Written Answers Nos. 1046-1065
1046. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the breakdown of the 1,161 long-term social housing leased units delivered in 2019 by type (details supplied); the average annual cost of each lease type; and the full net present cost of each lease type over the full duration of the agreed lease. [7399/20]
View answerOf the 50,000 social housing homes to be delivered under Rebuilding Ireland, over 10,000 homes are targeted to be leased by local authorities and approved housing bodies under leasing arrangements from a range of different sources, including direct leasing by local authorities and approved housing bodies; rental availability agreements; the Repair and Leasing Scheme; the Mortgage to Rent Scheme, and Enhanced Leasing. The exact blend of delivery under leasing in any given year will depend on the availability of existing stock and new homes in particular. Leasing is funded under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP), which also meets the current costs of dwellings delivered by approved housing bodies under the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and Housing Agency Acquisitions Programmes. There is no Lease to Buy scheme in the Department's leasing programme.
Data in relation to the 1,161 leased dwellings delivered in 2019, broken down by local authority and lease type, is published on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision
Details of the average annual cost of each lease type are set out in the Table below. The average cost is calculated based on claims for operational new units submitted by local authorities and recorded on my Department’s SHCEP financial management system at end 2019. No payments were made by my Department for Enhanced Leasing units in 2019 but the estimated average annual lease cost for 2020 for the 113 units delivered under the Enhanced Leasing Scheme is €22,221.
Table: Average Lease Cost 2019 by Lease Type
|
- |
Average Annual Cost by Lease Type |
|
LA lease from private owner |
€10,696 |
|
AHB Lease from private owner |
€8,349 |
|
MTR (AHB and Private) |
€10,144 |
|
NAMA SPV |
€16,726 |
|
RLS (LA and AHB) |
€5,666 |
My Department does not carry out Net Present Cost (NPC) calculations for different lease types as a whole in any particular year. This is because lease duration will have a strong impact on the calculation and, of the 1,161 leases referred to above, there are varying lease terms. In addition, many of the projects are located in areas that have different cost and income inputs attached and all have varying degrees of operational risk and responsibility attached. NPC calculations are used to examine competing options for a specific project or investment on specific sites, and are not deemed applicable as a comparator across multiple lease types on very different sites.
1047. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the breakdown of the 6,074 social housing builds in 2019 by category (details supplied); and the average price paid or approved by his Department for each category. [7400/20]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive statistics on a quarterly basis on all social housing delivery activity under Rebuilding Ireland. This is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision
This data provides a breakdown of social housing delivery across the range of mechanisms referred to. In addition to the statistical overview of activity in each local authority, a detailed Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR) is published which provides scheme level detail on new build activity under Rebuilding Ireland. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Q4 2019 and was published on 14 May 2020. This report 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/
A total of 6,074 homes were delivered through Local Authority new build, Local Authority Part V, Local Authority turnkey, AHB new build and Voids. The breakdown is as follows:
|
Category |
Total number of Homes |
|
LA new build (including Regeneration) |
1,152 |
|
LA Turnkey |
1,119 |
|
LA Part V |
589 |
|
AHB New Build |
2,174 |
|
AHB Part V |
737 |
|
Voids (capped at Rebuilding Ireland target) |
303 |
It should be noted that while delivery in excess of the Rebuilding Ireland capped Voids target is not included in the delivery against LA build target data, in total my Department supported local authorities to bring over 1,500 vacant homes back into active use under the Voids programme in 2019. When combined with the many other properties that local authorities upgrade and refit using own funding, this programme is a valuable additional assistance to maximise the potential for build activity to bring vacant or derelict properties back into productive use.
While statistics have been collated in relation to delivery, a unit cost analysis across individual programmes for 2019 has not yet been completed.
1048. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the breakdown of the 2,772 acquired social houses in 2019 by local authority; the average price paid or approved by his Department for each local authority area; and the breakdown of the properties in terms of those purchased with a tenant in situ and those purchased vacant. [7401/20]
View answer1049. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of the 2,772 social housing acquisitions by local authorities in 2019 that resulted in the issuing of a notice to quit to a sitting tenant as a result of the purchase. [7402/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1048 and 1049 together.
