Written Answers Nos. 691-716
691. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason projects that do not have the benefit of planning permission are being grant aided under the urban regeneration and development scheme announced on 26 November 2018 while other shovel-ready projects are not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50135/18]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched as part of Project Ireland 2040, to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland's five cities, regional drivers and other large urban centres. I initiated the first call for proposals under the Fund in July 2018 and the deadline for submission of applications was 28 September.
A total of 189 applications were submitted to my Department and on 26 November I announced the successful applicants for 2019 funding, details of which are available on my Department's website at:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/urdf_-_2019_funding_allocations_0.pdf .
There were two categories of submission, Category A for projects that were 'ready to go' and Category B to support the initial development of projects (Master-planning/Feasibility) to ensure a pipeline of projects into the future as the URDF is a rolling fund, with €2 billion available to 2027. The fund was over subscribed in both categories (A & B).
There were a group of projects that were not eligible or recommended due to the following general reasons:
(i) The proposal did not respond to core assessment criteria of the fund or the quality of the proposal was low;
(ii) The proposal was a routine capital project more related to other capital funding sources available through another department or agency;
(iii) The proposal was already commercially viable and would be better supported by market response; and
(iv) The proposal was not in compliance with state aid or the additionality factor/wider leveraging of the project was in question (Value For Money).
Projects were recommended for reasons including:
(i) The proposal responded well to the core assessment criteria of fund or the quality of the proposal was high;
(ii) The proposal offered an appropriate response to National Planning Framework considerations and objectives; and
(iii) The quality of the proposal offered leverage in the right location.
There were also those projects that, while not recommended at this time given the criteria above, were considered worthwhile if further developed. Such an approach was adopted to facilitate a continual pipeline of projects (Category B) for potential re-submission in subsequent calls for proposals.
In this regard, it is my intention to announce a second call for proposals early in 2019. My Department proposes to provide feedback in this regard and will engage further with applicants as appropriate.
692. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if grant assistance is available to persons with their own private well to have their water tested in view of recent concerns from the EPA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50242/18]
View answerA grant, funded by my Department, for the provision or necessary improvement of an individual water supply in a house (more commonly called the private wells grant) is available from local authorities. The grant, subject to certain conditions, assists households dependent on these supplies with the costs incurred in providing such a supply of water for domestic purposes or rectifying serious deficiencies in either quantity or quality of an existing supply.
It is the practice of the local authorities that administer the grant on behalf of my Department to take, or request samples of the water supply to be taken, before and after the installation of equipment under the grant scheme. These samples must then be tested in an accredited laboratory. The cost of this testing is recoverable under the grant scheme.
In April 2018, I established a Working Group to conduct a review of the wider investment needs relating to rural water services. The Group's aim is to recommend measures to provide for an equality in outcomes between those who receive water services from Irish Water and non-Irish water customers.
The terms of reference of the review provide for a two-strand approach. Strand 1 was to consider the composition and distribution of funding for the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021. Strand 2 is considering the more complex longer-focus issues surrounding the long-term future resourcing of the Rural Water Sector.
I received a report on Strand 1 of the Working Group's deliberations on 30 November 2018. Following my consideration of its recommendations, I expect to announce details of the programme priorities for the 2019 to 2021 funding cycle, including on the private wells grant, shortly.
693. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount that will be allocated to County Waterford by the national urban regeneration fund for the purposes of the development of the north quays in each of the years 2019 to 2020 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50249/18]
View answer694. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason Waterford city received only €6 million of the €13 million needed in 2018 to initiate the redevelopment of the north quays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50250/18]
View answer695. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the breakdown of the moneys to be allocated to Waterford city for the development of the north quays; the source of the funding; the timeframe for its allocation; the amount that will be provided over the lifetime of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50251/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 693 to 695, inclusive, together.
The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched as part of Project Ireland 2040, to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland’s five cities, regional drivers and other large urban centres. I initiated the first call for proposals under the Fund in July 2018 and the deadline for submission of applications was 28 September. A total of 189 applications were submitted to my Department and on 26 November I announced the successful applicants for funding, details of which are available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/urdf_-_2019_funding_allocations_0.pdf .
