Written Answers Nos. 283-304
283. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the planning functions of the Department for Housing, Planning and Local Government have remained within his Department. [14089/20]
View answer305. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the National Parks and Wildlife Service is under the remit of his Department. [14363/20]
View answer306. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the new functions, units or work areas his Department has gained; the functions, units and work areas which have been moved to other Departments; the destination for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14368/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 283, 305 and 306 together.
I can confirm that my Department is retaining all of its current functions, including its planning functions.
The Heritage functions currently under the remit of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will be transferred to my Department. This will include the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The statutory transfer of functions process to give effect to the changes in respect of the heritage portfolio is underway, with the aim of completing the transfer as soon as possible, guided by the Transfer of Functions Guidelines and Best Practice Handbook . The effective date of the transfer will be determined by the Transfer of Functions Order.
284. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average cost of Part V social housing units by local authority in 2018 and 2019, in tabular form. [14090/20]
View answer285. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average cost of turnkey social housing units by local authority area in each of the years 2016 to 2019, in tabular form. [14091/20]
View answer286. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average cost of Social Housing Capital Investment Programme units by local authority area in each of the years 2016 to 2019, in tabular form. [14092/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 284, 285 and 286 together.
Cost information on local authority and approved housing body direct construction and turnkeys, is collated by my Department at development level rather than at granular individual housing unit level. Disaggregating such development level information into individual unit costs, across all of the various types of units, would require significant analysis on unit characteristics such as size, type, number of bedrooms, site costs, abnormal costs, fees etc. to derive an accurate reflection of an average cost by unit.
My Department is working with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a Spending Review of the social Housing Build programme for the period 2016-2019 which is expected to be published later this year. As part of this work, the Department's are working on extrapolating unit costs from raw data provided by local authorities.
Part V units can be delivered through a range of programmes funded by my Department, including;
- The Social Housing Capital Investment Programme (SHCIP)- LA led, 100% capital funded
- The Capital Assistance Scheme- AHB led, 100% capital funded
- The Capital Advance Leasing Facility- AHB led, range of 0% to 30% capital loan funded and ongoing lease under Payment and Availability Agreement (P&A)
- Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) Part V- generally LA- leased under current funding
- LA own funding or Cost neutral- these are Part V units delivered by LAs but not claimed from the Department.
Each programme has its own discreet data requirements and data held on file. The information requested, in the format of average unit costs by local authority, will require some time to collate, and will be made available as soon as possible.
289. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the programme for Government commitment to hold a referendum on housing will be a referendum to enshrine the right to housing in the Constitution; and if so, the timeline for the publication of the legislation and the holding of the referendum. [14096/20]
View answerThe commitments in relation to Constitutional reform in the Programme for Government provide for the holding of a referendum on housing.
I intend to consult with my colleagues in Government as to the proposal that should be put to the electorate and the appropriate timeframes that should apply to the process.
290. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the efforts by his Department to create a single water utility; and his plans to bring forward legislation to provide for a referendum to enshrine public ownership of the public water system in the Constitution. [14097/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government provides that the Government will retain Irish Water in public ownership as a national, stand-alone, regulated utility.
In this context, in September 2018, the Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) reported on a process of engagement, undertaken with the parties involved in the water sector transformation programme, including ICTU and relevant affiliated unions, local government management through the County and City Management Association, Ervia/Irish Water and my Department. Subsequent to this, and commencing in February 2019, there has been an ongoing series of engagements to work towards the development of a stable structural and operational framework for the future to replace the existing system of Service Level Agreements between Irish Water and each of the 31 local authorities, although progress to date has been slow.
Consistent with the Programme for Government and building on the work that has been undertaken to date through the WRC, I am planning to bring forward a clear set of policy recommendations setting out my own and the Government’s expectations. To this end, I look forward to communicating directly with the parties involved.
I recognise the challenges arising, and the concerns which all parties have, notably the workers. The proposed changes also give rise to significant challenges for the local government sector in Ireland. Any process of transformation needs to be cognisant of the potential impacts on the wider local government system.
