Written Answers Nos. 69-87
69. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons on local authority housing waiting lists in counties Meath and Westmeath, respectively, at the end of each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date 2021, in tabular form. [16072/21]
View answer70. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons on local authority housing waiting lists for one-bedroom homes in counties Meath and Westmeath, respectively, at the end of each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date 2021, in tabular form. [16073/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 70 together.
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area is provided in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The SSHA has been conducted on an annual basis since 2016, prior to which it was carried out tri-annually, the last of which was completed in 2013. My Department does not hold data for 2015 as no SSHA was conducted in that year.
The most recent summary, conducted in November 2020 shows that 61,880 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 6,813 households or 9.9% on the last assessment in June 2019. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 61,880, a reduction of 32.4%.
Below is the link to the summary report for 2020 which includes breakdowns by each local authority, including Meath and Westmeath, across a range of categories. In relation to the specific question posed regarding a breakdown by one bedroom homes, information of this exact type is not held by my Department.
Tables 2.4 and A1.4 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.
SSHA Report 2020
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/970ea-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2020-key-findings/
Numbers for those local authorities for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 are provided in the corresponding tables of the respective reports for those years, the links for which are provided below.
SSHA Report 2016
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/summary_of_social_housing_assessments_2016.pdf
SSHA Report 2017
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/sha_summary_2017.pdf
SSHA Report 2018
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/summary_of_social_housing_assessments_2018_-_key_findings.pdf
SSHA Report 2019
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/29da7-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2019-key-findings/
71. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority-owned housing units in counties Meath and Westmeath, respectively, by type, that is, one- and two-bedroom and so on, at the end of each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date 2021, in tabular form. [16074/21]
View answerThe detailed detailed information requested by the Deputy relating to the social housing stock of Meath and Westmeath County Councils, is not collected by my Department. However, the National Oversight and Audit Commission published a report in May 2017 titled 'Local Authority Housing Management and Maintenance Review' which does provide a profile of the local authority housing stock and in particular, at Table 2.2, sets out 'the Number of Bedrooms in Local Authority Housing' and at Figure 2.4 'the Percentage of Housing Units by No. of Bedrooms in each Local Authority'.
The report can be accessed at the following link: https://noac.ie/noac_publications/noac-local-authority-housing-management-and-maintenance-review/.
Further detailed information on local authority housing stock should be available from the local authorities themselves.
72. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority-owned housing units in counties Meath and Westmeath, respectively, that were empty by type, that is, one- and two-bedroom and so on, at the end of each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date 2021, in tabular form. [16075/21]
View answerVacancy levels in local authority housing stock will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process.
Statistics in relation to the social housing stock are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including the level of vacancy broken down by local authority. Reports from 2014 to 2019 are available on the NOAC website at the following link: https://noac.ie/publications/
73. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to cease the strategic housing development regulation. [16101/21]
View answerThe Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 (the Act) introduced new streamlined arrangements to enable planning applications for strategic housing developments (SHDs) of 100 housing units or more, or student accommodation or shared accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more, to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála (the Board) for determination.
The Programme for Government commits to not extending the SHD arrangements beyond their legislative expiry date of end December 2021, which has now been extended to 25 February 2022 arising from the Covid-related extension of duration of statutory deadlines within the planning system for 8 weeks in respect of the period March to May 2020. The process for winding up the SHD arrangements and their replacement by possible new arrangements will be considered by my Department over the coming months.
74. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to run a module under the urban regeneration and development fund specifically aimed at funding large community facility developments in view of the dearth of funds available in urban areas for such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16151/21]
View answerThe primary focus of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is on supporting projects that will contribute to compact growth and that will improve the liveability of our cities and towns. All applications for URDF support are assessed in terms of their alignment with the intended purpose of the URDF and also their viability before being considered for approval.
There have been two calls for proposals under the URDF. In 2019, approval in principle together with provisional funding allocations issued in respect of the 87 projects approved under the first call which was launched in 2018. The second call for proposals was launched last year, and following a rigorous assessment process I have recently approved a further tranche of 45 projects which will augment the existing pipeline of transformative projects already being advanced throughout the country.