My Department provides funding to local authorities to acquire a range of properties for social housing use. Identifying and undertaking such social housing acquisitions is largely delegated to local authorities, so that they may respond flexibly to all opportunities to provide new social housing. As the housing authority for its area, it is a matter for each local authority, in the first instance, to determine the suitability of any units for acquisition.
A breakdown by local authority area of the 2,772 social homes delivered through local authority and approved housing body acquisitions in 2019, is available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/social_housing_delivery_by_local_authority_2019.xlsx. While statistics have been collated in relation to delivery, a unit cost analysis across individual programmes for 2019 has not yet been completed.
My Department does not hold specific data from local authorities and approved housing bodies on whether individual properties they acquire are vacant or whether a 'notice to quit' has arisen. However, the normal approach is to acquire properties with vacant possession (indeed, by way of example, the Housing Agency Acquisitions Fund is specifically targeted at such properties on the portfolios of financial institutions); in rare situations where a property is acquired with a sitting tenant, it would generally involve a social housing tenant where the tenancy will be maintained.
1050. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the proposed use it or lose it planning permission that he indicated he planned to introduce to address the issue of developers in receipt of strategic housing developments planning permission using the permission for speculative gain rather than residential development. [7403/20]
View answerUnder the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness, the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 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.
The recent review of the Strategic Housing Development arrangements highlighted that while they have generally been a success in providing a fast-track development consent process for developers of large-scale housing developments, the number of SHD permissions that have commenced development is less than might have been expected. Having reflected on the views of the Review Group on the rate of activation of SHD sites, it is considered appropriate that developers should be sufficiently motivated to commence development on foot of an SHD permission in a timely manner, given the efficiencies that the SHD arrangements provide.
Therefore, I indicated that I considered that it would be appropriate to introduce a "use it or lose it" measure requiring developers to have commenced a certain level of development within a certain period of time on foot of a grant of an SHD planning permission. My Department has been developing proposals in this regard, the further advancement of which will be considered in context of the legislative programme of the incoming Government.
1051. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the basis for and the origin of the instruction to commence planning and preparation for elections and referenda in the context of the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7424/20]
View answerThe preparation and management of electoral events is a key part of the ongoing business planning work of the Franchise Unit in my Department. Earlier this year, when the extent of the COVID-19 virus became evident, officials in the Franchise Unit commenced scenario planning for the conduct of any electoral event where COVID-19 type restrictions might be in place. This included carrying out an initial assessment of all elements of the electoral process where issues might arise.
Such scenario planning is good practice and is also necessary to ensure that appropriate arrangements for the conduct of electoral events can be put in place if a pandemic is ongoing.
As Minister with overall responsibility for electoral law, I engaged with the Franchise Unit to ensure that the necessary scenario planning was being undertaken. Such engagement between officials and Ministers is standard practice across all policy areas in my Department.
1052. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to establish a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7435/20]
View answerThe provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
In February 2016, my Department announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on an annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised fire stations, an upgrade of the communications and mobilisation system and improvements to training centres.
In order to maximise the Capital Programme funding available, my Department re-assesses the status of projects in the capital programme on an annual basis and priority may be adjusted to bring forward more advanced projects offering best value-for-money taking account of the state of readiness of projects in the programme more generally.
My Department runs a national training programme for fire services which provides an annual programme of courses for local authority fire service officers, supporting fire authorities in delivering efficient and effective fire and rescue services. The programme is delivered through a number of regional training centres and this has proved to be an effective and efficient approach over many years. My Department continues to support capital developments in these regional training centres and regards them as a more effective service delivery model rather than a single dedicated site, considering the fire service training needs, numbers of personnel and geographical considerations across the country . There are currently no plans to develop a national training centre.
I understand that Limerick City and County Council has acquired a large industrial site adjacent to the fire station in Kilmallock with plans to develop a training centre there. My Department has requested a detailed proposal from the Council.
1053. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding made available to local authorities in 2020 in terms of returning vacant housing units to council housing stock making them available for allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7454/20]
View answerUnder Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, responsive repairs and implementing planned maintenance programmes, is a matter for each individual local authority. Since 2014, my Department has provided funding for this purpose through the Voids Programme.
In relation to allocations under the Voids Programme this year, a two stage approach is envisaged for voids funding in 2020, as follows;
1. An initial call for proposal for COVID-19 Voids funding for vacant units which are required for the emergency accommodation of social housing support qualified households arising from the need to prevent, limit, minimise or slow the spread of COVID-19. This call for proposals will issue this week.