The URDF is a competitive, bid-based exchequer grant programme, with €2 billion in National Development Plan (NDP) funding available to 2027. My Department has allocated €6 million, from a total allocation of €100 million for 2019, for Waterford City & County Council's North Quays proposal. This is the single largest award under the URDF for 2019.
This URDF grant for Waterford, as with all other successful bid proposals, has been approved in principle subject to agreement of subsequent technical details with my Department and may be regarded as an initial investment of support for a significant city centre urban renewal project. As a successful Category ‘A’ project, the award also signals a commitment to further investment in the project in future years subject to the normal requirements in relation to the public spending code and value for money considerations.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that the continuation of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund into 2020 will facilitate a greater focus on integrated urban projects as such proposals require sufficient time for design, planning, procurement and construction to be advanced properly.
Finally, my Department intends to further engage with Waterford City and County Council in order to discuss the progression of the proposal in 2019 and onwards and to agree on the terms of the funding allocation which, once agreed, will be drawn down from throughout 2019.
696. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the public events he attended by county since 1 May 2018 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50286/18]
View answerMy Ministerial diary, which sets out details of my public engagements, is published on a quarterly basis on my Department's website and can be accessed at the link below -
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/minister_murphy_diary.pdf .
697. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the rights of appeal that exist to Rebuilding Ireland home loan decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50297/18]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan was introduced on 1 February 2018 under the Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan) Regulations 2018. The Scheme enables local authorities to provide home loans in accordance with the criteria set out in the Regulations and the Statutory Credit Policy. The Housing Agency has been tasked with carrying out assessments of loan applications on behalf of local authorities and making recommendations in respect of each application
Under the Regulations it is a matter for each local authority to make the decision on loan approval applications. Under the Statutory Credit Policy each authority must establish a Credit Committee to consider these applications on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the Statutory Credit Policy and having regard to the recommendations of the Housing Agency.
The Statutory Credit Policy also obliges local authorities to establish an appeals process under which applicants, who are dissatisfied with a decision of a Credit Committee, may appeal that decision. Details of the appeals process can be obtained from the relevant local authority.
Following the conclusion of the local authority's appeals process, if a loan applicant remains dissatisfied with the outcome and considers that they have been treated unfairly, then they can request that the Office of the Ombudsman examines the case. The Ombudsman can examine complaints about the actions of a range of public bodies, and local authority house loans are among the areas that they are permitted to examine.
698. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if shared rights of way are sufficient criteria to refuse a Rebuilding Ireland home loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50298/18]
View answerWhile shared rights of way are not a stated criteria for refusal of a Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan prudential lending practices require a clear and unambiguous title as security for a loan. Although a prospective purchaser of a home may enjoy a shared right of way with another party at the point of purchase, this arrangement may not always be easily observed. The presence of such a right of way could also impair the purchaser's ability to resell the property and could subsequently adversely affect the value of the asset.
In relation to self-build applications, the statutory Credit Policy states that the applicant's solicitor must confirm that there are no easements, way leaves or rights of way in favour of or over subject property and that the site must have access to the public road over land in the applicant's boundaries.
As the final decision on whether to approve or issue a loan rests with the relevant local authority's Credit Committee, they must be satisfied that appropriate legal documentation has been provided in order to protect the future value of the asset for both the borrower and the State.
699. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the Moorhead review on local authority terms and conditions will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50310/18]
View answerOn 21 June 2018 I announced that, with the agreement of the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, I was commissioning a review of the role and remuneration of local authority elected members and published the terms of reference for same. I appointed Ms. Sara Moorhead SC to conduct the independent review.
Ms Moorhead's review is well underway and, in accordance with the terms of reference, an interim report has been prepared. This details the range of actions undertaken to date and sets out the further complex work necessary to complete the review. This work is proceeding and Ms Moorhead's intention is that a final report will be ready for submission by the end of quarter 1, 2019.
When the review is complete, its findings will be the subject of discussion between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It will be submitted thereafter for the consideration of the Government.
700. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of contracts and-or tenders that have been awarded to a company (details supplied); the value of these contracts, that is, the amount the company has been paid; the services the contracts were for; and the number of public sector and-or publicly funded catering facilities being run by the company. [50366/18]
View answerSince May 2016, during this current administration, my Department has not awarded any contracts or tenders to the company concerned. My Department would not have information in relation to the number of public sector and / or publicly funded catering facilities being run by the company.
701. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the next steps for projects (details supplied); when funding will be made available to the promoters; the estimated completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50379/18]
View answerThe Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched as part of Project Ireland 2040, to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland’s five cities, regional drivers and other large urban centres. I initiated the first call for proposals under the Fund in July 2018 and the deadline for submission of applications was 28 September. A total of 189 applications were submitted to my Department and on 26 November I announced the successful applicants for funding, details of which are available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/urdf_-_2019_funding_allocations_0.pdf .
The URDF is a competitive, bid-based exchequer grant programme, with €2 billion in National Development Plan (NDP) funding available to 2027. The URDF grant in respect of the proposal in question, as with all other successful bid proposals, has been approved in principle subject to agreement of subsequent technical details with my Department and may be regarded as an initial investment of support for a significant town centre urban renewal project, which is envisaged to progress through 2019 and 2020.
My Department intends to further engage with the applicant in order to discuss the progression of the proposal in 2019 and onwards and to agree on the terms of the funding allocation which, once agreed, will be drawn down from throughout 2019.
702. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount that has been paid on the housing assistance payment and homeless housing assistance payments for 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50407/18]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is now available to all eligible households throughout the State. There are currently more than 40,000 households having their housing needs met via HAP and some 25,500 separate landlords and agents currently in receipt of monthly HAP payments.
HAP is funded through a combination of Exchequer monies and tenant differential rents collected in respect of HAP tenancies. Budget 2018 increased the Exchequer funding for the HAP scheme by €149 million to €301 million. This allowed for the continued support of existing HAP households and also to enable the additional 17,000 households targeted under Rebuilding Ireland to be supported by HAP in 2018.
Details on the funding provided for HAP for 2017 and to date in 2018 are: €152.69 million for 2017; and €239.16 million for 2018 (to 30 November).
I am satisfied with how the HAP scheme is currently operating 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.
703. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the plans in place for charging persons on group water schemes. [50412/18]
View answerGroup Water Schemes are community-owned and community-run and accordingly I have no function in their management or operation. However, where Group Water Schemes are availing of capital grants or the annual operational subsidy under my Department's Rural Water Programme the terms and conditions of these funding schemes apply.
I understand that the Deputy is referring in his question to the annual subsidy towards the operational costs of Group Water Schemes.
In late 2017, my Department conducted a review of Group Water Schemes’ subsidies. The review involved discussions with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, the representative body for the Group Water Sector. Discussions concluded in December 2017, when I approved increased subsidy levels. The new subsidy arrangements, endorsed by a special delegate conference of the Federation on 13 December 2017, came into effect on 1 January 2018. Local authorities were advised by my Department of the increased subsidy levels on 19 December 2017 and detailed terms and conditions for the subsidy were subsequently issued by my Department to local authorities.
The terms and conditions allow for Group Water Schemes to apply an excessive use charge on their domestic members where they are consuming above a household threshold (160 cubic meters per day) as well as a formal mechanism for schemes to reduce this household threshold amount (provided that it is not reduced to less than 115 cubic meters per day) if they are to avail of the subsidy.
704. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 630 of 27 November 2018, if the specification set out in the request for tenders for temporary modular accommodation for homeless families will be fully compliant with the Technical Guidance Document B – Fire Safety of Part B of the Building Regulations for such buildings; if the use of the word aligned in the reply represents dispensation or relaxation from the standards set out in Technical Guidance B - Fire Safety; and if the technical specifications set out in the request for tenders for temporary modular accommodation require the use of non-combustible insulation. [50472/18]
View answerThe fire safety requirements in the tender documents, issued by the Housing Agency, for the supply and delivery of temporary modular homes (in order to establish a framework) are in compliance with the Technical Guidance Document B – Fire Safety of Part B of the Building Regulations for such buildings. In addition local authorities will also be liaising with the respective Fire Authority on individual homeless hub projects to ensure adequate provision has been made for Fire Safety.