At present I have no plans to change the focus and purpose of the URDF of contributing to the achievement of compact growth in our cities and towns.
75. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to approve immediately the appointment of a permanent CEO to Galway County Council given that the council has been without a permanent CEO for a long time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16152/21]
View answerThe current Chief Executive of Galway County Council notified my Department of his intention to resign with effect from 23 May 2021.
My Department is reviewing the position in relation to the filling of the post of Chief Executive of Galway County Council on a permanent basis. That process is underway and will be concluded as quickly as possible. I undertaketo revert to the Deputy on the matter when that process is concluded.
In accordance with statutory provisions, I intend to appoint a temporary Chief Executive to Galway County Council with effect from 24 May 2021.
76. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average all-in cost of turnkey social housing units approved in 2019 and 2020 by local authority in tabular form. [16158/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to increasing the social housing stock by more than 50,000, with an emphasis on new build homes. In 2021, the total funding being made available for the delivery of housing programmes is €3.3bn. This includes funding to deliver 12,750 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.
My Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on all social housing delivery activity under Rebuilding Ireland. This is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6d316-local-authority-housing-scheme-statistics/
The table below sets out the average all-in cost of turnkey social housing units approved in 2019 and 2020. This information is based on the year turnkey construction projects received approval.
In comparing the average cost of a turnkey home, it is important to note that turnkeys typically deliver larger units when compared to direct build. Average costs vary depending on design and type of units (e.g. bedroom numbers, apartment/house). Average costs are also determined by the number of units delivered in individual local authorities. The number of units in the local authority direct build pipeline has increased year-on-year as the social housing delivery programme has progressed. Turnkeys commonly provide fast delivery of units as planning permission is already secured and also provide much needed delivery in locations where there is a social housing need but where a local authority has no suitable sites available.
77. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average all-in cost of SHIP social housing units approved in 2019 and 2020 by local authority in tabular form. [16159/21]
View answerAs capital funded construction projects by local authorities must, like all publicly-funded construction programmes, comply with the Public Spending Code and Capital Works Management Framework, my Department periodically issues Unit Cost Ceilings (UCCs) for each local authority area, for use as a key benchmark for the development and costing of social housing construction scheme designs at capital appraisal stage. While not a record of actual delivery costs, UCCs are based on an analysis of returned data from tendered social housing schemes over an extended period and updated based on published tender index information as required.
To monitor tender cost trends and to inform the UCCs levels, my Department analyses the tender data for the construction cost element of new build social housing schemes approved under the four-stage approval processes for each unit type, where sufficient information is available to allow such costs to be extrapolated and where the information available is appropriate for comparison purposes.
Outlined in the tables below are average construction costs (incl. VAT) recorded as part of the aforementioned analysis for projects tendered in 2019 and 2020. I have provided the averages across all local authority areas, in addition to the averages for the four Dublin local authorities and other city based authorities for comparison purposes.
The tables also set out the range of costs that make up this average for each local authority. The range of costs recorded vary, depending on design, type of units (e.g. bedroom numbers, apartment/house); and on the level of abnormal cost requirements for each scheme, such as existing site conditions, demolitions, service diversions and site access requirements. Abnormal costs are also separately identified in the tables below.
|
2019 |
Construction Costs* (incl abnormals) |
Abnormal Costs |
||
|
|
Average Cost Per Unit |
Range of Average Costs Per Unit |
Average Abnormal Cost Per Unit |
Range of Average Abnormal Costs Per Unit |
|
All LAs |
239,837 |
131k - 375k |
22,716 |
4k - 58k |
|
Cork City |
241,260 |
241k - 241k |
19,024 |
19k - 19k |
|
Dublin City |
351,564 |
240k - 375k |
38,393 |
10k - 43k |
|
DLR |
271,645 |
272k - 272k |
39,471 |
39k - 39k |
|
Fingal |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
South Dublin |
267,177 |
257k - 271k |
Incl. |
|
|
Galway City |
202,248 |
198k - 208k |
8,006 |
4k - 11k |
|
Limerick |
223,289 |
198k - 247k |
20,817 |
6k - 35k |
|
Waterford |
248,238 |
248k - 248k |
58,074 |
58k - 58k |
* Construction Costs as shown, are derived from unit cost analysis and capture the construction cost element only incl abnormals (i.e. not all-in costs). Costs also vary depending on design and type of units (e.g. bedroom numbers, apartment/house).
