Written Answers Nos. 1026-1045
1026. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if offices on contract of service (details supplied) with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection are exempt from the payment of rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7309/20]
View answerThe question of liability of particular properties for rates is a matter for the Commissioner of Valuation, who is independent in the exercise of his functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended. The making of valuations for rating purposes is the sole responsibility of the Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard.
The Valuation Acts 2001 to 2019 provide that all buildings used or developed for any purpose are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Acts.
There are a number of options available to an occupier of a rateable property who is dissatisfied with a determination of valuation made under the provisions of the Valuation Acts 2001-2015. Firstly, before a determination is made, they may make representations to the Valuation Office in relation to a proposed valuation. Later in the process, if the occupier is still dissatisfied with the determination, there is a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal, which is an independent body set up for the purpose of hearing appeals against determinations of the Valuation Office. There is also a right of appeal to the Higher Courts on a point of law.
1027. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding the proposed wind energy development guidelines following the recent public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7467/20]
View answerMy Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines in line with the “preferred draft approach” which was announced in June 2017 by the then Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, in conjunction with the then Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including sound or noise, visual amenity setback distances, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
As part of the overall review process, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being undertaken on the revised Guidelines before they come into effect, in accordance with the requirements of European Union Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, otherwise known as the SEA Directive. SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process.
As part of the SEA process, I launched a ten-week public consultation on the draft revised Wind Energy Development Guidelines on 12 December 2019. The documents prepared for consultation are available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/guidelines/wind-energy/public-consultation-revised-wind-energy-development-guidelines .
The consultation closed on 19 February 2020. Almost 500 submissions have been received as part of the public consultation, many of which are extremely detailed and technical in nature. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, is currently analysing the submissions received.
Finalised Guidelines will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase, and the conclusion of the SEA process. When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála, must have regard to guidelines issued under section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.
1028. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of funding approved for the LDA in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the amount drawn down by the LDA in each of these years; the amount of LDA borrowing approved by his Department in 2018, 2019 and 2020; and the amount of borrowing incurred by the LDA in each of these years. [7642/20]
View answerThe LDA was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies Act) 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency.
At present, funding is provided to the LDA through my Department's Vote to meet its operational costs as well as initial capital funding in relation to the development of its projects. A breakdown of the allocated funding and funding drawn down for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 (to date) is set out in the following table. The LDA did not draw down significant levels of capital funding in 2018 and 2019 as the projects were at the initial pre-planning stages.
The LDA has not incurred any borrowings to date.
|
Capital Allocated € |
Capital Drawn Down€ |
Current Allocated € |
Current Drawn Down€ |
|
|
2018 |
n/a |
n/a |
2,000,000 |
254,000 |
|
2019 |
16,500,000 |
467,000 |
3,549,000 |
1,941,000 |
|
2020 (to date) |
13,500,000 |
2,500,000 |
4,000,000 |
2,714,000 |
1029. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the grants available to families that have a family member with a life-long disability to allow them to adapt their home aside from the housing adaption grant available through county councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7899/20]
View answerThe only private house grants of the type referred to, available through my Department, are the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Grant Schemes.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability is available to assist in the carrying out of works for eligible households, which are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a private house more suitable for the accommodation of a person with a disability, including those who have enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairments. The detailed administration of the grants, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of grants to applicants under the various measures, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
1030. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider measures (details supplied) to bolster the tourism sector. [8026/20]
View answer1069. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated loss in revenue from commercial rates to date by Meath, Louth, Wicklow and Kildare county councils; if all rates due during Covid-19 period will be paid by his Department; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7971/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1030 and 1069 together.
The levying and collection of rates are legally matters for each individual local authority. Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes.
In order to support the local government sector, my Department is continuing to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow generally under review and will work with all local authorities on both collective and individual issues arising. In addition, my Department has engaged with the Departments of the Taoiseach, Public Expenditure and Reform, Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to commercial rates and local authority funding issues, as well as the role that local authorities may be in a position to play in supporting economic recovery.
To that end, on 2 May 2020, the Government announced that a waiver of commercial rates will apply to all businesses that have been forced to close due to public health requirements, from 27 March 2020, for a three-month period. These costs, expected to be €260m, will be met by the Exchequer. The administration by local authorities of this measure will be by way of a credit in lieu of commercial rates. My Department is currently preparing further guidance on the scope and application of the waiver for local authorities.
