Written Answers Nos. 327-348
327. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to allow tenants of approved housing bodies to purchase their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10144/21]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year.
The scheme only provides for the purchase of local authority houses owned by the relevant local authorities and does not extend to houses owned by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). My Department cannot unilaterally make provision for their sale to tenants as the ownership of these properties remains with the AHB.
If an AHB is in receipt of funding under a scheme, they must comply with the terms and conditions of that scheme. Under such schemes, the AHB is required to make the property available for social renting for the duration of the mortgage or, as the case may be, the availability agreement.
If a property is owned outright by an AHB and it is not subject to public funding, the AHB may choose to sell that property, once this is allowed for in their constitution. It should be noted that AHBs must have as their primary objects the relief of housing needs, and the provision and management of housing included within their memorandum of association or registered rules, as the case may be.
328. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures in place to ensure against discrimination for those seeking housing whilst in receipt of HAP; the supports in place for those who feel they have been discriminated against; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10146/21]
View answerA landlord or an agent acting on behalf of a landlord is not legally obliged to enter into a tenancy agreement specifically with a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) recipient. However, on 1 January 2016, the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 introduced “housing assistance” as a new discriminatory ground. This means that discrimination in the provision of accommodation, or related service and amenities, against people in receipt of rent supplement, HAP or other social welfare payments is prohibited. Further information is available at www.ihrec.ie/your-rights/i-have-an-issue-with-a-service/i-have-an-issue-about-accommodation/.
If a person feels that he or she has been discriminated against by a landlord or agent, he or she can make a complaint under the Equal Status Acts to the Workplace Relations Commission; further information is available on the Commission's website, www.workplacerelations.ie.
330. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current law with regard to evictions during Covid-19 and the way in which it might be amended if there is a change in the level under which it is operating; if there is a difference between eviction for arrears due to loss of earnings due to Covid-19 and evictions for other reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10167/21]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Act 2020 was enacted and came into operation on 24 October 2020 to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on tenants and to support the efforts of Government in restricting the movement of people in order to suppress the spread of Covid-19. The Act modifies the operation of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2020 to prevent any notices of termination served by landlords, in all but limited cases such as anti-social behaviour, from taking effect in geographical locations and during periods specified by the Minister for Health in Regulations made by him under section 31A of the Health Act 1947 in respect of which a restriction applies on the movement of people outside a 5 km radius of their place of residence. The tenancy protections also apply during the 10 days directly following the period specified by the Minister for Health in the aforementioned Regulations.
A moratorium on evictions taking place is currently in operation throughout the country from 31 December 2020 to 15 March 2021, with limited exceptions. The provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2020 re-activated on foot of the current 5km restriction on people’s movements, initially provided under the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) Regulations 2020 - Statutory Instrument (S.I.) No. 701 of 2020 and subsequently, extended under the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (S.I No. 29 of 2021). The Minister for Health is empowered to make Regulations to provide for any further extension to the 5km restriction on people's movement, as necessary to strengthen Government efforts to suppress the spread of Covid-19. If further regulations are made restricting peoples movements to 5km then the protections provided for in the Residential Tenancies Act 2020 will automatically apply. On 23 February, the Government announced that level 5 restrictions will remain in place until 5 April. Therefore, the moratorium on evictions will be extended to 15 April once regulations, currently being prepared by my colleague the Minister for Health, are made.
Separately, the provisions of Part 3 (Residential Tenancies) of the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020 came into effect on 11 January 2021 to provide for temporary modifications to the operation of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to provide, subject to certain conditions, that during the period from 11 January to 12 April 2021 a 90 day (rather than the usual 28 days) termination notice period applies, where a tenant is in rent arrears due to Covid-19 and is at risk of losing their tenancy. The earliest termination date allowed in such circumstances is 13 April 2021. Rent increases are prohibited for relevant tenancies until 13 April 2021, with no back-dating allowed. These new protections are designed to better balance the legal rights of landlords and tenants.
My Department has published a guidance document, Part 3 (Residential Tenancies) of the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020 - Guidance for Landlords and Tenants, which sets out the new rental protections for tenants and landlords dealing with rent arrears that succeed those provided under the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020, and provides details on the income and other supports available to tenants and landlords. The guidance document clearly explains the new rent arrears procedure for both tenants and landlords and is available on the RTB's website - www.rtb.ie.
331. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that persons have trying to secure rental properties in County Wicklow through the HAP scheme; if he plans to review the existing HAP thresholds for County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10231/21]
View answerIncreased rent limits for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rent Supplement Scheme were introduced in 2016. These limits were agreed in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). In reviewing the rent limits, my Department worked closely with DSP and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP Shared Services Centre. The HAP rent limits were increased significantly, in the order of 60% in some cases.
Maximum rent limits for the HAP scheme are set out for each housing authority area by the Housing Assistance Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2017. The current maximum HAP rent limits are available on the Irish Statute Book website at the following link:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/si/56/made/en/print?q=housing&years=2017.
