Eoin Ó Broin
Question:630. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes brought into use to date in 2021 via the repair and lease scheme. [39522/21]
View answerHousing Provision
Questions (630)
Written answers
Data to end Q1 2021 in relation to dwellings delivered by each local authority under the Repair and Leasing Scheme, broken down by year, is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#repair-and-leasing-scheme-rls.
My Department is currently collecting data from local authorities regarding delivery in Q2 2021. This data will be published when the process is complete.
Housing Provision
Questions (631)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:631. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes brought into use to date in 2021 via the buy and renew scheme. [39523/21]
View answerWritten answers
Since the Buy and Renew Scheme was introduced, local authorities have used it to acquire and renew approximately 700 homes for social housing use. Statistical information for delivery in 2021 is only published for Quarter 1 so far, in which 10 further Buy and Renew properties were acquired. Statistical information for Quarter 2 of 2021 is being collected and will be published shortly.
I have asked local authorities to increasingly target vacant and derelict properties that can be brought back to use as part of new public housing delivery, particularly where good value for money can be obtained and there is no impact on the local property market and I have assured them of my Department's support in this regard. Going forward, local authorities will be tackling such vacancy and dereliction through a more construction-led approach to deliver new social homes on existing sites and to support town centre and urban improvements.
Housing Provision
Questions (632)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:632. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes acquired via the Housing Agency to date in 2021; and the average cost of each unit. [39524/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Housing Agency has been provided with direct capital funding to facilitate the acquisition of suitable portfolios of vacant properties for social housing from financial institutions and investors. An Acquisitions Fund of €70m was established with effect from 1 January 2017, with the objective of acquiring some 1,600 homes over the period to 2021, for onward sale to Approved Housing Bodies for use for social housing purposes.
In Q1 2021 the Housing Agency delivered 5 units with an average price of €197,000 per unit. Statistics for Q2 2021 are currently being collated and will be published in due course.
Traveller Accommodation
Questions (633)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:633. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the implementation of each of the 32 recommendations of the Report of the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation. [39525/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Traveller Accommodation Expert Review Report has 32 recommendations which can be broken down into 4 categories which are aimed at:
1. addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;
2. removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;
3. increasing resources and delivery capacity; and
4. strengthening governance arrangements.
The recommendations have been categorised into separate streams reflecting recommendations that can be completed within my Department, recommendations that require the assistance of other Government Departments and Agencies and recommendations that will require the commission of further independent research.
Prior to the establishment of a Programme Board to drive implementation of recommendations from the expert group Report, my Department has been progressing a number of recommendations and consulting with and reporting on progress to the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee. For example, a review has been concluded of the arrangements for the disbursement of funding for the provision and refurbishment of Traveller specific accommodation and a new process implemented for the 2020 allocation of funding.
The Programme Board has now agreed a work programme for 2021. Projects are being set up to examine in detail the issues which need to be considered in respect of the 18 recommendations included in the current work programme.
Housing Provision
Questions (634)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:634. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of cost rental projects approved by cost rental equity loan; and the number of these homes that will be tenanted in 2021, by local authority and approved housing body. [39526/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, Budget 2021 allocated €35m for a new Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme, under which Government is making loans to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) on favourable terms for up to 30% of the capital cost of new homes for Cost Rental. Following a Call for Proposals from AHBs in December 2020, a rigorous assessment process was undertaken by my Department and the Housing Agency. In February 2021 I announced approval-in-principle for the CREL financing this year of 390 new homes at eight sites across Ireland, to be owned and managed by the Clúid, Respond, and Tuath AHBs. These CREL projects are located in Dublin, the surrounding Greater Dublin Area, and Cork City, with each development delivering cost-covering rents for homes on average at least 25% below comparable open market prices.
The first of these CREL-financed homes, located at Taylor Hill, Balbriggan, were formally launched this month and will be the very first homes to be delivered into the Cost Rental sector in Ireland. The 25 homes will be owned, managed and maintained by the Clúid AHB, which is acquiring them with the assistance of a €2.4m CREL loan.