|
2020** |
Construction Costs* (incl abnormals) |
Abnormal Costs |
||
|
|
Average Cost Per Unit |
Range of Average Costs Per Unit |
Average Abnormal Cost Per Unit |
Range of Average Abnormal Costs Per Unit |
|
All LAs |
205,111 |
139k - 308k |
27,156 |
3k - 66k |
|
Cork City |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Dublin City |
237,377 |
237k - 237k |
19,138 |
19k - 19k |
|
DLR |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Fingal |
308,173 |
308k - 308k |
65,971 |
66k - 66k |
|
South Dublin |
235,622 |
236k - 236k |
Incl. |
|
|
Galway City |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Limerick |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Waterford |
202,213 |
191k - 248k |
31,406 |
26k - 54k |
* Construction Costs as shown, are derived from unit cost analysis and capture the construction cost element only incl abnormals (i.e. not all-in costs). Costs also vary depending on design and type of units (e.g. bedroom numbers, apartment/house). Average costs as shown are also affected by the number of projects tendered by the local authorities in the period which, in the case of Dublin City and South Dublin for 2020, was one project per LA.
** Some data on contruction costs for 2020 has yet to be analysed.
The above costs relate to the construction element of the all-in delivery cost. Other items that make up the all-in total include:
- Design/technical fees: Design fees vary from project to project, depending on the location, size and complexity of a scheme (and depending on whether design services are provided by a local authority in-house or via external appointment). As a guideline/indicator, design fee are generally expected to range between 7.5% to 12.5% of construction costs.
- Land cost: Land costs will vary significantly from project to project, depending on location and ownership status (i.e. land costs could vary from existing local authority land at no cost to land purchased at market value).
- Utilities: Connection fees for Irish Water, ESB, gas, etc. As a guideline/indicator, utility connection costs are generally in the order of €7k per unit.
- Other Costs: Other items that make up the all-in delivery cost can include site investigations/ surveys, archaeological requirements, Percent for Art contributions - and will vary from scheme to scheme.
To assist in policy development and to provide evidenced based data, in October 2020, the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, published an ‘Analysis of Social Housing Build Programme’ which examined the social housing build programme over the years 2016 to 2019 and considered issues such as Use of Build Delivery; Type of Units, Cost & Speed of Delivery and Cost Efficiency and Market Interaction. The IGEES analysis noted the range of average costs which highlighted the diversity of costs for delivery of new build units across different developments and locations. The paper is available at the following link: http://www.budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2021/Documents/Budget/Spending%20Review%202020%20-%20Analysis%20of%20Social%20Housing%20Build%20Programme.pdf.
I look forward to working with all stakeholders in delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government to increase the social housing stock by over 50,000 over the next five years, with an emphasis on new builds, and to ensuring that local authorities are central to delivering housing. Since taking up office, this commitment has been my key priority and focus. This is evidenced in Budget 2021 which provides record funding for housing of €3.3 billion overall.
78. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average all-in cost of Part V social housing units approved in 2019 and 2020 by local authority in tabular form. [16160/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to increasing the social housing stock by more than 50,000, with an emphasis on new build home. In 2021, the total funding being made available for the delivery of housing programmes is €3.3bn. This includes funding to deliver 12,750 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.
Following the introduction of changes to Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, effected through the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 (the relevant sections of which were commenced with effect from 1 September 2015), the range of options available through which Part V obligations might be satisfied was reduced. In particular, the payment of cash in lieu of homes or the transfer of sites or parts of sites was removed, and instead the remaining options are focused on the delivery of completed homes.