2. A second call for proposals under the normal voids programme will issue when all emergency COVID-19 voids submissions have been processed.
Notwithstanding the absence of a formal voids allocation to date for 2020, local authorities are aware of the approach for this year and have been advised to push on with the remediation of vacant stock. The value of payments already made this year and claims on hand with my Department would confirm that local authorities are, as requested, pressing ahead with this important work.
1054. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to meet representatives of private landlords to discuss the issue of students' rent not being returned despite the fact they are no longer in need of the lease due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7515/20]
View answerWith effect from 27 March 2020, new emergency measures were introduced into law to protect tenants during the COVID-19 emergency period. Tenants cannot be forced to leave their rental accommodation, other than in exceptional circumstances, during this period. Initially, these emergency laws will apply for a period of 3 months, but they may be extended if the Government considers it necessary.
My Department recently published a Guidance Document on Covid-19 supports for landlords and tenants which sets out the emergency rental measures and income and other supports available to tenants and landlords during the emergency period. The Guidance document is available at:
https://onestopshop.rtb.ie/images/uploads/general/COVID_Update_Guidance_Document_final.pdf
and a list of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed and is available at:
https://onestopshop.rtb.ie/images/uploads/Comms%20and%20Research/FAQs_on_Emergency_Legislation_Final.pdf.
The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2019 provide for minimum notice periods to be served by tenants and landlords for tenancy terminations – for example, a student must provide 28 days notice to end a tenancy of less than 6 months duration or 35 days to end a tenancy of more than 6 months but less than 1 year.
The Acts do not prescribe specific terms and conditions regarding the payment of rents or deposits for inclusion in individual letting agreements in the private rental market including the student-specific accommodation sector. Contract law governs such arrangements.
The specific terms associated with an individual student’s rights and obligations are likely to be set out in a written contract signed by both the student and the landlord. Engagement between the parties to clarify the respective contractual obligations of the student and the landlord is key in establishing whether a breach of contract had occurred.
Students may wish to contact their third level education providers to seek any assistance that they might be in a position to provide. If a student cannot come to an agreement with their accommodation provider, they might wish to contact the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) regarding their concerns – https://www.rtb.ie/– or to refer a dispute for resolution with regard to the non-refund of their deposit.
The RTB was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. Due to the quasi-judicial nature of work of the RTB, it would be inappropriate for me, as Minister, or my Department to comment on or intervene in the specifics of any individual case, or to meet with anyone that may be party to a dispute lodged with the RTB.
I understand that the Department of Education and Skills is working with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. The Department of Education of Skills understands, based on the information available to it, that the majority of students in university-owned accommodation will receive pro-rata refunds if they vacate their accommodation. The Minister for Education and Skills has indicated that he would wish to see this principle applied in the case of students who were residing in privately owned student accommodation. However, it is not within the remit of the Department of Education and Skills nor of my Department to direct any accommodation provider to offer a refund.
1056. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason supports for Travellers outlined in a circular to local authorities have not been implemented in full (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7556/20]
View answerIn accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. It is a matter for each local authority to assess the adequacy of provisions on sites (both authorised and unauthorised) and implement measures as necessary, taking into consideration advice from the HSE, fire safety guidelines, local area plans, public procurement guidelines and any other considerations relevant to their area.
In response to the COVID-19 health emergency, I and my Department have engaged with local authorities and Traveller representative groups to put a responsive plan in place to address identified and emerging health risks to the Traveller population nationwide, particularly as some members of the Traveller community, such as those living on sites with limited facilities, may be particularly vulnerable. My Department is in regular contact with the local authorities and is ensuring that funding approvals, where appropriate, are granted as a matter of priority.
1057. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if funding for the housing adaption grant for persons with a disability and older persons have been allocated to Roscommon County Council and Galway County Council; if not, when funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7601/20]
View answerNotification of the 2020 funding allocations in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability will issue to all local authorities, including Roscommon County Council and Galway County Council, shortly.
In the interim, all local authorities have been advised that they can spend up to 65% of their 2019 allocation. This interim funding provision allows all local authorities to continue approving applications and making payments to successful grant applicants, pending the notification of the full year 2020 allocations.
