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Wednesday, 7 Oct 2020

Written Answers Nos. 78-98

Office of Public Works

Questions (78)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

78. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount the OPW has paid a private firm to maintain the gate at Grianan of Aileach Fort, County Donegal. [29222/20]

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Written answers

The services in question relate to the need to secure the Grianán an Aileach site in the context of the special opening arrangements arising following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions during the summer months. Owing to the prevalance of antisocial behaviour at this location in the past, including verbal and physical abuse of OPW caretaker staff, the services of a private security firm have been employed to service closing arrangements in particular at this time.

These services are provided to the Office of Public Works' National Monuments Depot in Dromahair by the firm in question on a regional basis within the North West for an area stretching from Mayo to Donegal. The costs of the specific services provided at Grianán an Aileach will be abstracted from the overall total and will be conveyed separately to the Deputy by my office.

Arts Funding

Questions (79)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

79. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the sector specific supports in place and or the plans to introduce support services for the arts sector. [26312/20]

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Written answers

The July Stimulus Package introduced significant measures to help support businesses to recover following the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Some of the key measures for tourism and hospitality include the “Stay and Spend” initiative, the €26m adaptation grant, the €10m grant for coach tourism and the revised Restart grant which now includes B&B’s.  Tourism and hospitality enterprises will also benefit from wider horizontal supports such as the new Employment Wage Support Scheme, liquidity and enterprise investment measures,  warehousing of tax liabilities and the extension for a further three months of the waiver of commercial rates.

As part of its response to Covid-19, and to drive bookings for short breaks and holidays in Ireland in 2020, Fáilte Ireland has invested in a number of domestic holiday campaigns since June of this year.

The Tourism Recovery Taskforce is currently finalising its recommendations for the ongoing survival and stabilisation of the Tourism sector.   The Taskforce is expected to publish its Final Recovery Plan in the coming weeks and I, together with my colleagues in Government, will consider its recommendations at that stage.  In the context of the Budget and the development of the National Economic Plan, the Government will review and refine existing supports, and consider any further necessary measures.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (80)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

80. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a grant will be offered to musicians who predominantly work at live events to upskill or retrain within their field to be better placed to work in the current environment (details supplied). [29085/20]

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Written answers

I am very conscious of the unprecedented nature of the challenge facing live performance musicians, not least from a financial point of view. I recently put in place a suite of supports for music and musicians. The Music Stimulus Package, involves three funding schemes designed to help sustain the popular and commercial music sector across all music genres, including rock, pop, hip hop, indie, jazz, country, and traditional and folk. Under this package, a fund of €1,000,000 is being put in place to stimulate areas of work which artists would usually fund with income from own sources including live event fees.

The music support schemes are targeted at professional musicians and their teams and will support song writing camps, recording and album releases. The aim is to ensure that Irish musicians, engineers, PR, media, agents, labels and publishers can continue to develop and share their work in the context of COVID restrictions. The Music Stimulus Package schemes will be managed on behalf of the Department by First Music Contact and will be subject to peer panel assessment.

In addition, I recently announced a new fund of €5m that will assist established commercial promoters to employ performers, artists, technicians, creative and performance support staff up to the end of 2020 in anticipation of the return of audiences to live performance. The “Live Performance Support Scheme” under my Department aims to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters of live performances provide employment to workers in the creative industries. The main objective of the scheme is to provide employment opportunities in the ticketed performance sector and allow commercial organisers of live performances to commence preparations immediately and productions to go ahead in the near future while also complying with public health protection measures. This scheme has been developed following consultation with the sector and is managed by my Department. I hope to announce the recipients of this funding in the coming weeks.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (81)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

81. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of meetings of the Covid-19 response group, as distinct from the tourism recovery task force, that have taken place since the start of July; if she recognises the value of this group which first met on 27 February 2020 and subsequently met on a regular basis throughout March, April, May and June; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29223/20]

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Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, a Tourism Monitoring Group was convened in February to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector. The group assessed the initial impact of the pandemic based on feedback provided from industry stakeholders and facilitated the rapid sharing of key information and insights, to help improve understanding and responses to the crisis. It also discussed ideas and proposals for immediate mitigating actions and for recovery measures required to kick-start the industry. The group first met on 26 February and met seven times in total, holding its final meeting on 05 May. I wish to thank the membership of the group for their work and for the valuable role they played in assisting the Government in formulating its initial response to the crisis.

In May, a Tourism Recovery Taskforce was appointed to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which includes a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the crisis. In June, the Taskforce published an Initial Report recommending a number of measures to help save jobs and businesses across the sector, some of which have already been addressed in the July Stimulus package. The taskforce submitted its final Recovery Plan to me last week. It is making a number of recommendations to help the sector to survive the crisis and eventually recover. Along with my colleagues in Government, I will consider its recommendations as we prepare for the Budget and the subsequent National Economic Plan.