The cost-covering rents for these Taylor Hill homes will be approximately 40% below comparable open-market prices in the area, ranging from €935 per month for a two-bed terraced house to €1,150 for a four-bed detached house. It is envisaged that these dwellings will be occupied by the first tenants next month.
The necessary financial and commercial arrangements in relation to the other CREL-financed projects are being completed by the AHBs concerned. When these arrangements are concluded, details of the other projects, including specific locations, housing typologies, and cost-covering rents, will be made public.
CREL will accelerate delivery in the Cost Rental sector, in advance of the LDA’s planned future output and the delivery of homes by Local Authorities. The Affordable Housing Act 2021, signed into law on 21 July, together with regulations made thereunder will provide the legislative framework.
Housing Provision
Questions (635)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:635. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the serviced sites fund pipeline for 2021 and 2022. [39527/21]
View answerWritten answers
To date, my Department has issued two broad-based Serviced Sites Fund (SSF) calls for proposals to local authorities. Funding of almost €200 million has been approved in principle in support of 40 infrastructure projects in 14 local authority areas across 9 counties, which will assist in the delivery of almost 4,200 affordable homes for purchase or for rent.
Details of 35 SSF projects which received approval in principle under the two SSF calls to date are available on the Department's website as follows.
Call 1 www.gov.ie/en/press-release/dbc55-minister-murphy-gives-the-go-ahead-for-ten-local-authority-sites-for-affordable-housing-under-the-serviced-sites-fund/
Call 2 www.gov.ie/en/press-release/eaf39-minister-murphy-approves-84m-in-funding-for-25-local-authority-sites-to-support-the-delivery-of-approximately-1770-affordable-homes-nationally-under-the-serviced-sites-fund-ssf/.
In addition to these projects, approval in principle has also been given to five further applications for SSF funding, namely, Dublin City Council’s projects in Emmet Road and Oscar Traynor Road, Fingal County Council’s projects in Ballymastone, Donabate, and Hayestown, Rush and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s project in Shanganagh.
The Covid pandemic has had an impact on the projected timelines for local authorities, due to the closure of the construction sector earlier this year. I wish to advise the Deputy that the first SSF projects that will be delivered in 2021 will be the pilot Cost Rental project at Enniskerry Road and the first phase of the Boherboy Road in Cork City. Current projections from local authorities suggest that an estimated 400 affordable homes under SSF will be delivered in 2022.
Contained within the Programme for Government was a commitment to extend the Serviced Sites Fund. In line with this commitment, a review of SSF progress and projects to date was undertaken and, having regard to feedback from local authorities, a number of significant improvements to the scheme have now been agreed and communicated to local authorities. These include: broadening and renaming it the Affordable Housing Fund to reflect it's purpose and function in funding the delivery of affordable housing; expanding the scope of costs covered; taking applications as they are developed on a rolling basis; allowing a direct subvention of the all-in development cost, which may include land purchase costs; and, allowing funding to exceed the current maximum of €50,000 per affordable dwelling on a stepped scale to €100,000 per affordable unit, where the project requires it.
The improved and expanded funding options will greatly support delivery of affordable housing by local authorities.
Further details on affordable housing delivery will be contained in the new Housing for All Strategy.
Local Authorities
Questions (636)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:636. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount which has been drawn down from the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund to date in 2021, by local authority in tabular form. [39528/21]
View answerWritten answers
The level of expenditure to end 2020, was approximately €79.888m with circa €59.916m in Exchequer funds drawn down, matched by 25% local authority funding. A further €11.399m has been expended in 2021 on the same basis.
