Alan Kelly
Question:885. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of housing units granted planning permission by council in 2020, in tabular form. [12121/20]
View answerHousing Data
Questions (885)
Written answers
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) releases quarterly statistical information relating to planning permissions, including planning permissions granted by type of unit and local authority. On 12th June 2020, the CSO published statistical information relating to planning permissions granted for Q1 2020, which can be found on the CSO website at :
https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/pp/planningpermissionsquarter12020/
with an overall summary at:
https://statbank.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=BHQ12&PLanguage=0
Fire Service
Questions (886)
Pearse Doherty
Question:886. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the mandatory retirement age for members of the fire service; if the retirement age may be extended for certain persons; if this dispensation is made at the discretion of the local authority concerned; if such an exemption exists, the maximum age at which fire personnel may remain in their role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12139/20]
View answerWritten answers
The retirement age for full-time firefighters is, in general, 55. The retirement age for retained firefighters is 55, with provision for an annual extension up to the age of 58, subject to a formal application process to the relevant local authority, including a compulsory medical assessment.
The retirement ages reflect the requirement that firefighters should be capable of satisfactorily meeting the physically demanding nature of the role. In this regard, pursuant to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, every fire authority, as an employer, has a statutory duty to avoid placing employees at unnecessary risk.
In general, any changes to the terms and conditions of employment are discussed and negotiated using the established industrial relations processes.
Programme for Government
Questions (887)
Alan Kelly
Question:887. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a copy of all briefing documents provided to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party for their programme for Government negotiations will be provided. [12152/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of the Taoiseach will be arranging for the publication of material provided by Government Departments in accordance with agreed procedures, via the Department of the Taoiseach, to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party, as part of Government formation negotiations.
Local Authority Housing
Questions (888)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:888. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if consideration will be given for the time garnered as a qualified household on a housing list to be transferred from one housing authority to another within the same region and-or county (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12161/20]
View answerWritten answers
The oversight and management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations.
In accordance with Regulation 5 of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, a household may apply for social housing support to one local authority only, which may be the authority for the area in which the household normally resides or with which it has a local connection, or the authority that agrees, at its discretion, to assess the household for support.
It is not generally possible for a household on the waiting list of one housing authority to transfer its application to another authority and to carry the time spent on the previous list. However, households in Cork, Limerick, Waterford or Galway may apply for areas of choice in the city and/or county area and likewise for households in the county area. Households in Dublin can also apply for an area of choice in one of the other Dublin local authority areas. It should be noted that up to a maximum of three areas may be selected, one of which must be in the administrative area of the authority to which the household is applying.
Accordingly, under existing arrangements, a household that applies, for example, to Cork City Council, can, if qualified for support and should they choose to do so, be entered on the waiting list of Cork County Council. Where a county area is specified, this is dependent on that household not exceeding the maximum net income threshold for the county area.
My Department is looking at the possibility of widening the ability of social housing applicants to apply to additional local authorities and has already provided for mobility for those who elect to avail of Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) as they can source accommodation through HAP in any local authority area if their income is below the social housing income limit for the area concerned. The original local authority will engage with the relevant new local authority to facilitate eligible requests for HAP inter-authority movement.
European Court of Justice Rulings
Questions (889)
Marian Harkin
Question:889. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the outcome of the European Court of Justice case (details supplied) has been implemented; if not, when the decision will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12211/20]
View answerWritten answers
Following engagement between the European Commission and my Department regarding the European Court of Justice ruling in the "Flemish Decree" case, a working group was established to review and, where necessary, recommend changes to the 2005 Planning Guidelines on Sustainable Rural Housing, issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The working group comprises senior officials from the Planning Division of my Department and senior officials from the planning divisions of local authorities, nominated by the local government sector.
My Department is reviewing the Development Plan Guidelines for Planning Authorities in light of both legislative changes and the introduction of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies. In line with the NPF Objective 37. My Department is also working on guidance on the preparation of Housing Need Demand Assessments, which will inform housing strategies and associated land use zoning policies.