1058. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of unoccupied social housing stock in County Wexford and in each county council in tabular form. [7627/20]
View answerLocal authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock and this will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process.
My Department actively encourages local authorities to ensure all vacant properties in their stock are brought back into use as expeditiously as possible. Since 2014, funding has been provided for this purpose under the Voids Programme and the suite of works being funded is tailored to encourage swift turnaround. Local authorities also provide significant funding from their own resources to address the level of vacancy within the social housing stock.
The National Oversight & Audit Commission (NOAC) reviews the social housing stock level in local authorities every year, including the number of vacant local authority houses at a particular point in time. NOAC’s activities in this regard are published in its Annual Performance Indicator Reports. The most recent report, relating to 2018, is available on the NOAC website and can be accessed at the following link (see Appendix 2): http://noac.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/NOAC-Performance-Indicator-Report-2018-1.pdf.
1059. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if county councils will be instructed to decrease the turnover time of houses to within at least a three month period (details supplied). [7628/20]
View answerUnder Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966, the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, responsive repairs and implementing planned maintenance programmes, is a matter for each individual local authority.
Since 2014, my Department has provided funding for this purpose through the Voids Programme. The suite of works now being funded under the Voids Programme is tailored to facilitate quicker turnaround times. Local authorities are encouraged, where possible, to limit pre-letting works to only those required to ensure that the dwellings to be re-let meet the minimum standards required under the Standards for Private Rented Dwellings Regulations 2019.
There is a commitment under Rebuilding Ireland that local authorities will introduce a planned maintenance approach to the management of their housing stock. Under this approach, it is intended that major upgrade works required to the stock would be scheduled as part of an informed programme of works and not carried out as part of pre-letting works, as this can extend turnaround times. The move to a planned maintenance approach to the management of the social housing stock is central to the requirement for the quick turnaround of vacant units and my Department is involved in ongoing discussions on this important piece of work with the City & County Management Association.
1060. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a local authority plans to purchase a house in the functional area of another local authority for the provision of social housing, if it is the reserved function of the local authority elected members in the local authority area in which the house is located to ratify the purchase of the house before it takes place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7764/20]
View answerSection 109 of the Housing Act 1966 provides for the exercise by a housing authority of functions under the Act outside its functional area. The section also provides that the authority by whom the function is intended to be performed, and the other authority, may make and carry out an agreement in relation to the function. Where such an agreement is made, this is a reserved function.
1061. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an allocation has been made to Kildare County Council for a recycling facility in Celbridge, County Kildare; if so, when same occurred; the amount involved; if not, the outstanding issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7786/20]
View answerI have no function in relation to recycling, waste policy generally or the funding of infrastructure in that regard. At a national level, responsibility for waste policy rests with my colleague,the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Waste management infrastructure provision at a local level is the responsibility of local authorities under Part II of the Waste Management Act 1996 (as amended).
1062. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, entitled "Report of the Committee on the Title of Architect"; if consideration will be given to recommendations 1 and 7 for the inclusion of a grandfather clause and that formal qualifications under Irish legislation for registration as an architect not exceed the formal qualifications required for mutual recognition under the relevant European directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7815/20]
View answerPart 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 introduced a system of statutory registration for architects and restricted use of the title of "architect" to persons who are registered architects.
Section 22 of the Act makes specific provision for registration based on technical assessment of persons who had been independently performing duties commensurate with those of an architect for a period of 10 or more years in the State prior to the commencement of the Act. This is, in effect, what is often colloquially referred to as a grandfather clause.
In 2013, in response in particular to the lower than anticipated rate of applications for registration by technical assessment, an independent review of the arrangements in place for registration was undertaken by Mr Garret Fennell, Solicitor. Mr Fennell’s report on the matter is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad%2C34097%2Cen.pdf. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht also examined the matter and published its Report on the Title of Architect (July 2013) which is available at: https://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/media/committees/archivedcommittees/environmenttransportcultureandthegaeltacht/Report-on-the-Title-of-Architect.pdf
Both reports, which were welcomed by my Department, made a number of recommendations intended to improve and streamline the arrangements for registration. Implementation of these recommendations, in consultation with the Architects Alliance of Ireland and others, has seen a number of reforms being implemented, which include the administration of the technical assessment process on a cyclical basis where briefing, guidance and support for candidates can be administered in a structured manner; mentoring and supporting applicants; facilitating assessment based on recent projects; facilitating applicants with reassessment/reapplication (i.e. ensuring that the technical assessment procedure is not seen as a one chance only route to registration); and reviewing and simplifying guidance materials with direct input from practice-trained persons. My Department and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), as registration body, are committed to continuing to work with the Architects Alliance of Ireland and others in this manner to achieve whatever further reasonable and practical improvements of registration arrangements can be made in the context of the Fennell report or otherwise.
