Written Answers Nos. 236-260
236. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the stage of each of the recommendations of the report of the arts and culture recovery taskforce by recommendation; the progress to date; and her plans and the timeline for the delivery of each recommendation. [8823/21]
View answerThe Report of the "Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce" was published on the 17th November last. It made 10 recommendations.
While a some recommendations are under the remit of other Government Departments, I have made progress on a number of the Report's recommendations which relate to my Department.
In December, I put in place arrangements to implement Recommendation 6 which identified the need for the establishment of a programme that provides wellbeing support to the creative sector. My Department now provides funding for a wellbeing service for people working across all the creative sectors. Details are available at this link https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3fb03-minister-martin-announces-funding-of-230000-for-the-expansion-of-the-minding-creative-minds-support-service-to-the-irish-creative-sector/.
Recommendation 8 identifies the need for a review of the treatment of cultural activities and venues under the various levels of the Plan for living with Covid-19 to better reflect actual circumstances. In December, in order to provide a research base on which to build progress a series of test-events were conducted in collaboration with the National Concert Hall and the Abbey Theatre. Due to the dramatic increase in the incidence of the disease, the Abbey Theatre test event had to be curtailed. Otherwise, however, the series proved very successful. In the meantime, my Department is drafting protocols for large events and will engage with stakeholders in advance of their finalisation.
Last week, I launched the Re-imagining our outdoor public spaces initiative which addresses Recommendation 9 to establish Re-imagining our Public Spaces: a capital improvement programme the details of which are available at this link https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/14d5d-re-imagining-our-outdoor-public-spaces/.
Recommendation 4 calls for the introduction of a Business Supports Grant Scheme for SMEs in the events industry that are excluded from the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme. This recommendation is to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who has recently announced the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme which targets businesses currently ineligible for CRSS and other sector specific grants. Details are available at this link https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/94496-government-160m-boost-to-covid-19-business-grants.
The remaining recommendations remain under consideration and it is anticipated that further progress will be made in respect of the recommendations of the Task Force over the coming months.
243. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the contracts for public relations advice and consultancy entered into by her Department over the cost of €10,000 since January 2021; the nature of the contract; and the length of the contract, in tabular form. [8901/21]
View answerI have been informed by officials in my Department that no contracts for public relations advice and consultancy over the cost of €10,000 have been entered into by my Department since January 2021.
244. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of times the night-time economy taskforce has met. [8904/21]
View answerThe Night-time Economy Taskforce has met five times since it's establishment on 30 July 2020 with the most recent meeting held on 15th February 2021. Minutes of these meetings are available on my Department's web-site.
A sub-group structure has been established as part of this work and these groups have also each met a number of times since they were established.
245. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will ensure that all areas of the country will receive equal treatment in relation to the roll-out of the outdoor dining scheme and that it will not be confined to the major urban centres alone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8966/21]
View answerI have been advised by Fáilte Ireland that an outdoor dining scheme is under development and has not yet been finalised. The development of such a scheme is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
246. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to introduce grants for rainwater harvesting systems in sports centres given that such a scheme would allow centres to significantly reduce their water usage. [8778/21]
View answerPromoting the efficient and sustainable use of water is a central component of effective water policy. The Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025 sets out the range of policy objectives across the key thematic areas of quality, conservation and future proofing that will be pursued between now and 2025. The Policy Statement supports the promotion of water conservation and water resource management as an important element of water services policy that is to be reflected in strategic investment planning by Irish Water. For the period of the Policy Statement, this will involve the prioritisation of multifaceted programmes around leak detection and repair, network improvements, cost effective metering, public awareness campaigns and funding to the 'Find and Fix' scheme for addressing domestic customer leaks.
There are no plans at present to introduce a grant scheme along the lines suggested. It is worth noting however that non-domestic customers of Irish Water, including sports centres, currently face charges for water services based on their actual metered consumption and in line with a charging policy determined by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities. This is in keeping with Ireland's obligations under the Water Framework Directive. It is understood that some sports organisations may already have arrangements in place to capture and store rainwater for use for purposes (such as watering green areas) which do not require potable water. By doing so they are conserving the use of treated water and reducing their water bills.
247. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the referendum on the right to housing will be held in accordance with the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7851/21]
View answerThe commitments in relation to Constitutional reform in the Programme for Government provide for the holding of a referendum on housing.