Local authorities also have discretion, because of local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum rent limit by up to 20%, or up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of homelessness. It should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine whether the application of the flexibility is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.
In considering this issue, I am conscious that increasing the current HAP rent limits could have negative inflationary impacts, leading to a detrimental impact on the wider rental market, including for those households who are not receiving HAP support.
My Department closely monitors the level of discretion being used by local authorities, taking into account other sources of data, including Residential Tenancies Board rent data published on a quarterly basis. It is considered that the current maximum rent limits, together with the additional flexibility available to local authorities, are generally adequate to support the effective operation of the HAP scheme.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that HAP levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing. My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review and it is a key mechanism in meeting housing need across the Country.
332. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the specific local authorities or firms in which 400 jobs will be generated pursuant to his announcement on 11 February 2021 (details supplied). [10308/21]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
My Department provided capital stimulus funding of €87 million to Irish Water in 2020 . This was composed of €43m announced in the July stimulus package (€30m Leakage Reduction Initiatives and €13m Capital Maintenance Interventions by Irish Water) and €44m announced during Budget 2021, which was invested by Irish Water in water and wastewater treatment plant upgrades, further leakage reduction activities, fleet and IT upgrades and in critical capital maintenance activities.
In relation to any specific issues, including with respect to jobs delivered, Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
333. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will act on the commitment in the programme for Government to reform the fair deal scheme to incentivise renting out vacant properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10310/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government – Our Shared Future contains a commitment to reform the Fair Deal Scheme to incentivise renting out vacant properties.
This commitment builds upon commitments included in the former Government's Strategy for the Rental Sector and National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy, to examine the treatment under the Nursing Home Support Scheme’s (or Fair Deal Scheme's) financial assessment of income from a person’s principal private residence (PPR), where they move into long-term residential care.
These commitments reflect an intent to explore the potential to encourage vacant accommodation to be brought into active use.
My Department is currently engaging with the Department of Health in relation to these actions. Both Departments are exploring proposals to enable vacant properties owned by patients in long-term nursing home care to be brought back into early use, through adjustments to the treatment of rental income and house sale proceeds derived from a PPR in the financial assessment of income for the purposes of the Fair Deal Scheme.
Legislative amendments to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009, which comes within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health, would be required to address this matter. Discussions are ongoing between our two Departments in this regard in the context of progressing any appropriate amendments through the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill, being developed by the Department of Health. I have engaged directly with Minister Donnelly on this issue and arrangements for further discussions at Ministerial level will be made, if necessary, to ensure that satisfactory progress is achieved.
It will remain a personal choice for any individual as to whether or not they wish to sell or rent out their home, in the private or social rental sector, upon taking up residence in a nursing home.
334. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of planning permission exemptions changes made to the planning and development regulations over the past ten years; the number of requests from local authorities to change exemptions in that time; his plans for changing exemptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10334/21]
View answerUnder the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission.
Articles 6, 7, 8 and 10 and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations), set out various exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission. Any such exemptions are subject to compliance with any general restrictions on exemptions set out in the Act or the Regulations and to the specific conditions set out in each class of exempted development in Schedule 2 of the Regulations.
Exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of specific forms of development are provided for when they are considered to be consistent with proper planning and sustainable development.
The exemptions provided for in the Regulations are kept under regular review. Over the past ten years, 14 sets of Regulations have been made which amend the exempted development provisions set out in the Regulations, all of which are available on the Irish Statute Book website (www.irishstatutebook.ie/):
S.I. 454 of 2011 - Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011;
S.I. 464 of 2011 - European Communities (Amendment to Planning and Development Regulations) Regulations 2011;
S.I. 584 of 2011 - European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats) (No. 2) Regulations 2011;
S.I. 219 of 2013 - Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2013;
S.I. 582 of 2015 - Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2015;
S.I. 29 of 2018 - Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2018;
S.I. 30 of 2018 - Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2018;
S.I. 31 of 2018 - Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2018;
S.I. 12 of 2019 - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) Regulations 2019;
S.I. 235 of 2019 - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019;
S.I. 45 of 2020 - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) Regulations 2020;
S.I. 46 of 2020 - Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2020;
S.I. 92 of 2020 - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2020;
S.I. 293 of 2020 - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 3) Regulations 2020.
I am not aware of any requests from local authorities to amend the exempted development provisions. The exemptions are primarily amended on foot of a review by my Department or following engagement with another Government Department, or relevant stakeholder/state body, regarding matters of policy and where changes to exempt development regulations are proposed, communication with the Local Government sector is coordinated through the LGMA and CCMA as appropriate.
My Department currently has two further sets of exempted development regulations going through the Oireachtas approval process, relating to electric vehicle charging points and school extensions, both of which have been laid in draft before both Houses. My Department is currently drafting a further set of exempted development Regulations which it is intended will be shortly brought forward in relation to solar panels.
In line with the requirements of section 262(4) of the Act, amendments to exempted development regulations require the approval of both houses of the Oireachtas before they can be signed into law. My Department will continue to keep the exemptions under review and bring forward amendments as required.
335. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will make an order designating the Curragh Plains as a natural heritage area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10339/21]
View answerThere are 632 proposed natural heritage areas including the Curragh (Kildare).
While a review of these sites is foreseen, the current focus of my Department is on fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and the designation of Natura 2000 sites i.e. special areas of conservation and special protection areas.
Although proposed natural heritage area sites are not subject to the protection provisions of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, they may be recognised in local authority development plans.
336. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total value of the capital loan subsidy scheme, CLSS, the capital advance leasing facility, CALF, and other loans currently issued to each approved housing body; the dates on which these loans start to fall due; and his plans with respect to these loans, that is if he plans to have the loans repaid, waived or turned into equity in the respective properties in tabular form. [10348/21]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
LOCAL AUTHORITY |
CALF DRAWDOWN FROM 2011 TO 31/12/2020 |
|
Carlow |
€9,052,178.46 |
|
Cavan |
€3,668,543.77 |
|
Clare |
€6,242,229.14 |
|
Cork City |
€33,127,703.49 |
|
Cork County |
€25,946,071.83 |
|
DLR |
€34,479,515.43 |
|
Donegal |
€2,329,930.45 |
|
Dublin City |
€105,073,851.87 |
|
Fingal |
€74,170,279.86 |
|
Galway City |
€17,829,890.48 |
|
Galway County |
€2,661,946.11 |
|
Kerry |
€12,929,106.62 |
|
Kildare |
€34,613,088.05 |
|
Kilkenny |
€12,164,020.07 |
|
Laois |
€6,970,816.93 |
|
Leitrim |
€392,843.38 |
|
Limerick |
€3,886,640.88 |
|
Longford |
€117,006.69 |
|
Louth |
€50,381,721.51 |
|
Mayo |
€648,556.22 |
|
Meath |
€39,123,313.00 |
|
Monaghan |
€4,938,148.32 |
|
Offaly |
€3,802,010.59 |
|
Roscommon |
€1,032,249.62 |
|
Sligo |
€37,507.00 |
|
South Dublin |
€43,678,119.25 |
|
Tipperary |
€6,108,878.65 |
|
Waterford |
€8,687,130.33 |
|
Westmeath |
€3,369,004.98 |
|
Wexford |
€16,274,994.84 |
|
Wicklow |
€17,385,263.34 |
|
LOCAL AUTHORITY |
MTR-CALF DRAWDOWN FROM 2013 TO 31/12/2020 |
|
Carlow |
€624,892.65 |
|
Cavan |
€311,814.31 |
|
Clare |
€142,414.05 |
|
Cork City |
€748,311.60 |
|
Cork County |
€845,559.58 |
|
DLR |
€271,210.09 |
|
Dublin City |
€2,030,163.45 |
|
Fingal |
€2,211,542.26 |
|
Galway City |
€196,913.71 |
|
Galway County |
€373,766.89 |
|
Kerry |
€180,165.53 |
|
Kildare |
€2,183,805.58 |
|
Kilkenny |
€573,298.84 |
|
Laois |
€479,963.15 |
|
Leitrim |
€14,532.37 |
|
Limerick |
€652,256.41 |
|
Longford |
€119,330.74 |
|
Louth |
€758,510.48 |
|
Mayo |
€193,542.83 |
|
Meath |
€1,991,867.32 |
|
Monaghan |
€183,229.38 |
|
Offaly |
€573,841.53 |
|
Roscommon |
€20,021.00 |
|
Sligo |
€9,478.80 |
|
South Dublin |
€1,981,390.23 |
|
Tipperary |
€778,128.95 |
|
Waterford |
€1,242,669.12 |
|
Westmeath |
€515,731.22 |
|
Wexford |
€848,981.80 |
|
Wicklow |
€1,781,735.15 |
|
Local Authority |
Amount Advanced |
Balance at 31/12/2020 |
|
Local Authority |
Amount Advanced |
Balance at 31/12/2020 |
|
Carlow |
€26,000,076 |
€11,928,689 |
|
Cavan |
€7,577,925 |
€4,816,853 |
|
Clare |
€13,830,697 |
€7,130,075 |
|
Cork City |
€44,399,250 |
€26,085,705 |
|
Cork |
€75,570,429 |
€45,401,735 |
|
Donegal |
€49,697,965 |
€26,280,854 |
|
Dublin City |
€316,179,480 |
€186,584,110 |
|
DLR |
€88,693,512 |
€56,026,281 |
|
Fingal |
€107,234,792 |
€68,751,025 |
|
Galway City |
€19,258,415 |
€9,700,335 |
|
Galway |
€20,720,741 |
€11,059,506 |
|
Kerry |
€24,505,839 |
€14,631,951 |
|
Kildare |
€54,794,583 |
€29,475,128 |
|
Kilkenny |
€10,255,152 |
€3,749,398 |
|
Laois |
€42,212,240 |
€25,546,896 |
|
Leitrim |
€5,377,885 |
€2,919,374 |
|
Limerick |
€23,341,132 |
€12,599,250 |
|
Longford |
€29,274,185 |
€17,628,768 |
|
Louth |
€83,222,447 |
€48,430,565 |
|
Mayo |
€25,525,405 |
€15,900,113 |
|
Meath |
€19,176,927 |
€9,128,483 |
|
Monaghan |
€9,586,444 |
€5,417,528 |
|
Offaly |
€28,879,678 |
€14,748,326 |
|
Roscommon |
€2,870,331 |
€1,366,022 |
|
Sligo |
€20,664,964 |
€9,819,365 |
|
South Dublin |
€140,933,682 |
€79,121,922 |
|
Tipperary |
€77,532,692 |
€45,543,295 |
|
Waterford |
€42,058,000 |
€18,731,067 |
|
Wexford |
€26,601,011 |
€11,767,541 |
|
Wicklow |
€8,060,232 |
€3,746,890 |
|
Expiry Year |
Value of Loans Expiring |
|
Expiry Year |
Value of Loans Expiring |
|
2022 |
€171,072 |
|
2023 |
€1,282,637 |
|
2024 |
€3,150,128 |
|
2025 |
€5,108,185 |
|
2026 |
€5,124,030 |
|
2027 |
€4,443,196 |
|
2028 |
€4,567,357 |
|
2029 |
€12,079,680 |
|
2030 |
€27,203,796 |
|
2031 |
€36,282,816 |
|
2032 |
€41,272,428 |
|
2033 |
€57,856,893 |
|
2034 |
€52,066,081 |
|
2035 |
€43,931,627 |
|
2036 |
€49,203,779 |
|
2037 |
€99,242,266 |
|
2038 |
€157,624,756 |
|
2039 |
€94,912,475 |
|
2040 |
€66,735,027 |
|
2041 |
€33,268,013 |
|
2042 |