In addition to reviewing the Development Plan Guidelines, my Department is reviewing whether to update the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for Planning Authorities or whether the update would be more appropriately reflected in new guidance on Sustainable Settlements. Such guidance would incorporate both the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2005) and the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on the Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2009), which encompasses towns and villages, to more appropriately reflect the range of areas and influences and the objectives of the NPF.
I envisage that draft guidance arising from the foregoing work should be available for consideration later in 2020.
Local Authority Housing
Questions (890)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:890. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 721 of 9 June 2020, if national figures also include Dublin; if not, if they are two separate data sets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12237/20]
View answerWritten answers
The data provided in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 721 of 9 June 2020, set out average construction costs for social housing for Dublin and nationally and the latter figures included Dublin.
The tables below provide data on the average construction and all-in cost of providing social housing units nationally that exclude Dublin.
HOUSES - NATIONALLY EXCLUDING DUBLIN
|
1 bed |
2 bed(1 storey) |
2 bed(2 storey) |
3 bed |
4 bed |
|
|
Construction |
€150,213 |
€159,420 |
€168,503 |
€179,007 |
€193,673 |
|
All-in Cost |
€193,747 |
€204,897 |
€214,837 |
€226,847 |
€244,143 |
APARTMENTS - NATIONALLY EXCLUDING DUBLIN
|
1 bed |
2 bed |
3 bed |
|
|
Construction |
€167,853 |
€182,510 |
€202,557 |
|
All-in Cost |
€216,526 |
€234,550 |
€258,227 |
Building Control Management System
Questions (891)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:891. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of homes that have availed of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, SI No. 9 of 2014, opt out per year since introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12239/20]
View answerWritten answers
The issues referred to by the Deputy are a matter for local Building Control Authorities, who are independent in the use of their statutory powers under the Building Control Acts 1990 - 2014.
Building Control Authorities are required to keep certain information pertaining to building works that come under the Building Control Regulations 1997-2020 on a statutory register, including particulars in relation to Commencement Notices, Declarations of Intention to Opt Out of Statutory Certification and Certificates of Compliance on Completion.
The Building Control Management System (BCMS) provides a common platform for clear and consistent administration of building control matters across the local authority sector. The BCMS is an IT enabler, set up to facilitate building control authorities, building owners, builders and construction professionals in discharging their separate responsibilities under the Building Control Act 1990.
The BCMS is centrally hosted by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) on behalf of the 31 Local Authorities and has enabled this information to be hosted on a central nationwide register, which is readily available and searchable at the following weblink: https://www.localgov.ie/en/bcms.
Departmental Reports
Questions (892)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:892. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department produced or commissioned research, reports or memos on the constitutional right to housing or housing rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12241/20]
View answerWritten answers
Economic, social and cultural rights, including 'the right of people to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families, including adequate food, clothing and housing', set out in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, were debated during the 2014 Convention on the Constitution.
The Eighth Report of the Convention dealt with the matter of economic, social and cultural rights and recommended that the Constitution be amended to provide enhanced constitutional protection of economic, social and cultural rights; to be realized progressively, subject to maximum available resources and to be justiciable.
The Government's response to the recommendations contained in the Eighth Report pointed out that the Constitutional Convention's recommendations raised substantial questions and the Eighth Report was referred in 2017 to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach to consider the implications arising in terms of balance of rights, good governance (including the separation of powers) and resource prioritisation. The question of the right to housing was to be considered with the other economic, cultural and social rights and the process was intended to be that a determination regarding possible next steps in the public debate would follow the Oireachtas committee engagement.
The Oireachtas Committee engagement did not take place and that Committee is now dissolved.
Housing Data
Questions (893)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:893. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his assessment of the number of new houses needed each year for the next three years; the proportion of those that will be social, affordable and private; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12242/20]
View answerWritten answers
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area are set out in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recent summary, conducted in June 2019, shows that 68,693 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 3,165 households or 4.4% on the last assessment in June 2018. Indeed, since the Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan was launched in 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 68,693, a reduction of 25%.
The SSHA provides local authorities with information about current demand for social housing. It is also important that local authorities are aware of, and planning for, the potential future demand for social housing when they are preparing their Housing Strategies as part of their Development Plan process. To this end, National Policy Objective 37 of the National Planning Framework (NPF) requires that each local authority should undertake a "Housing Need and Demand Assessment" for their area. This will be important in estimating likely future housing need across the tenures, referred to by the Deputy.