My Department has begun the work of scoping what such a referendum might involve. Following this review, I intend to consult with my colleagues in Government as to the proposal that should be put to the electorate and the appropriate timeframes that should apply to the process.
248. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when an estate (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7852/21]
View answerIn respect of local authority housing stock, section 58 of the Housing Act 1966 provides that management and maintenance is a matter for each individual local authority. This includes maintenance programmes and carrying out responsive, planned and pre-letting repairs.
My Department provides support to local authorities in terms of various targeted stock upgrade programmes, large-scale urban regeneration programmes, support for the return of vacant units to productive use, the Energy Retrofitting Programme and adaptations and extensions for people with disability in social housing.
My Department and Donegal County Council have been in communciation in regard to issues which have arisen in certain housing estates in Donegal. My Department will give due consideration to any submisions received on the matter from Donegal County Council.
249. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the vacant homes strategy; the number of vacant homes that have been registered since the start of the strategy; the number that have been refurbished; the number that have been put back in circulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7853/21]
View answer250. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the vacant homes strategy; the number of vacant homes that have been registered in each county since the start of the strategy; the number have been refurbished in each county; the number that have been put back in circulation in each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7854/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together.
The National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy was published in July 2018, it provides a targeted, effective and coordinated approach to identifying and tackling vacancy across Ireland. The range of objectives and actions it specifies have been pursued in partnership with stakeholders and agencies across the housing sector to address vacancy in our housing stock. The key drivers of these actions are: local authorities, the Housing Agency, and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), supported by schemes available within my Department specifically designed to tackle vacancy, such as the Repair and Lease Scheme, the Buy and Renew Scheme and the Long Term Leasing Scheme.
- The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) 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 properties. The scheme provides upfront funding to carry out the works and, in return, the property owner agrees to lease the dwelling to the local authority to be used as social housing for a period up to 25 years. The maximum loan for property repair available under the Repair and Leases scheme has been increased by my Department from €40,000 to €60,000. The number of dwellings delivered under the Repair & Lease scheme from July 2018 to end Q3 2020 is 167 dwellings.
- The Buy and Renew initiative allows local authorities to purchase private vacant properties for use as social housing. The number of units purchased by local authorities under the Buy and Renew scheme from July 2018 to end of 2020 was 419 units.
- The Housing Acquisitions Fund is a €70 million revolving that was established in January 2017 with the objective of enabling the Housing Agency to acquire vacant units from banks and investment companies for social housing use. The fund is replenished by the Housing Agency through the sale of units primarily to the AHB sector and the funds received are then recycled back into the fund for future acquisitions. Since July 2018, a total of 436 properties had been purchased by the Housing Agency using the Fund and placed on caretaker leases with AHBs.
Table 1 below gives a breakdown of the number of properties delivered under each of the schemes in each local authority.
Table 1
|
Local Authority |
Repair and Lease Dwellings Delivered Q3 2018 - Q3 2020 |
Buy and Renew Dwellings DeliveredQ3 2018 – Q4 2020 |
Housing Agency Acquisitions Dwellings Delivered Q3 2018 to Q4 2020 |
TOTAL |
|
Carlow |
2 |
24 |
6 |
32 |
|
Cavan |
- |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Clare |
- |
14 |
3 |
17 |
|
Cork City |
1 |
40 |
5 |
46 |
|
Cork County |
3 |
33 |
52 |
88 |
|
Donegal |
- |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Dublin City |
2 |
50 |
81 |
133 |
|
Dún Laoghaire |
- |
1 |
11 |
12 |
|
Fingal |
27 |
19 |
22 |
68 |
|
Galway City |
- |
1 |
13 |
14 |
|
Galway County |
1 |
- |
5 |
6 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
18 |
6 |
27 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
6 |
36 |
43 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
6 |
7 |
14 |
|
Laois |
1 |
18 |
14 |
33 |
|
Leitrim |
- |
6 |
2 |
8 |
|
Limerick |
12 |
42 |
17 |
71 |
|
Longford |
6 |
11 |
5 |
22 |
|
Louth |
1 |
54 |
5 |
60 |
|
Mayo |
10 |
2 |
4 |
16 |
|
Meath |
- |
29 |
17 |
46 |
|
Monaghan |
5 |
1 |
- |
6 |
|
Offaly |
- |
1 |
7 |
8 |
|
Roscommon |
3 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
|
Sligo |
- |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
South Dublin |
- |
- |
33 |
33 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
18 |
36 |
55 |
|
Waterford |
76 |
9 |
12 |
97 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
3 |
8 |
12 |
|
Wexford |
10 |
9 |
9 |
28 |
|
Wicklow |
- |
- |
10 |
10 |
|
Total |
167 |
419 |
436 |
1022 |
As emphasised in the Strategy, securing improved data and analysis on vacancy allows for more robust monitoring of vacancy at a national level and improved outputs at local level. To help record levels of vacancy, a website has been developed by Mayo County Council (vacanthomes.ie) on behalf of the local government sector. This provides a central portal for individuals to anonymously log possible vacant properties and alert local authorities who can then follow up with the owners to see whether the house can be re-used quickly.
