Written Answers Nos. 262-281
262. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to regularise the application process for foreshore licences to ensure a statutory timeline for the issuing of such licences to enable ports here to develop to their full potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42912/20]
View answerThe responsibilities of my Department in relation to the administration of the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, are regulatory in nature. The core responsibilities include the regulation and administration of the foreshore through a system of leasing and licensing.
There has been a substantial increase in both the volume of foreshore consent applications and the complexity of these applications, particularly with regard to large infrastructural projects.
Foreshore consent can only be granted by my Department if it is in the public interest. At present, the processing of a foreshore consent application includes the following:
- assessment of the application by the Department’s internal technical advisers,
- consultation with statutory and non-statutory consultees, including relevant Departments and Agencies;
- a period of public consultation, normally 30 calendar days;
- valuation of the site to be occupied by the applicant;
- assessment of the application by the Marine Licence Vetting Committee which advises on scientific matters;
- other public interest elements that may arise in particular cases; and
- obtaining necessary legal advice in complex legal cases from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and Attorney General’s Office and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sanction, where appropriate.
The prioritisation of applications, based on a scheme of priorities and active case management through all stages of the process, has led to efficiencies in processing applications.
In January 2020, my Department published the finalised General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, which will provide the legislative basis for Ireland's new marine planning regime. In addition to the legislative underpinning for forward planning provided through the National Marine Planning Framework, the MPDM Bill will also provide: a new State consent regime for the entire maritime area replacing foreshore consenting; development consenting integration into the planning permission system; and robust compliance and enforcement measures.
The commitment in the Programme for Government to enactment in nine months reflects the priority it has been accorded.
Further information is available on the Department’s website:
MPDM Bill: https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/marine-spatial-planning/foreshore/marine-planning-and-development-management-bill.
National Marine Planning Framework: https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/maritime-spatial-planning/maritime-spatial-planning-directive/maritime-spatial-planning.
263. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for the introduction of the payment of An Bord Pleanála fees online and or the submission of documentation online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42849/20]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála has informed my Department that the development and roll-out of the Board’s major IT transformation project - Plean-IT - remains a significant initiative and is moving into its next phase of development, aiming to facilitate applications and appeals to be made online and linking in with the planning authorities’ own e-Planning initiative.
The Board introduced an online facility to accept observations relating to Strategic Housing Applications with the required fee in November this year and that is currently in operation but for those cases only. The Board intends to use its experience with this initial pilot project to inform its development of similar facilities for other case types including planning appeals and it is intended to advance these in 2021. Details of the pilot project arrangements are available on the Board’s website at www.pleanala.ie.
Currently, the submission of documentation must be made by post or can be hand delivered to the offices of An Bord Pleanála. In addition, there are a number of ways in which fees can be paid to An Bord Pleanála. Further information is available via the An Bord Pleanála website: www.pleanala.ie.
The Board is also currently in the process of finalising development of a new upgraded website which will be more user-friendly and informative. The new website is currently scheduled to go live in early 2021. This will further help to improve communications and interaction between An Bord Pleanála and the public.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
264. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the keeping of dogs or cats is not permitted in many residential tenancies, particularly in apartment buildings; if he will consider regulating to removing the ban providing that norms of noise and hygiene are respected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42850/20]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2020 regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the private rented sector and sets out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Acts apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy, subject to a limited number of exceptions.
The Acts make no reference to animals. Any house rules that might be agreed between a landlord and a tenant at the start of a tenancy must not contravene any legal right of either party.
I have no plans to amend the Residential Tenancies Acts in this regard.
265. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the capital expenditure allocation for Irish Water to replace water mains pipes over the period 2021 to 2024. [42871/20]
View answer266. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the budget allocation for Irish Water for salaries, maintenance, repairs, burst pipes and overdrafts in tabular form. [42873/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 266 together.
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The Irish Water Strategic Funding Plan 2019-2024 sets out Irish Water’s multi-annual strategic business planning funding requirement of €11bn to 2024, comprised of a €6.1bn investment in infrastructure and assets and €4.9bn in operating costs. In regard to overall investment, the Programme for Government states that the Government will fund Irish Water's capital investment plan for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure on a multi-annual basis and deliver the €8.5 billion funding package committed to in Project Ireland 2040. This overall funding commitment is key to addressing Ireland's shortcomings in water and waste water infrastructure, including those aspects which are subject to European Commission infringement action.