Fáilte Ireland’s COVID-19 Industry Advisory Group continues to meet on a fortnightly basis, providing feedback and input from a cross section of the industry, helping to guide Fáilte Ireland’s response to this crisis and to provide supports to the industry.

Derelict Sites

Questions (82)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

82. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding derelict properties in rural parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28954/20]

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Written answers

Local authorities have been provided with a number of powers and measures to deal with the issue of derelict properties, both in larger urban conglomerations and in smaller rural towns and villages. There also exists a framework of overarching policy and capital funding which provides support to development, including urban regeneration.

The Repair and Leasing Scheme was introduced to assist property owners in bringing vacant properties back into use for social housing purposes. The scheme is particularly targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their properties up to the required standard for rental properties.

Subject to the suitability of the property for social housing, and the agreement of the property owner, the cost of the necessary repairs is met up front with a capital loan from the local authority or an approved housing body (AHB) up to a maximum of €40,000, and up to a maximum of €50,000 in the situation where the property is a former bedsit. This allows the property owner to sign-up to a lease arrangement with a local authority or an AHB for a period of time that is linked to the value of the repairs, subject to a minimum lease period of 5 years. Up to end 2019, a total of 165 homes had been brought back into use under the scheme.

A similar measure entitled the Buy and Renew Scheme supports local authorities in purchasing and renewing housing units in need of repair which can then be made available for social housing use. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the suitability of a property for social housing. Important considerations in this regard include the location of a property in relation to housing need and demand; the design, scale and suitability of a property for social housing use; and the costs and practicality of acquiring and remediating a property.

The Buy and Renew Scheme particularly focuses on older vacant homes to help tackle the problem of dereliction and improve the appearance of the community. As a complementary initiative to the Repair and Leasing Scheme, it provides the option for suitable properties to be purchased rather than leased, if that is the preference of the owners of the properties concerned. Up until end June 2020, local authorities delivered over 585 new social homes under the scheme. Activity in this regard is largely delegated to local authorities so they can respond flexibly to all opportunities to provide new social housing.

The Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site.

Local authority powers include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites, acquiring derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily, and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites. It is a matter for local authorities to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.

Under the Act, local authorities are required to maintain a derelict sites register, which includes the name and address of each owner and occupier, where these can be ascertained by reasonable enquiry, of any land which, in the opinion of the local authority, is a derelict site. Under section 8(5) of the Act, a copy of the derelict sites register for any local authority can be inspected at the offices of that authority during office hours. Members of the public can engage with their local authority in relation to addressing individual derelict sites in their local areas.

Under the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018, both the Derelict Sites Levy and the Vacant Sites Levy increased from 3% to 7% of the market valuation of relevant sites with effect from January 2020. This change in the rate of the levies is intended to ensure that the levies have more meaningful impact and that the powers of local authorities in tackling dereliction and vacancy are strengthened for the purpose of bringing relevant sites into productive use, thereby facilitating urban regeneration and development in designated areas while also combatting land hoarding.

Housing Regeneration

Questions (83)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

83. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28953/20]

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Written answers

I can confirm that the social housing project in question received approval by my Department in August 2020.

Urban Regeneration and Development Fund

Questions (84, 85, 96)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

84. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications that were received in round one funding of the urban regeneration and development fund in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28957/20]

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Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

85. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received by his Department for round two funding of the urban regeneration and development fund which opened earlier in 2020 under (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28964/20]

View answer

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

96. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the closing date and time of round 1 applications for the urban regeneration and development fund; the date and time each of the applications was received by project name, county, method of submission, that is by email and or fax and so on in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29190/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 85 and 96 together.

Call 1 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in July 2018, and 189 proposals for URDF funding support were received by my Department by the closing date of 28th September 2018. My Department has provided considerable information on all applications received on its website, but this does not include precise details of time of receipt or method of submission, requested by the Deputy, which would be time-consuming to collate at this stage. All of the applications assessed were received by the deadline, and key details of all these applications for Call 1 is available at the following location on my Departments website.

https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/urban_regeneration_and_development_fund_2019_-_list_of_applications_received_1.pdf

The application process was competitive and in that context all proposals went through a rigorous assessment including consideration by a Project Advisory Board (PAB), which consisted of representatives from my Department, other relevant Government Departments, agency representation and independent national and international expert representatives.

Following this process, on 26 November 2018, 88 projects were approved for URDF support, one of which was subsequently withdrawn by the applicant.