€10,043,183 |
|
2043 |
€7,033,851 |
|
2044 |
€5,638,030 |
|
2045 |
€2,065,299 |
|
2046 |
€1,956,446 |
|
2047 |
€1,099,330 |
|
2048 |
€124,050 |
|
2050 |
€550,620 |
338. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process that will be used to determine membership of the working group on the review on the use of peat moss in the horticultural industry; if expressions of interest will be sought; the criteria that will be applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10383/21]
View answerArising from the recommendation in the Report on the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry, I decided to establish a working group under an independent chairperson to examine the issues which had been identified during the review.
Invitations to nominate representatives to the working group have been issued to relevant Government Departments and State Agencies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and to various sectors within the industry.
The invitations have issued taking account of the issues identified during the review, requests from interested parties to participate in the working group and consultations with the chairperson and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
339. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness raising campaigns of Covid-19 in national newspapers, regional newspapers, national radio, regional and local radio stations and across social media platforms; and the amount committed to expend under any current contracts or agreements with same in tabular form. [10476/21]
View answerMy Department has not incurred any expenditure on advertising in national newspapers, regional newspapers, national radio, regional and local radio stations and across social media platforms on COVID-19 awareness raising campaigns.
However, in 2020, my Department spent €192,907 on public information material as part of the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This expenditure related to the printing and translation, including into braille and sign language, of an information brochure on the Community Call initiative which was delivered to every home; and the design of the COVID-19 Guide for the Bereaved.
340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of projects sanctioned in round 1 of the urban regeneration and development fund roll-out; the value of same; the number of projects that have not commenced construction yet; the funding paid to date in respect of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10497/21]
View answer341. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated allocation of funding for the urban regeneration and development fund; the amount of this that was expended; the amount carried forward to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10498/21]
View answer342. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the allocation of funding in the 2021 estimates, including the carry-over from 2020 for the urban regeneration and development fund; the amount spent to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10499/21]
View answer343. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of projects sanctioned under round 1 of the urban regeneration and development fund; the number of these that were local authority infrastructural projects; the number that were community led projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10500/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 340 to 343, inclusive, together.
The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in 2018 to support more compact and sustainable development. The Fund is providing part-funding for projects that will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.
The URDF is one of four funds established under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has responsibility for its implementation. The URDF has a total allocation of €2 billion to 2027, with €150 million, inclusive of €84m in capital carryover, available to fund URDF supported projects in 2021.
In keeping with the aims of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and Project Ireland 2040, the URDF demonstrates a new and more tailored approach to the provision of Government support. Over its planned duration up to 2027, URDF support will be targeted in an integrated, dynamic and responsive way to support the regeneration and rejuvenation of our towns and cities.
Already, the URDF is providing assistance for major projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and National Development Plan.
Applications under Call 1 were open to public bodies and on 26 November 2018, URDF support was announced for a total of 88 projects throughout the country, one of which was later withdrawn by the applicant. In mid-2019 approval in principle and provisional funding allocations issued in respect of 87 projects across the country.
