Written Answers Nos. 139-156
139. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will direct county councils containing Gaeltacht areas to prohibit the building of housing estates for English speakers in areas in which Irish is a community language, that is, areas designated A and B (details supplied) of a study pursuant to section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30459/20]
View answer140. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will direct that each application for planning permission affecting land in the Gaeltacht be accompanied by a linguistic impact assessment prepared by an independent expert in sociolinguistics, language planning or both that must objectively prove that the proposed development will increase the use of Irish relative to English locally as provided for by regulation under section 33(3)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30460/20]
View answer141. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will direct that persons who establish by means of assessment under a university’s objective (details supplied) a B2 level of fluency in spoken Irish be deemed to have local housing needs for the purpose of a planning permission application and that this be the sole measure of language ability used, pursuant to section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30461/20]
View answer142. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will direct that the percentage of holiday homes in an electoral division within a Gaeltacht area not exceed 10% of the housing stock of that electoral division and in cases in which it does exceed 10% that planning permission applications that would increase the number of holiday home there be refused, pursuant to section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30462/20]
View answer175. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that local authorities are compliant with the statutory imperative pursuant to a section of an Act (details supplied) that county development plans for counties containing a Gaeltacht area must include objectives for the promotion of Irish as the community language of the Gaeltacht; if this objective is assessed; if so, the way in which it is assessed; the results of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30285/20]
View answer176. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to direct local authorities containing Gaeltacht areas to prohibit the building of housing estates in areas in which Irish is a community language, that is, areas designated A and B in a study pursuant to a section of an Act (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30286/20]
View answer177. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to provide by regulation under a section of an Act (details supplied) that each planning application for planning permission affecting land in the Gaeltacht be accompanied by a linguistic impact assessment prepared by an independent expert in sociolinguistics, language planning or both that must objectively prove that the proposed development will increase the use of Irish relative to English locally; his views in respect of the assertion that the use of letters of support by current or former elected representatives for assessment by planning consultants with no language planning qualifications are insufficient and unsatisfactory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30287/20]
View answer178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans pursuant to section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to direct that in the case of a person with long-established links to a part of an electoral division within a Gaeltacht area, the linguistic impact assessment not be determinative for a one-off house on land in that electoral division to which that person has had the freehold title for over five years, but that planning permission granted contain a condition to prevent the occupation of the house by non-Irish speaking household other than the person to whom permission was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30288/20]
View answer179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans pursuant to section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to direct that persons who establish by means of assessment under the objective of a university a B2 level of fluency in spoken Irish be deemed to have local housing needs for the purpose of a planning permission application in a Gaeltacht area and that this be the sole measure of language ability used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30289/20]
View answer180. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans pursuant to section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to direct that the percentage of holiday homes in an electoral division within a Gaeltacht area not exceed 10% of the housing stock of that electoral division and in cases in which it does exceed 10%, that planning permission applications that would increase the number of holiday homes be refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30290/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 to 142, inclusive, and Nos. 175 to 180, inclusive, together.
The ongoing implementation of the language planning process has a statutory footing under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, which is the primary driver in support of the commitment to the achievement of the objectives set out in the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 to 2030.
This is recognised in the National Planning Framework (NPF), which refers to the preparation and implementation of language plans at community level. Objective 29 of the NPF “supports the implementation of language plans in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks”.
Separately, the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, sets out mandatory objectives for local authorities, which must be addressed in the drafting of their County Development Plan governing local development policies. Section 10(2) of the Planning and Development Act includes a requirement that, where there is a Gaeltacht area within the planning authority’s territory, the development plan must include provisions and objectives for “the protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht including the promotion of Irish as the community language”.
To provide further guidance in preparing appropriate policies, my Department produced ‘Development Plans, Guidelines for Planning Authorities’, to address this mandatory objective of the Planning and Development Act. These guidelines refer to linguistic and cultural heritage and the needs of the community in land-use terms for housing, community facilities, employment, tourism and design, including advertising and signage.
Individual development plans may also oblige applicants for planning permission to submit certain particulars or information to accompany development proposals in Gaeltacht areas, such as assessments of the linguistic impact of the proposed development, in order for it to be assessed against relevant policies of the development plan.
