Written Answers Nos. 319-338
319. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if clarity will be provided for caravan and camping ground owners and their patrons regarding the Covid-19 regulations on numbers gathering outside as it pertains to their premises. [25634/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government last week published Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19, to guide Ireland’s response to saving lives and managing the pandemic over the next 6-9 months. The Plan has been designed to provide greater clarity to society and businesses on how to operate as normally as possible in the circumstances, while continuing to suppress the virus.
This plan sets out a Framework for Restrictive Measures in Response to COVID-19 – five levels of response, to be applied as appropriate depending on the incidence of the disease at a particular point in time, each with a combination of measures designed to help lower COVID-19 transmission. For each level of the Framework, there is an outline of what is permitted in various situations such as social and family gatherings; organised events; exercise and sporting activities; indoor attractions; bars, cafés and restaurants; outdoor playgrounds, play areas and parks; paid accommodation; and retail – all underpinned by expert advice and recommendations.
For its part, Fáilte Ireland has developed a series of sectoral guidelines to assist tourism businesses, including Caravan and Camping Parks, reopen and operate safely in line in line with the Return to Work Safely protocol and based on the latest health advice. These guidelines are all available through the Covid-19 Business Supports Hub on the Fáilte Ireland website (www.failteireland.ie). I understand that Fáilte Ireland is now in the process of updating its guidelines in line with Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 , the latest Government restrictions and the health advice currently applying.
320. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will seek to extend the local authority commercial rates waiver scheme in order to support the hotel and hospitality industry which is at imminent risk of a further 100,000 job losses and hotel closures unless restrictions limiting events to six persons are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24823/20]
View answer323. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage When the promised waiver of commercial rates for a six-month period for wet pubs will be enacted; and if the period will be extended for Dublin pubs that remain closed. [25391/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 323 together.
Since the onset of COVID-19, my Department has worked to ensure that there are appropriate responses is in place to assist businesses that have been impacted by the economic disruptions arising as a result of the pandemic. These responses include information and advisory supports, as well as liquidity supports in the form of grants and loan guarantee schemes.
My Department has worked with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to develop three Government-guaranteed loan schemes operated by the SBCI and delivered through participating finance providers.
Each of these schemes provides support to COVID-19-impacted businesses depending on their needs:
- COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme : This scheme makes available working capital loans ranging from €25,000 to €1.5m to eligible businesses exposed to COVID-19-related impacts. Loans of under €500,000 are available unsecured. Loans under this scheme are available for terms of up three years to help businesses to innovate, change or adapt in response to the pandemic. These innovations may include adjustments to ensure that a business can continue to operate safely.
- COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme : This scheme makes up to €2 billion in lending available to eligible businesses. Loans under the Scheme range from €10,000 to €1m. Loans of up to €250,000 under the Scheme are available unsecured (except where this is a requirement of the product feature, as in the case of asset finance, invoice discount facilities, etc). Its focus is to provide additional liquidity to businesses in a wide range of sectors including primary producers and small mid caps (employing up to 500). Loans under this scheme are for terms of up to five-and-a-half years. Resulting from the 80 percent Government guarantee, businesses will be able to avail of loans at reduced interest rates.
- Future Growth Loan Scheme : This scheme has recently been expanded and now makes up to €800m in lending available to eligible businesses to support long-term, strategic investment, including in response to COVID-19. Loans under the scheme range from €25,000 to €3m and loans of under €500,000 are available unsecured. Loans under this scheme are for terms of 7-10 years.
Micro-enterprises that have been negatively affected by the onset of COVID-19 may also be eligible for lending from MicroFinance Ireland under its own COVID-19 loan scheme:
- MicroFinance Ireland COVID-19 Business Loan : Loans under this scheme range from €5,000 to €25,000 and are available with zero repayments and zero interest for the first six months, with the equivalent of an additional six months interest-free subject to certain terms and conditions. Loan terms are typically up to three years.
Loan schemes aside, businesses in the hospitality sector may also be eligible for the enhanced Restart Grant. This enhanced grant support is open to businesses that have had 25% reduction in turnover due to COVID-19 restrictions or downturn in trade, provided they commit to reopening and to hiring and sustaining employment.
The grant is based on the amount of the rates assessment for the premises for 2019 (excluding arrears) with a new minimum grant of €4,000 and a maximum grant of €25,000 (Increased from €2,000 min and €10,000 max).