The latest statistics from vacanthomes.ie indicate that 2,881 properties have been recorded on the website since the Strategy was published.
Table 2 below gives a breakdown of the properties recorded in each local authority.
Table 2
|
- |
Number of Properties recorded on vacanthome.ie website |
|
Leinster |
|
|
Louth |
92 |
|
Meath |
68 |
|
Westmeath |
38 |
|
Longford |
24 |
|
Offaly |
86 |
|
Kildare |
141 |
|
Dublin City Council |
212 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
106 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown |
104 |
|
Fingal |
57 |
|
Wicklow |
41 |
|
Carlow |
23 |
|
Kilkenny |
58 |
|
Wexford |
60 |
|
Laois |
44 |
|
Total |
1154 |
|
Munster |
|
|
Clare |
131 |
|
Cork City |
92 |
|
Cork County |
407 |
|
Kerry |
18 |
|
Limerick City |
40 |
|
Limerick County |
105 |
|
Tipperary |
65 |
|
Waterford City |
33 |
|
Waterford County |
65 |
|
Total |
956 |
|
Ulster |
|
|
Cavan |
278 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
|
Donegal |
49 |
|
Total |
330 |
|
Connacht |
|
|
Mayo |
142 |
|
Galway City |
100 |
|
Galway County |
80 |
|
Sligo |
29 |
|
Roscommon |
60 |
|
Leitrim |
30 |
|
Total |
441 |
|
Total |
2881 |
251. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address matters (details supplied) in relation to building regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7863/21]
View answerThe Building Regulations 1997 - 2019 set out the legal requirements in Ireland for the construction of new buildings (including houses), extensions to existing buildings as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings. Their aim is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings. The Building Regulations are set out in functional terms and are performance based – they do not set limitations on the materials.
The associated Technical Guidance Documents (TGD A - M respectively) provide technical guidance on how to comply with the regulations in practical terms for non-complex buildings. Where works are carried out in accordance with the relevant technical guidance, such works are considered to be, prima facie, in compliance with the relevant regulations.
The Building Regulations are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation.
Part B of the Building Regulations deals with Fire Safety. The associated Technical Guidance Document B (TGD B) provides guidance indicating how the requirements of Part B can be achieved in practice. Where works are carried out in accordance with TGD B, this will, prima facie, indicate compliance with Part B of the Second Schedule of the Building Regulations.
A fundamental review of Part B (Fire Safety) is underway at present and will take note of the Fire Safety in Ireland report (published in 2018), and consider common and emerging building trends, developments and events from a global perspective, matters relating to external fire spread, external fire resistance, internal fire resistance, cladding systems, sprinklers, etc. Changes in standards, including fire test standards and technological changes in areas such as materials and systems have necessitated a fundamental analysis of the provisions and assumptions contained in Technical Guidance Document B – Fire Safety.
In this context, my Department established a Consultative Committee in December 2020 to discuss the technical revision of Part B/TGD B and has already met several times.
Draft documentation in the form of revised draft Building Regulations (Part B Amendment) Regulations, Technical Guidance Document B – Fire Safety and a Regulatory Impact Analysis are currently being developed with a view to being brought forward for public consultation later this year.