The current options for Part V delivery are:
- the transfer of ownership of land, subject to the planning permission application, to a local authority for the provision of social housing (the default option);
- the building and transfer of ownership to the local authority, or persons nominated, of completed social housing homes on the site subject to the planning permission;
- the transfer of ownership to the local authority, or persons nominated, of completed social housing homes on other land;
- the long term leasing of social housing homes; and
- a combination of the options above.
The table below, sets out an indicative average cost of Part V delivered units for each local authority for 2019 and 2020. This information is based on recoupment claims submitted by local authorities to my Department. It should be noted that average costs vary depending on design and type of units (e.g. bedroom numbers, apartment/house). Average costs are also determined by the number of units delivered in individual local authorities.
79. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement he has had on the policy of progressing disability services; and if he has contacted other Ministers regarding the policy. [16174/21]
View answerMy Department is concerned with the housing of people with disabilities under the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2016-2021, which is a joint Strategy with the Department of Health setting out the Government’s broad framework for the delivery of housing for people with disabilities through mainstream housing policy.
The Strategy was developed as part of a coherent framework of housing and care for people with disabilities, in conjunction with the Government’s mental health policy as set out in A Vision for Change and the Report of the Working Group on Congregated Settings Time to Move On (2011) which provides for the transitioning of people with intellectual disabilities from institutional setting to community living. The accommodation of people with disabilities who require social housing supports is provided by the local authorities and approved housing bodies with funding from central government through all of the mechanisms available generally available to other citizens. Health supports are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Implementation of the Strategy is primarily a matter for the Housing Agency and is overseen by an Implementation Group comprising members of the two Departments, the HSE, the Housing Agency, local authorities, approved housing bodies and service providers as well as disability organisations. The Group publishes an annual report which is available on the Department's website at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/49dc7-housing-for-people-with-a-disability/ detailing progress in the previous year.
The 2016-2021 Strategy runs to the end of this year and a first consultation phase for the development of a new joint Strategy to 2027 was launched earlier this month, with a research phase running in parallel. A new joint Strategy will be in place by 1 January 2022.
80. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reduce new businesses' (details supplied) commercial rates or to exempt them from commercial rates; if there are plans to increase the ease of setting up such new businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16261/21]
View answerLocal authorities are required by law to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority. The annual rate on valuation (ARV) is decided by the elected members of each local authority as part of the annual budget and its determination is a reserved function. The ARV is applied to the valuation for each property as determined by the Valuation Office, to obtain the amount payable in rates.
Local authorities play a key role in providing a range of business supports and advice to those wishing to establish new businesses. Among the supports provided are rates grant and incentive schemes. As with all local charges, the invoicing and collection of rates, and the adoption of rate grants and incentive schemes are a matter for the local authority concerned to manage in the light of prevailing local circumstances.
With regard to the availability of remote working hubs, €5m was allocated in Budget 2021 for the development of such hubs; this is a matter for the Minister for Rural and Community Development.
81. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the dedicated email addresses for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to contact his Department and bodies under its aegis as outlined in circular 25/2016. [16005/21]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs can be contacted by Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at the following email address: minister@dfa.ie.
There is no State Body under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs. As such, the Department does not provide an email address to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas under circular 25/2016.
82. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number that were accepted as a protected disclosure; the number that were in part or fully examined by a third party or consultancy; the number of protected disclosures under investigation over this period; and the number that were finalised and the contents accepted and acted on. [16031/21]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs has neither received nor accepted any protected disclosures since the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into force.
83. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 from officials within his Department; the number of officials who made protected disclosures over the period and who are now not working in his Department; and the number of protected disclosures received from retired officials of his Department over the period. [16049/21]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs has not received any protected disclosures since the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into effect.
84. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some international business transactions require a passport as the only acceptable Irish identity document; and if steps will be taken to arrange renewals during Covid-19 for such essential businesses. [16061/21]
View answerIn line with Government guidance that, at Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19 only essential work should take place, the Passport Service continues to provide a high quality essential service in line with Government measures to reduce social contact and combat the spread of COVID-19.