Eligible firms include medium sized firms with up to 250 employees, as well as small firms (increased from 50 employees) with a turnover of up to €25m, and turnover of less than €100k per employee, increased from turnover limit of €5m. Therefore, a business with 50 employees and €5m turnover, 100 employees and less than €10m turnover, and so on with a business with 250 employees having a max. of less than €25m turnover are eligible.
The hospitality sector, restaurants, pubs, activity centres and tourist attractions, e.g., galleries, museums are eligible if they are operating from a rated premises. B&Bs in non-rated premises will be eligible to apply for the minimum €4,000 grant from Fáilte Ireland.
On 18th September last I announced the Government's decision to provide a 30% top-up to the Restart Plus Grant for eligible businesses in Dublin City and County. This top-up follows on the top-ups we announced for Kildare of 40% and Laois and Offaly of 20% respectively following the increase in restrictions on those counties in August. We have also provided a top-up for wet pubs of 40%.
More information on these schemes is available on my Department’s website, at dbei.gov.ie/coronavirus
Fáilte Ireland, as the National Tourism Development Authority has also responded to the COVID-19 crisis by immediately setting up a Business Supports Taskforce to establish the supports required by the industry to ensure the survival and successful relaunch of the sector.
More information on Fáilte Ireland’s supports to COVID-19 impacted businesses are hosted on a dedicated online COVID-19 Business Supports Hub on failteireland.ie
Some elements of this question fall under the remit of other Government Departments, and where appropriate those elements will be responded to by the Ministers of Finance and Housing, Planning and Local Government.
321. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter regarding the deadline for heritage grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24986/20]
View answerMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes, which are, in the main, administered by the Local Authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF). Both schemes are run on an annual funding cycle and, in general, all funds must be drawn down and claimed within the same calendar year in which they are awarded. In light of delays due to Covid-19 and related public health measures over the course of this year, I have extended the draw-down deadline for Local Authorities to 10 November.
While the October deadline to which you refer has been set by the Local Authority in order to ensure timely online submission and drawdown from my Department, my best advice to any grantee who has concerns about their ability to complete in time is to engage as soon as possible with their Local Authority Architectural Conservation Officer who may be in a position to extend the deadline within reason.
322. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of a full year commercial rates wavier for businesses in the hospitality, tourism, leisure and retail excluding supermarkets sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25261/20]
View answer328. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of a commercial rates waiver for three months for businesses in the hospitality, tourism, leisure, and retail excluding supermarkets sectors. [25785/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 328 together.
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
Valuation lists contain categories of ratepayers. These categories include hospitality, leisure and retail. Local authorities have estimated full year rates warrants in 2020 total €138.8m from the hospitality sector, €33.6m from the leisure sector and €375.3 million from the retail sector (both shops and warehouses).
The warrant for the total supermarket category is €50.6m. Analysis of valuation lists shows that there are 3 sub-categories of supermarket. In costing the six-month 100% waiver of rates, supermarkets with floor areas greater than 500sq m, i.e. sub-categories Supermarket 2 and Supermarket 3, were excluded. The estimated full year rates warrants for these two sub-categories is €47.1m. Accordingly the full year warrant for retail, excluding sub-categories Supermarket 2 and Supermarket 3, would be €328.2m. The three month rates warrants in 2020 total €34.7m from hospitality, €8.4m from leisure and €82m from retail, again excluding sub-categories Supermarket 2 and Supermarket 3. There is no distinct category for the tourism sector on valuation lists.
324. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration will be given to streamlining the planning process for building anaerobic and biogas systems facilities in addition to required briefing of planning officials regarding these facilities in view of the fact that Ireland is expected to miss its EU non-emissions trading system reduction of 30% down from 2005 by 2030 and the proven benefits of such systems in achieving reductions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25421/20]
View answerThere are no specific criteria for anaerobic and biogas systems facilities under the planning code and it is a matter for planning authorities or An Bord Pleanala, as appropriate, to assess applications for such projects in line with the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended.
I am aware that the Irish Bioenergy Association has published a guidance document entitled "Planning Guidance Recommendations for Bioenergy Projects in Ireland" on the steps to be followed and the factors to be taken into account in the progression of bioenergy projects, including anaerobic and biogas systems facilities, under the planning code. This guidance document is available to view online on the website of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland at the following link - https://www.seai.ie/publications/IrBEA-Bioenergy-Planning-Report-RDD-00112-2017.pdf.