The position following the end of the 3 month waiver will be reviewed at a later date as part of a wider review of options to support enterprise and employment, and associated local authority funding implications, once the unwinding of public health restrictions has advanced.
The information requested regarding estimated loss of rates income to date for certain local authorities is not available in my Department.
1031. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of capital grants provided to Sligo County Council in 2018 and 2019 respectively, under the Social Housing Investment Programme to assist in the construction and renewal of social rented accommodation for persons and families that have been assessed as in need of housing support under categories (details supplied). [7079/20]
View answer1055. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of capital grants provided to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in 2018 and 2019 under the Social Housing Investment Programme to assist in the construction and renewal of social-rented accommodation for persons and families assessed as in need of housing support under categories (details supplied). [7544/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1031 and 1055 together.
My Department provides funding to local authorities to support a broad range of housing programmes, including the delivery of new social housing homes through build, acquisition and leasing and programmes which support maintenance, upgrades and improvement works to existing social housing stock.
The funding provided to Sligo County Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in 2018 and 2019 in respect of the various social housing construction programmes, social housing improvement works, Traveller Accommodation and Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability are set out in the tables below (in which "build" encompasses local authority and approved housing body build activity and regeneration). Funding under build programmes can vary from one year to the next depending on the stage of progress on individual projects.
In addition to capital funding provided for the categories of social housing activity referred to, it should be noted that my Department also provides capital funding for the acquisition of homes for social housing, as well as current funding for leasing homes, in addition to funding under the Housing Assistance Payment and the Rental Accommodation Scheme.
A full detailed breakdown of social housing delivery by local authority area is available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision. In addition, the Q4 2019 Social Housing Construction Status Report, which contains scheme by scheme information on the progress of over 26,015 new social housing homes, either currently approved and progressing through planning, design and construction, as well as homes delivered to end Q4 2019, is available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link: https://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-for-q4-2019-2/.
|
Sligo County Council |
2018 €m |
2019 €m |
|
Social Housing Build |
10.1 |
12.76 |
|
Traveller Accommodation |
0.28 |
1.13 |
|
Social Housing Improvement Works |
0.49 |
0.39 |
|
Private Housing Grants |
1.28 |
1.16 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
2018 €m |
2019 €m |
|
Social Housing Build |
25.89 |
10.2 |
|
Traveller Accommodation |
1.1 |
0.08 |
|
Social Housing Improvement Works |
0.48 |
0.46 |
|
Private Housing Grants |
0.79 |
1.16 |
1032. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider a process to help ensure that rents for accommodation are set at a level below the cost of a mortgage for such accommodation to facilitate persons that want to purchase their own house but are paying high rents above a normal mortgage would be for such a property and cannot save up for a deposit to buy a property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7162/20]
View answerSection 24 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004-2019 defines market rent for the purposes of rent setting and rent review to mean, in relation to the tenancy of a dwelling, the rent which a willing tenant not already in occupation would give and a willing landlord would take for the dwelling, in each case on the basis of vacant possession being given and having regard to the other terms of the tenancy and the letting values of dwellings of a similar size, type and character to the dwelling and situated in a comparable area to that in which it is situated. Section 19 of those Acts provides that in setting a rent under a tenancy of a dwelling, the rental amount shall not exceed market rent. In a Rent Pressure Zone, a rent increase restriction of 4% per annum applies.
With effect from 27 March 2020, new emergency measures were introduced into law to protect tenants during the COVID-19 emergency period. Rent increases are prohibited and tenants cannot be forced to leave their rental accommodation, other than in exceptional circumstances, during the COVID-19 emergency period. Initially, these emergency laws will last for a period of 3 months, but they may be extended if the Government considers it necessary.
The Government’s Strategy for the Rental Sector recognised that rental inflation is the most significant challenge to security of tenure in the rental sector. To address this, the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 provided for Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) to moderate the rate of rent increases in those areas of the country where rents are highest and rising quickly. Currently, almost 73% of approximately 364,000 tenancies in the private rental sector are covered by RPZ designations and benefit from the rent increase restriction of 4% p.a.
In order to support more robust enforcement of the RPZ regime, the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 provided the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) with additional powers and resources to carry out investigations and sanction landlords, if required, for any contravention of the 4% rent increase restriction in RPZs.
