Thursday, 7 Nov 2019

Written Answers Nos. 216-224

Local Authority Housing Applications

Questions (216)

Niall Collins

Question:

216. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will contact local authorities to ascertain their policies regarding housing applications for returning Irish emigrants (details supplied); if the necessary changes will be made to ensure the process is as straightforward and transparent as possible in terms of assisting and facilitating housing applications for returning Irish emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45846/19]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

Under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), capital funding of up to 100% of project costs may be advanced by local authorities to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to provide housing for specific categories of housing need, which can include elderly returning emigrants. The housing need of such emigrants are assessed by Safe Home Ireland. They act in a co-ordinating role for emigrants wishing to return to Ireland, assess eligibility and liaise with AHBs on housing availability.

This is the policy and approach set out by my Department in relation to the availability of housing for returning emigrants via CAS. This is an important area for housing delivery under CAS and different local authorities do not operate to different policies in this regard. However, if there is a specific instance where difficulties have arisen with the provision of CAS support for a returning emigrant, my Department can follow up if the information is provided on the case.

Alternative Energy Projects

Questions (217)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

217. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the criteria required for installation of an anaerobic digester; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45900/19]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

There are no specific criteria for anaerobic digesters under the planning code and it is a matter for planning authorities to assess applications in line with the Planning and Development Acts. I am aware that the Irish Bioenergy Association has published a guidance document entitled "Planning Guidance Recommendations for Bioenergy Projects in Ireland" on the steps to be followed and the factors to be taken into account in the progression of bioenergy projects, including anaerobic digesters, under the planning code. This guidance document is available to view online on the website of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland at the following link - https://www.seai.ie/publications/IrBEA-Bioenergy-Planning-Report-RDD-00112-2017.pdf.

Local Authority Funding

Questions (218)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

218. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 560 of 24 September 2019, the status of actions he is taking following the report of the baseline review group; and when he plans to publish the report. [45925/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

In May 2018, a Local Government Funding (Baseline) Review Group was established to consider the methodology to determine local authority funding baselines, to inform the distribution of any additional funding that could become available for general, operational purposes.

The Review Group, comprising representatives from my Department and the Local Government Sector, executive and elected members, was tasked with, insofar as possible, developing a methodology for distributing the available funding to bring greater balance and equity of funding outcomes for local authorities, in the context of the wide range issues they face and the diverse nature of counties across Ireland. Ultimately, the primary purpose of the review was to inform the Minister in relation to any actions he may wish to recommend to Government.

Recommendations were received from the Review Group in August 2018 and these fall to be considered in the context of the review of Local Property Tax (LPT) undertaken by the Department of Finance.

Taxation policy, including in respect of LPT, is in the first instance a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. The review of LPT was published by the Department of Finance in March of this year and referred by Minister Donohoe to the Budgetary Oversight Committee for its consideration. When the ongoing process in relation to the consideration of that Review of LPT is concluded, the work of the Baseline Review Group will be considered further as will the issue of publication of the Review Group's recommendations.

Home Loan Scheme

Questions (219)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

219. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applications made to the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme in 2018 and to date in 2019, by county and or local authority; the number of applications approved; the amount of funding provided to each local authority in 2018 and to date in 2019; if local authorities have made applications for further funding in respect of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45927/19]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses applications for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities to approve or refuse applications. Housing Agency recommendations are then considered by the Credit Committee in each local authority, which issues loan approvals.

I have asked the Agency to compile figures on the numbers of applications that it has assessed and recommended to approve. In 2018, the Housing Agency assessed 3,036 valid applications. Of these, it recommended 1,550 for approval. In 2019, the Housing Agency have assessed 2,271 valid applications of which 1,133 have been recommended for approval.

Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the final decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, and having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.