Of the 87 proposals approved under Call 1, 46 were in respect of feasibility studies or master planning and 41 were in respect of capital projects of which 24 have commenced .
This significant pipeline of projects is set to have a transformational impact in urban areas across the country. Through the URDF, successful applicants are receiving targeted integrated support for innovative holistic solutions to the issues that have hindered the regeneration and rejuvenation of our large towns and cities. To date provisional allocations totalling almost €300m have issued in respect of these projects.
The programme has been very well received and supported, and while responsibility for the advancement of proposals is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant applicant my Department is working closely with applicants to advance these projects as quickly as possible.
Call 2 for proposals under the URDF was announced in 2020, with a primary focus on contributing to compact growth objectives through the support of integrated urban developments, strategic development areas combining a number of elements and schemes that support wider climate action objectives and liveability factors within our cities and towns. Applications under Call 2 were open to local authorities only. 76 proposals were received, with every local authority submitting at least one application. Because of the nature of the URDF programme the proposals are of significant scale and complexity, and each requires detailed assessment.
This assessment process is nearing completion, and I intended to soon announce a new tranche of approved URDF supported proposals, which will augment the existing pipeline of projects from Call 1 and contribute to the achievement of Programme for Government commitments and the objectives of the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040.
The Table below lists the 87 projects approved under Call 1 together with up-to-date provisional URDF funding allocations and details of the payments made to each applicant in respect of their projects in 2019, 2020, and to date in 2021. As the announcement of successful proposals under Call 1 of the URDF was made in late 2018 there was no expenditure on the URDF supported capital programme in that year.
|
County |
Applicant |
Project |
Provisional Allocation € |
Expenditure 2019 € |
Expenditure 2020 € |
|
Carlow |
Carlow County Council |
Carlow Town Master Plan |
580,000 |
75,481 |
426,474 |
|
Cavan |
Cavan County Council |
Abbeylands Redevelopment -Cavan Town Centre |
262,500 |
0 |
242,432 |
|
Clare |
Clare County Council |
The Venue Shannon |
250,000 |
3,543 |
154,594 |
|
Clare |
Clare County Council |
Parnell Street and the Lanes and Bow-Ways |
3,665,339 |
200,445 |
1,251,000 |
|
Clare |
Clare County Council |
Barrack Square and Old Barrack Street and O’Connell Square and High Street |
189,000 |
45,922 |
51,972 |
|
Cork City |
Cork City Council |
Beamish and Crawford / Grand Parade Quarter |
916,000 |
13,146 |
166,980 |
|
Cork City |
Cork City Council |
Cork City Docklands |
450,000 |
175,878 |
87,694 |
|
Cork City |
Port of Cork |
Tivoli Docks |
1,312,500 |
0 |
337,500 |
|
Cork City |
Irish Rail |
Kent Station Yard (Site enabling) |
750,000 |
70,419 |
19,922 |
|
Cork County |
Cork County Council |
Carrigaline Western Relief Road |
6,400,208 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
Cork County Council |
Midleton Main Street Public Improvements |
1,921,985 |
119,468 |
48,525 |
|
Cork County |
Cork County Council |
Midleton Permeability Package of Proposals |
187,500 |
29,520 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
Cork County Council |
Cobh UEA - Public Realm - Diaspora Centre |
277,500 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
Cork County Council |
Carrigaline Public Realm |
112,500 |
4,175 |
16,502 |
|
Cork County |
Cork County Council |
Carrigtwohill –Design and Planning works |
562,500 |
0 |
117,285 |
|
Cork County |
Cork County Council |
Mallow Town Regeneration |
1,480,500 |
67,033 |
381,733 |
|
Donegal |
Donegal County Council |
Letterkenny 2040 (Public Realm and Site Acquisition) |
1,942,536 |
16,974 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
Dublin City Council |
Santry River Restoration Project |
750,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
Dublin City Council |
Artists' Workspaces |
200,000 |
0 |
190,000 |
|
Dublin City |
Dublin City Council |
Inchicore - St Michael's Estate & Environs Regeneration |
150,000 |
97,821 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
Dublin City Council |
Rutland Street NEIC |
8,969,460 |
1,571,123 |
759,608 |
|
Dublin City |
Dublin City Council |
Park West/Cherry Orchard Industrial Lands Analysis |
150,000 |
0 |
22,373 |
|
Dublin City |
Dublin City Council |
Naas Road LAP lands |
200,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
Trinity College Dublin |
Campus at Grand Canal Quay (Public Realm Re-use) |
1,500,000 |
1,500,000 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
Dept of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
Redevelopment and repurposing of the historically significant No. 11 Parnell Square |
3,862,500 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin County |
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
Stillorgan (Public Realm works) |
7,658,379 |
77,706 |
2,825,962 |
|
Dublin County |
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
Dundrum Community, Cultural and Civic Action Plan |