While drawdown to date has been in-line with expectations and budget profiling, at this time it is not fully apparent what impact the extended closure of the construction sector earlier this year, due to the Level 5 public health restrictions, will have on Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) funding claims in 2021. The table below details the exchequer funding drawn down for the period 01 January 2021 to 27 July 2021.
|
Local Authority |
Project Name |
Infrastructure to be delivered |
Drawdown of LIHAF funding Exchequer Contribution 01 January 2021 to 27 July 2021 (€) |
|
Cork City |
South Docks |
- South Docks Transition Zone transport infrastructure - Eastern Gateway Bridge western approach road - Marina Park - District Park - Kennedy Park upgrade |
2,010,562 |
|
Cork County |
Midleton (Water-rock) |
- Knockgriffen junction upgrade - New spine link road - Storm water sewer |
34,512 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
Cherrywood |
- Druid's Glen Road (road only) - Druid’s Glen bridge - (short bridge structure transversing valley) - New N11 junction 'Q' at Druid Glen Road and - Druid's Glen Road (bridge feature) |
399,340 |
|
Fingal |
Baldoyle Stapolin |
- Ramp providing pedestrian and cyclist access to Clongriffin Train Station - Attenuation areas - Regional Park - 'Hole in Wall' staggered junction upgrade works |
2,042,530* |
|
Kildare |
Maynooth |
- Maynooth Eastern Relief Road - Bridge crossing railway and Royal Canal |
41,789 |
|
Kilkenny |
Western Environs |
- Distributor Road from the N76 Callan Road to the Circular Road - Upgrade of the Circular Road to the Kilmanagh Road - Upgrade the Kilmanagh Road on the Northern Boundary of the Western Environs Area - Linear park and internal amenity areas |
584,830* |
|
Limerick |
Mungret |
- Provision of new distributor road |
226,266 |
|
Louth |
Newtown Drogheda |
- Provision of Access Road |
286 |
|
Louth |
Mount Avenue Dundalk |
- Road Improvements |
22,240 |
|
Meath |
Ratoath |
- Ratoath outer relief road |
744,211 |
|
Meath |
Farganstown, Navan |
- Access road |
19,411 |
|
South Dublin |
Kilcarbery/Corkagh Grange |
- Spine access road, including junction upgrade - Pumping station and rising foul main to existing sewer network - Foul sewer outfall |
144,218* |
|
South Dublin |
Clonburris SDZ |
- Surface water upgrade improvement scheme |
2,440 |
|
South Dublin |
Adamstown |
- Celbridge link road - Airlie Park - Tandy's Lane Park |
2,177,248 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
Kilbarry |
- Distributor road |
98,642 |
|
Total |
|
|
8,548,525 |
*Claims currently being processed.
Housing Provision
Questions (637)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:637. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Housing First tenancies that have been created in 2021 to date; and the target for the remainder of the year. [39530/21]
View answerWritten answers
Housing First enables homeless individuals with high levels of complex needs to obtain permanent secure accommodation with the provision of intensive housing and health supports to help them maintain their tenancies.
At the end of March 2021, a total of 539 individuals were being housed under the Housing First programme including 438 individuals who have been housed since the publication of the National Implementation Plan. A total of 57 Housing First tenancies were created in the first quarter of 2021. Details on the number of Housing First tenancies are published every three months as part of my Department's Homeless Quarterly Progress Report, with the next report due for publication on 30 July 2021.
Housing Schemes
Questions (638)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:638. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Rebuilding Ireland home loans applied for, approved and drawn down each month to date in 2021, by local authority; and the average amount of each approval and each drawdown. [39540/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses applications for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities to approve or refuse applications. Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
The most recent figures provided by the Agency on the numbers of applications that it has assessed and recommended for approval for each local authority, for each month up to the end of June 2021 are attached in table format.
The next stages in the process are approval and drawdown from the local authority.
My Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).
Figures for the first quarter of 2021 will be available in due course at the below link -
www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid.
European Court of Justice
Questions (639)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:639. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the European Court of Justice action against the State for breach of the urban wastewater treatment directive. [39546/21]
View answerWritten answers
Following a judgment in March 2019 by the Court of Justice of the European Union on Ireland's non-compliance with the urban wastewater treatment directive, my Department, accompanied by Irish Water, met with European Commission officials in June 2019 and proposed a programme of measures to ensure that the findings in the judgment were addressed. My Department is maintaining regular contact with the Commission as the work set out in the programme of measures is progressed and has submitted its third report of progress. Works have been completed at 17 of the 28 agglomerations identified in the judgment to bring them into compliance with the Directive.