Ultimately, the most effective way to make rents more affordable in the medium to long term is to increase supply and accelerate delivery of housing for the private and social rental sectors. The Government is tackling housing affordability in a number of ways to help ensure that people can provide themselves with a home - whether for rent or purchase.
Acknowledging that renters in Dublin and other major urban centres are facing significant housing access and affordability challenges, the Government is committed to the establishment of a cost rental sector in Ireland. Cost rental is housing where rents only cover the cost of delivering, managing, and maintaining the homes. Cost rental lacks the profit margin involved in the private rental sector and rents are not set by the market according to supply and demand. Cost Rental represents a new form of rental tenure for Ireland and a new State intervention into the rental market.
A working group on cost rental involving my Department, the Land Development Agency (LDA), the Housing Agency, and other stakeholders, is developing the policy framework for a broad cost rental model and examining how a sustainable financing structure can be established to deliver cost rental units at the necessary scale. Detailed operational and eligibility criteria for cost rental will be informed by this evidence building and policy work. The Group's work will also be assisted by support, including in relation to research, which is being undertaken by the European Investment Bank (EIB) on the Group's behalf. The EIB has extensive international experience in affordable housing and is providing technical assistance in assessing the potential market for cost rental in Ireland.
Cost rental work is also being supported by two pilot projects, at the former St. Michael's Estate in Inchicore and at Enniskerry Road in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown. The latter of these has already commenced construction, supported by EIB funding, and the first homes are anticipated to come on stream from 2021. Additionally, the LDA and some local authorities are actively considering cost rental as an option for sites within their land portfolios. An example of this can be seen in the planning application which has been submitted for lands at Shanganagh in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, where the LDA is working in partnership with the County Council to deliver over 350 cost rental homes.
The selection of further sites for cost rental consideration will be informed by emerging policy and by the financial and operational model that will develop from the evidence building that is currently underway.
The Government has also introduced a number of affordability measures to support people who wish to purchase their own homes. In particular, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, introduced with effect from 1 February 2018, enables credit-worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range. The low rate of fixed interest associated with the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan provides first time buyers with access to mortgage finance that they may not have otherwise been able to afford at a higher interest rate.
Additionally, the Help To Buy (HTB) incentive, announced in Budget 2017 and set to run until the end of 2021, is designed to assist first-time buyers with the deposit required to purchase or self-build a new house or apartment to live in as their home. The incentive provides for a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (D.I.R.T.) paid over the previous 4 tax years, limited to a maximum of 5% of the purchase value. The HTB refund is capped at €20,000. As of 30 April 2020, a total of 18,854 HTB claims have been made, of which 18,207 are approved. The estimated total value of approved HTB claims to date is in the order of €271.4 million.
Increasing the supply of new homes at affordable prices is a key pillar of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan. Under Rebuilding Ireland, the Government introduced the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF). The objective of the LIHAF is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve infrastructure blockages, thereby enabling the accelerated delivery of housing in Dublin and in other urban areas in high demand. Funding of €200m has been allocated across 30 projects over the period to 2021 and work is underway to deliver the infrastructure with an associated housing delivery of up to 20,000 units. About 40% of these homes will be sold at rates which provide a discount on market prices. More than 3,000 will be social housing homes and the remainder will be sold at market rates.
In addition, €310m is also available under the Serviced Sites Fund over the period to 2021 for infrastructure works on local authority lands that will support the delivery of housing for rent or purchase at rates which provide a significant discount on open market costs. Two calls for proposals have been made to date, which have resulted in ‘Approval in Principle’ being given for an allocation of c. €127m in funding for 35 projects, which will deliver some 3,200 more affordable homes. It is anticipated that a further call for proposals will issue in 2020.
1033. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if all staff appointments and all contracts for services by the Land Development Agency have been publicly advertised and fully comply with all relevant public sector recruitment and procurement rules and guidelines; if there have been exemptions granted from such rules and guidelines; if so, when; and the reason such exemptions were granted. [7177/20]
View answerThe Land Development Agency was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies Act) 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency.
The day to day management of the LDA is matter for the Chief Executive and his management team reporting to the LDA Interim Board.