All applicants both successful and unsuccessful received a detailed breakdown of the assessment of their proposal. Where the decision in respect of a proposal was unfavourable, applicants were offered the opportunity to request a review of the Departments decision.

Requests for a review were submitted in respect of seven proposals. Each of the proposals involved was reviewed, having regard to the PAB's original evaluation and scoring of the proposal against the URDF programme criteria. In all cases it was found there was nothing to support an outcome that would be materially different from that arrived at through the PAB process.

The following table lists the 87 projects advanced under Call 1 together with up-to-date provisional URDF funding allocations.

Applicant

Project

Provisional Allocation €000’s

Carlow County Council

Carlow Town

580,000.00

Cavan County Council

Cavan Town Centre

262,500.00

Clare County Council

The Venue Shannon

250,000.00

Clare County Council

Parnell Street and the Lanes and Bow-Ways

3,665,339.00

Clare County Council

Barrack Square and Old Barrack Street and O’Connell Square and High Street

189,000.00

Cork City Council

Beamish and Crawford / Grand Parade Quarter

916,000.00

Cork City Council

Cork City Docklands

450,000.00

Cork County Council

Carrigaline Western Relief Road

6,150,000.00

Cork County Council

Midleton Main Street Public Improvements

1,921,985.00

Cork County Council

Midleton Permeability Package of Proposals

187,500.00

Cork County Council

Cobh UEA - Public Realm - Diaspora Centre

277,500.00

Cork County Council

Carrigaline Public Realm

112,500.00

Cork County Council

Carrigtwohill

562,500.00

Cork County Council

Mallow Town Regeneration

1,480,500.00

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

Stillorgan (Public Realm works)

1,609,800.00

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

Dundrum Community, Cultural and Civic Action Plan

75,000.00

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

Spatial and Economic Action Plan for Dun Laoghaire

75,000.00

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

Cherrywood Public Parks, Greenways & Attenuation

13,358,102.00

Donegal County Council

Letterkenny 2040 (Public Realm and Site Acquisition)

1,942,536.00

Dublin City Council

Santry River Restoration Project

750,000.00

Dublin City Council

Artists' Workspaces

200,000

Dublin City Council

Inchicore - St Michael's Estate & Environs Regeneration

150,000.00

Dublin City Council

Rutland Street NEIC

8,969,460.00

Dublin City Council

Park West/Cherry Orchard Industrial Lands Analysis

150,000.00

Dublin City Council

Naas Road LAP lands

200,000.00

Fingal County Council

Balbriggan

2,125,000.00

Fingal County Council

Sustainable Swords

375,000.00

Galway City Council

Ardaun Upgrade of Martin Roundabout

2,703,000.00

Galway City Council

Sandy Road Liosbán

187,500.00

Galway City Council

Cycling and Walking

2,900,000.00

Kerry County Council

Phase I Tralee Town Centre - Rock Street, Russell Street and Bridge Street

2,505,552.00

Kerry County Council

Smarter Travel Killarney (Link & Public Realm)

1,000,000.00

Kerry County Council

Áras Phádraig Masterplan

112,500.00

Kildare County Council

Naas Library (including Public Realm works)

4,445,243.00

Kildare County Council

Celbridge Southern Relief Road & Second Liffey Crossing

400,000.00

Kildare County Council

Newbridge Cultural and Civic Quarter

492,000.00

Kildare County Council

Canal Quarter Naas

195,000.00

Kilkenny County Council

Abbey Quarter (Public Realm enabling)

6,154,000.00

Laois County Council

Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter

7,028,640.00

Laois County Council

Portlaoise - A Low Carbon Town

2,026,372.00

Leitrim County Council

Public Realm Improvement Scheme for the town of Carrick on Shannon

6,502,500.00

Limerick City & County Council

O'Connell Street

4,500,000.00

Limerick City & County Council

Digital Collaboration and Virtual Reality Centre

937,500.00

Limerick City & County Council

Worldclass Waterfront

350,000.00

Limerick City & County Council

Social and Economic Model

110,000.00

Limerick City & County Council

Living Georgian City Programme

1,200,000.00

Limerick City & County Council

Opera Project (Site enabling)

1,839,000.00

Longford County Council

Longford Connected (Public Realm Marketsquare)

2,990,355.00

Louth County Council

Long Walk Quarter Dundalk

533,000.00

Louth County Council

Westgate Vision Drogheda

476,000.00

Mayo County Council

Ballina Innovation Quarter

5,361,004.00

Mayo County Council

Castlebar Urban Greenway Link

1,875,000.00

Mayo County Council

Castlebar Military Barracks

142,500.00

Meath County Council

Ashbourne Road and Public Realm Improvement

6,376,050.00

Meath County Council

Flowerhill Regeneration Project

75,000.00

Meath County Council

Navan Active Land Management Project

3,683,000.00

Meath County Council

Railway Street Regeneration and County Archive

187,500.00

Monaghan County Council

Dublin Street Regeneration Monaghan

1,285,108.00

Offaly County Council

Tullamore Urban Area (Public Realm)