Since April 2019, the assessment of all local authority development plans and local area plans is undertaken by the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR). The oversight role of the OPR includes ensuring consistency with relevant national or regional policies, including those set out in the NPF and addressing all relevant mandatory objectives for County Development Plans set out in the Planning and Development Act, including the provision of Gaeltacht-specific objectives, where required.
This statutory functions of the OPR may ultimately include a recommendation to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to direct a planning authority to amend or revoke a statutory plan, under procedures set out in Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Such circumstances include where local authorities fail to adopt policies that reflect the overall national policy position or are in breach of the statutory requirements under Section 10 of the Act.
With respect to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála may be concerned, i.e. consideration of any planning application, I am subject to limitation in exercising any power or control, which includes commenting or making statements, under Section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. This includes the competence, or otherwise, of individuals to prepare relevant documentation or plans as part of a planning process.
However, I can advise that a planning authority must notify the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (currently the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts , Gaeltacht, Sports and Media) and Údarás na Gaeltachta, to invite their views in relation to planning applications for developments which, in the opinion of the authority “might materially affect the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht, including the promotion of Irish as the community language” in accordance with Article 28 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended).
Compliance with these Regulations, including assessment of the suitability of submitted information/ plans, is a matter for the relevant local authorities, in pursuance of their functions as planning authorities. The decision to grant or refuse planning permission in such cases, and to assign conditions to a grant of planning permission, is ultimately a matter for the relevant planning authority or An Bord Pleanála. This includes development proposals such as housing estates or holiday homes.
I am of the view that considering the unique spatial and linguistic circumstances relating to each of our Gaeltacht areas, with local variation between communities and the contexts in which the Irish Language is spoken, that the relevant planning authorities are best placed to implement the framework of legislation, policy and guidance as set out above. I am also satisfied that there are appropriate planning oversight mechanisms and safeguards in place, which include the Office of the Planning Regulator and An Bord Pleanála.
However, a number of Irish language groups, including Conradh na Gaeilge, have raised these matters with me and I have recently undertaken to meet with Conradh na Gaeilge to discuss this more generally in the coming weeks.
143. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 333 of 15 September 2020, in respect of the national coastal change management strategy steering group, if the steering group will welcome direct testimony (details supplied) from residents of coastal areas; if persons who have lost their homes and properties to coastal erosion and flooding or are at immediate risk from it will be allowed to address the steering group; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29632/20]
View answerAs set out in to Parliamentary Question No. 333 of 15 September 2020 referenced by the Deputy, the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the Office of Public Works (OPW). The work of this high-level Inter-Departmental Group is to carry out an initial scoping exercise to examine how best to approach the development of an integrated, whole of Government coastal change management strategy, and to report to Government within six months with initial findings and recommendations.
The Deputy will note from the previous reply that there are a significant and complex range of issues to be considered in a relatively short timeframe. It is, however, a necessary first step to ensure the Government is as fully informed as possible in order to develop a comprehensive and robust coastal management strategy that will ultimately form part of a wider integrated framework to address the significant challenges of coastal erosion and related matters. Given the nature and scope of the work of the Steering Group, it would be premature to invite direct public input at this stage.
More generally, coming from a constituency affected by the coastal erosion issue, I am very aware of the potential impacts and urgency of the situation faced by residents of coastal areas, and I look forward to working with the Group and progressing its findings through Government.
144. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if persons on the HAP or RAS schemes are entitled to be placed on the transfer list; the location of the relevant document in which this entitlement is recorded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29650/20]
View answerConsistent with the provisions in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is considered to be a social housing support and consequently households in receipt of a payment under the scheme are not eligible to remain on the main housing waiting list. However, acknowledging that some households on the waiting list, who avail of HAP, have expectations that they would receive a more traditional form of social housing support, Ministerial directions have issued to ensure that, should they so choose, HAP recipients can avail of a move to other forms of social housing support through a transfer list. Furthermore, local authorities were also directed that HAP recipients who apply to go on the transfer list should get full credit for the time they spent on the waiting list and be placed on the transfer list with no less favourable terms than if they had remained on the waiting list.