In line with the Establishment Order, I, as Minister appointed the Chief Executive Officer following an open recruitment process. The terms and conditions for the post were approved by me, as Minister, with consent from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Under Article 7(3) of its Establishment Order (the Land Development Agency (Establishment) Order 2018, as amended by the Land Development Agency (Amendment) Order 2018), the LDA may appoint such and so many persons to be employees and under such terms and conditions as it may determine. The LDA has informed my Department that it is standard practice that the Agency publicly advertises all available positions. However, one fixed-term temporary post was recruited without public advertisement as an interim measure.
As with any other body responsible for developing large scale projects, the LDA requires professional and technical advisors and these services are tendered for in line with public procurement processes.
In September 2018, prior to the LDA's establishment, a contract for financial advisory services was procured by my Department on behalf of the LDA on an interim basis without a competitive tendering process, as provided for by Regulation 32 of the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 and Department of Finance Circular 40/2002. This process was approved due to the urgent need for these services to enable the Agency to carry out its functions on establishment. No further exemptions have been sought.
As with all State bodies operating under the aegis of my Department, arrangements have been put in place by the LDA through which Oireachtas members can request information directly from the Agency in relation to operational matters - in this regard, the LDA may be contacted directly at oireachtas@lda.ie.
1034. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the group water scheme application made by a group (details supplied); the length of time it will take to secure Ministerial sign-off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7206/20]
View answerLast year, I announced details of the measures being funded through my Department under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021. Local Authorities were invited to submit their bids for the funding of schemes or projects in their functional areas. Galway County Council made a number of bids under Measure 4 – New Group Water Schemes – including a proposal for the project referred to. In addition to the proposed new group water scheme, the proposed project also involves amalgamation with a small existing group water scheme. The estimated cost of the proposed 229 house project was €3.98 million or €17,393 per house.
The Framework document, issued with the bids circular last year, sets out the following levels of grant aid for the various components of work envisaged under projects:
- New Group Water Schemes: Grants of up to 85% of cost are available subject to a maximum grant of €7,650 per house. This means that the effective cost limit per house is €9,000. A supplemental grant is payable for new group water schemes in exceptional cases which are subject to the recommendation of the Expert Panel appointed to examine the bids and Departmental approval.
- Amalgamation of Group Water Schemes: Works to achieve amalgamation of schemes (interconnections, new sources and water treatment, and essential water conservation and network upgrading to achieve amalgamation etc.) is funded at 100%.
The project was approved in principle, based on the recommendations of an Expert Panel established to consider proposals, when the approvals for the multi-annual programme were announced last October. This was not accompanied by a funding allocation as the Panel recommended that the estimated cost needed to be significantly reduced. Galway County Council made a detailed resubmission to my Department in relation to the project on 30 April 2020. The details of the resubmission are currently being reviewed and it is hoped that a decision will be made shortly.
1035. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider increasing the homeless HAP rate payable for County Wicklow to bring it in line with the Dublin homeless HAP rate. [7261/20]
View answerMaximum rent limits for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme are set for each housing authority area by the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2017, which are available on the Irish Statute Book website at the following link: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/si/56/made/en/print?q=housing&years=2017.
The HAP limits were agreed in conjunction with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP). In reviewing rent limits, the Department worked closely with the DEASP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services Centre. The new rent limits set in the Regulations involved reflected significant increases on previous limits, in the order of 60% in some areas.
Local authorities also have discretion, because of local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum rent limit by up to 20%, or up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of, homelessness. The additional discretion available to homeless households recognises the difficulty this cohort of households faces in sourcing and securing properties in a highly competitive rental market. It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.
At end 2019, 42.7% of the total number of households being supported by HAP were benefiting from the additional flexibility. When the additional discretion available to homeless households in the Dublin region is removed, 36.0% of households nationally were benefiting from the additional flexibility. In those cases, the average rate of discretionary payment being used was 16.6% above rent limits provided. This increases to 22.5% when the Dublin region homeless area data is included. Wicklow County Council used discretion in 28.3% of HAP tenancies and the average level of discretion applied by Wicklow County Council was 16.5%.
HAP rent limits are kept under constant review, as is the use of discretion by local authorities, and the data indicates that there is no need to increase the rent limits at this time. I am also conscious that any such increase could have negative inflationary impacts, leading to a detrimental impact on the wider rental market, including for those households who are not receiving HAP support.
I am satisfied that the current maximum rent limits, together with the additional flexibility available to local authorities, are generally sufficient to support the effective operation of the HAP scheme. However, I will continue to keep the matter under review.