3,000,000.00

Roscommon County Council

Public Realm Plan - Market Square & Main Street

4,775,075.00

Roscommon County Council

Roscommon Town Centre

350,000.00

Sligo County Council

Eastern Garavogue Bridge & Approach Roads Scheme

6,000,000.00

Sligo County Council

O'Connell Street Enhancement

1,236,000.00

Sligo County Council

Sligo Cultural Plaza

750,000.00

Sligo County Council

Sligo Public Realm

560,000.00

South Dublin County Council

Tallaght Town Centre (Civic Plaza/Link Road)

14,850,000.00

South Dublin County Council

Naas Road/Ballymount

200,000.00

Tipperary County Council

Liberty Square Thurles

4,390,000.00

Tipperary County Council

Clonmel

9,333,124.00

Waterford City & County Council

Waterford City and Environs - North Quays (Infrastructure enabling)

6,000,000.00

Waterford City & County Council

Tramore Town Centre

2,172,500.00

Westmeath County Council

Loughanaskin

750,000.00

Westmeath County Council

Canal Avenue & Environs Regeneration Project

1,706,250.00

Westmeath County Council

Athlone Tourism Cultural Quarter

750,000.00

Westmeath County Council

Blackhall, Mullingar

2,452,500.00

Westmeath County Council

Athlone Town Centre Regeneration and Enhancement

750,000.00

Wexford County Council

Trinity Wharf Project

2,028,000.00

Wicklow County Council

Bray Public Transport Bridge

6,450,000.00

Wicklow County Council

Arklow Historic Town Core

2,351,013.00

Wicklow County Council

Wicklow Town

4,627,409.00

University of Limerick

Digital District (Inner City Digital Hub)

750,000.00

Trinity College Dublin

Campus at Grand Canal Quay (Public Realm Re-use)

1,500,000.00

Port of Cork

Tivoli Docks

1,312,500.00

Irish Rail

Kent Station Yard (Site enabling)

750,000.00

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

No. 11 Parnell Square

3,862,500.00

National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)

Nuns Island Masterplanning

236,000.00

Galway Harbour Company

Regeneration of Galway City Inner Harbour

285,000.00

Total

€199,736,417

Call 2 of the URDF was launched in January this year, and 76 proposals were received by the closing date of 29th May, with every local authority submitting at least one application for URDF support. Because of the nature of the URDF programme the proposals are very complex, and each will require detailed assessment.

As this deliberative assessment process is still ongoing it would not be appropriate to provide detailed information on Call 2 proposals at this time.

It is intended that a new tranche of approved proposals, which will augment the existing pipeline of projects from Call 1 and contribute to the achievement of Programme for Government commitments and the objectives of the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040, will be announced later in the year.

Home Loan Scheme

Questions (86)

Thomas Gould

Question:

86. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the appeals process in the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme. [28969/20]

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Written answers

The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is a Government-backed mortgage for first-time buyers and has been made available nationwide from local authorities from 1 February 2018.

The final decision on loan approval is a matter for each local authority and its Credit Committee on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the statutory credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure consistency of treatment for all applicants.

Loan applicants who are dissatisfied with a loan application decision of a local authority Credit Committee may appeal that decision to the local authority. Details of the appeals process can be obtained from the relevant local authority.

Derelict Sites

Questions (87)

David Stanton

Question:

87. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to put in place incentives to return to use, unused buildings and shops in towns and villages; his further plans to deal with dereliction in urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28994/20]

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Written answers

A number of actions have been taken in recent years, to address vacancy and dereliction in our towns and cities. A core principle of the Project Ireland 2040 and the National Planning Framework (NPF), published in 2018, is the promotion of compact urban growth and the re-use of brownfield sites.

The NPF includes specific objectives to regenerate cities, towns and villages of all types and scale, and in particular to reverse the stagnation or decline of many smaller urban centres, including measure to reduce vacancy, re-use existing buildings and promote infill and area or site-based regeneration.

The important roles of our towns and villages, is reflected in the Programme for Government with the proposed development of a “Town Centre First” policy. Similarly, the Programme for Government commits to the development of the cities of Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway as viable alternatives to Dublin using Project Ireland 2040, to help regional towns prosper. The Programme for Government notes the importance of balanced regional development in reducing environmental pressures and keeping our smaller urban centres vibrant.

Local authorities have already been provided with a number of powers and measures to deal with the issue of vacancy and dereliction of in our urban centres. There also exists a framework of overarching policy and capital funding which provides support to development, including urban regeneration.