This essential service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or meet the criteria for a reasonable excuse for non-essential travel as defined in the recent amendment to the Health Act 1947, which came into effect on 1 February 2021. Supporting documentation will be required in such cases. In order to facilitate the return of travel documents which may have been submitted in support of a passport application, against the advice of the Passport Service, all documents will be registered so that they can be returned for emergency travel or for non-essential travel with a reasonable excuse.
Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes, or for non-essential travel with a reasonable excuse, should contact the Passport Service via our Customer Service Hub Webchat function on our website.
Irish citizens who are resident overseas should make contact through the local Irish Embassy or Consulate General.
85. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine reports of moves by the Turkish Government to ban the Peoples Democratic Party, which is the third largest party in the Turkish Parliament; his views on this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16067/21]
View answerThe decision, announced on the 17th March, of the Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation in Turkey to formally request the dissolution of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) is extremely concerning. The HDP is the third largest party in Turkey and this step could potentially deny representation to millions of Turkish voters.
This is the latest move by the Turkish authorities against the HDP, following the removal and replacement of 59 out of the 65 democratically elected HDP mayors, and the recent decision to strip a HDP Member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Ömer Faruk Gergerlioglu, of his parliamentary seat and parliamentary immunity so that he may be imprisoned.
This is unfortunately part of a wider negative trend in Turkey on the issues of rule of law, respect for human rights and the independence of the judiciary. Turkey’s refusal to implement the European Court of Human Rights’ rulings related to the release of Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtas; and the decision on 20th March to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, are two recent examples of the serious shortcomings that exist in Turkey in regards to respect for human rights. I made clear my concern over the Turkish Government's decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention and my call on them to reverse this decision in a statement I issued on 21 March.
The recent moves by the Turkish authorities are especially disappointing as they come at a time when we are seeking to build a more stable and constructive EU-Turkey relationship which is essential for a number of reasons, including our shared interest in issues such as migration, economy and trade, and security.
We have been clear that while Turkey has adopted a more constructive attitude in recent months on certain issues, we will only be able to make substantial progress in the relationship once we see a pattern of consistent constructive behaviour from Turkey. This includes a willingness to promote a genuine partnership with the EU, and evidence that Turkey is beginning to address its internal human rights situation through a series of positive concrete actions, rather than plans and strategies.
86. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he has had on the policy of progressing disability services; and if he has contacted other Ministers regarding the policy. [16171/21]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to equality of opportunity in all its employment practices in line with the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 and Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024.
The Department of Foreign Affairs continually engages with disability services to provide training and awareness courses for staff covering areas as defined under the Disability Act 2005. The Department ensures that staff members with disabilities are accommodated in the workplace by utilising our trained disability liaison officer who actively works with services such as O’Herlihy Access Training Consultancy, AsIAm, NCBI, Chime, and Bridge Interpreting. The Department has also conducted an Access and Sensory Audit which was carried out in the Passport Service in 2020.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is a supporter of the Willing, Able and Mentoring (WAM) programme and has supported 12 placements to graduates with disabilities since the programme commenced in 2006. The Department’s contribution was acknowledged by the Association of Higher Education and Disabilities (AHEAD) and a plaque awarded to DFA under the WAM Leader Awards in 2019 and 2020.
We will continue to progress measures this year to ensure that the Department is fully compliant with the Disability Act 2005 and the Irish Sign Language Act, 2017 as set out in the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.
87. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Defence the dedicated email addresses for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to contact his Department and bodies under its aegis as outlined in circular 25/2016. [16000/21]
View answerThe circular to which the Deputy refers, sets out the Protocol for the Provision of Information to Members of the Oireachtas by State Bodies under the aegis of Government Departments.
The only State body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 and consisting of a chairman and two ordinary members. The Secretary to the Board is provided from the staff of my Department. Therefore, any queries from members of the Oireachtas in relation to that body, as with any other matter, can be sent to minister@defence.ie.