The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 gives legislative recognition to rental accommodation availability agreements, which underpin the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), as a form of social housing support. Consequently, since 1 April 2011, RAS tenants are now considered to be in receipt of social housing support and should not generally remain on main housing waiting lists for new applicants for social housing.Recognising that tenants housed through RAS prior to this change might have had reasonable expectations in regard to retaining access to traditional local authority rented accommodation, guidance issued from the Housing Agency in 2011 recommended that there should be a special transfer pathway for pre-2011 RAS tenants to other forms of social housing support. The arrangement effectively allowed these households to be designated as a ‘transfer’ applicant and to maintain their position for allocation as they had on the main waiting list.
All tenants allocated RAS accommodation post 1 April 2011 (and thus under the provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009) were informed at the time of offer and allocation that because RAS is now a social housing support, their housing need is met and that they will no longer remain on the main social housing waiting list. However, it is recommended that allocation schemes also provide a ‘transfer pathway’ for new RAS tenants, whereby households in RAS have access to the transfer list in the same way as tenants in local authority accommodation.
Where a vacant property arises, it is a matter for individual housing authorities, in accordance with their allocation schemes, to determine whether the allocation is made to a household on the main waiting list, or to a transfer applicant, such as a household from RAS, and the method of such allocation. It is open to housing authorities to specify in their allocation schemes the proportion of allocations which will be reserved for transfers, and within this, how many may be reserved for households seeking transfers to other forms of social housing support.
The oversight and management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations.Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, requires all local authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.
145. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider amending the current legislation, regulations or both in view of the current number of persons working at home and the policy regarding remote working to make provision for backyard offices to be allowed in houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29670/20]
View answerA wide range of exemptions from planning permission are already provided for under Section 4 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, (the Act) and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, (the Regulations). Such exemptions are provided for when they are considered to be consistent with proper planning and sustainable development.
Under Class 1 of Schedule 2 of the Regulations, an extension to an existing house up to a limit of 40 square metres is exempted development, with additional conditions and limitations set out in the Regulations.
Class 3 of Schedule 2 of the Regulations provides for a further exemption in respect of the construction, erection or placing within the curtilage of a house of any tent, awning, shade or other object, greenhouse, garage, store, shed or other similar structure. Similarly, this exemption is also subject to conditions and limitations as set out in the Regulations, including that it should be for the sole purpose of being incidental to the enjoyment of the house.
It should be noted that the exemptions outlined are for the sole use of the home owner and not, for example, for the purpose of facilitating the establishment of a commercial enterprise. Such development would be classed as a material change of use - i.e. a change of use of a property from residential use to commercial use - and would therefore require planning permission. An application for such permission provides an opportunity for members of the public to make submissions or observations in respect of the proposed development while also providing the planning authority with the opportunity to consider a range of potential impacts of, such as increased traffic, in the area that may result from any such proposed change of use.
If a person wishes to establish whether or not planning permission is required for a specific development proposal, they can seek a declaration from their local authority under Section 5 of the Act.
The exemptions provided for in the Regulations are kept under regular review and I have no plans to amend them at this time.
146. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to commence housing construction on the glass bottle site at Ringsend, Dublin 4. [29673/20]
View answer147. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the issues that led to an agreement not being agreed between Dublin City Council and his Department regarding a site (details supplied); if he has re-engaged with Dublin City Council to resolve the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29694/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.
The regeneration of Poolbeg West is the next important step in transforming the Docklands area, given its strategic location east of Grand Canal Dock, with close proximity to important bridge connections to Dublin Port and North Lotts.
The extent of vacant brownfield land available at Poolbeg West is significant, at 34 hectares. The residential potential within the available lands is for a maximum of 3,500 additional residential units at a gross residential density of up to 238 units per hectare on lands over 14.7 hectares to the south of South Bank Road. This estimated housing yield would be sufficient to support a residential population of approximately 8,000 people and, therefore, would make a significant contribution to the city’s housing needs.
It should be noted that NAMA as the responsible agency retains responsibility regarding a decision to proceed with the competitive process. NAMA has confirmed the competitive process adopted was designed to achieve best financial return in line with the requirements of the NAMA Act and facilitate delivery of much needed housing in Dublin.