From a legislative perspective, this includes,

- the Derelict Sites Act 1990, which imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site;

- the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2018, which came into operation on 8 February 2018, and provides for an exemption from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of the change of use of certain vacant commercial premises, including vacant areas above ground floor premises, to residential use;

- the vacant site levy provisions in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, under which planning authorities were empowered to apply a vacant site levy of 3% of the market valuation of relevant properties which were listed on local authority vacant site registers in 2018, which relevant owners were liable to pay in January 2019. The rate of the levy increased to 7% for sites listed on local authority vacant sites register from 2019 onwards which site owners became liable to pay in January 2020; and

- local authorities also have compulsory purchase order powers which can be used in certain circumstances to address these issues.

From a funding perspective, significant resourcing is being provided to enhance the urban environment of our cities, towns and villages through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund established under Project Ireland 2040. The URDF, which is the fund operated by my Department, was launched in 2018 and has an overall provision of €2 billion to 2027. The URDF was established to support applicant-led projects that will contribute to regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the NPF and the NDP. This will be done by supporting proposals that contribute to the re-development of key brownfield areas, including areas containing derelict sites and buildings, both by enabling infrastructure and new master-planned development proposals. 88 projects across the breadth of the country have been approved for URDF support thus far. A second call for proposals was launched in January of this year. The closing date for applications was 29 May 2020 and these applications are now being assessed.

Under the National Vacant Home Reuse Strategy 2018-21 my Department has, since 2018, provided financial assistance to each local authority to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office. Each such office is tasked to support, implement and further develop, update, monitor and review the progress of local authorities’ Vacant Homes Action Plans and actions to address vacant private housing. In addition, two schemes, the Repair and Lease and the Buy and Renew Schemes, were introduced to assist in bringing vacant stock back into use.

Housing Provision

Questions (88)

Pa Daly

Question:

88. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider developing operational guidelines on habitual residence, similar to those used by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (details supplied) and for these to be applied consistently by all local government authorities in deciding on access to housing lists, emergency accommodation and homeless services [29057/20]

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Written answers

Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

As social housing support is intended to address a household’s long-term housing need it is expected that any household applying for such support should have a long-term right to reside in the State. My Department is currently conducting a review in this area. As part of that review, my Department has considered the approach taken by the Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection to habitual residence. The review has not been finalised yet.

In relation to homeless services, under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.

Tenancy Protection Scheme

Questions (89)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

89. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to bring forward legislation for tenancies on indefinite duration as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29058/20]

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Written answers

The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2019 provide that where a tenant has been in occupation of a dwelling for a continuous period of 6 months, with no valid notice of termination having been served during that time, a 'Part 4 tenancy' is established to cover the next 5 years and 6 months.

Section 34 of the 2004 Act provides that a landlord must state a reason for the termination in any tenancy termination notice served, in accordance with the grounds for terminations set out in the table to that section. A Part 4 tenancy may be terminated by a landlord or tenant, without reason, at the end of its term.

A number of measures have been introduced in recent years with the objective of improving security of tenure for tenants. The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 extended the term of Part 4 tenancies from 4 to 6 years, for tenancies commencing on or after 24 December 2016 as part of a transition to tenancies of indefinite duration.

The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 enhances further the security of tenure for tenants by significantly extending the duration of tenancy termination notice periods; for example, a minimum of 180 days (approx. 6 months) notice must be provided by landlords who terminate a tenancy of between 3 and 7 years’ duration. In addition, further measures have been introduced to enhance and enforce tenancy termination provisions, including the application of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB)'s new investigation and sanctioning regime to improper conduct by a landlord who contravenes the tenancy termination provisions.

The Programme for Government - 'Our Shared Future', commits to improve the security of tenure for tenants, through legislating for tenancies of indefinite duration, increasing RTB enforcement and examining incentives for long-term leasing.

Subject to legal advices, I expect the General Scheme of the Housing and Residential Tenancies Bill to be submitted to Government in the coming months for approval to proceed to legal drafting. A provision relating to tenancies of indefinite duration is being considered in this context.

Residential Tenancies Board

Questions (90)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

90. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that will be implemented to increase Residential Tenancies Board inspections and enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29059/20]

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Written answers

One the main roles of the RTB is to increase compliance across all of its regulatory functions. A core part of protecting the rights of landlords and tenants and supporting a well-functioning rental sector is to ensure that people are aware of their legal obligations to avoid disputes and where they arise, that there is an effective Dispute Resolution Service and robust enforcement powers.