Section 247 of the Act provides that a person who intends to make a planning application to a planning authority in respect of a proposed development may, with the agreement of the planning authority concerned (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), enter into consultations with the planning authority in order to discuss any proposed development and the planning authority may give advice to that person regarding the proposed development. When a planning application is subsequently made to a planning authority under Section 34(8) of the Act, the planning authority must make a decision within eight weeks of receiving a valid application where no further information is requested from the applicant. A decision of a planning authority on a planning application may be appealed to An Bord Pleanala within 4 weeks of the decision. Under section 126 of the Act, the Board has a statutory objective period of 18 weeks to make a decision on any appeal.
Where a proposed development is of sufficient scale requiring surface storage capacity in excess of 200 tonnes of combustible gases, it is classified as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) under the Seventh Schedule to the Act. Given their potential strategic importance, all such proposed developments are dealt with by An Bord Pleanala involving mandatory pre-application consultations with, and the subsequent submission of a planning application to, the Board for determination. Under Section 37J of the Act, the Board has a statutory objective period of 18 weeks, beginning on the last day for making submissions or observations by the public or prescribed bodies, to make decisions on SID applications. Where the Board does not consider it possible or appropriate to reach a decision within 18 weeks (e.g. because of the particular complexities of a case or the requirement to hold an oral hearing), it will inform the parties of the reasons for this, and will indicate when it intends to make its decision.
I have no plans to amend the existing statutory provisions in this regard.
325. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up to date position with the development of the Barrow Blueway project in south County Kildare and County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25498/20]
View answerIn November 2019, funding of €5m was awarded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to Waterways Ireland and its partners, Kildare and Laois County Councils to progress the Barrow Blueway from Lowtown to Athy.
Waterways Ireland commenced construction of the Barrow Blueway in early August 2020.
The construction work is being undertaken by Waterways Ireland’s direct labour workforce. Two teams are working on the project, one starting at Milltown Bridge heading north and the other starting at Ballyteague heading south. At present both teams have constructed approximately 1.5km of pathway each.
Work in the Laois area is expected to start in mid-October 2020.
In partnership with Waterways Ireland Kildare County council have advertised tenders for the detailed designs of road crossings and junction improvements. This tender is to be returned in early October and work is expected to commence on site in the spring of 2021.
326. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding allocated to heritage sites and centres over the past six months by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25502/20]
View answerMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF). To date, a combined sum of over €4.3m has been allocated to 450 built heritage projects across every county in the country this year. These projects are listed below by county.
I approved a further €1 million in funding nationally for the Historic Towns Initiative 2020, which is a joint initiative of my Department and the Heritage Council, which my Department funds. The Historic Towns Initiative is a dedicated programme for the heritage-led regeneration of historic towns. €1m has been awarded in 2020 for heritage led regeneration in the following towns
- Tralee, Co. Kerry
- Ramelton, Co. Donegal
- Ballina, Co. Mayo
- Roscommon, Co. Roscommon
- Sligo, Co. Sligo
- Clones, Co. Monaghan
The Heritage Council also has a role in allocating funding to heritage sites across the country through its own grant schemes. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how this funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually, having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. Grant schemes for 2020 are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
Responsibility for management and maintenance of historical buildings and sites in State ownership, and management of the visitor facilities, rests with the Office of Public Works (OPW) which also maintains a significant ongoing programme of conservation works. This year, my Department has allocated €350,000 to the OPW for the maintenance of historic buildings and sites.
In addition, the Irish Heritage Trust has responsibility for operating properties at Fota House, County Cork, Strokestown Park and the National Famine Museum, County Roscommon, and Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens, County Wexford. This year my Department has, to date, allocated €200,000 in capital to the Irish Heritage Trust towards heritage works at these locations.
I should also mention my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) provides ongoing funding support for the visitor and interpretive centres located in all our national parks, including introductory interpretive videos and customised leaflets and booklets focusing on the natural heritage of the area. These are updated from time to time as opportunity and resources allow.
Built Heritage Grant Scheme Allocations 2020 – by County
327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost of rent support payments in lieu of local authority housing made in the past five years to date; the potential for the replacement of such expenditure with directly built local authority houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25551/20]
View answerAcross the period 2016 to 2021, we are working to meet the housing needs of more than 138,000 additional households. This includes 50,000 long term supports in build, bought or leased homes, being delivered by both local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and also congoing support under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS). The Programme for Government builds on this ambition with a further 50,000 social homes, and an emphasis on new build. The Government is committed to increasing the supply of social housing and a primary focus continues to be the construction of new social housing homes. However, it is important that local authorities have the capacity to respond to local residential property markets and that they have the tools to provide a range of accommodation types in all of the areas where social housing need arises.