The technical specifications set out in the tender documents for the supply and delivery of temporary modular homes do not require the use of non-combustible insulation. However, in relation to the fabric of these homes, the technical specification sets out explicit requirements for the levels of resistance to the spread of fire and to the spread of flames over surfaces, and for measures to inhibit the unseen spread of fire and smoke within the fabric or structure. This is in accordance with the Building Regulations and best practice codes and standards for buildings of this scale.
The technical specification set out in the tender documents for the supply and delivery of temporary modular homes also requires an advanced self-contained fire detection and alarm system, which typically includes interconnected smoke or heat alarms in circulation areas, kitchens/living rooms and bedrooms. In addition, the technical specification requires that all habitable areas in these single storey units have a means of escape, either through an emergency door or emergency escape windows giving direct access to the open air, which shall not require the use of a key or tool.
705. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of HAP transfers to local authority and AHB housing by local authority for each year the scheme has been in operation in that local authority in tabular form. [50534/18]
View answerConsistent with the provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is considered to be a social housing support and, consequently, households are not eligible to remain on the main housing waiting list. However, acknowledging that some households who avail of HAP may still wish to continue to avail of the opportunity for a more traditional form of social housing support, Ministerial directions have issued to ensure that, should they so choose, HAP recipients can avail of a move to other forms of social housing support through a transfer list.
Furthermore, local authorities were also directed that HAP recipients who apply to go on the transfer list should get full credit for the time they spent on the waiting list and be placed on the transfer list with no less favourable terms than if they had remained on the waiting list.
The practical operation of transfer lists is a matter for each local authority to manage, on the basis of their own scheme of letting priorities. The setting of such schemes is a reserved function of the local authority and, as such, is a matter for the elected members.
Detail in relation to HAP transfers by local authority is set out in the following table:
|
Name of Local Authority |
Grand Total |
|
Carlow County Council |
54 |
|
Cavan County Council |
4 |
|
Clare County Council |
151 |
|
Cork City Council |
61 |
|
Cork County Council |
199 |
|
Donegal County Council |
187 |
|
Dublin City Council |
43 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
4 |
|
Fingal County Council |
17 |
|
Galway City Council |
18 |
|
Galway County Council |
16 |
|
Kerry County Council |
5 |
|
Kildare County Council |
77 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
75 |
|
Laois County Council |
25 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
4 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
134 |
|
Longford County Council |
4 |
|
Louth County Council |
132 |
|
Mayo County Council |
32 |
|
Meath County Council |
122 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
77 |
|
Offaly County Council |
28 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
8 |
|
Sligo County Council |
37 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
12 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
112 |
|
Waterford City & Co Co |
117 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
1 |
|
Wexford County Council |
6 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
3 |
|
Grand Total |
1,765 |
A breakdown of transfers by year has been requested from the Shared Service Centre and, if it can be provided, it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
HAP was rolled out in 4 waves between September 2014 and March 2017 - the nationwide roll-out of the scheme was completed with its introduction, on 1 March 2017, to the administrative areas of Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. In general, I am satisfied with the operation of the scheme and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme outlined under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
|
Local Authority |
2014/5 |
2016 |
2017 |
Q3-2018 |
Total |
|
Carlow County Council |
0 |
6 |
30 |
18 |
54 |
|
Cavan County Council |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Clare County Council |
0 |
16 |
75 |
60 |
151 |
|
Cork City Council |
0 |
11 |
34 |
16 |
61 |
|
Cork County Council |
7 |
21 |
77 |
94 |
199 |
|
Donegal County Council |
0 |
19 |
80 |
88 |
187 |
|
Dublin City Council |
0 |
0 |
4 |
39 |
43 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Fingal County Council |
0 |
1 |
2 |
14 |
17 |
|
Galway City Council |
0 |
0 |
13 |
5 |
18 |
|
Galway County Council |
0 |
1 |
8 |
7 |
16 |
|
Kerry County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Kildare County Council |
0 |
1 |
26 |
50 |
77 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
11 |
9 |
26 |
29 |
75 |
|
Laois County Council |
0 |
0 |
1 |
24 |
25 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
6 |
26 |
44 |
58 |
134 |
|
Longford County Council |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Louth County Council |
1 |
11 |
51 |
69 |
132 |
|
Mayo County Council |
0 |
1 |
15 |
16 |
32 |
|
Meath County Council |
0 |
3 |
28 |
91 |
122 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
4 |
8 |
36 |
29 |
77 |
|
Offaly County Council |
0 |
2 |
7 |
19 |
28 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
0 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
|
Sligo County Council |
0 |
1 |
11 |
25 |
37 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
0 |
0 |
2 |
10 |
12 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
0 |
11 |
43 |
58 |
112 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
3 |
29 |
39 |
46 |
117 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Wexford County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Grand Total |
32 |
177 |
658 |
898 |
1,765 |
706. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of homes purchased under the tenant scheme by local authority area; the number of homes sold at each discount level, that is, 40%, 50% and 60%, respectively; and the average sale price to tenants in each local authority for each of the discount levels in tabular form. [50535/18]
View answerInformation on the sale of houses under the Tenant Purchase Scheme, broken down by local authority, is available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/social-and-affordble/other-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics .
Local authorities are by law (Section 63(1) of the Local Government Act 2001) independent in the performance of their functions. The operation of the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is a matter for the local authority concerned, in line with legislation, including the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015. Accordingly, my Department does not hold data in the form requested.
707. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 632 of 27 November 2018, if a specific proposal to amend the rules of the CALF funding stream to allow AHBs to provide cost rental accommodation was considered by his Department in the context of budget 2019; if it was proposed to Fianna Fáil during the budget negotiations; and the reason this proposal was not included in budget 2019 alongside the serviced sites fund to ensure that a greater volume of affordable rental accommodation could be provided alongside the affordable purchase housing that would be funded by the serviced sites fund. [50536/18]
View answerThe position in this matter is set out in my replies to Parliamentary Question No. 243 of 21 November 2018 and Parliamentary Question No. 632 of 27 November 2018. It should be noted that the Serviced Site Fund can be used to support the delivery of both affordable housing for purchase and cost rental accommodation.
708. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has considered increasing the 90-day limit concerning a company (details supplied) for primary residences in keeping with overall policy objectives of extending seasonality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50578/18]
View answer709. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when guidance will issue to local authorities on planning permission for a change of use to a short-term let from a local planning authority; the specific factors that will be included in the guidelines; if his attention has been drawn to the need for urgency in facilitating operators for the 2019 season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50580/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 708 and 709 together.
Under Action 18 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector, a Working Group was established, involving representatives of all major public stakeholders with a policy interest in short-term lettings, to develop guidance in relation to planning applications, changes of use relating to short-term lettings and to examine the need for new regulatory arrangements. Proposals under consideration by the Working Group have been aimed at facilitating short-term letting of accommodation within permanent residences, known as homesharing, while protecting the existing stock of residential property in areas of high demand.
Having considered the Working Group's report as well as the recommendations in the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government on short-term lettings, I recently announced plans to introduce a “one host, one home” model in areas where there is high housing demand.
Homesharing will continue to be permissible for a person’s primary residence, and such home-sharers will now have to register with their local authority. In addition, an annual cap of 90 days will apply for the renting out on a short-term basis of a person's entire home where it is their primary residence, with such short-term lets being restricted to periods of 14 days or less at a time. I have no plans to change the 90 days threshold.
Where a person owns a second property and intends to let it for short-term letting purposes, they will require planning permission to do so unless it already has planning permission to be used for tourism or short-term letting purposes. Planning permission for a change of use to short-term letting can be sought and it will be up to each local planning authority to consider such applications, based on guidance that will issue from my Department, taking account of housing demand pressures in the area and other relevant factors such as cumulative impacts.
These proposed changes will not affect the operation of holiday homes as typically understood, or longer-term flexible lettings which are provided for those coming to Ireland under employment contracts.
It is intended that the proposed new planning changes will come into effect on 1 June 2019, to allow property owners sufficient lead-in time to prepare for and adapt to the proposed new laws. In addition to the making of revised draft exempted development planning regulations, which are being progressed, amendments to primary legislation will also be introduced which will underpin and strengthen the new proposals and this element of the changes proposed is currently being developed.
710. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the actions in pillar one of Rebuilding Ireland will be updated in order to reflect the additional identified needs of children experiencing homelessness with particular regard to their educational needs. [50621/18]
View answer711. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the homeless inter-agency group will be expanded to include representatives from the Department of Education and Skills. [50622/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 711 together.
The Government is committed to ensuring that families experiencing homelessness receive the supports they require. Rebuilding Ireland includes a programme of actions across the State Sector with involvement from a range of Government Departments and Agencies. In September 2017, I established the Homelessness Inter-Agency Group to ensure a coordinated response to the State’s response to homelessness. The Group includes representation from all of the Government Departments and Agencies involved in the delivery of homeless services, including Tusla, the HSE and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. The Group is chaired by Mr John Murphy, former Secretary General of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
In June this year, the Chair of the Group submitted a report to me on the work of the Group. The report includes information on services currently delivered by the various Departments and Agencies represented on the Group. The report highlighted a number of initiatives being delivered to support the education needs of children experiencing homelessness. These initiatives include: provision under the existing Community Childcare Subvention Programme of free childcare for children from families experiencing homelessness; the Tusla School Completion Programme; the provision of Home School Community Liaison co-ordinators who are engaging with the parents from homeless families; and the prioritisation of children experiencing homelessness within the School Completion Programme. The report from the Inter-Agency Group also included a number of recommendations, which are being implemented by the relevant Departments and Agencies on the Group.
A representative from the Department of Education and Skills joined the Homelessness Inter-Agency Group in September 2018 and the Group is continuing to examine service delivery to households experiencing homelessness. The education needs of children experiencing homelessness will form part of this work.
712. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider ending the practice of self-accommodation for homeless families with children. [50623/18]
View answer713. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timeline for the end of use of hotels and bed and breakfasts as emergency accommodation. [50624/18]
View answer714. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if regulations will be introduced to ensure that families with children should not be in emergency accommodation for longer than six months; and if in conjunction with the monthly homeless report the type of emergency accommodation and the length of time families spend there will be published. [50625/18]
View answer715. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to locate future emergency accommodation locations close to family resource centres. [50626/18]
View answer716. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if regulations will be introduced to ensure that homeless families and dependent children are not spending longer than six months in emergency accommodation. [50627/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 712 to 716, inclusive, together.
The Government is committed to minimising the use of hotels and B&Bs for emergency accommodation and is rolling out a programme of family hubs to ensure that more suitable emergency accommodation is available for families experiencing homelessness. To date, 24 hubs have been opened, providing accommodation for over 550 families. My Department is working closely with the DRHE and other local authorities to deliver further facilities nationally as soon as possible as minimising the use of hotels and self-accommodation is critically dependant on the delivery of additional family hubs. The location of the hubs will be a matter for individual local authorities and is dependent on the availability of suitable sites or properties.
The Government is committed to ensuring that families experiencing homelessness receive the supports that they require. Rebuilding Ireland includes a programme of actions across the State Sector with involvement from a range of Government Departments and Agencies. In 2017, I established the Homelessness Inter-Agency Group to ensure a coordinated response to the State’s response to homelessness. The Group includes representation from all of the Government Departments and Agencies involved in the delivery of homeless services, including Tusla, the HSE and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
All family hubs are operated in accordance with service level agreements/contracts between the local authorities and service providers. In the Dublin area, the DRHE has put in place service level agreements/contracts with a range of service providers for 20 family hubs. These agreements/contracts provide that families accessing family hub accommodation are supported in identifying and securing independent tenancies, including through the use of the HAP Placefinder service, within a six month period.
The expansion of the family hub programme will facilitate the provision of greater supports to families experiencing homelessness and facilitate more expeditious exits from homelessness into independent tenancies. It is accepted that in some cases, due to the accommodation requirements or preferences of some families, it may not be possible to facilitate their exit from the hub within a six-month period. As such, I have no plans to introduce regulations in this regard at this time.
In relation to the duration of time spent in emergency accommodation, the quarterly performance reports prepared by the local authorities include information on the duration of time spent by individuals in emergency accommodation but do not include a breakdown for families. My Department is currently developing a revised methodology for the collection and publication of homeless data.