On 1 July 2019, the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended) expanded the regulatory role of the RTB. Since July 2019, the RTB can proactively monitor the rental sector and investigate and sanction landlords who engage in certain breaches of rental law, defined as Improper Conduct. An important aspect of this regulatory role is that the RTB can commence investigations both on information received from members of the public as well as by using open source data and data available to the RTB, as outlined in the legislation. If a landlord is found to have committed a breach, a sanction can be applied ranging from a formal written caution to a fine of up to €15,000 and/or costs of up to €15,000.

An Investigations and Sanctions Unit (I&S) was established within the RTB to enable the organisation to undertake this critical new function by identifying and investigating potential breaches of rental law.

The breaches of rental law that the I&S unit can investigate include; failure to comply with RPZ requirements; failure to register a tenancy; a reason given on a notice of termination that is known to be false or misleading; and failure to offer a tenant their tenancy back when certain conditions have been met.

Sanctions can range from a written caution to a fine of up €15,000 and €15,000 in costs.

Since 2019 to Q2 2020, 191 investigations have commenced on information identified by the I&S Unit using data available to the RTB under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended). The focus for the remainder of 2020 is to conclude the cases commenced in 2019 and the first half of 2020 and progress them for decision by the RTB Sanctions Decision Makers and subsequent Circuit Court Confirmation of sanctions. The RTB will publish all sanctions confirmed by the Circuit Court as part of its stakeholder engagement strategy to promote the impact of the new Investigations and Sanctions function and encourage compliance with rental law.

The RTB will also continue to commence new investigations with priority on investigating allegations of improper conduct raised by members of the public and other government agencies through concerns and formal written complaints.

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 in relation to the matters raised.

Social and Affordable Housing

Questions (91)

Richard Bruton

Question:

91. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the means tests that applied to determine eligibility for social housing schemes; and if he recognises a gap between this income level and the threshold of income that would be needed to participate in the various other purchase schemes which might justify a rise in the social housing income thresholds. [29164/20]

View answer

Written answers

Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas.

Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Pension-Related Deductions within the meaning of Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.

The income bands are expressed in terms of a maximum net income threshold for a single-person household, with an allowance of 5% for each additional adult household member, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%; and 2.5% for each child, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10%.

The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. It is important to note that the limits introduced at that time also reflected a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.

Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources.

However, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is underway. The review will also have regard to current initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and cost rental and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.

The Government is committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society, and this is reflected in the Programme for Government "Our Shared Future". The Programme commits to putting affordability at the heart of the housing system through the progression of State-backed affordable housing.

The current arrangements in relation to affordable purchase including eligibility criteria are set out in Part 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 2009. Under the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF), €310 million funding has been made available to local authorities to provide infrastructure to support the delivery of more affordable new homes on local authority lands. With a maximum of €50,000 infrastructure funding available per home, at least 6,200 more affordable homes, to buy or rent, can be facilitated. The funding support provided allows local authorities that have identified affordability challenges in their area to make homes available on their lands at more competitive prices. To date, of the total Serviced Sites funding available, €127 million has been approved in principle in support of 35 projects in 14 local authority areas, which will assist in the delivery of almost 3,200 affordable homes. It is anticipated that a further SSF call to local authorities will be made later this year.

In relation to the rental sector, the Programme for Government commits to improving security and affordability for renters. To achieve this, the Department is developing a Cost Rental model for housing that creates affordability for tenants and a sustainable model for construction and management of homes. Cost Rental is housing where the rents charged only cover the cost of delivering, managing, and maintaining the homes. It is intended for a target cohort of households with incomes above the limits for social housing provision, who are currently facing inflated rent levels in the private sector. Cost Rental is not intended to replace or overlap with social housing, which remains a priority for this Government. The precise eligibility conditions for Cost Rental are being developed and will be set in advance of the completion of the first Cost Rental projects.There are a further two supports that may be of assistance to households to purchase their own home. The first is the Help to Buy (HTB) incentive is a scheme for first-time property buyers which may help with the deposit needed to buy or build a new house or apartment. Secondly there is the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. Following a review of the two existing local authority home loan schemes, the House Purchase Loan and the Home Choice Loan, a new loan offering was introduced, from 1 February 2018, known as the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. The loan enables credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range. Single applicants for the loan must not be earning greater than €50,000 gross per annum. The combined income of joint applicants must not be greater than €75,000 per annum. There are no set minimum income limits; however, applicants do need to have sufficient borrowing and repayment capacity and must be capable of repaying the mortgage in accordance with the statutory credit policy underpinning the loan. These income limits are unchanged from the previous local authority loan offerings.

In relation to affordable housing generally, I will outline detailed plans during the Autumn, informed by the Budget 2021 process.