Work on the development of the HNDA process is ongoing in my Department. Research on structural housing demand at county level is being progressed with the ESRI and development of a HNDA tool with the Scottish Centre for Housing Market Analysis is also in train. This new evidence-based approach will form the basis of a more accurate and consistent projection of demand for the different tenures of housing.
Overall levels of housing demand will depend on underlying economic conditions and factors such as net migration and rates of household formation. The NPF estimates an overall long-run average level of at least 25,000 homes per annum to 2040, that would increase to at least 30,000 per annum in the years to 2027.
Housing Data
Questions (894)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:894. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of new houses built in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; the number of these that were social, affordable and private; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12243/20]
View answerWritten answers
My 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/
Social housing delivery data to date in 2020 is not currently available.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical office, compiles and makes available detailed data on a number of housing related issues including housing completions.
Data on new dwelling completions for 2018 can be found on the CSO website at the following link:
https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/ndc/newdwellingcompletionsq42018/
Data on new dwelling completions for 2019 can be found on the CSO website at the following link:
https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/ndc/newdwellingcompletionsq42019/ .
Data on new dwelling completions for Q1 2020 can be found on the CSO website at the following link:
https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/ndc/newdwellingcompletionsq12020/
The table below sets out the total new dwellings as reported by the CSO and social housing delivery reported by my Department.
|
Year |
CSO New Dwellings |
DHPLG Social Housing Build |
|
2018 |
17,952 |
4,811 |
|
2019 |
21,241 |
6,047 |
|
2020 (Q1) |
4,986 |
N/A |
In relation to affordable homes, increasing the supply of new homes at affordable prices is a key pillar of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan. The delivery of such homes is being supported through a number of mechanisms including the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), Serviced Site Fund, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan and the Help to Buy Scheme. Data in respect of this subset of the overall housing delivery provided above for 2018, 2019 and 2020 is not available.
Land Development Agency
Questions (895)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:895. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the guidelines been given to the Land Development Agency on the proportion of social, affordable and private houses that should be developed on each site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12244/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Land Development Agency (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 its primary legislation.
Alongside the establishment of the LDA, the Government also agreed to a new public lands affordability requirement whereby a minimum of 30% of all publicly owned lands would be reserved for affordable housing purposes, as appropriate for such development, within the meaning of the provisions of relevant housing legislation and any further affordable housing mechanisms and schemes approved by the Government.
This public lands affordability requirement is included in the Appendix to the Public Spending Code Update – “Public Spending Code - A Guide to Evaluating, Planning and Managing Public Investment”. The LDA is required to comply with the Public Spending Code in the same manner as other State bodies.
In addition to the 30% minimum affordable housing provision requirement, the LDA is also required to provide a minimum of 10% social housing in line with Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
These are minimum requirements and on some sites the LDA will provide a higher proportion of affordable and social housing. The LDA currently has access to an initial tranche of 9 sites across the country with near term delivery potential for 3,600 new homes. I previously indicated that in relation to the combined delivery of housing on the first 4 of these sites to be developed, up to 65% of housing could be affordable or social units. Most sites are currently at the pre-planning stage and the tenure mix for each site will only be finalised as sites are masterplanned and final plans are put in place, having regard to Government policy at the time on the appropriate tenure mix for LDA projects on public lands.
In relation to the most advanced of the 4 sites Shanganagh, which is being developed in partnership with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, a planning application for 597 units has been submitted, of which 51% will be cost rental, 34% will be social and 15% will be affordable purchase.
Mortgage to Rent Scheme
Questions (896)
Frank Feighan
Question:896. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the mortgage to rent scheme (details supplied) as administered by Sligo County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12268/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme relies on Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to purchase from lenders, properties that have been voluntarily surrendered by eligible borrowers. AHBs are funding the cost of purchasing these properties from a combination of low interest borrowings under the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) administered by my Department, and private finance or other borrowings. Essentially, the CALF facility works by providing AHBs with a small capital advance in the form of a loan, that is made available by my Department through local authorities to AHBs. The capital advance assists AHBs in securing the balance of the finance required to purchase MTR properties thereby enabling the households to remain in their homes as social housing tenants.
