Written Answers Nos. 1-18
9. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the schedule of stock condition surveys of local authority properties detailing which developments in which local authorities will be surveyed in 2021 and 2022. [33762/21]
View answerThere are approximately 140,000 local authority social housing properties in the State. it is important that local authorities ensure the optimum management and maintenance of this valuable State asset, that the homes comply with relevant standards and that vacancy and letting turnaround times are kept to a minimum.
My Department is committed to supporting local authorities in the optimum management and maintenance of their housing stock and is working with them to transition from a largely response based approach to a strategic planned maintenance approach based on stock condition surveys.
A national standardised stock condition survey template has been agreed, as has the implementation of a centrally hosted ICT system to support asset management. The ICT system is currently being procured by the Local Government Management Agency. The stock condition surveys will begin once the ICT system is in place and will be completed over a four to five year period. The start has been delayed somewhat during Covid restrictions and it is likely to be 2022 when surveys commence.
Funding support from my Department is important in order to drive high standards and minimum vacancy within the local authority housing stock.
In 2020, the largest ever voids programme was funded by my Department at a cost of €56.4m. This allowed 3,607 properties to be refurbished and made available for allocation. A similar programme is underway in 2021 at a cost of €44.7m to remediate 3,000 homes. The enhanced voids programmes in 2020 and 2021 will significantly reduce legacy vacancy within the local authority housing stock and put both the local authorities and my Department in a good position to transition from a voids responsive approach to a planned maintenance funded approach to stock maintenance over the period 2022 and 2023.
My Department will continue to support local authorities under the existing programmes of stock improvement works, such as, Voids, Disabled Persons Grants and Remedial Works Scheme during the transition to a planned maintenance approach over the years 2022 and 2023 but it is equally important that local authorities ensure adequate budgetary provision is made for housing repairs and cyclical maintenance as part of their annual budget process.
12. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the proposal to transfer local authority water services staff to Irish Water and the creation of a single water utility for the State. [33761/21]
View answerThe Government published a Policy Paper entitled Irish Water - Towards a national, publicly-owned, regulated water services utility in February 2021 setting out our views and expectations on the next phase of transformation in the water sector.
This will complete the broad policy and legislative reforms which have seen public water services embark on a journey of transformation, from a structure based on locally-organised water services authorities, towards a single, national, water utility in public ownership.
There are significant issues for the workforce to be addressed in integrating the day-to-day operation and delivery of water services within Irish Water. To resolve these, my colleague Minister O'Brien asked the Workplace Relations Commission to recommence engagement on water sector transformation with all parties aimed at reaching a collective agreement on a Framework for the future delivery of water services. This engagement is currently underway although the in-ability to hold face to face discussions due to Covid restrictions has hampered the process. I understand, however, that such discussions will take place in the coming weeks in line with the relaxation of restrictions in the coming weeks.
Change is difficult for any workforce. I am fully aware that many in the local government service do not necessarily wish to see changes to the current arrangements. However, the fact is that the Government has decided that Irish Water is to become a fully integrated, direct labour, national public utility. The status quo is not an option and continued uncertainty about the future does a disservice to everyone currently employed in the water services in local authorities. It is therefore important that the parties to the transformation process engage intensively over the coming weeks at the WRC to agree an outcome which will deliver for all parties.
The Government believes it will be possible to reach a collective agreement which addresses the interests and concerns of all parties.
13. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that have been experienced by some publicans who have obtained section 254 licences yet are being prevented from serving drinks outdoors given that, according to An Garda Síochána, alcohol cannot be consumed in these areas under the liquor by-laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33258/21]
View answerLocal Authorities, under Section 254 of the Planning and Development Act, can licence street furniture outside a hotel, restaurant, public house or other establishment where food is sold for consumption on the premises. The annual fee is typically set at €125 but, to support the outdoors focus of Summer 2021, I recently set the 2021 licence fee at zero. Local Authorities can also, pursuant to Section 199(1) of the Local Government Act, 2001, make bye-laws to control the consumption of alcohol in public spaces. Many local authorities have such bye-laws in place and they typically allow for the consumption of alcohol at tables and chairs immediately adjacent to hotels, restaurants, public houses etc.
