeframe for commencing the County Kildare part of the blueway; and the timeframe for completion of the blueway in County Kildare and the full blueway, respectively. [39620/18]

View answer

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

643. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the estimated cost of completing the blueway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39621/18]

View answer

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

644. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there will be further consultation with the public on the blueway in County Kildare. [39622/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 642 to 644, inclusive, together.

Waterways Ireland submitted a planning application to Kildare County Council, Laois County Council and Carlow County Council for the development of the Barrow towpath to enable it to become a Blueway. The applications were refused planning permissions in February 2018 for the ‘river’ elements of the navigation. Waterways Ireland have subsequently appealed those decisions to An Bord Pleanála and await their outcome.

Waterways Ireland cannot give a timeframe for the development of the Barrow Blueway until An Bord Pleanála determine the appeal.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (645, 648)

Niall Collins

Question:

645. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the communications, press and public relations budget allocated to her Department for 2018; the way in which it is being spent; if it is behind or ahead of profile; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39368/18]

View answer

Catherine Murphy

Question:

648. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent by her Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns to date in 2018, by month and company engaged in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39635/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 645 and 648 together.

There is no specific allocation within my Department‘s Vote for communications, press and public relations. These functions are primarily carried out by the Department’s Press & Information Office, the costs of which are met from my Department’s Administrative Budget in the usual manner.

My Department also engages in specifically focused communications campaigns from time to time. The Culture Ireland Unit has earlier this year engaged Mr. Nik Quaife on a 1 year contract for the provision of services including a communications strategy for its GB18 programme, to celebrate and renew Ireland’s cultural relationship with Britain. The total value of this contract is €50,000, with expenditure to date of €26,800.

The Creative Ireland Programme undertakes targeted citizen engagement programmes to get people involved in cultural and creative activity right across the country. I am advised that approximately €400,000 has been allocated from the Creative Ireland Programme Budget in 2018 in relation to public engagement and commissioning digital content. Expenditure to date in this regard is in the order of €177,000. MB Arts International have been engaged on a two year contract to provide a range of contract services including citizen engagement and building partnerships. Expenditure to date in this regard is €58,000.

The above mentioned expenditure is summarized in the following table.

Payee

Subject

Expenditure to Date

Nik Quaife

GB18

€26,800

Mindshare

Cruinniú na nÓg

€49,000

Big O

Digital Content for Creative Ireland Website and other platforms

€109,000

MB Art International

Services to Creative Ireland Programme including citizen engagement, building partnerships

€58,000

As the Deputy will appreciate, the engagement of external groups for the provision of specialised services, including public relations firms, is dependent on a number of factors, including the expertise and resources available within my Department. In that context, value for money is at all times a critical consideration. The relevant public procurement procedures were applied in the placing of all external contracts referred to above.

National Monuments

Questions (646)

Bríd Smith

Question:

646. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of times she or her departmental officials have met with representatives of a company (details supplied) regarding the Moore Street site; her role and responsibilities in implementing the recommendations of the Moore Street, Securing History report published in March 2017. [39389/18]

View answer

Written answers

I have had three meetings with the company referred to, which my Department has also met from time to in relation to matters of shared concern with regard to the national monument buildings on Moore Street and the re-vitalization of the North Inner City and in particular, Upper O'Connell St, Moore St and surrounding areas. The current position in this case, and my role in relation to it, are set out in my response to the Second Stage motion in the Dáil on 20 September 2018 in relation to the National Monuments (The Moore Street Battlefield) Bill 2018 which is available on the Official Record.

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