Separately, Part D (Materials and Workmanship) requires that all works should be carried out in a workmanlike manner using “proper materials…which are fit for the use for which they are intended and for the conditions in which they are to be used” to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations and includes materials which comply with an appropriate harmonised standard or European Technical Assessment or comply with an appropriate Irish Standard or Irish Agrément Certificate or with an alternative national technical specification of any State which is a contracting party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, which provides in use an equivalent level of safety and suitability.
252. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for the establishment of a new unified Galway authority; the process and timeline for this merger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7878/21]
View answerThe merger of Galway City Council and Galway County Council to create a single administrative area was recommended unanimously by the Galway Expert Advisory Group in April 2018. This recommendation was endorsed by a Government Decision in June 2018 and provisions to give effect to this policy decision were included in the Local Government Bill 2018. Those provisions passed all stages in the Dáil but were defeated in the Seanad and were withdrawn.
The logic underpinning the recommendation to merge the two authorities is unchanged and I intend to review the matter in the coming months.
253. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which persons who have engaged the services of a building contractor to build a house which has not yet been completed can prove in practice that their case involves overcrowding or a threat to the spread of Covid-19 with regard to the measures set out in SI No. 29 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7928/21]
View answer282. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of level 5 construction exemptions for residential properties almost completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8386/21]
View answer283. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of level 5 construction exemptions for the refurbishment of vacant residential properties that are required to prevent a family falling into homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8387/21]
View answer290. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration will be given to financial support for those who have carried out renovations or have incurred delays in housebuilding due to Covid-19 restrictions and have incurred additional financial delays due to same such as extended renting. [8519/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 282, 283 and 290 together.
The Government announced that additional public health restrictions would apply under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19 on 6 January 2021. The additional restrictions required all construction activity to cease from 6pm on Friday 8 January, with a number of exceptions. These measures are set out in The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 (as amended).
With regard to private housing development, the Regulations provide that housing and construction works ongoing on 8 January could continue where the works required to render the property capable of occupation were scheduled for completion by 31 January 2021.
On 26 January, the Government announced that the current level 5 restrictions will remain until 5 March 2021. Accordingly, no extension has been provided beyond 31 January in respect of private housing development. These restrictions on construction will remain in place until 5 March. There is no provision for to provide financial support arising from these measures.
254. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the 390 cost rental units announced on 8 February 2021; the location of the units; the typologies of the units; the rent to be charged on the units; if these units are in turnkey developments that were already in the respective approved housing bodies social housing pipeline; and if not, if they are additional units to that pipeline. [7954/21]
View answerBudget 2021 allocated €35m for a new Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme, under which the Government will make loans on favourable terms to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for up to 30% of the cost of new homes for Cost Rental. A Call for Proposals from AHBs opened on 14 December 2020 and closed on 5 January 2021. Applications were then competitively assessed by my Department and the Housing Agency. On 8 February 2021, I gave approval in principle under the CREL scheme for the development this year of 390 new homes by the Clúid, Respond and Tuath AHBs. These new homes are located in Dublin, the Greater Dublin Area, and Cork, with cost-covering rents projected to be at least 25% below comparable open market prices. Precise details, including locations, will be released when the AHBs have completed commercial arrangements.
The Call for Proposals for the CREL scheme included a strict condition that properties must not have been submitted for funding under the Payment and Availability Agreement, the Capital Assistance Scheme, or any of the Department's other social housing funding mechanisms. The homes to be used for Cost Rental under the CREL scheme are therefore not part of the respective AHBs' social housing pipelines.
255. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for the completion of the various phases of the development with respect to the Land Development Agency and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council development in Shanganagh, Shankill, County Dublin; the commencement date for the development; the expected sales price of the affordable purchase units; the total cost of the development; the types of finance being accessed by the LDA to undertake the development; and if further information which he deems relevant will be provided. [7964/21]
View answerThe Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency.
The LDA has informed my Department that the Shanganagh development is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2021 and is expected to take approximately 4 years to complete. 597 units will be provided on the site, of which there will be 200 social housing units, 306 cost rental units and 91 affordable purchase units. The LDA expects that the units will be delivered on a phased basis with the first phase being completed in 2023. The total cost of the development will be subject to competitive tender as part of the upcoming procurement process.
The project will be funded by the LDA for the construction of the cost rental units and by my Department through the Social Housing Investment Programme for the 200 social housing units and the Serviced Sites Fund in respect of the affordable housing scheme units.