1036. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1215 and 1249 of 13 May 2020, if the cost reduced or more affordable ten homes in Ratoath, County Meath were purchased by Meath County Council; if so, the price paid per unit by the local authority; and the price they were they sold to homeowners for by unit. [7298/20]
View answer1040. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1215 and 1249 of 13 May 2020, the average amount the 459 cost reduced and more affordable units in Adamstown SDZ, County Dublin sold for by unit. [7302/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1036 and 1040 together.
The sales prices of the individual homes delivered following the construction of LIHAF grant funded facilitating infrastructure are not systematically collated by my Department.
However, in the case of the 10 homes referred to in the Ratoath LIHAF project, I can confirm that the agreement between Meath County Council and the developer allows for a 10% discount on the open market selling price of comparable units in the development. The comparable units are priced between €288,464 and €332,500. The homes were made available on an application basis to first time buyers on income levels not exceeding €50,000 for a single person and €75,000 for a dual income household. The market price is the price that was agreed between the developer and Meath County Council, of which the LIHAF 10% reduction was applied, in order to reach the more affordable/cost reduced price. The Council has confirmed it is currently progressing the Section 183 disposal for six of the units, a process which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In respect of the more affordable/cost reduced homes being delivered in the Adamstown SDZ, South Dublin County Council has advised that a Development Agreement was signed by the Council and the developers in February 2018 and subsequently amended through a Deed of Variation in February 2019. This provides that 800 residential units will be made available for sale to persons meeting the local authority's criteria at the time of sale to qualify for affordable housing, of which 300 will be at €300,000 or less and 500 at €320,000 or less.
1037. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1215 and 1249 of 13 May 2020, the reason no Part V or no Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund discounted homes have been delivered to date in Carrigaline, County Cork. [7299/20]
View answer1038. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1248 and 1256 of 13 May 2020, the reason less than the 10% required of Part V units were delivered in Oldtown and Mooretown, Fingal, County Dublin; and the average amount the 211 cost reduced and more affordable units sold for by unit. [7300/20]
View answer1039. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1248 and 1256 of 13 May 2020, the reason less than 10% required of Part V units were delivered in Naas, County Kildare; and the average amount the 150 cost reduced and more affordable units sold for by unit. [7301/20]
View answer1041. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1248 and 1256 of 13 May 2020, the reason no Part V homes have been delivered to date in Glanmire, Cork city. [7303/20]
View answer1042. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1248 and 1256 of 13 May 2020, the reason no Part V homes have been delivered to date in Donabate, Fingal, County Dublin. [7304/20]
View answer1043. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1248 and 1256 of 13 May 2020, the reason no Part V homes have been delivered to date in Mungret, County Limerick. [7305/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1037 to 1039, inclusive, and 1041 to1043, inclusive, together.
The construction of housing by developers on lands which benefit from Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) funding is separate from the local authority-led delivery of the infrastructure, both contractually and in terms of delivery schedules.
While it is a matter for individual local authorities to manage the procurement and delivery of their capital projects, by necessity the construction of housing, to a significant extent, generally commences later in the overall development process than the LIHAF-funded facilitating infrastructure. Housing is generally delivered on a phased basis and the sites referred to are the subject of active and ongoing construction programmes.
In relation to the homes delivered and linked to the construction of LIHAF grant funded facilitating infrastructure, individual sales prices are not systematically collated by my Department. However, in respect of the more affordable/cost reduced homes, Kildare County Council has advised that, in relation to the 150 homes linked tothe Naas LIHAF project, the relevant Development Agreement provided for a cost reduction of €7,500 per unit on the open market value. As part of the Oldtown/Mooretown project, Fingal County Council has confirmed that the agreement provides that in addition to 10% social housing, the open market value of remaining units would have a cost reduction on open market values of €2,500.
In respect of Part V homes generally, the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires that 10% of any development be made available for social housing. Local authorities will ensure adherence to statutory obligations and the sites in question will deliver on this requirement in the overall period up to completion. In some cases, the required level of 10% will be exceeded. The planned number of homes for each LIHAF project and the associated homes to be delivered under Part V are set out in the Table below.
|
Local Authority |
LIHAF Project |
Planned units |
Part V Units |
|
Fingal Co Co |
Oldtown/Mooretown |
800 |
80 |
|
Fingal Co Co |
Donabate |
1200 |
160 |
|
Cork County Co |
Carrigaline |
400 |
40 |
|
Kildare Co Co |
Naas |
800 |
142 |
|
Cork City Co |
Glanmire |
300 |
30 |
|
Limerick C&C Co |
Mungret |
399 |
60 |
Details of the LIHAF projects by local authority area, budget allocation, project description and projected housing delivery are available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link: www.rebuildingireland.ie/LIHAF.