Social and Affordable Housing

Questions (92)

Richard Bruton

Question:

92. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans issuing guidelines on the eligible income thresholds and other national criteria for affordable purchase and for cost rental schemes in respect of which many councils have already set the other criteria for prioritising applicants. [29165/20]

View answer

Written answers

This Government is committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society, and this is reflected in the Programme for Government "Our Shared Future". The Programme commits to putting affordability at the heart of the housing system through the progression of State-backed affordable housing.

Part of the Government's fulfilment of this commitment is the implementation of Cost Rental housing in Ireland. Cost Rental is intended for a target cohort of households with incomes above the limits for social housing provision, who are currently facing inflated rent levels in the private sector. Cost Rental is not intended to replace or overlap with traditional social housing, which remains a priority for this Government. The precise eligibility conditions for Cost Rental are being developed and will be set in advance of the completion of the first Cost Rental projects.

Concerning affordable purchase, in advance of finalising the remaining Regulations required to make the local authority led Affordable Purchase Dwelling Arrangements fully operational and before the first affordable homes come on stream in early 2021, I have instructed my officials to review the provisions to ensure they remain fit for purpose. The current arrangements for this scheme are set out in Part 5 of the Housing Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2009, which contains provisions in relation to eligibility (including the income grounds) and the order of priority under which affordable dwellings to be made available by or through local authorities.

In terms of affordable housing more generally, I will outline my detailed plans in the near future, taking account of progress to date under the SSF and the input of key delivery partners.

Social and Affordable Housing

Questions (93, 94)

Richard Bruton

Question:

93. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to make changes in the limits on the price of the house on which an affordable loan can be obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29167/20]

View answer

Richard Bruton

Question:

94. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the present rate of interest which is charged on an affordable loan; what this represents in monthly payments per €1,000 borrowed on a 25 and 30 year mortgage; if there are additional charges added for insurance and so on; and if he anticipates the potential for the reduction in these charges in the coming months. [29168/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.

The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is the only government-backed loan product currently available.

It was introduced following a review of the two existing local authority home loan schemes, the House Purchase Loan and the Home Choice Loan, from 1 February 2018. The loan enables credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range.

The purchase or self-build of a property must not exceed the maximum market value applicable for the county in which it is located:

- €320,000 maximum purchase price for properties in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow (maximum loan amount of €288,000);

- €250,000 maximum purchase price for the rest of the country (maximum loan amount of €225,000)

Initially, interest rates were set at a fixed rate for terms up to 25 years of 2.0%; fixed rate for terms up to 30 years of 2.25%; and variable rate for terms up to 30 years of 2.3%. On 15th August 2019, the variable interest rate option was discontinued - it had accounted for less than 1% of RIHL drawdowns. On 15th January 2020 revised interest rates were set; loans with terms of up to 25 years have a fixed interest rate of 2.745%; and loans with terms of up to 30 years have a fixed interest rate of 2.995%. Per €1,000 borrowed on a 25 and 30 year mortgage, the monthly interest charges are €2.29 and €2.50 respectively.

In addition there is a requirement to take out Local Authority Mortgage Protection Insurance, which costs 0.555%. Therefore, the overall cost of RIHL loans are 3.3% and 3.55% for 25 year and 30 year loans respectively.

The local authority MPI is a group scheme and is designed to provide an appropriate level of insurance cover to those who wish to avail of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. It offers a number of additional features over and above the standard MPI products available on the market. Standard MPI products are individually priced, based on a member’s age, amongst other factors, whereas the local authority MPI scheme is a group arrangement, offering a single group rate per €1,000 sum assured to all participants in the scheme.

The scheme also provides other benefits over standard MPI products. These include the payment of mortgage repayments if there is a valid claim as a result of disability; an additional payment of €3,000 in the event of a member’s death, separate to life cover; and members are also covered for death up to age 75 rather than 65 as is the case under standard MPI cover.

There are currently no plans to change the parameters of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans at this time.

Planning Guidelines

Questions (95)

Richard Bruton

Question:

95. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he plans to implement to speed up the planning delays affecting the development of onshore and offshore renewable energy; and if a clear schedule for specific changes to regulations concerning solar, wind and offshore development will be provided. [29184/20]

View answer

Written answers

With regard to onshore renewable energy, my Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines in line with the “preferred draft approach” which was announced in June 2017 by the then Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, in conjunction with the then Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including sound or noise, visual amenity setback distances, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.

As part of the overall review process, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being undertaken on the revised Guidelines before they come into effect, in accordance with the requirements of European Union Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, otherwise known as the SEA Directive. SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development consent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process.

As part of the SEA process, the previous Minister launched a ten-week public consultation on the draft revised Wind Energy Development Guidelines on 12 December 2019. The documents prepared for consultation are available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/guidelines/wind-energy/public-consultation-revised-wind-energy-development-guidelines.