In relation to the wider activation of these lands, I understand that in July last the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) has named a consortium of Ronan Group Real Estate (RGRE) and Colony Capital (Colony) as the Preferred Bidder to acquire the 80% shareholding. NAMA will retain a 20% shareholding.
I also understand that there is a condition of the planning scheme, as modified by An Bord Pleanála on 9 April 2019, for the provision of 15% social and affordable homes on this site, which is in addition to the 10% statutory under Part V arrangements still stands and is applicable.
As NAMA progresses this site, my Department remains ready to work with Dublin City Council, any relevant Approved Housing Bodies and the receiver and/or developers of the SDZ area to progress this site, subject to agreement on all the normal and relevant terms, including value for money aspects.
148. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the price range of homes to be available under the affordable housing scheme for first-time buyers; if a 10% deposit will be required by applicants; if a grant or targeted financial supports will be available for applicants as part of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29722/20]
View answerThe statutory basis for the delivery of affordable housing for purchase in the State is Part 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which was commenced in June 2018.
Where an affordability challenge has been identified by a local authority together with a viability to deliver more affordable homes, the Serviced Sites Fund is available to sub-vent the cost of facilitating infrastructure to a maximum amount of €50,000 per home. By leveraging the value of this funding and that of their land, local authorities can then develop homes and make them available to purchase or rent at below open market values.
To date, a total funding of €127 million from overall SSF of €310 million has been approved in principle to provide infrastructural work that will support 35 projects in 14 local authorities, and facilitate the delivery of in the region of 3,200 more affordable homes
The ultimate selling prices of affordable homes will obviously be influenced by a number of factors which will vary significantly from development to development. This includes the overall development cost of each particular project, the housing type/tenure mix involved, and the local housing market.
Given that in the majority of cases the detailed design, planning and construction procurement processes have yet to be completed and as the open market value of homes cannot be ascertained until the homes are made available at the time of sale, it is not possible to confirm the ultimate final cost reduced purchase price in advance. However, I can confirm that applications for SSF funding were made by local authorities on the basis of being able to deliver homes for sale at discounts of between 10% and a maximum of 40% below open market prices.
Under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009 a charge will be placed on the property equal to the percentage discount from open market value, giving the housing authority an equity stake in the property.
A 10% deposit will be required from the purchaser whether he or she obtains a mortgage from a bank/financial institution or a Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan. To this end, the prospective purchaser may be eligible for Help to Buy (HTB) which helps with the deposit required to buy or build a new house or apartment as their home. It gives a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid by the applicant in Ireland over the previous four years. The amount that can be claimed is the lesser of:
- €20,000 (increased to €30,000 for enhanced relief);
- 5% of the purchase price of a new home. For self-builds this is 5% of the completion value of the property. (This is increased to 10% for enhanced relief);
- the amount of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid for the four years before purchase or self-build.
A temporary enhancement to the existing HTB scheme for the remainder of 2020 was announced in the July Stimulus plan. The enhanced HTB relief provides that where applicants satisfy certain conditions, increased relief is available up to a maximum of €30,000.
149. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter in respect of a location (details supplied). [29731/20]
View answerUnder the Housing (Private Water Supply Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020, the grant scheme to support improvement works for a private water supply has been revised. This revised scheme forms part of the funding investment under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019 to 2021.
The scheme supports improvement works to a private water supply where, in the opinion of the local authority, the water supply is not wholesome and clean, or the quantity of water supplied is insufficient to meet the domestic needs of the household.
The revised scheme provides for:
- A maximum grant for rehabilitation works of €3,000;
- A maximum grant of €5,000, in cases where the local authority agrees that the most appropriate solution is to provide a new well.
The maximum percentage of approved costs was increased from 75% to 85%, subject to the total maximum costs of either €3,000 for well rehabilitation or €5,000 for a new well.
Recognising the role of the grant in improving quality, the water quality treatment element (typically filtration and UV treatment) will qualify for 100% funding up to a maximum of €1,000.
Details of the Terms and Conditions for the scheme be found on the Department’s website here.
This scheme is administered by local authorities on behalf of my Department and all queries, including queries on eligibility, should be directed to the relevant local authority.
150. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the reviews of income limits for social housing by local authorities will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29751/20]
View answerApplications 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.
151. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the refurbishment of a fire station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29763/20]
View answerThe provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
In February 2016, my Department announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on an annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres.
The Cappamore Station Project is included under the 2016 – 2020 Capital Programme. In order to maximise the Capital Programme funding available, my Department re-assesses the status of projects in the capital programme on an annual basis and priority may be adjusted to bring forward more advanced projects offering best value-for-money taking account of the state of readiness of projects in the programme more generally.
In 2017, my Department approved a new drill tower at Cappamore fire station for which Limerick City and County Council was reimbursed just under €52,000. My Department has received an outline design and cost proposal from the Council for redevelopment of the fire station at Cappamore. Approval in principle for this project issued last week, along with approval to for the Council to tender for design services. On receipt of detailed specifications and drawings, my Department will continue working with the Council to progress this project.
152. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason affected homeowners in County Donegal have to pay 10% of the costs of making their homes safe under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme and cover the full costs of relocation and storage during construction (details supplied); and if his attention has been drawn to the financial barriers for the affected families in County Donegal. [29764/20]
View answerIn relation to the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, Regulations under Sections 2 and 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1979 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, entitled Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 25 of 2020).
The Regulations, which provide the legal framework for the grant scheme of financial assistance, came into operation on 31 January 2020. The scheme is targeted at assisting a group of homeowners who have no other practicable options to access redress for their home.
The Scheme outlines five remedial options ranging from rebuilding on existing foundations to replacing of external walls. The maximum approved costs per dwelling under the scheme are significant and range from €55,000 to €275,000 depending on the remedial option. A grant of 90% of the approved costs associated with the necessary remediation works, subject to a maximum for each remedial option, or 90% of the actual cost of the remedial works, whichever is the lesser, is available under the scheme. This is in line with how similar Government grant schemes operate or have operated in the past, where an applicant contribution to the costs is a key requirement.
Temporary removal and storage of furniture and contents is an allowable cost under the scheme. However, the recoupment of costs relating to temporary accommodation, service connections or utilities are not allowable.
153. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual funding drawn down by Limerick city and county councils for regeneration projects in each of the years 2014 to 2019, inclusive, and to date in 2020. [29777/20]
View answer154. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projects that are included in the Limerick regeneration plan for 2020; and the funding he plans to provide to the projects. [29778/20]
View answer155. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a list of regeneration projects and associated costs in Limerick city and county in 2019 and to date in 2020 will be provided. [29779/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 to 155, inclusive, together.
The Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan (LRFIP) provides the roadmap for the regeneration of four large and significant residential areas within Limerick City over the coming years, integrating measures relating to the physical, social and economic environment. Good progress has been made to date on implementation of the plan and the following table sets out the annual funding drawn down by Limerick City and County Council for the regeneration programme from 2014 to 2019:
|
Year |
Payments |
|
2014 |
€ 26,723,422 |
|
2015 |
€ 21,055,103 |
|
2016 |
€ 21,930,113 |
|
2017 |
€ 42,882,237 |
|
2018 |
€ 40,823,370 |
|
2019 |
€ 21,681,305 |
Projects funded by my Department under the programme across the four Regeneration areas, in 2019 and to date in 2020, include construction projects, thermal upgrades and refurbishments, social and economic initiatives, acquisitions, environmental works and CCTV, at a total cost of over €21.6 million in 2019 and with over €12.9 million drawn down to date in 2020. Limerick City and County Council will continue to submit claims on an ongoing basis to my Department for the remainder of the year.
156. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the duration of time it takes the underwriter of the Housing Agency to adjudicate on loans can be reduced as it can hamper timely options for first-time buyers. [29796/20]
View answerThe Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses applications for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities to approve or refuse applications.
I have asked the Agency to confirm the average turnaround time for applications to be assessed. The average turnaround time (from date received to date returned with recommendation) for applications to be assessed by the Housing Agency in September 2020 was 3 working days. However, some applications may take longer to assess due to the need to verify aspects of the application etc.
Each local authority must have in place a Credit Committee and it is a matter for the Committee to make the final decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, and having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