Irish Water is regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) as the independent economic regulator. The CRU is responsible for setting the total level of revenue which Irish Water can receive, through Government subvention and from customers, to cover its efficiently incurred costs. This CRU process involves, inter alia, reviewing submissions from Irish Water, including on its investment plan, and thereafter setting appropriate revenue allowances for operating costs, capital costs and other items for given regulatory periods.
As a regulated utility, overall Irish Water expenditure is therefore subject to approval by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, while in turn the funding provided by the Exchequer to Irish Water in relation to domestic water services is subject to the annual Budget and Estimates process. The voted provision of over €1.3 billion included in my Department's 2021 Estimates in respect of Irish Water’s domestic water services operational and capital expenditure in 2021 is provided with respect to the CRU determination of Irish Water approved revenue.
Further detail in relation to the breakdown of Irish Water's capital investment should be sought from Irish Water. It may be helpful to note that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email at Oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
267. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of planning applications received by each local authority in each of the past three years; the number of staff employed in each local authority to deal specifically with planning applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42897/20]
View answerPlanning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website, at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/statistics/planning-statistics-1.
The data collected includes the number of planning applications received by each local authority in each of the past three years. However, the data collected does not relate to the number of staff employed in each local authority to deal specifically with planning applications. Such information may be sought directly from the relevant planning authority.
268. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he received a protected disclosure from a person (details supplied); and the details of the action taken as a result of the disclosure. [42913/20]
View answerUnder Section 16 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, a person to whom a protected disclosure is made "shall not disclose to another person any information that might identify the person by whom a protected disclosure was made".
For that reason, I am not in a position to confirm the information sought.
269. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service will conclude; the amount budgeted in budget 2021 to carry out subsequent changes and reforms as a result of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42938/20]
View answerThere is a commitment in the Programme for Government to review the remit, status and funding of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to ensure that it is playing an effective role in delivering its overall mandate and enforcement role in the protection of wildlife. I have decided that the review should be headed by an independent chairperson overseeing a triptych review process. I am engaging with my officials in the National Parks and Wildlife Service in discussing the review further and am currently considering options with regard to the Terms of Reference and stakeholder engagement.
The review is expected to begin early in 2021 and be concluded within the year. With regard to potential future costings for any changes and reforms arising from the review these, of course, will be dependent on both the outcome of the Review and the annual Budgetary process.
270. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made in establishing the wildlife crime unit; the funding being allocated to the new unit; the resources including the number and types of staff due to be allocated to the new unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42939/20]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my earlier replies on this matter.
It is proposed to establish this dedicated Unit during 2021. Details in relation to staffing resources and funding have not been determined at this time.
271. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policies in place to help accidental landlords who kept their rent low and are now trapped in rent pressure zones and unable to raise their rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42945/20]
View answerThe Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 introduced the Rent Predictability Measure to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising fastest, causing difficulty for households in finding affordable accommodation. In these areas, called Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ), rents can only increase by a maximum of 4% annually. The measure applies to new and existing tenancies. This means that it applies when rents are set at the start of a tenancy and when rents are set during a rent review in respect of an ongoing tenancy, unless otherwise exempted.
An exemption applies to the first rent setting of a tenancy of a dwelling where:
- no tenancy existed in respect of the dwelling during the two years immediately prior to this current tenancy beginning;
or
- no tenancy existed in respect of the dwelling where the dwelling is a protected structure, or is in a protected structure, or is a proposed protected structure during the 12 months immediately prior to the current tenancy beginning. A protected structure is defined in the Planning and Development Act 2000.
The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 Act provides a legal definition of ‘substantial change in the nature of rental accommodation’ to illustrate the type of works to be carried out to a rental property to qualify for an exemption from the annual rent increase restriction applicable in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs). Such works shall result in:
- a permanent extension increasing the floor area by 25%; or
- an improvement in the Building Energy Rating (BER) by at least 7 ratings; or
- at least 3 of the following:
- a permanent alteration of the internal layout;
- adaptations for a person with a disability;
- a permanent increase in the number of rooms;
- an improvement in the BER by 3 or more ratings where the original BER was D1 or lower; or
- an improvement in the BER by 2 or more ratings where the original BER was C3 or higher
and the aforementioned works do not solely consist of works carried out for the purposes of compliance with the minimum standards in rented accommodation, as prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.