The consultation closed on 19 February 2020. Almost 500 submissions were received as part of the public consultation, many of which are extremely detailed and technical in nature. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is currently analysing the submissions received.

Finalised Guidelines will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase, and the conclusion of the SEA process. The Department, in consultation with DECC, is endeavouring to finalise and publish the revised Guidelines by end Q4 2020, as per the Climate Action Plan and the new Programme for Government.

When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála, must have regard to guidelines issued under section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.

As part of the Climate Action Plan 2019, my Department is also currently undertaking a review of the solar panel exemptions, and is actively engaging with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment as well as other key stakeholders. This review is now largely complete. One of the key considerations of the review is to ensure that solar panels can be erected - subject to certain siting and size conditions - without the need to obtain planning permission, to facilitate the generation of energy for self-consumption. Included in this review is the potential for extending the solar panel exemptions to educational and community buildings.

The main outstanding issue that remains to be addressed in the current review is the potential for "glint and glare" impacts for aircraft and the need to ensure that they do not result in any real or potential threat to aviation safety. Accordingly, my Department is presently engaging with the DECC as well as the Irish Aviation Authority, in order to find a safe and workable solution in relation to this particular aspect of the review. It is intended that work on this outstanding issue will be completed in the coming months.

As required under planning legislation, any such proposed exempted development regulations must be laid in draft form before the Houses of the Oireachtas and receive a positive resolution from both Houses before they can be made.

With regard to offshore renewable energy projects, the Marine Planning and Development Management (MPDM) Bill is a hugely significant measure which is currently in train and is aimed at providing the legislative basis for Ireland's new marine planning regime. This is a transformational piece of legislation in terms of the maritime sector which deals with a number of complex and cross-departmental issues and the finalised General Scheme of the Bill was published in January this year.

The Programme for Government (PfG) commits the Government to prioritising the passage of a balanced and Aarhus compliant Marine Planning and Development Management Bill through the Oireachtas. Specifically, the PfG accords cross-Government priority to the drafting of the Bill, with the aim of enactment within nine months.Further policy work is continuing on the development of certain aspects of the proposed regime and intensive engagements in that regard are ongoing with the DECC, who are leading the development of the provisions in the Bill specific to Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE).

In addition to the policy development work, my Department is continuing to engage with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, other Departments and agencies on the drafting of the legal text.

In relation to the management of marine developments, including ORE, my Department is developing the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) - Ireland’s first national marine spatial plan. The NMPF is the product of extensive and constructive work across Government, with the Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications contributing substantially, alongside a wide range of stakeholders. The NMPF sets out objectives and policies that will direct activities in Ireland’s maritime area over the next 20 years and provides increased certainty to all involved with marine development.

The Framework will articulate important elements of the Programme for Government pertaining to renewable energy including a commitment to achieving 5GW capacity in offshore wind by 2030 off Ireland’s Eastern and Southern coasts. The NMPF will be a consideration for all decision making related to Ireland’s maritime area. Recognising that a plan-led approach represents a substantial change in marine management in Ireland, my Department is, alongside the NMPF, developing a public-facing digital tool that will support plan implementation including a digital map that will increase transparency of the various activities in Ireland’s waters.

Following publication of the final NMPF in 2021, my Department will then work with others in Government as well as relevant stakeholders to produce statutory marine planning guidelines and it is intended that the first two sets of guidelines will focus on ORE and Development Management.

The legislative basis of the NMPF was set out in Part 5 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018. Those provisions will be restated in the MPDM legislation, augmented by additional provisions to maximise clarity and coherence.

Question No. 96 answered with Question No. 84.

Planning Issues

Questions (97)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

97. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the wake of the demolition of O’Rahilly house, if he will convene a multi-agency taskforce, including local authorities, and all relevant State agencies, to try to identify any properties, sites or structures of cultural or historical significance that currently do not have protection from demolition and or alteration with a view to protecting them into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29199/20]

View answer

Written answers

I am aware of concerns in relation to the matter raised. This matter is now, I understand, the subject of a planning enforcement action and legal proceedings by Dublin City Council, and I am precluded from further comment on it at this juncture.

With regard to the safeguarding of protected structures, Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect architectural heritage by including particular structures on their respective Records of Protected Structures (RPS). Inclusion on the RPS places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with any development proposals affecting them.

Wildlife Control

Questions (98)

Michael Creed

Question:

98. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a licence will issue to a person (details supplied). [29204/20]

View answer

Written answers

All licenses issued for the 2019/2020 deer hunting season automatically expired on 31 July last in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife Acts.

My Department can not locate any record of an application from the person in question in respect of the current 2020/2021 season.

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