In addition to the transitional “grandfather” provision set out above, section 14(2)(f) of the Act provides a permanent route to registration for practically trained persons who have 7 years appropriate practical experience and who have passed the prescribed register examination. In 2016, the Architects Alliance of Ireland proposed a special entry route to incorporate the proposed development of a prescribed register admission examination as currently provided for under this section. While the Act would allow me to prescribe such a register admission examination as a route to registration for eligible persons, neither I nor my Department have the remit or the competence to validate or approve the proposed register admission examination. Assessment for registration under section 14(2)(f) comes within the responsibility of the RIAI, who are designated as the registration body for the purposes of the 2007 Act, and as the competent authority for the purposes of the Directive on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications (as amended). For this reason, the Architects Alliance of Ireland were advised by my Department to discuss their proposal, in the first instance, with the RIAI as registration body and competent authority for the architectural profession in Ireland.
Under EU law there is no harmonised standard of competence for architecture; however 11 competencies are specified under Article 46 of Directive 2005/36/EC on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. The standard of education and professional practice requirements varies across Member States. Section 14(5) of the Building Control Act 2007 requires that training programmes and qualifications relating to architecture must however relate to the Article 46 competencies.
The Irish Standard of Knowledge, Skill and Competence for Practice as an Architect was developed in 2005 by the RIAI, in consultation with industry stakeholders. It is included in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) maintained by Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
My Department and the RIAI, as registration body, are committed to continuing to work with the Architects Alliance of Ireland and all other stakeholders to achieve whatever further reasonable and practical improvements in registration arrangements can be made. I would encourage all practically trained persons to pursue the routes to registration which are open to them and to continue to engage constructively with my Department and the RIAI.
1063. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a backlog in registrations in the Land Registry; the remote working arrangements if such a delay is holding up the sale of a property; if there is a system of expediting a particular case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7822/20]
View answerThe Property Registration Authority (PRA) is upscaling its operations in line with Covid-19 recovery planning. As part of a phased approach to business continuity, 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 upscaling.
The gradual upscaling of services continues to be reviewed by the PRA in line with Covid-19 recovery planning, public health guidance and the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. This will allow the PRA to continue to scale up its operations, carry out its statutory functions and ensure that a safe working environment is in place for its employees and members of the public in all its buildings in Dublin, Waterford and Roscommon. At the same time, in line with the national approach, remote working arrangements will continue in place to ensure that safe physical distancing can be maintained.
The number of transactions on hand in the PRA increased from 102,805 at the end of February 2020 to 113,866 at the end of April 2020. It is anticipated that the upscaling of operations and a steady decrease in the intake of applications now being experienced will see the level of cases on hand decreasing again. Applications are being dealt with in order of priority. However, urgent applications are being processed expeditiously, as requested, on a case by case basis.
Copy Folios/Maps and Copy Instruments are being issued. Customers can apply for copies in the normal way through the landdirect portal. Landdirect, eRegistration services and registration of deeds services continue to operate as normal.
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.
1064. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he envisages a backlog in planning applications and appeals to An Bord Pleanála; and the steps his Department has taken to ensure that An Bord Pleanála has the adequate resources to deal with such a backlog should it arise. [7839/20]
View answerFurther to the COVID-19 related restrictive (including stay at home) measures introduced on foot of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020, enacted on 27 March 2020, and subsequent extensions of the initial restrictive measures, the Government has, to date, made three Orders under section 251A of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Planning Act), extending the duration of all relevant periods and timelines specified in planning legislation by a cumulative total of 56 days/8 weeks. This was done to maintain the integrity of the planning system and to ensure that public participation requirements therein are not diminished.