Local Authority	Total Applications Assessed 2018	Total Applications Recommended for Approval 2018	Total Applications Assessed 2019	Total Applications Recommended for Approval 2019
Carlow County Council	46	16	27	12
Cavan County Council	17	7	7	2
Clare County Council	50	19	37	17
Cork City Council	105	53	112	43
Cork County Council	241	133	173	76
Donegal County Council	30	18	21	4
Dublin City Council	351	215	259	153
Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council	82	45	60	33
Fingal County Council	437	229	319	195
Galway City Council	64	30	45	28
Galway County Council	108	41	86	22
Kerry County Council	89	40	55	19
Kildare County Council	173	87	27	20
Kilkenny County Council	28	15	33	16
Laois County Council	72	36	53	25
Leitrim County Council	9	2	10	3
Limerick City & County Council	81	46	62	39
Longford County Council	30	15	25	11
Louth County Council	73	31	79	28
Mayo County Council	46	18	36	14
Meath County Council	198	124	126	88
Monaghan County Council	21	6	43	15
Offaly County Council	38	14	20	9
Roscommon County Council	28	13	31	10
Sligo County Council	39	20	33	14
South Dublin County Council	214	112	159	82
Tipperary County Council	80	29	72	38
Waterford City & County Council	43	14	72	25
Westmeath County Council	26	17	30	17
Wexford County Council	85	43	76	37
Wicklow County Council	132	62	83	38
Total	3036	1550	2271	1133

When the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme was initially being developed, it was estimated that the drawdown of loans would be approximately €200 million over three years. However, this loan product has proved to be more successful than initially anticipated. In the context of the scheme’s success my Department engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance with regard to the allocation for 2019.

I engaged early as I said I would. While discussions commenced in October 2018 on additional funding, the first tranche of €200m was only fully drawn down in August of this year. My Department wrote to all 31 local authorities on 15 August 2019 sanctioning an additional €363.6 million in funding for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. This brings total funding for the Loan to over €563.6 million for 2018 and 2019 combined.

The overall allocations incorporate loans already issued since the inception of the scheme, loans which will be drawn down on foot of approvals already issued and projected loan demand for the rest of 2019. There are no requests for additional funding in 2019.

Local Authority	Allocation 2018/2019
Carlow County Council	4,984,400
Cavan County Council	1,115,145
Clare County Council	5,934,829
Cork City Council	19,407,600
Cork County Council	34,994,226
Donegal County Council	2,484,325
Dublin City Council	129,714,585
Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council	21,831,621
Fingal County Council	81,585,981
Galway City Council	11,428,445
Galway County Council	7,751,861
Kerry County Council	10,888,855
Kildare County Council	20,909,445
Kilkenny County Council	5,941,020
Laois County Council	9,815,976
Leitrim County Council	1,472,500
Limerick City & County Council	12,444,392
Longford County Council	3,735,517
Louth County Council	18,176,650
Mayo County Council	8,243,095
Meath County Council	35,858,690
Monaghan County Council	4,134,150
Offaly County Council	6,280,590
Roscommon County Council	2,905,751
Sligo County Council	4,464,994
South Dublin County Council	28,066,378
Tipperary County Council	8,771,616
Waterford City & County Council	9,598,025
Westmeath County Council	4,599,500
Wexford County Council	15,922,084
Wicklow County Council	30,180,610
Total	563,642,856

Planning Issues

Questions (220)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

220. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason for a use it or lose it criterion attached to fast-track planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45975/19]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

As part of the actions under the Government's Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness – Rebuilding Ireland, the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 (the Act) introduced new streamlined arrangements to enable planning applications for strategic housing developments (SHDs) of 100 housing units or more, or student accommodation or shared accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more, to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála for determination.

A Strategic Housing Development Review Group was established in June 2019 to review the operation and effectiveness of the SHD process and the possible extension of the arrangements until 31 December 2021, the end date of Rebuilding Ireland. The Review Group Report was submitted to my Department on 24 September 2019. A report on my conclusions of the review, as well as the Review Group Report, has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, as required by the Act and copies of both reports are available on my Department's website.

The Report of the Review Group acknowledges that the SHD arrangements have generally been a success in meeting their objectives to contribute to addressing housing undersupply issues by providing a fast-track development consent process aimed at incentivising developers to bring forward applications for large-scale housing developments.

Notwithstanding the positive contribution the SHD arrangements have made, the Review Group noted that only 37% of SHD planning permissions have commenced development and suggests that, subject to further monitoring of activation rates, consideration could be given to the introduction of a policy measure such as a “use-it-or-lose-it” provision to incentivise the commencement of works post the granting of planning permission.

I have reflected on the views of the Review Group on the rate of activation of SHD sites, and I consider it appropriate that developers should be sufficiently motivated to commence development on foot of an SHD permission in a timely manner given the benefits the SHD arrangements provide. Therefore, I consider that it would be appropriate to introduce a "use it or lose it" measure in this regard and I intend bringing forward the necessary legislation to address this matter.