On the matter of a proposed referendum, the Programme for Government provides for the referral of the issue of the environment, including water, and its place in the Constitution, to a relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee for consideration.
292. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the submission by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to the Council of Europe on the 17th National Report by Ireland on the Implementation of the European Social Charter published on 29 June 2020; and the actions he plans to take to address the housing problems raised in the submission. [14110/20]
View answerThe Irish Government submitted updates in respect of a number of collective complaints in its “Report on the Implementation of the Revised Social Charter of the Council of Europe” on 23 December 2019. My Department fed into this report and presented an update in relation to Collective Complaints 100/2013 and 110/2014.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission submission referred to contains its comments on the Irish Government's Report. It was forwarded to my Department on the 1 July 2020 and is being considered.
293. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that small, non-profit sports clubs are having in securing an exemption from local authority rates. [14152/20]
View answerThe 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.
On 2 May 2020, a waiver of commercial rates was announced to all businesses that have been forced to close due to public health requirements, from 27 March 2020, for a three-month period. The costs involved are to be met by the Exchequer and the administration by local authorities of this measure will be by way of a credit in lieu of rates. My Department is currently preparing further guidance on the scope and application of the waiver for local authorities.
Land that is developed for sport, such as playing pitches, is exempt from rates under the Valuation Act 2001. There is also provision for the exemption of community halls which are not licensed to sell alcohol and where the facilities are not used for profit. However, the Act provides that where an organisation or club is registered under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act 1904, and is licensed to sell alcohol, all the club buildings, wherever located, are rateable in their entirety. Such premises closed and ceased trading in line with the health restrictions set out in the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 121 of 2020).
The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, commits to setting out how commercial rates will be treated for the remainder of 2020, as a priority action for the new Government.
In order to support the local government sector generally, I will ensure that my Department will continue to keep local authority income, expenditure and cash flow generally under review and will continue to work with all local authorities, both collectively and individually, on issues arising.
294. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the geographical spread for the 50,000 new social housing builds; and the yearly target per local authority area in tabular form. [14166/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to delivering 50,000 new social homes over the coming five-year period. There will be a very strong and increasing emphasis on new build supply. Since taking up office I am working within my Department and with key stakeholders and delivery partners to fully understand the most up to date position regarding delivery across social housing programmes and in particular, the construction programme, taking the impact of Covid-19 into account and to programme future delivery taking account of policy and budgetary considerations. Once the overall annual delivery programme is agreed, it will be translated across into local delivery targets.
295. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the housing assistance scheme for first-time buyers applies to a once-off building of a home in the countryside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14167/20]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan was introduced on 1 February 2018. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to build your own home.
In terms of self-builds, where a loan applicant is building their own home on a pre-owned site with planning permission, the loan available under the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan may not exceed 90% of the build cost. Where an applicant(s) is building their own home on a site with planning permission to be purchased, funding may not exceed 90% of the site purchase and build cost combined.
Applicant(s) are required to submit with their loan application a valuation report that details the site value, cost of works and post construction market value of the completed property. The valuation report is required to be completed by an Independent Valuer and will be considered by the local authority in assessing the associated loan application. Applicants can then drawdown their mortgage for a self-build property through stage payments if required.
The availability of the Help To Buy Scheme for first-time-buyers, which is the policy responsibility of the Minister of Finance, offers additional assistance to purchasers of newly built properties. Up to 5% of the purchase price of properties below €400,000 could be available, which represents a significant contribution towards these deposit requirements. This should alleviate some of the challenges faced by first-time buyers in accessing the 10% deposit of the market value of the property. The initiative has been designed to provide immediate and targeted support for first-time buyers in meeting their deposit requirements and encouraging the construction of new housing units.
Further information, including a Home Loan Calculator and the Application Form is available on the website www.rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie.
296. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 876 of 23 June 2020, the nature of the rehabilitation works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/20]
View answerUnder the Housing (Private Water Supply Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020, a number of revisions have been made to the grant scheme to support improvement works to a private water supply where, in the opinion of the housing authority, the water supply is not wholesome and clean, or the quantity of water supplied is insufficient to meet the domestic needs of the household. The Regulations outline the level of grant available, determined by the type of improvement works being undertaken, which shall not exceed the following amounts:
(a) 85% of the approved costs for well rehabilitation works, subject to a maximum grant of €3,000; or 85% of the approved costs for the provision of a new well, subject to a maximum grant of €5,000.
(b) 100% of water quality treatment costs, subject to a maximum grant of €1,000.
Responsibility for the administration of my Department’s Rural Water Programme, under which funding is provided for group water schemes, has been devolved to local authorities since 1997.
Circular L4/20 on the administration of grants scheme for improvement of a private water supply to a house was issued to local authorities on 4 June 2020. Full details of the revised scheme including Terms and Conditions were issued with this Circular, and local authorities were requested to make this information publicly available on their websites.
Full details of the revised scheme including Terms and Conditions can also be found on the Department website at https://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/private-wells.
297. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the proposal by South Dublin County Council to spend an estimated €22 million on the development of a visitors centre and walkways at the Hellfire Club, Rathfarnham (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14226/20]
View answerThe elected members of local authorities are responsible for budgetary matters and the adoption of the annual budget is a reserved function. In this context, it is a matter for each local authority to determine spending priorities, having regard to available resources.
The use of funds in the manner outlined by the Deputy is, therefore, a matter for the local authority concerned.
298. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of a report (details supplied); his plans to act on the report and insert the grandfather clause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14246/20]
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 second prescribed register admission examination as currently provided for under this section. 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.
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.
299. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a circular has been drafted by his Department and is to be issued to local authorities imposing a blanket ban on the drawdown of Rebuilding Ireland home loans in circumstances in which the applicant with approval in principal is in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme. [14260/20]
View answerAll local authorities are receiving and processing Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL) applications, and are incorporating increased flexibility to accommodate applicants during the COVID 19 Pandemic. As is the case with any lender, local authorities must lend mortgages on prudent basis, taking into account the most recent income and employment data available. This is both for the protection of the lender and the borrower, in particular to seek to ensure that borrowers are not left with unsustainable debt burdens.
The Covid-19 situation has had an unprecedented economic impact and unfortunately some applicants for the RIHL have been affected. In order to address this issue, my Department has issued guidance to local authorities on the process for dealing with applicants already in the application/approval process whose economic circumstances have changed for the worse. These options could include reducing, suspending or withdrawing the amount that can be borrowed. However, there is no one size fits all approach, it depends on the individual circumstances.
On 6 July my Department issued a Circular including additional guidance on the treatment of persons whose employers avail of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. There is no blanket ban. In general, persons currently on the TWSS can continue to apply for a RIHL mortgage based on their pre-TWSS 19 Income. This will provide clarity to applicants regarding their eligibility for the loan and will enable them to commence the property search. Where such applicants are approved for a RIHL loan, draw down would not commence until the applicants' unsupported income post TWSS has returned to the level specified in the original application for a period of time, usually up to three months. Local authorities can, however, use their judgement and knowledge of local employers to advance loans to applicants in advance of this three-month period, where appropriate.
In the case of a joint application where only one party is on TWSS, the application can also proceed to drawdown if repayment capacity can be assured based on the other person’s income.
For applicants whose post-TWSS income is lower (e.g. due to reduced hours) than stated on their application, their application can be re-assessed to determine the most appropriate borrowing amount for them.
This approach is in line with the need to lend on a prudent basis, as a mortgage is a long-term commitment and it would not be appropriate to lend when there is a risk that the person’s income and ability to pay might not return to the level required to support the borrowing requested.
300. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the Residential Tenancies Board will be allowed to recruit more adjudicators; the number of adjudicators that will be recruited in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14323/20]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2019 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants. The service provided by the RTB is quasi-judicial and all of their mediators, adjudicators and tribunal members have independent decision-making powers, in the same way as judges have within the Court system. To ensure impartiality, transparency and fairness, adjudicators are independently appointed and they undertake their functions in an autonomous capacity.