The expiration of the third Order on 23 May 2020 means that a planning authority will have the normal period of 8 weeks, together with an additional period of up to 8 weeks, i.e. up to 16 weeks in total, to determine a planning application. The Orders also mean that an interested person will have the normal period of 5 weeks, together with an additional period of up to 8 weeks, i.e. up to 13 weeks in total, to participate in the process in relation to planning applications. The exact calculation of the extended time period will depend on the date a planning application is submitted and the stage of the process it is at.
During the period of the three Orders, An Bord Pleanala (the Board) has remained open for business, accepting applications, appeals and observations. The Board has continued to make decisions regarding Strategic Infrastructure Developments, Strategic Housing Developments (where for example, it made decisions on 11 cases in April 2020, the same number of decisions as in the corresponding month in 2019, ensuring that decisions were made in all cases within the mandatory 16 week decision timeline), vacant site levy appeals and normal planning appeals where the public participation process involved was complete prior to the making of the first Order under section 251A of the Planning Act.
Following on from the Government's Roadmap for Re-Opening Society and Business published on 1 May last, and the subsequent resumption of activity in the construction sector from 18 May last under Phase 1 of the Roadmap, I decided not to recommend to Government the further extension of the recent COVID-19 related Orders under section 251A of the Planning Act. This has enabled the re-opening of planning authority offices and the phased resumption of planning operations in accordance with public health guidance and relevant return to work protocols from earlier this week i.e. 25 May.
In light of this, decision making processes under the planning system, including those requiring public participation, are now beginning to be advanced again.
My Department has worked with planning authorities and An Bord Pleanala during the period of the COVID-19 restrictions with a view to ensuring that work was progressed on planning files to the fullest extent possible, thereby facilitating the smooth resumption and delivery of planning services on return to work and minimising the build-up of any backlogs. The Board has not indicated the necessity for any additional resources at this time.
1065. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the specific guidance he will provide to local authorities that are required to hold statutory meetings that are open to members of the public to consider their proposed county development plans, which are currently under review. [7841/20]
View answerMy Department has taken a number of important steps in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that our planning system continues to operate in a manner that will ensure public participation throughout the period of public health restrictions.
On 29 March 2020, following on from the statement by An Taoiseach on 27 March 2020, which asked people generally to stay at home other than for certain essential activities, and taking account of the considerations under Section 251A(5) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the Government, at my request, made an Order which extended a range of specified/appropriate periods and timelines under the Act, and a number of other related Planning Acts and associated regulations. A number of further Orders were made subsequently, the combined effect of which meant that such periods were ultimately extended in duration from 29 March 2020 to 23 May 2020 inclusive, comprising a total period of eight weeks (56 days).
While it was decided not to further extend the Section 251A Order after 23 May, the additional period of eight weeks carries forward into all statutory planning processes and is applicable to county development plans.
The agreed programme between my Department and the City & County Management Association (CCMA) for the phased re-establishing of local authority services has identified county/city development plan activities as restarting in Phase 4 of the Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. Accordingly, a majority of planning authorities now intend commencing or re-commencing their statutory development plan preparation processes, subject to the extended eight week period, resulting in a series of new public consultation and plan display exercises from late Summer and into the Autumn.
The county/city development plan procedure includes public participation as a central part of the plan-making process with specified requirements for public display and consultation. Planning authorities engage with the public through a wide range of different channels and media, including written documentation and submissions, online content and face-to-face forums which often build on established business and community engagement activities and networks.
As part of these public participation exercises, there is a statutory requirement to hold public meetings at the initial county/city development plan consultation stage. While such events can involve large public meetings at a limited number of venues, more recent practices have centred around a workshop format where individuals in small groups can more easily and comfortably have the opportunity to articulate their opinion and to contribute to the plan making process.
A specific Working Group has been convened by my Department and the CCMA to examine the particular COVID-19 issues impacting on the operation of the planning system. This Working Group has met on a number of occasions in relation to the reopening of planning services in a manner that is in accordance with public health restrictions and also provides for public participation. This work has initially concentrated on the development management function, relating to planning applications and associated services.
The Working Group will subsequently be focusing on issues concerning the preparation of statutory development plans by the local authorities, including county/city development plans. It is intended that this will inform the local government sector in fulfilling statutory and administrative obligations in the development plan process in a manner that is both safe and accessible.