The Capital Advance Agreement is the agreement between the local authority and the AHB detailing the terms and conditions of the monies to be advanced under CALF. Evidentiary proof is required in order to facilitate the advancement of funds under the Capital Advance Agreement. To date, local authorities, under their own legal advice, have facilitated this provision and the timing of the provision of such documentation is agreed between the local authorities and the AHB. The local authorities take a measured financial and legal decision around advancing the funds, in the knowledge that the Capital Advance Agreement allows the recall of funding if the required documentation does not fulfil this requirement. The provision of such a loan facility under the current agreements, has delivered 489 MTR units in the period 2016 to 2019 spread across 29 local authorities.
My Department is aware of Sligo County Council’s views on a particular clause in the Capital Advance Agreement and is currently reviewing the technical aspect of this clause in question with a view to clarifying the situation for all those party to Capital Advance Agreements. My Department is engaging with Sligo County Council on the matter in an effort to ensure that the clause in question does not continue to be a barrier in the advancement of capital by Sligo County Council to AHBs to fund social housing supply in Sligo.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (897)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:897. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to review the planning regulations governing nursing homes in view of the Covid-19 pandemic and the high death rate among residents of such homes; and his further plans to include in this review nursing home developments that have planning permission but that have not commenced construction. [12270/20]
View answerWritten answers
The regulation of, and oversight of the operation of, nursing homes, is a matter for the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), and is not a matter in which I, in my role as Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, have any statutory function.
My Department does not collate planning statistics regarding the number of nursing homes in the planning process in individual counties in Ireland. However, planning authorities compile planning statistics annually for collation and publication on my Department’s website: https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/statistics/planning-statistics-1.
The statistics published relate to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority but not by development type. Such information may be sought directly from the relevant planning authority.
In addition, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical office, compiles and makes available detailed data on a number of housing related issues including permissions granted and completions by development type and county. Data is available at the following link on the CSO website: https://www.cso.ie/en/statistics/construction/planningpermissions/.
With regard to the commencement and completion of development works on nursing homes, it is the responsibility of the developer who has been granted planning permission to complete the development within the approved period or the permission will expire, unless an application for extension of duration of the development is approved by the relevant planning authority.
Question No. 898 answered with Question No. 866.
Land Development Agency
Questions (899)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:899. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide an itemised breakdown of the capital expenditure by the Land Development Agency in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020. [12274/20]
View answerWritten answers
The 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. Details of the capital expenditure for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 (to date) is set out in the table below. There was not a significant drawdown of capital expenditure in 2018 and 2019 as their projects were at the initial pre-planning stages. It is expected that capital expenditure will increase this year as further pre-construction work is undertaken on sites. The capital funding to date has been used by the LDA to undertake pre-construction works in relation to their sites, including feasibility appraisal and master-planning. The details of this expenditure is an operational matter for the LDA.
|
Year |
LDA Capital Expenditure€ |
|
2018 |
n/a |
|
2019 |
467,000 |
|
2020 (to date) |
2,100,000 |
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 for detailed information in relation to their expenditure.
Water Conservation
Questions (900)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:900. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address a report (details supplied) about the impact of water consumption by data processing centres on water supply; his views on the impact of this consumption on water supply during periods when Irish Water is encouraging water conservation; and if he will publish or request Irish Water to publish the volume of water consumption by data processing centres by local authority area. [12275/20]
View answerWritten answers
Irish Water is the body with statutory responsibility for all aspects of public water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
My Department does not hold data on the volume of water consumption by data processing centres by local authority area as requested in the question. I understand from enquires made that Irish Water does not publish ongoing water consumption figures relating to particular businesses as the information may be commercially sensitive.
It should be noted that Irish Water, as part of an ongoing suite of water conservation measures, engages directly with existing large-volume commercial consumers of water on the measures that these consumers can take in order to ensure efficient use of water.
As part of the water connection application process, Irish Water examines the estimated amount of water required for all new projects to determine if sufficient capacity exists within the network. Certain projects may also require a full and detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). In this way, both the cumulative and individual impact of projects on water supply is subject to full assessment prior to construction and connection.