As with all State bodies operating under the aegis of my Department, arrangements have been put in place by the LDA through which Oireachtas members can request information directly from the Agency in relation to operational matters - in this regard, the LDA may be contacted directly at oireachtas@lda.ie.
256. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the council housing list for County Kilkenny by town or village area, by one, two or three bedroom facilities; and the year applicants went on the list. [7983/21]
View answer257. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the council housing list for County Carlow by town or village area, by one, two or three bedroom facilities; and the year applicants went on the list (details supplied). [7984/21]
View answer294. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average length of time spent on the social housing list in County Cavan; the plans to reduce these times; the number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8560/21]
View answer295. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average length of time spent on the social housing list in County Monaghan; the plans to reduce these times; the number on the social housing list for each of the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8561/21]
View answer305. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in Dublin City Council area B on the housing waiting list. [8621/21]
View answer306. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons in Dublin City Council area B on the housing transfer list. [8622/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256, 257, 294, 295, 305 and 306 together.
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area are provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The most recently published SSHA carried out in 2019, details the number of households on all local authority waiting lists as of June 2019.
The results of the SSHA include breakdowns by each local authority across a range of categories. The results do not provide a breakdown of the numbers by electoral area and my Department does not hold such data, nor does it record data on a month by month basis in the manner sought.
In relation to the specific question posed regarding breakdown by one, two or three bedroom facilities, information of this exact type is not held by my Department. However, tables 2.4 and A1.4 of the report provide details on household size. It should be noted that the category “Household Composition” in the previous reports, was replaced in the 2019 report by the “Household Size” profile category which provides more granular level of detail regarding the number of persons in each household type.
With respect to the year that applicants went onto the housing list and length of time spent on the social housing list, Figure 2.8 and Table A1.8 provide details on the length of time households have been on the record of qualified households (the Waiting List).
Full details in relation to the 2019 assessment are available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/29da7-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2019-key-findings/.
It should be noted that due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the 2020 assessment was delayed and conducted in November. Work is ongoing and the summary report of the 2020 assessment will be published in due course.
My Department does not hold information of the specific type as requested on transfer lists. The oversight and practical management of social 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. Ultimately, it is a matter for the local authority to decide the conditions to be met in relation to transfer applications.
Budget 2021 provided €3.3 billion for the delivery of housing. Subject to the impact of the covid related restrictions on the construction sector, 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, in addition to 800 acquisitions and 2,450 homes to be delivered through leasing programmes.
In relation to the reduction of waiting times, my Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on all social housing delivery activity. This is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/. The most recent data is for Quarter 3 2020, and it shows that 1,042 social homes were delivered in Cavan and 1,388 in Monaghan for the period 2016 to Q3 2020.
The Government will be publishing a new housing strategy this year, which will set out details of social housing delivery for 2021-2025, including social housing targets for 2022 onwards.
258. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the hen harrier threat response plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7986/21]
View answerThe draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan (HHTRP) is nearing completion and is currently being refined and updated as necessary by my Department in consultation with other Government Departments. This has required a considerable review of background information. I intend to have the draft HHTRP ready for consultation as that review is completed, expected within two months.
The draft Plan, when published, will require Strategic Environmental Assessment to be carried out before a final version of the Plan is made available.
259. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost of a report (details supplied); if a detailed breakdown of all the specific costs incurred will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7999/21]
View answerThere are no specific costs associated with the "Independent Review of the Role and Remuneration of Local Authority Elected Members". Ms Moorhead did not charge any fee in relation to her role in undertaking this review. Secretariat and administrative support to Ms. Moorhead was provided by my Department, as part of its remit in overseeing the terms and conditions of local authority elected members.
260. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding allocated under the developer-provided infrastructure scheme has been returned unspent to his Department due to the fact that Irish Water has failed to provide the necessary connections to allow the sewerage to be connected to two housing estates (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8005/21]
View answerThe two estates mentioned in the details supplied were allocated funding last year under my Department’s Multi-annual Developer Provided Water Services Infrastructure Resolution Programme 2019-2021.
It is now a matter for Galway County Council to plan the advancement of the most appropriate and sustainable solution to enable the estates to be taken in charge. My Department will continue to engage with the local authority on the matter.