Under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019, the expiry date of all deemed and designated RPZs was extended to 31 December 2021. The restrictions have had a moderating effect on rent increases and have provided a measure of certainty for landlords and tenants alike, with regard to medium-term rent levels. The operation of the RPZ provisions are kept under constant review by the Housing Agency and by my Department.
A Rent Pressure Zone calculator is available on the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) website at: https://onestopshop.rtb.ie/calculator/rpz, to assist landlords and tenants in determining if their dwelling is in a Rent Pressure Zone and to calculate the maximum rent increase permitted for their dwelling, considering the current rent and the time elapsed since the last review of rent.
Tenants must be given 90 days’ notice of new rent and can make an application for dispute resolution to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) where they believe that the rent increase is in excess of the market rent or, if applicable, does not comply with the Rent Predictability Measure.
Further information on Rent Pressure Zones and designations is available on my Department's website at www.housing.gov.ie, by searching 'rent pressure zones'.
272. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he will take to extend the public consultation period for draft development plans currently being worked upon by local authorities in order to take into account the difficulty of securing full public consultation during Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42988/20]
View answerIn light of the initial impacts of the Covid-19 emergency, an Order was made by Government on 29 March 2020, under section 251A of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), which resulted in the extension of time for a range of specified or appropriate periods and timelines in the Planning Acts and associated planning regulations. Further orders were signed on 16 April 2020 and 9 May 2020, the last of which expired on 23 May 2020. The three Orders had the combined effect of extending the relevant planning periods and timelines, including for draft development plan processes such as consultation, by an aggregate of 56 days/8 weeks during the time period in which they have effect. Since then, further measures have been put in place and are progressing through the legislative process, to ensure that the planning system can continue to function during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Statutory Instrument No. 448 of 2020 identified planning-related activity within the schedule of what is considered to be ‘essential services’ and so the work of the planning system has continued during more recent periods of national restriction in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
New legislative provisions are currently being brought through the Oireachtas, which will allow for specific measures in relation to the planning system to be, possibly, taken in a public health emergency. While such measures will allow an extension of statutory timelines in certain circumstances, it is not, however, envisaged that these would apply more broadly in the way that Section 251A was applied, nor would they be generally applied in the circumstances of Level 5 restrictions, where planning is classified as an essential service.
Rather, they seek to provide some protections for example, if planning staffing resources in a particular authority were compromised by sick absences due to Covid-19. The current legislative proposals also enable the initial stage of public consultation at the outset of the development plan process to be undertaken on-line, where considered necessary.
With regard to public participation in the process of making or varying a County Development Plan, and in particular in relation to the draft plan and material alterations display stages, all local authorities must continue to operate to satisfy statutory requirements, in accordance within public health guidance and related operating procedures that have been put in place.
It is important to note that under Section 12(16) of the Act, the validity of a development plan may not be questioned by reason only that certain procedures were not completed within the timeframes set out in the Act. While this may allow for some flexibility in terms of timing, more practically, I understand that Local Authorities are implementing innovative solutions to ensure that public consultation requirements can and are being satisfied.
Obviously the current circumstances have presented challenges, which have required us to examine how essential work can be advanced in a safe manner, including public participation. However, I am particularly mindful of the important role that the planning and development system plays in supporting the economic development of the country, and the vital role which it will play in supporting social and economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
273. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter regarding a housing list (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43004/20]
View answerThe allocation of social housing support is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated regulations. Section 22 of the Act 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.
Decisions on the qualification of specific persons, including those with disabilities, for social housing support and the allocation of that support are matters solely for the local authority concerned. As Minister, I am precluded by law from becoming involved in individual cases.
In accordance with the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability, which has been extended to 2021 Housing and Disability Steering Groups (HDSGs) have been established in all housing authority areas, to achieve a coordinated and integrated approach to meeting the housing needs of people with a disability at local level. These are chaired by Directors of Housing in each authority and include HSE and disability representative organisations.