Section 164 of the Residential Tenancies Acts governs the appointment or engagement of Mediators and Adjudicators. It clearly states it is for the Board and the Board alone to appoint Mediators and Adjudicators. It would be inappropriate for me, as Minister, to be involved in the process or to comment
The Clerk of the Dáil requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P)05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB set up a dedicated email address for this purpose. The RTB may be contacted at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie to establish the extent to which it may hold the information sought.
301. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will establish an independent appeals process to allow those persons on local authority housing waiting lists that were removed against their will to appeal against that decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14330/20]
View answerThe oversight and management of the lists of qualified households awaiting accommodation, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with Sections 20 and 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Social Housing Assessment and Allocation Regulations, respectively.
Under Regulation 28 of the Assessment Regulations, a household’s qualification for support may be reviewed at the discretion of a local authority and Regulation 29 provides that the household’s qualification for support shall be reassessed at the point of allocation of support. If upon review, a household is found to exceed the limits on income eligibility grounds, for example, they would be removed from the list.
Furthermore, authorities are also required, when directed by the Minister, to undertake a statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) to count the number of households on the waiting list for social housing supports whose need has not yet been met. The SSHA process requires all local authorities to review those households who are on their housing list but who are not currently in receipt of housing support. As part of this assessment, all local authorities write to relevant households informing them of the assessment process and seeking updated information where necessary. Where a number of attempts to contact a household failed to elicit a response, authorities were advised that it was not unreasonable to then close the household’s application. However, local authorities were also advised that should the household subsequently respond with the information required within a reasonable time, the application could be re-activated.
I understand that many local authorities have internal complaints and appeals systems which may be used to appeal cases. This is entirely a matter for the local authority concerned.
Where a household is dissatisfied with the level of service by its local authority, it is open to that household to make a complaint under the authority's customer service complaints procedure.
Following that complaint, if a household still considers that it has been adversely affected by a local authority's action, or lack of action, which it considers unfair or unreasonable, it is open to the household to make a complaint to the Ombudsman.
302. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the waiting time to transfer properties with the Property Registration Authority; the length of time the longest applicant is waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14332/20]
View answerThe Property Registration Authority (PRA) are currently experiencing an increased backlog due to the impact of COVID-19. The PRA registered over 13,000 transactions for the month of June, by comparison to 16,010 transactions registered in June 2019.
The PRA's Customer Charter provides that “75% of cases, not requiring mapping, that are in order for registration, to be completed within 10 working days.” The latest period for which figures are available in respect of that target is the end May 2020.
Completed in 10 days or less
|
Jan-20 |
Feb-20 |
Mar-20 |
Apr-20 |
May-20 |
Cumulative 2020 |
|
|
D Applications (Paper based) |
5,955 |
5,732 |
2,403 |
17 |
129 |
14,236 |
|
E Applications (eRegistrations) |
4,863 |
3,533 |
2,997 |
3,070 |
2,808 |
17,271 |
|
Total |
10,818 |
9,265 |
5,400 |
3,087 |
2,937 |
31,507 |
|
87.2% |
87.2% |
54.2% |
41.7% |
34.6% |
64.5% |
As the number of applications being lodged is decreasing, response times will improve over time to re-align with the relevant Customer Charter target outlined above.
The PRA has confirmed that its records show that the longest pending application for transfer of property (not requiring mapping and not under query) was lodged on 25 February 2016.
303. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of commercial rates valuation appeals awaiting a result in each of the years 2017 to 2019; the average waiting time for such appeals; the measures he plans to put in place to alleviate the situation in view of such a high backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14360/20]
View answerThe Valuation Office is currently engaged in a national programme to revalue all commercial and industrial properties in Ireland.