65,679 |
29,618 |
32,777 |
|
Dublin County |
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
Spatial and Economic Action Plan for Dun Laoghaire |
75,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin County |
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
Cherrywood Public Parks, Greenways & Attenuation |
13,358,102 |
8,382 |
356,031 |
|
Dublin County |
Fingal County Council |
Balbriggan Planning and Design Works |
2,125,000 |
65,198 |
299,704 |
|
Dublin County |
Fingal County Council |
Sustainable Swords |
375,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin County |
South Dublin County Council |
Tallaght Town Centre (Civic Plaza/Link Road) |
31,894,325 |
98,457 |
1,711,010 |
|
Dublin County |
South Dublin County Council |
Naas Road/Ballymount |
200,000 |
0 |
109,572 |
|
Galway City |
Galway City Council |
Ardaun Upgrade of Martin Roundabout |
2,703,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
Galway City Council |
Sandy Road Liosbán – Funding is to support the preparation of a Development Feasibility Study |
187,500 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
Galway City Council |
Cycling and Walking – Initial funding for new/upgrade cycleways |
2,900,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) |
Nuns Island Master Planning |
236,000 |
126,862 |
59,676 |
|
Galway City |
Galway Harbour Company |
Regeneration of Galway City Inner Harbour |
285,000 |
121,628 |
145,448 |
|
Kerry |
Kerry County Council |
Phase I Tralee Town Centre - Rock Street, Russell Street and Bridge Street |
2,606,511 |
9,225 |
114,547 |
|
Kerry |
Kerry County Council |
Smarter Travel Killarney (Link & Public Realm) |
1,000,000 |
25,046 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
Kerry County Council |
Áras Phádraig Masterplan |
112,500 |
0 |
106,875 |
|
Kildare |
Kildare County Council |
Naas Library (including Public Realm works) |
4,445,243 |
199,631 |
211,050 |
|
Kildare |
Kildare County Council |
Celbridge Southern Relief Road & Second Liffey Crossing |
400,000 |
8,939 |
151,130 |
|
Kildare |
Kildare County Council |
Newbridge Cultural and Civic Quarter |
492,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
Kildare County Council |
Canal Quarter Naas |
195,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny County Council |
Abbey Quarter (Public Realm enabling) |
6,154,000 |
621,170 |
972,545 |
|
Laois |
Laois County Council |
Portlaoise - A Cultural Quarter |
7,028,640 |
556,240 |
169,152 |
|
Laois |
Laois County Council |
Portlaoise - A Low Carbon Town |
2,026,372 |
56,469 |
698,610 |
|
Leitrim |
Leitrim County Council |
Public Realm Improvement Scheme for the town of Carrick on Shannon |
6,502,500 |
485,603 |
3,181,832 |
|
Limerick |
Limerick City & County Council |
O’Connell Street Urban Centre Revitalisation Project |
4,500,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
Limerick City & County Council |
Digital Collaboration and Virtual Reality Centre |
937,500 |
0 |
108,491 |
|
Limerick |
Limerick City & County Council |
Worldclass Waterfront |
350,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
Limerick City & County Council |
Social and Economic Model |
110,000 |
4,500 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
Limerick City & County Council |
Living Georgian City Programme |
1,200,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
Limerick City & County Council |
Opera Project (Site enabling) |
1,839,000 |
156,801 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
University of Limerick |
Digital District (Inner City Digital Hub) |
750,000 |
0 |
750,000 |
|
Longford |
Longford County Council |
Longford Connected (Public Realm Marketsquare) |
2,990,355 |
290,398 |
376,898 |
|
Louth |
Louth County Council |
Long Walk Quarter Dundalk |
533,000 |
0 |
5,445 |
|
Louth |
Louth County Council |
Westgate Vision Drogheda |
476,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
Mayo County Council |
Ballina Innovation Quarter |
5,361,004 |
0 |
131,120 |
|
Mayo |
Mayo County Council |
Castlebar Urban Greenway Link |
1,875,000 |
5,757 |
22,744 |
|
Mayo |
Mayo County Council |
Castlebar Military Barracks |
141,391 |
129,810 |
11,581 |
|
Meath |
Meath County Council |
Ashbourne Road and Public Realm Improvement |
6,376,050 |
0 |
2,020,013 |
|
Meath |
Meath County Council |
Flowerhill Regeneration Project |
75,000 |
28,050 |
27,335 |
|
Meath |
Meath County Council |
Navan Active Land Management Project |
3,683,000 |
38,204 |
2,466,252 |
|
Meath |
Meath County Council |
Railway Street Regeneration and County Archive |
187,500 |
22,124 |
13,838 |
|
Monaghan |
Monaghan County Council |
Dublin Street Regeneration Monaghan |
1,285,108 |
34,806 |
181,282 |
|
Offaly |
Offaly County Council |
Tullamore Urban Area (Public Realm) |
3,000,000 |
105,925 |
2,012,866 |
|
Roscommon |
Roscommon County Council |
Public Realm Plan - Market Square & Main Street |
4,775,075 |
94,125 |
284,727 |
|
Roscommon |
Roscommon County Council |
Roscommon Town Centre |
350,000 |
0 |
4,908 |
|
Sligo |
Sligo County Council |
Eastern Garavogue Bridge & Approach Roads Scheme |
6,000,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
Sligo County Council |
O'Connell Street Enhancement |
2,134,332 |
236,348 |
568,649 |
|
Sligo |
Sligo County Council |
Sligo Cultural Plaza |
750,000 |
0 |
19,146 |
|
Sligo |
Sligo County Council |
Sligo Public Realm |
560,000 |
47,662 |
146,976 |
|
Tipperary |
Tipperary County Council |
Liberty Square |
4,390,000 |
600,000 |