Each HDSG has prepared a local Strategic Plan for its own City/County area, to develop specific local housing strategies for people with disabilities to meet identified and emerging need over the five years of their term. These Plans, which are available on the relevant local authority websites, along with the annual Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA), allow local authorities to plan more strategically for the housing needs of people with a disability and support the delivery of accommodation using all appropriate housing supply mechanisms.
274. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of property owners who availed of the derelict housing scheme; the amount spent on the scheme; his assessment of the impact of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43005/20]
View answerMy Department is focused on ensuring that existing housing stock is utilised to its fullest extent including a targeted, effective and co-ordinated approach to identifying and tackling vacancy across Ireland.
In that context, there are a range of measures to assist in meeting housing needs by ensuring that our existing housing stock is used to the greatest extent possible. The National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy, published in 2018, contains a range of objectives and key actions to be pursued in partnership with stakeholders and agencies across the housing sector to address vacancy in our housing stock. The Strategy is underpinned by a number of supports available to owners to bring vacant housing stock back into use including:
- The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) is to assist private property owners, local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in utilising existing vacant housing stock throughout the country. The scheme is 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 property. I have recently announced an increase in the funding limit for the refurbishment of properties from €40,000 to €60,000. Since its introduction the scheme has facilitated 185 homes being brought back into use and tenanted. The amount of RLS claims paid to end Q2 2020 is €4,306,986.
- The Buy and Renew initiative particularly focuses on older vacant homes to help tackle the problem of dereliction and improve the appearance of the community with the added value of delivery social housing units. It provides the option for suitable properties to be purchased rather than leased. Since its introduction it has facilitated local authorities to deliver circa 600 vacant properties for social housing purposes. The amount of spent on the Buy and Renew scheme since its introduction is €112.7m.
- In addition, in December 2018 my Department published the Bringing Back Homes Manual for the Reuse of Existing Buildings. Revitalising our main streets through well designed refurbishment of residential units, particularly above shops, could help to rejuvenate smaller town centres and city streets as well as produce more houses. The Bringing Back Homes manual is available to download at: https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/home-ownership/vacant-homes/vacant-homes.
To support this work at local authority level, my Department has secured funding for each local authority to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of my Department’s Vacant Homes Unit to liaise with and seek information/statistics from a dedicated contact point within each local authority. The Vacant Homes Office plays a key role in the co-ordination of this work within each local authority.
275. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to provide housing for the 501 persons and 65 families who are homeless in the south-west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43006/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to reducing and preventing homelessness and provides detail on how the Government is approaching this work as a priority. This year, we are seeing a reduction in the numbers of people in emergency accommodation.
The total number of homeless adults in the south-west region fell by 107, or 18%, between October 2019 and October 2020. The number of homeless families in the region fell by 65, or 48%, over the same period. While these homeless figures are still too high, it is important to acknowledge the progress being made by local authorities and their service delivery partners in the NGO sector in this area. The most recent data show that family homelessness continues to fall nationally and is now at the lowest level seen since June 2016.
The Programme for Government recognises that many households experiencing homelessness have additional support needs and includes specific measures to address these needs. These include measures to help rough sleepers into sustainable accommodation, the continued expansion of Housing First, with a focus on the construction and acquisition of one-bed homes, and, importantly, ensuring that there is dedicated funding and resources to deliver the necessary health and mental health supports required to assist homeless people with complex needs.
Increasing the supply of housing, particularly new build social and affordable homes, is a priority for me and for this Government. The Programme for Government commits to increasing the social housing stock by more than 50,000, with an emphasis on new builds. In Budget 2021, we backed this objective with funding of €3.3 billion for the delivery of housing. The available funding will deliver 12,750 new social homes through build, acquisition and leasing. A major focus of this investment is the delivery of new build, with an overall target of 9,500 new homes. The increased targets will see increased local authority build on local authority land.
276. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to review the urban development and building heights guidelines for planning authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43043/20]
View answerProject Ireland 2040, including the National Planning Framework, identified the achievement of compact growth as a key mechanism to support the future sustainable development of our cities and towns, addressing issues such as regional development, urban sprawl, long-distance commuting, housing supply and climate action.