Prior to the commencement of the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015, ratepayers could appeal a final valuation firstly to the Commissioner of Valuation and subsequently to the Valuation Tribunal. Since the passing of this Act, appeals are now made solely to the Valuation Tribunal. However, it is also the case that a dissatisfied ratepayer can, in the first instance, make representations to the Valuation Office within 40 days of the date of the issue of a proposed valuation certificate. If, following consideration of the representations, any ratepayer is still dissatisfied with the valuation to be placed on their property, they have a right to lodge a formal appeal with the Valuation Tribunal within 28 days of the new valuation appearing on a valuation list.
As of 1 July 2020, the Valuation Tribunal has 2,480 appeals on hand with the average length of time to determine an appeal of approximately 18 months. The number of appeals awaiting a result from each year 2017 to 2019 is as follows: 2017 (403); 2018 (162) and 2019 (1891).
A number of measures have been put in place to support the expedited processing of appeals including the introduction of a call-over system allowing an opportunity for parties to review their options and a recent revision of the Tribunal rules. The Valuation (Amendment) Act, 2015 provides for appeals to be determined by a single member of the Tribunal based on written documentation obviating the need to holding a hearing.
304. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his policy on restrictions on planning for one-off housing in rural areas and the impact it will have on rural populations and communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14362/20]
View answerUnder the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing 2005, planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing and haphazard development, particularly in those areas near cities and towns that are under pressure from urban generated development.
The Guidelines identify four rural area types in respect of which planning authorities may formulate policies for ‘urban generated’ and ‘rural generated’ rural housing. Section 3.2.3 of the Guidelines suggests that in areas “under major urban influence”, planning authorities may define “rural generated” housing need for “Persons who are an intrinsic part of the rural community” and for “Persons working full-time or part-time in rural areas”.
The National Planning Framework (the NPF) provides an important strategic basis for interpreting the 2005 Guidelines. National Policy Objective (NPO) 15 of the NPF fully supports the concept of the sustainable development of rural areas by encouraging growth and arresting decline in areas that have experienced low population growth or decline in recent decades, while simultaneously indicating the need to manage certain areas around cities and towns that are under strong urban influence and under pressure from uncoordinated and ribbon-type development, in order to avoid over-development of those areas.
National Policy Objective 15 is supplemented by National Policy Objective 19, which aims to ensure that a policy distinction is made between areas experiencing significant overspill development pressure from urban areas, particularly within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment, and other remoter and weaker rural areas where population levels may be low and or declining. NPF Policy NPO19 is intended to tie in with the generally established Guidelines approach whereby considerations of social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part time) need may be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
Furthermore, under National Policy Objective 18b of the NPF, my Department is committed to developing a programme with local authorities, public infrastructure agencies such as Irish Water and local communities for the provision of serviced sites for housing to attract people to build their own homes and live in small towns and villages.
The Programme for Government commits to support the take-up of Irish Water’s Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme 2020-2024, which will provide water and wastewater growth capacity in smaller settlements, which would not otherwise be provided for in Irish Water’s capital investment plan and to ensure that the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund supports the development of such projects.
Both the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and its urban counterpart (URDF) – with a total of €3 billion available between both funds to 2027 – are supporting new ideas and new initiatives to renew rural villages, as well as towns and cities. The Rural Fund provides an unprecedented opportunity to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland, to make a significant and sustainable impact on rural communities, and to address de-population in small rural towns, villages and rural areas. It will be a key instrument to support the objectives of the National Planning Framework, and in particular to achieve Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities – one of the National Strategic Outcomes of Project Ireland 2040.
The 2005 Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines are framed in the context of the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) 2002. Given the many changes in policy and in wider society since 2002/5, the superseding of the NSS by the National Planning Framework (NPF) in 2018, together with other factors, the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines now require updating, in a broader rural development and settlement context. My Department intends to bring forward updated and comprehensive Guidelines before the end of the year, that will fully reflect NPF objectives and will bring clarity to the issue of rural housing. In the interim, the NPF objectives together with the 2005 Guidelines, enable planning authorities to continue to draft and adopt county development plan policies for one-off housing in rural areas.