1044. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of efforts to comply with the European Drinking Water Directive; and his plans to take appropriate action further to the issuing of the reasoned opinion by the European Commission on Ireland's alleged non-compliance with the directive since 2003. [7369/20]
View answerThe objective of the Drinking Water Directive is to protect human health and to ensure that drinking water is wholesome and clean.
The EPA consistently reports that quality of public water supplies is very good at a national level. Irish Water is continuing to invest in solving the remaining priority issues, with a particular focus on improving the reliability and resilience of our public water system.
I also recognise that Ireland’s private supplies, which serve up to a fifth of our population, must be appropriately protected and improved. This forms a core objective of the Government's investment in rural water supplies and forms part of the review of rural water services that is currently underway. Sustained investment in Ireland’s public and private water sector is essential.
On 19 July 2018, the European Commission issued a Letter of Formal Notice to Ireland citing 73 public drinking water supplies and 24 private group water schemes each with elevated concentrations of a group of disinfection by-product chemicals called trihalomethanes (THMs). These chemicals are formed during disinfection when raw waters have high levels of natural organic material.
Ireland’s response to the Letter of Formal Notice on 19 October 2018 highlighted plans for investment to resolve this issue in each supply by upgrading and improving treatment processes and outlined the significant progress that had already been made in addressing excess THM formation in both public and private water supplies. This was followed up by a further progress report to the Commission in May 2019. On 14 May 2020, the Commission escalated the infringement and issued a ‘Reasoned Opinion’ to Ireland regarding a failure to fulfil obligations under Articles 4 of Directive 98/83/EC on drinking water.
The 2018 Letter of Formal Notice had raised the issue of informing, advising and notifying consumers under Article 8(3) and (7) of the Drinking Water Directive. The Commission has decided, having assessed Ireland’s reply, to not to pursue allegations under these provisions in the Reasoned Opinion.
The Commission now states Ireland has infringed the requirements of the Directive in relation to 31 public water supplies and in 13 private group water schemes, with regard to elevated concentrations of THMs, failing to take remedial action as soon as possible, and failing to give priority to its enforcement action.
The EPA’s Remedial Action List for public water supplies is published on a quarterly basis. The most recent update relates to Q1 2020, and shows that of the 31 public water supply zones named in the Reasoned Opinion, a further 13 are now compliant with the THM parameters. Information in relation to the status of the private group water schemes is currently being compiled in my Department.
My Department is working closely with Irish Water, the EPA, local authorities and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes to develop a comprehensive reply to the Reasoned Opinion, outlining the progress already made and a programme of works to address excess THMs in the remaining 18 water supply zones and the private group water schemes in the shortest practicable timeframe.
Irish Water continues to develop and implement a long-term investment perspective in order to strategically address the deficiencies in the public water and waste water system. Building water and waste water treatment plants, as well as upgrading or building new water and waste water networks, requires significant and sustained investment. The National Development Plan 2018-2027 provides for significant investment in public water and wastewater infrastructure over the course of the plan to ensure the continued operation, repair and upgrading of Ireland’s water and waste water infrastructure to support social and economic development across the State and ensure compliance with EU Directives.
1045. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that the Property Registration Authority resumes processing pending applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7392/20]
View answerThe Property Registration Authority has commenced upscaling its operations on a gradual basis in line with COVID-19 recovery planning. As part of a phased recovery plan, the PRA is implementing a graduated increase in the level of applications processed for registration. New work practices and projects are being successfully incorporated into this phased increase.
Applications are being dealt with in order of priority. However, urgent applications are being processed expeditiously, as requested, on a case by case basis.
The upscaling of operations will continue to be reviewed and implemented in line with recovery planning, the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business and all public health guidance.
Arrangements have been put in place by all State bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. Further information in relation to any specific case may be obtained by contacting the specific e-mail address in respect of the PRA, reps@prai.ie.