On a strategic level Irish Water is currently preparing a National Water Resources Plan that will set out measures necessary to achieve a sustainable, secure and reliable water supply into the future and particularly in response to the increasing demands expected to arise from climate change; population growth; and a growing economy.
Planning Issues
Questions (901)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:901. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he will be deciding on the recommendation by the Office of the Planning Regulator to annul the recent variation to the Cork County Council development plan aimed at allowing the development of a retail village at Carrigtwohill. [12278/20]
View answerWritten answers
In evaluating the making or varying of county and city development plans, the Office of the Planning Regulator (the Office) must have regard to provisions set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), including, but not limited to the National Planning Framework, regional spatial and economic strategies, the principles of proper planning and sustainable development, relevant guidelines issued under Section 28 of the Act, relevant legislative policies and directives, and other provisions as set out in the Act.
In accordance with Section 31AM of the Act, the Office made a recommendation to me, as Minister in relation to Variation No. 2 of the Cork County Development Plan 2014, and on 6th March, 2020, I notified Cork County Council of my intention to issue a Direction pursuant to Section 31 of the Act. The process remains ongoing and I am not in a position to comment on the specifics of the case. I am, however, happy to clarify the process and indicative timeframe.
The public consultation period on the Section 31 Draft Ministerial Direction closed at midnight on Wednesday 27th May 2020. Under Section 31(8) of the Act, upon the expiry of the public consultation period on the Draft Direction issued by the Minister, the Chief Executive of the local authority is required to prepare a report on any submissions or observations received under subsection (7)(c) which shall be furnished to the elected members of the planning authority, the Office of the Planning Regulator and the Minister, no later than 4 weeks after the expiry of the period, i.e. after 27th May 2020 in the subject case
In accordance with Section 31AN (4) of the Act, the Office must then consider the report of the Chief Executive on the submissions, together with any submission made under section 31(10), and shall recommend to the Minister that he or she issue the direction with or without minor amendments or the Office may, for stated reasons, appoint a person to be an inspector no later than 3 weeks after the date of receipt of the Chief Executive’s report.
In cases where an Inspector may be appointed, then the Inspector will have 3 weeks from appointment in which to issue a report to the Office, the Chief Executive and Regional Assembly, and persons who made a submission. Persons to whom the Inspector’s report is issued have 10 days to make a submission. After receipt of the Inspector’s report and submissions thereon, the Office shall recommend to the Minister to issue the Direction, not to issue the Direction or to issue it with amendments.
In accordance with Section 31AN of the Act, if the Office issues a recommendation to the Minister (regardless of whether an inspector is appointed or not), the Minister shall consider the recommendations of the Office and may either issue a notice as recommended by the Office, or, where not in agreement with the Office, the Minister shall:–
(i) prepare a statement in writing of his or her reasons for not agreeing,
(ii) cause that statement to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, and
(iii) as soon as practicable, make that statement available on the website of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
Departmental Reports
Questions (902)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:902. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he will publish the report from his officials into alleged planning irregularities in County Donegal; the content of the report; and his planned actions on foot of its findings. [12279/20]
View answerWritten answers
I received the report, entitled 'A Review Into Certain Planning Matters in Respect of Donegal County Council', by Mr. Rory Mulcahy S.C., on 11 June 2017.
Following initial analysis and assessment of the report's findings and recommendations, including interaction with my Department's own legal advisors and the Attorney General's Office, a comprehensive set of queries and a request for advice in relation to certain matters was submitted to the Attorney General. This included a request for advice regarding potential publication and dissemination of the report.
Taking account of the Attorney General's advice, my Department considered the matter further and prepared a submission for my consideration, including an assessment of the options available to me in terms publication or dissemination.
Developments adjacent to this subsequently raised fresh queries. I consulted my own legal advisers and the Attorney General's Office on these matters. I met with Senior Counsel in December 2018, and on 17th December 2018 further correspondence from Senior Counsel was received.