To meet existing, mid term and long term demand, including for those households in emergency accommodation, a range of housing options are necessary.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), a social housing support being provided by local authorities, is one such tool. HAP will replace Rent Supplement for those with a long-term housing need who qualify for social housing support. The introduction of HAP means that local authorities can now provide housing assistance for households with a long-term housing need, including many long-term Rent Supplement recipients. At the end of Q2 2020, nearly 79,000 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were more than 56,500 households actively in receipt of HAP support and over 32,000 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme. However, the introduction of HAP has not resulted in increased usage of the private rented sector by the State – at end 2018, there were almost 6,000 fewer tenancies supported through Rent Supplement, Rental Accommodation Scheme or HAP than at end 2014, when the HAP scheme commenced.
HAP is funded through a combination of Exchequer monies and tenant differential rents collected in respect of HAP tenancies. Budget 2019 increased the Exchequer funding for the HAP scheme to €422 million. This allowed for the continued support of existing HAP households and also enabled the additional 16,760 households targeted under Rebuilding Ireland to be supported by HAP in 2019, as well as supporting the roll-out of the Homeless HAP Place Finder Support Service across the country. With 68,693 households on our waiting lists, the combination of 50,000 social housing homes and 88,000 HAP and RAS supports, which will be funded by the Government out to 2021, means that both long term and flexible options will be available to those on our social housing waiting lists.
Details on the Exchequer funding for HAP are set out in the table below:
|
Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Outturn |
€152.69m |
€276.6m |
€422m |
€497.7m |
Exchequer funding for the HAP scheme increased to €497.7million in 2020. This will enable a further 15,750 households to be supported, as well as continuing support for the over 52,000 existing HAP tenancies in place at end 2019.
During the period 2016-2018, the housing needs of some 91,000 households were supported under "current" expenditure programmes, including the HAP and RAS schemes. This figure includes continuing to provide support to those already in homes supported under the programmes concerned, and also the additional tenancies established during that period. If the funding provided for these 91,000 households had been transferred to capital expenditure, to support building or buying homes, it would have secured some 5,500 homes, leaving no resources available to support the other 85,500 households. Alternatively, it would take almost €20 billion to provide a new build local authority home for each of those 91,000 households.
329. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to include persons who did not previously register their domestic wastewater system to be included in the grant assistance available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24710/20]
View answerSection 70B(13) of the Water Services Act 2007 (No. 30 of 2007), as inserted by Section 4 of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 (No. 2 of 2012), and the Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (Registration) Regulations 2012 (No. 222 of 2012) provide that all owners of houses served by an individual domestic waste water treatment system, have the system entered into the register maintained by local authorities, by a “prescribed date”. This date being 1st February 2013. The Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (Registration)(Amendment) Regulations 2013 (No. 180 of 2013) sets out that all systems constructed or installed after this date must ensure the new treatment system is registered within 90 days of connection. Section 70C(2) of the Act provides that a person who fails to comply with these obligations commits an offence.
It is reported by the Environmental Protection Agency that the registration rate nationally is 95% and higher in some areas, therefore accounting for the majority of domestic waste water treatment systems in the country. One of the eligibly criteria for the grants available under my Department for the upgrading of domestic waste water treatment systems is that systems are registered in accordance with the Act as set out above. I am advised that revisions to the primary legislation would be required in order to amend the "prescribed date" provision and this matter will be considered further in future policy considerations and in the context of future water services legislation.
330. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grant assistance available for works (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24711/20]
View answerUnder the Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems) Regulations 2012, the owner of a domestic waste water treatment system is responsible for its maintenance and renewal and shall ensure that its parts and components are fit for purpose, operational where appropriate and kept in good order and repair so as to prevent a risk to human health or environment.
Furthermore, the Water Services Acts 2007 and Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (Registration) Regulations 2012 (No. 222 of 2012) provide that all owners of houses served by an individual domestic waste water treatment system had to have the system entered into the register maintained by local authorities, by a “prescribed date”. This date being 1st February 2013. The Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (Registration)(Amendment) Regulations 2013 (No. 180 of 2013) sets out that all systems constructed or installed after this date must ensure the new treatment system is registered within 90 days of connection.