2,299,912 |
|
Tipperary |
Tipperary County Council |
Clonmel 2030 Transformational Regeneration |
10,594,961 |
153,313 |
858,150 |
|
Waterford |
Waterford City & County Council |
Waterford City and Environs - North Quays (Infrastructure enabling) |
80,618,212 |
3,984,525 |
2,229,111 |
|
Waterford |
Waterford City & County Council |
Tramore Town Centre |
2,172,500 |
131,920 |
982,749 |
|
Westmeath |
Westmeath County Council |
Loughanaskin Masterplanning |
750,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
Westmeath County Council |
Canal Avenue & Environs Regeneration Project |
1,706,250 |
0 |
253,836 |
|
Westmeath |
Westmeath County Council |
Athlone Tourism Cultural Quarter |
750,000 |
355,500 |
180,352 |
|
Westmeath |
Westmeath County Council |
Blackhall, Mullingar |
2,452,500 |
1,711,513 |
618,361 |
|
Westmeath |
Westmeath County Council |
Athlone Town Centre Regeneration and Enhancement |
750,000 |
0 |
38,151 |
|
Wexford |
Wexford County Council |
Trinity Wharf Project |
2,028,000 |
1,434,840 |
319,021 |
|
Wicklow |
Wicklow County Council |
Bray Public Transport Bridge |
6,450,000 |
115,824 |
319,462 |
|
Wicklow |
Wicklow County Council |
Arklow Historic Town Core |
2,351,013 |
85,512 |
1,239,724 |
|
Wicklow |
Wicklow County Council |
Wicklow Town - Relocation and upgrading of the library and Fitzwilliam square upgrade and street improvement. |
4,627,409 |
551,645 |
3,844,394 |
|
Total |
299,948,439 |
16,800,224 |
37,756,009 |
344. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to protect the Rockabill to Dalkey Island special area of conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10506/21]
View answerRegulation 5 of the European Union Habitats (Rockabill to Dalkey Island Special Area of Conservation 003000) Regulations 2019 provides that certain specified activities may not take place within the special area of conservation, without the prior written consent of the Minister or of another public authority, where applicable. These activities are those which have the potential to cause disturbance or damage to the natural habitat types and species specified in the regulations. It is an offence to undertake a specified activity without the prior consent of the Minister, if such consent is required. Any person who commits such an offence is liable on conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment or both.
Landowners or occupiers should apply to the local National Parks and Wildlife Service office in my Department in order to obtain consent for an activity that requires Ministerial consent.
345. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when funding will be made available to Donegal County Council to complete the replacement of single-glazed windows and doors under the retrofit scheme; the level of funding allocated to Donegal County Council for such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10533/21]
View answerResponsibility for the management and maintenance of the local authority housing stock is the responsibility of the local authority under section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. My Department supports local authorities with annual funding to support management and maintenance of their social housing stock under a number of funding programmes.
The programmes include the newly revised 2021 Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme which I launched last week with an initial allocation to local authorities of €35 million in funding for the retrofitting of 1,293 homes. The balance of €10m is available for allocation to local authorities that submit a work programme for 2021 which demonstrates an ability to complete the retrofit of additional properties and spend their full allocation in 2021.
This revised programme, designed around the Programme for Government 2020 commitments, focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided. Works eligible under the Programme include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement where required, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works, with all properties upgraded required to reach a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or cost optimal level.
Donegal County Council was notified of a preliminary allocation of €1,220,546 with a requirement to retrofit a minimum of 45 properties.
346. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider funding for Irish Water to resolve the current issue of flooding in New Road, Bandon, County Cork, in which residents are currently experiencing flooding that includes untreated sewerage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10566/21]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels.
As part of Budget 2021, I secured funding of over €1.4 billion to support water services. This includes €1.3 billion in respect of domestic water services provision by Irish Water. This overall investment will deliver significant improvements in our public water and wastewater services, support improved water supplies right across Ireland, including rural Ireland, and support a range of programmes delivering improved water quality in our rivers, lakes and marine area. The prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for determination by Irish Water.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
The Office of Public Works is the lead State body responsible for the coordination and implementation of Government policy on the management of flood risk in Ireland.
347. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the facilities available in his Department to facilitate breastfeeding breaks in accordance with WHO guidelines of two years for women in the workplace and as part of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9372/21]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs is compliant with section 9 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 which entitles breastfeeding mothers to take time off work each day in order to breastfeed. While this legislation does not oblige employers to provide facilities in the workplace to facilitate breastfeeding, comfort rooms are currently available in our buildings at Headquarters that can be used by new mothers for breastfeeding purposes. Dedicated breastfeeding facilities have been included in the design of new Departmental office space in Bishop’s Square, Dublin, and consideration is being given to enhancing current facilities across our other buildings.
The Department’s Human Resources Strategy 2019-2022 has a focus on gender, equality, diversity and inclusion as one of its four pillars, underscoring the Department’s commitment to the development of this agenda. This strategy and our Sub-Committee of the Management Board on Gender, Equality and Diversity takes cognisance of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020 when considering policy initiatives and programmes. One of the key actions is to enhance the provision of maternity supports for our female colleagues prior to and on return from maternity leave.
348. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of instances in which diplomatic immunity has been formally invoked to avoid road traffic offences in each of the years 2010 to 2020, by embassy and consulate in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9436/21]
View answerThere are currently 63 resident Diplomatic Missions in Ireland with approximately 1,250 diplomatic agents, including their spouses and families. The operation of these Missions is regulated by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 as transposed into Irish law by the Diplomatic and Immunities Act 1967. Privileges and immunities of accredited diplomatic agents in Ireland are governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963, as incorporated into Irish law, by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Acts 1967-2006.
Article 29 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations provides that a diplomatic agent shall not be liable to any form of arrest or detention, while Article 31 provides that a diplomatic agent shall enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving State. Diplomatic immunity must be expressly waived for criminal proceedings to commence.
Road traffic offences allegedly committed by people entitled to diplomatic immunity in Ireland may be brought to the attention of the Department of Foreign Affairs by An Garda Síochána. In such cases, the Department reminds resident Diplomatic Missions about their obligations under Article 41.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which requires all persons enjoying privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State, and informs the concerned Diplomatic Mission of the alleged incident. The number of alleged road traffic offences committed by members of the diplomatic community in Ireland is proportionately low. In general, Diplomatic Missions operate in compliance with Irish law.
Notwithstanding this, my Department expects all those agents duly accredited here, who are entitled to privileges and immunities in accordance with Article 31 of the Vienna Convention, to respect Irish laws and regulations, as indeed, we expect our Embassies abroad to respect the laws and regulations of the host country. I recall that the purpose of diplomatic privileges and immunities is not to benefit individuals but to ensure the effective performance of the functions of Diplomatic Missions. In addition, Article 31(4) of the Vienna Convention provides that the immunity of a diplomatic agent from the jurisdiction of the receiving State does not exempt the agent from the jurisdiction of the sending State.
The tables below have been compiled from electronic records held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and relate to alleged incidents brought to the attention of the Department by An Garda Síochána:
(i) the number of alleged road traffic offences in each year from 2010 – 2020;
(ii) the number of alleged road traffic offences for each Diplomatic Mission from 2010 – 2020.
|
Year |
No. of alleged Road Traffic Offences |
|
2010 |
15 |
|
2011 |
15 |
|
2012 |
7 |
|
2013 |
11 |
|
2014 |
9 |
|
2015 |
15 |
|
2016 |
8 |
|
2017 |
11 |
|
2018 |
15 |
|
2019 |
11 |
|
2020 |
9 |
|
Year |
No. of alleged Road Traffic Offences |
|
2010 |
15 |
|
2011 |
15 |
|
2012 |
7 |
|
2013 |
11 |
|
2014 |
9 |
|
2015 |
15 |
|
2016 |
8 |
|
2017 |
11 |
|
2018 |
15 |
|
2019 |
11 |
|
2020 |
9 |
|
Diplomatic Mission |
No. of alleged Road Traffic Offences 2010 - 2020 |
|
Russia |
22 |
|
Egypt |
9 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
9 |
|
Bulgaria |
6 |
|
Georgia |
6 |
|
Czech Republic |
5 |
|
Hungary |
5 |
|
Iran |
5 |
|
Nigeria |
4 |
|
Palestinian Mission |
4 |
|
China |
3 |
|
Croatia |
3 |
|
Korea (Rep. of) |
3 |
|
Latvia |
3 |
|
Slovakia |
3 |
|
United Arab Emirates |
3 |
|
Austria |
2 |
|
Brazil |
2 |
|
Cyprus |
2 |
|
Estonia |
2 |
|
Ethiopia |
2 |
|
Greece |
2 |
|
Malaysia |
2 |
|
Mexico |
2 |
|
Portugal |
2 |
|
Ukraine |
2 |
|
Chile |
1 |
|
Germany |
1 |
|
India |
1 |
|
Israel |
1 |
|
Morocco |
1 |
|
Netherlands |
1 |
|
Pakistan |
1 |
|
Philippines |
1 |
|
Romania |
1 |
|
Slovenia |
1 |
|
South Africa |
1 |
|
Turkey |
1 |
|
United States of America |
1 |