I signed the Order to commence the operation of the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) in April 2019. The creation of the OPR was a major recommendation of the Planning Tribunal. The OPR has an important role in reviewing local authorities' administration of their planning functions. My Department and other stakeholder bodies have worked closely with the OPR in the development of their review functions and they plan to commence their programme of reviews in the coming months. These significant developments in the planning area have provided a wider context for my considerations.
However, at this stage, it will be a matter for the incoming Government to agree the next steps.
Departmental Staff
Questions (903)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:903. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide an organisational chart of the management team of his Department, detailing the names and responsibilities of each official at principal officer grade and above. [12280/20]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is publically available on the WhoDoesWhat.gov.ie website at the following link - https://whodoeswhat.gov.ie/root/housing/. The main screen will show the Secretary General and the Management Board members; to view the Principal Officer and other direct reports, click on the name of each Assistant Secretary General.
A number of additional responsibilities have been temporarily added to the senior management team at Assistant Secretary General and Principal Officer and equivalent levels arising from my Department's response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, in particular to support the corporate management of the organisation in areas such as ICT, HR and Facilities.
Traveller Accommodation
Questions (904)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:904. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the expert group on Traveller accommodation; the details of the lead official working on this area; and the number of times meetings have taken place to manage the implementation of the report since its publication. [12281/20]
View answerWritten answers
The 32 recommendations made in the Traveller Accommodation Expert Review report to accelerate the delivery of Traveller accommodation are comprehensive and wide ranging, and include proposals aimed at:
- addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;
- removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;
- increasing resources and delivery capacity; and
- strengthening governance arrangements.
The recommendations have been categorised into separate streams reflecting recommendations that can be completed within my Department, recommendations that require the assistance of other Government Departments and Agencies and recommendations that will require commissioning independent research.
Due to the number of stakeholders, input required and the wide ranging impact of most of the recommendations in the report, my Department is setting up a programme of projects to progress agreed recommendations. A Programme Board will be established over the coming months and will be managed by an assigned official from the Traveller Accommodation Support Unit of my Department.
In order to determine how each item will be progressed, my Department has sought input and received feedback from stakeholders the County and City Management Association (CCMA), Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), CENA (the Traveller Approved Housing Body), Wexford County Council and the Department of Justice. Submissions were also received from the three Traveller organisations represented on the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (NTACC) - the Irish Traveller Movement (ITM), Pavee Point and the National Traveller Women’s Forum (NTWFM).
Working groups have been set up in the Department to carefully consider all submissions and determine how best to progress the recommendations. Legal advice has been sought and officials have been liaising with other Government Departments and agencies on a continuous basis.
My Department has already been able to progress a number of short term recommendations. For example, a review has been concluded of the arrangements for disbursing funding for the provision and refurbishment of Traveller specific accommodation and a new process implemented for the 2020 allocation of funding process.
Meetings have taken place with working groups within my Department and with other Government agencies and Departments. Officials from my Department are reporting progress on the implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Group report at the NTACC meetings along with seeking input from them as major stakeholders.
Legislative Programme
Questions (905)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:905. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the legislation to put the construction industry register on a statutory footing. [12282/20]
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The Government has committed to placing the Construction Industry Register Ireland, or CIRI, on a statutory footing. CIRI was established on a voluntary basis in 2014 and approximately 800 building and contracting entities are currently included on the register.
The Government approved the draft heads of a Bill to place the CIRI on a statutory footing and the Bill was referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Committee’s report has since been received and my Department is currently working through the Committee’s recommendations. The General Scheme is available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/legislations/general_scheme_of_the_building_control_construction_industry_register_ireland_bill_2017.pdf.
The main objective of the legislation is to develop and promote a culture of competence, good practice and compliance with Building Regulations within the builder community of the construction sector. The establishment of a robust, mandatory, statutory register of builders and specialist contractors is an essential consumer protection measure giving those who engage a registered builder the assurance that they are dealing with a competent and compliant operator. In addition, it will complement the reforms made through the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 and contribute to the development of an enhanced culture of competence and compliance in the construction sector.
It is proposed that the operation of CIRI will be vested in the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) in the same way that statutory registration of Architects was vested in the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), pursuant to the Building Control Act 2007. My Department is working with the Attorney General's Office with a view to achieving publication of the Bill later this year.