Houses that failed to register by the prescribed date, as set out above, are not eligible for grant support under the Department's scheme to upgrade domestic waste water treatment systems.
331. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the 2020 to 2021 hare coursing licences. [24731/20]
View answer358. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a decision has been made regarding the issuing of licences for hare coursing; if the decision is in line with Departmental advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25425/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 358 together.
On 16 September last my Department issued licenses under the Wildlife Acts to the Irish Coursing Club on behalf of its affiliated clubs to net and tag hares for the forthcoming 2020/2021 coursing season.
332. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of deep retrofitting all local authority and social housing stock to the highest standard by unit; and the cost of installing solar panels in the same housing stock. [24751/20]
View answerThere are over 135,000 social housing homes nationally in the ownership of local authorities.
My Department has been funding an Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme for these properties since 2013. The Programme has two phases: Phase 1, which comprises the bulk of the work undertaken to date, has focused on the lower cost improvements such as cavity wall and attic insulation, while Phase 2 targets higher cost measures such as fabric upgrades, glazing/heating upgrades and in some cases, the installation of photovoltaic panels. As local authorities progress further into Phase 2 of this programme, the aim will be to bring the deep retrofit of the social housing stock to the 'cost optimal' equivalent performance, or a BER of B2.
In the period 2013 to date in 2020, some €151 million in exchequer funding has been provided under the Programme to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels in over 72,000 local authority homes. In addition, energy efficiency measures have been incorporated into the 12,495 vacant social housing homes that have been returned to productive use under the Voids Programme since 2014.
The cost of carrying out an energy retrofit on a social housing home depends on a wide range of factors including dwelling size, year of construction, dwelling condition, and construction type. While initial indications suggest that investment in the region of €2 billion may be required to complete the retrofitting of the local authority housing stock, a detailed analysis of the stock is required to profile both the further works required to homes that have had lower cost improvements carried out under Phase 1 and under the Voids Programme, and the works required to the remainder of the stock. The exchequer funding available to local authorities under the social housing retrofit programme for 2020 is set at up to a maximum of €30,100 for a mid-terrace house or apartment and €34,600 for a property that is end-terrace, detached, semi-detached or a bungalow.
As set out in the Programme for Government, a national retrofitting plan is due to be rolled out in 2021 overseen by my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment. The targets set within the Climate Action Plan will see 500,000 homes nationally, retrofitted by end 2030, including private and social homes. This will build on the investment already made in retrofitting of social homes and the improved comfort levels which have resulted.
333. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend building regulations to provide for a requirement for all new public buildings and separately private commercial developments over a certain size to include changing places facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24773/20]
View answerNew buildings and extensions or material alterations to existing buildings must comply with the legal minimum performance standards set out in the Building Regulations 1997 - 2019. In this context, the Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010, and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use (2010), which came into effect on 1 January 2012, set out the minimum statutory requirements that a building must achieve in respect of access.
The requirements of Part M aim to ensure that regardless of age, size or disability:
- new buildings other than dwellings are accessible and usable;
- extensions to existing buildings other than dwellings are, where practicable, accessible and useable;
- material alterations to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings, where practicable;
- certain changes of use to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings where practicable; and
- new dwellings are visitable.
Part M of the Building Regulations aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. While the Part M requirements may be regarded as a statutory minimum level of provision, the accompanying technical guidance encourages building owners and designers to have regard to the design philosophy of universal design and to consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate.
While the latest iteration of Part M of the Building Regulations initially coincided with the general downturn in economic and construction activity, its positive effects on access and use in the built environment can now be seen more widely.
The Building Regulations, including Part M requirements, are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation.
Costs are examined in the context of proposed legislative changes, particularly in relation to Building Regulations, and a cost benefit analysis and regulatory impact analysis is carried out on any proposed amendments.
In relation to the Deputy’s specific query, I will give full consideration to a review in respect of provisions for changing places, (commonly known as a ‘Changing Places Toilet’), in certain buildings. This may involve an amendment to the requirements of Part M and the development of sufficiently detailed guidance for inclusion in the associated Technical Guidance Document M to ensure proper practical implementation in both certain new buildings and existing buildings undergoing works.
334. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the mica scheme will be rolled out as per the regulation signed by him and the Minister for Finance; if the scheme as agreed for counties Donegal and Mayo will not be included in the new working group focusing on defective Celtic tigers home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24784/20]
View answerThe regulations for the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme came in to operation on 31 January 2020. The Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 provide for a grant scheme of financial assistance to support affected homeowners in the counties of Donegal and Mayo, to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks. The scheme opened for applications at the end of June 2020.
The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme was informed by an expert panel, with the resulting report published on 13 June 2017 and technical and funding processes have been established. It is not intended to include this Scheme under the remit of the working group established in respect of the commitment in the Programme for Government under Defects.
335. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the spend in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and the projected spend for 2019 and 2020 on leasing, HAP and RAS agreements between local authorities and landlords by authority and type of agreement; and the number of the arrangements that are direct transfers from rent allowance arrangements. [24802/20]
View answerThe Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the long term leasing of houses and apartments from private owners, developers and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
Details on SHCEP expenditure for the years 2015-2019, broken down by local authority, and the number of SHCEP agreements supported by my Department during that period are published at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision. €190.886m has been allocated to SHCEP in 2020.
Total expenditure by my Department on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) for the period 2015 – 2019, 2020 HAP budget and the numbers of transfers from Rent Supplement to HAP are in the table below:
|
Year |
Outturn €M |
Number of Rent Supplement Transfers (gross) |
|
2015 |
15.64 |
2,100 |
|
2016 |
57.69 |
3,661 |
|
2017 |
152.69 |
4,131 |
|
2018 |
276.6 |
3,329 |
|
2019 |
382.4 |
2,799 |
|
2020 |
497.7* |
782 - Q2 2020 |
*Exchequer Allocation for 2020.
Data for the years 2015 to 2019 in relation to the number and cost of tenancies funded under the RAS scheme, broken down by local authority, is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision. Information on Rent Supplement Transfers to RAS from 2016 to 2019 is also available at that link. €133m has been allocated to RAS in 2020.
336. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the period a planning authority has to inform members of the public that made observations in relation to a Part 8 planning application of the planning decision made. [24820/20]
View answerThe provisions in relation to proposed local authority "own development" projects - commonly referred to as Part 8 projects - are provided for in Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) and Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations). Under these provisions, a planning authority is required to advertise its proposals for such developments in a local newspaper, erect a site notice, make available plans and particulars of the proposed development for inspection, and to invite submissions and observations from members of the public as well as from the relevant statutory bodies in respect of such proposals.
Following the conclusion of the public consultation phase, the Act provides that the Chief Executive of the authority shall submit the development proposals and prepare a report in writing, including a list and summary of the submissions received, regarding the proposed development for the consideration of the elected members of the Council. Further to the consideration of the Chief Executive's report, the proposed development may be carried out as recommended in the that report unless the elected members decide, by resolution within 6 weeks of receipt of the report, to vary or modify the development, or not to proceed with the development.
Under Article 84 of the Regulations, a planning authority is required to send notice to any person or body who made a submission in respect of the proposed development as soon as may be after, as appropriate, the adoption of a resolution by the elected members regarding the proposed development or the expiry of 6 weeks after the receipt of the Chief Executive’s report by the Council members. The notice shall indicate if the planning authority will carry out the proposed development, carry out the proposed development subject to variations or modifications, or not proceed with the proposed development.
337. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total capital assistance scheme allocation in 2019; the number of bed spaces provided under the allocation; and the average capital cost per bed space. [24862/20]
View answer338. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total funding allocation under the capital assistance scheme for accommodation for victims of domestic violence in 2019; the number of bed spaces provided; and the average capital cost per bed space. [24863/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 337 and 338 together.
Under my Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), capital funding of up to 100% of project costs may be advanced by local authorities to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to provide housing for specific categories of housing need, including for older people, people with a disability and people who are homeless.
CAS funding in 2019 was €97.7 million and in that year, a total of 570 new units of accommodation was delivered. This expenditure in 2019 related to accommodation completed in that year, projects completing in later years and residual costs relating to previously completed units.
With regard to the average capital cost per bed space, cost information on the delivery of social homes 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, a report on which is expected to be published later this year and will be publicly available. As part of this work, the Departments are working to extrapolate unit costs from the raw data provided by the local authorities.
While there was no specific funding allocation under CAS for accommodation for victims of domestic violence in 2019, 17 units of accommodation for victims of domestic violence were provided in 2019.