Home Loan Scheme

Questions (221)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

221. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the funding available for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan; the drawdown to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45976/19]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

When the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme was initially being developed, it was estimated that the drawdown of loans would be approximately €200 million over three years. However, this loan product has proved to be more successful than initially anticipated. In the context of the scheme’s success my Department engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance with regard to the allocation for 2019.

I engaged early as I said I would. While discussions commenced in October 2018 on additional funding, the first tranche of €200m was only fully drawn down in August of this year. My Department wrote to all 31 local authorities on 15 August 2019 sanctioning an additional €363 million in funding for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. This brings total funding for the Loan to over €563 million for 2018 and 2019 combined.

My Department publishes information on the overall number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount). Information on the RIHL for Quarter 1 2019, including in relation to the number and value of mortgage approvals and drawdowns, is available on the Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile-borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity. The data for Quarter 2 2019 will be available in the coming weeks.

Hedge Cutting Season

Questions (222)

Seán Fleming

Question:

222. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the period of time during which it is permitted to cut hedges and ditches here; the position regarding the levy of fines that can be imposed in circumstances in which landowners do not cut their hedges that can cause difficulty for road users; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45926/19]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August.

There is provision in the section for some strict exemptions from the prohibition during the closed period, for example, for works undertaken in the ordinary course or agriculture or forestry, for health and safety reasons, the destruction of noxious weeds, during works permitted under statute and for works undertaken for road safety reasons under Section 70 of the Roads Act 1983.

A person who commits an offence under Section 40 is liable on summary conviction to a class A fine, that is, maximum fine of €5,000.

Wildlife Protection

Questions (223)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

223. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way in which areas will be classified as wetlands by her Department in terms of the proposed banning by the European Commission of lead pellet firearm cartridges for use in wetland areas in the EU; the mapping technology under consideration to aid this approach; if there will be a public consultation period established to hear from stakeholders on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45928/19]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) was developed under the UN Convention on Migratory Species. Ireland signed up to the Agreement in 2003. The agreement includes a commitment that “Parties shall endeavour to phase out the use of lead shot for hunting in wetlands as soon as possible in accordance with self-imposed and published timetables." This is because there is slow accumulation of lead from shot in wetlands where hunting occurs. The lead is generally harmful in the environment and can also be consumed by wildfowl.

Since the Agreement was signed, the European Commission has published a draft Regulation for consideration by Member States on the use of lead shot in wetlands following a report on the matter by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). It is my understanding that the proposal, should it ultimately progress into law, would make provision for a lead-in time to facilitate the making of arrangements to source alternatives to lead shot.

My Department is aware that a ban on using lead in gunshot would raise a number of issues which would need to be considered including the mapping of wetlands and issues surrounding a transition to new guns/gunshot for many gun owners in Ireland, including farmers and hunters.

I am committed to ensuring that a transition to non-lead options would be addressed in consultation with stakeholders. My Department recently submitted a document for circulation to the REACH Committee of the European Union suggesting an extended lead-in time to enable hunters and farmers and other stakeholders in the country to make the necessary arrangements.

Commemorative Events

Questions (224)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

224. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will co-ordinate a range of appropriate State commemorative events to mark the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St. Colmcille in December 2020, working in co-operation with the National Museum, the National Monuments Service, an organisation (details supplied) and Donegal County Council; and if she will liaise with her counterparts internationally to mark the anniversary. [45933/19]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I refer the Deputy to the response that I gave on 5th November 2019 to his previous parliamentary question concerning plans to mark the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St Colmcille (PQ44379/19).

I am aware of the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St. Colmcille in December 2020. My officials have had initial discussions with Foras na Gaeilge to explore how this anniversary might be marked.

As yet, I have not received an approach from Donegal County Council or the organisation referred to by the Deputy on the matter, but I would of course be open to a discussion between my Department and either party to help ensure that this anniversary will be marked appropriately.

Earlier this year, the heritage of Colmcille was celebrated at a special event in the Music Room in Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday 8 June, the eve of the Feast of Colmcille. The event was part of a partnership programme between Foras na Gaeilge and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, which promotes the use of Irish and Scottish Gaelic in Ireland and in Scotland and between the two countries.