’Urban Development and Building Height’ Guidelines for Planning Authorities and An Bord Pleanála which were published by my Department in 2018, pursuant to Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), support the achievement of compact growth. Publication of the guidelines, followed a period of public consultation and consideration of over 100 submissions and a thorough assessment by my Department. A copy of the guidelines is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/urban_development_and_building_height_guidelines_for_planning_authorities_december_2018_0.pdf.
In determining planning policy and making planning decisions around appropriate building heights, the planning process has to strike a careful balance between enabling long-term and strategic development of relevant areas, while ensuring the highest standards of urban design, architectural quality and place-making outcomes. I am satisfied that these guidelines are necessary and appropriate to give clear context and direction to the overall requirement to promote increased density and building height in appropriate locations within our urban centres. I currently have no plans to review these guidelines.
277. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if she will accept a proposal (details supplied) that seeks to allow every Irish citizen on the island of Ireland a vote in general elections. [43077/20]
View answerUnder electoral law, in order to be able to vote at elections in Ireland, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. With some exceptions (mainly postal voters) all persons must attend in person to vote at their local polling station.
Subject to a limited number of exceptions, Irish citizens resident outside the State do not have the right to vote at elections or at referendums held in the State. To provide for such an extended franchise at Dáil and at presidential elections as well as at referendums would require Constitutional amendment.
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future - commits to holding a referendum on extending the franchise at presidential elections to Irish citizens resident outside of the State. My Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs have been working closely on this issue for a number of years and, on 16 September 2019, the Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill 2019 was initiated in Dáil Éireann by the then Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to facilitate the holding of a referendum on this issue.
While the Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil Éireann, in support of the Government commitment, the Bill has been restored to the Dáil Order Paper. The date for the holding of the referendum will be decided by Government once the legislation has been passed by the Oireachtas. Proposals for the extension of voting rights to Irish citizens resident outside the State at other elections or at referendums are not under consideration at this point in time.
278. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to include existing owners of derelict properties in the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43117/20]
View answerFollowing 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.
In line with the previous schemes, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is designed to enable creditworthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range, or to self-build; it does not include undertaking renovation projects. I have no plans to change this requirement at present.
279. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for the development of a municipal wastewater treatment plant for Craughwell, County Galway to serve estates (details supplied) to allow future development in this growth centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43222/20]
View answer280. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for the development of a municipal wastewater treatment plant for Corofin to serve Castlegrounds, Cloch Chora, Garrai Glas, An Dunan, Caislean Cuirte, Rockley Court and Brocklodge to allow future development in this growth centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43227/20]
View answer281. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for the development of a municipal wastewater treatment plant for Abbeyknockmoy to serve the Granary, Cois na hAbhainn, Cnoc na gCaor and Radharc an Mhuilinn to allow future development in this growth centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43228/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 279 to 281, inclusive, together.
On 21 September, I announced allocations under the new multi-annual capital investment programme for the progressive resolution of housing estates with “developer provided water services infrastructure”, to enable the taking in charge of these estates. The announcement followed an independent Expert Panel review of all valid bids. The Panel’s recommendations are based on criteria set out in the Framework document issued to local authorities when requesting bid proposals.
The focus of the first multi-annual programme is on estates in towns and villages where the resolution is to connect their water services to the public networks. The programme will also support a number of pilot projects where connection is not feasible in the immediate future. These pilot projects, together with a major study to be under taken by Irish Water, will inform future policy on resolving sub-standard developer provided infrastructure with sustainable solutions in such areas. This, the first funding cycle of the new multi-annual programme, runs to the end of 2021.
Galway County Council included all estates listed in the areas of Craughwell, Corofin and Abbeyknockmoy in their bid proposals. Galway County Council and all local authorities that submitted bids were informed about the outcome of their bids in a circular which included a copy of the Expert Panel report on the bids process. The report provides the commentary of the Panel on their evaluation in the case of unsuccessful bids and guidance for the local authority in making future bids in upcoming programmes.
The circular is available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/circular-ldpi01-2020-approval-projects-residential-estates-under-developer.