The legislation relating to the serving of alcohol in licensed premises and the drinking of alcohol in public places comes under the remit of my colleague, Heather Humphreys, the Minister for Justice, and An Garda Síochána has responsibility for policing the liquor licensing laws and public order generally. Licences allow for alcohol to be served and consumed on the premises, which can include areas outside the confines of the building.
I have become aware recently of some engagement between An Garda Síochána and licensees regarding the consumption of alcohol outdoors in spaces licensed by local authorities. My officials are in ongoing contact with the Department of Justice to ensure that the safe operation of such outdoor dining areas continues to be facilitated. The Minister for Justice has been assured by the Garda Commissioner that discretion will continue to be applied by Gardaí in their engagement with licensed premises. In addition to this, Minister Humphreys has also discussed this matter with the Attorney General and she is examining how legislative action could bring certainty to this complex area of law.
15. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the State or public lands in Dublin 8, 10 and 12 which have been earmarked for transfer to the Land Development Agency; and the acreage and current use and zoning of each site. [33788/21]
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.
In accordance with the Programme for Government, legislation to establish the LDA on a statutory basis is being progressed as a matter of urgency. The Land Development Agency Bill 2021 will focus on the establishment of the corporate form and financial structure of the Agency. The Bill recently concluded Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann.
The Agency is currently working on an initial tranche of 8 sites that have near term delivery potential for 4,000 new homes. Significant preparatory work is underway in relation to these initial sites, with feasibility, planning and other preparatory works already initiated. The LDA is also in the process of sourcing a further pipeline of sites.
In relation to initial and further sites specifically in the Dublin 8, 10 and 12 areas, the LDA have confirmed they are currently working on progressing four such sites at Donore, Cherry Orchard, Meath Hospital and the Digital Hub.
The information regarding, the acreage, current use and zoning of these sites is set out in the summary table which I will arrange to circulate to the Deputy
|
Site Name |
Acreage |
Current Use |
Current Zoning |
|
St Teresa’s/Donore Project |
14.5 acres |
Vacant Space |
Strategic Residential/Mix use |
|
Cherry Orchard |
(estimated) 30.09 acres |
Green Space |
Existing Residential/Strategic Residential |
|
Meath Hospital |
0.75 acres |
Car Parking |
Existing Residential |
|
Digital Hub |
5.6 acres |
Enterprise/Commercial |
Existing Residential/Mix use |
16. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the mica redress scheme review will be completed and the results communicated to those affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33466/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the distress that the issue of defective concrete blocks has caused to people and families affected. What happened was wrong and I want to assure everyone affected that I am committed to having an effective Grant scheme to support them.
After working with the affected households and local authorities I am putting in place working group, with representatives from my Department, the local authorities and homeowner representative groups, to quickly review and address any outstanding issues in relation to the operation of the Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme.
The Group will examine issues such as grant caps, homeowner contributions, engineering and allowable costs etc. I expect that the review, to be undertaken by the working group will be completed by 31 July, and will inform any changes or improvements to the scheme as may be required. Following receipt of a report of the working group I will, following consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Attorney General, bring proposals in this regard to Government.
17. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the progression of social housing developments in County Cork. [33896/21]
View answerIncreasing the supply of public, social and affordable homes is a priority for this Government. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to deliver 50,000 new social homes with a focus on new build homes. The Government is also committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing and almost €690m will be put into affordability measures in 2021 including a new Affordable Purchase Shared Equity scheme, new Cost Rental homes, Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans, expanded Help-to-Buy scheme and through the Land Development Agency.
In 2021, subject to the impact of COVID, there is a target to deliver 740 new social homes in the Cork County Council area. Details of active projects are available in the Construction Status Report, and I will arrange for the relevant weblink to be circulated with the official record.
www.rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-obrien-publishes-social-housing-construction-status-report-for-q1-2021/
The Government will be publishing a new housing strategy this year, which will set out details of social housing delivery out to 2025, including social housing targets for 2022 onwards. While Cork County Council already has a social housing construction programme in train, I am keen that they are proactive in adding to this pipeline and, working with the Approved Housing Bodies, in advancing their existing projects as speedily as possible.