Irish Water continues to develop and implement a long-term investment perspective in order to strategically address the deficiencies in the public water and waste water system. Building water and waste water treatment plants, as well as upgrading or building new water and waste water networks, requires significant and sustained investment. The National Development Plan 2018-2027 provides for significant investment in public water and wastewater infrastructure over the course of the plan to ensure the continued operation, repair and upgrading of Ireland’s water and waste water infrastructure to support social and economic development across the State and ensure compliance with EU Directives.
Grant Payments
Questions (640)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:640. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding allocated each year via grant aid for lead pipe replacement for domestic use since grant funding was introduced; the number of households that have accessed grant aid each year; and the amount of funding drawn down each year in tabular form. [39548/21]
View answerWritten answers
The table below sets out the amount of funding allocated by my Department each year since the introduction of the Lead Remediation Grant in 2016. It also shows the number of households that have benefited from the grant and the amount of funding recouped by my Department to local authorities each year. The Lead Remediation Grant is a demand-led scheme.
|
Year |
Funding allocated |
Number of Households Benefiting Grants Recouped by the Department |
Total Amount Recouped by Department |
|
2016 |
€5,000,000 |
3 |
€7,680.00 |
|
2017 |
€1,000,000 |
52 |
€131,647.73 |
|
2018 |
€1,000,000 |
16 |
€47,116.14 |
|
2019 |
€1,000,000 |
32 |
€74,849.45 |
|
2020 |
€1,000,000 |
6 |
€12,866.34 |
|
2021 (up to 21 July 2021) |
€1,000,000 |
6 |
€20,899.60 |
Water Services
Questions (641)
Richard O'Donoghue
Question:641. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of public water stations within County Limerick; the details of public water stations installed to date 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39534/21]
View answerWritten answers
With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels for public water services.
Given the role assigned to Irish Water, my Department does not compile the information that the Deputy has requested.
However, for the information of the Deputy, the Programme for Government includes a commitment that the Government will develop a scheme between local authorities and Irish Water to provide drinking water fountains nationwide to reduce plastic bottle litter.
In addition, EU Directive 2020/2184 (the Drinking Water Recast Directive) as adopted on 16 December 2020 updates the obligations on Member States in relation to the quality of water intended for human consumption. The objective of this Directive is to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean, and to improve access to water intended human consumption. In order to promote the use of tap water intended for human consumption, article 16 of the Directive requires that Member States shall ensure that outdoor and indoor equipment is set up in public spaces, where technically feasible, in a manner that is proportionate to the need for such measures and taking into account specific local conditions, such as climate and geography. Member States must transpose article 16 of the Directive by 12 January 2023.
My Department will implement the commitment in the Programme for Government as part of the transposition and implementation of article 16 of Directive 2020/2184, as described above.
Traveller Accommodation
Questions (642)
Joan Collins
Question:642. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the programme board established to oversee the 32 recommendations of the 2019 Expert Review Group on Traveller Accommodation has recommended the creation of a Traveller accommodation strategic policy committee in Dublin City Council; if so, when the recommendation will be implemented; and if not, when it will be discussed as part of the 32 recommendations. [39539/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Traveller Accommodation Expert Review Report has 32 recommendations which can be broken down into 4 categories which are aimed at:
1. addressing research deficiencies, including how information is gathered and used;
2. removing any potential delays and obstacles in the planning system in terms of delivery;
3. increasing resources and delivery capacity; and
4. strengthening governance arrangements.
The recommendations have been categorised into separate streams reflecting recommendations that can be completed within my Department, recommendations that require the assistance of other Government Departments and Agencies and recommendations that will require the commission of further independent research.
The Programme Board has agreed a work programme for 2021. Projects are being set up to examine in detail the issues which need to be considered in respect of the recommendations which have been made.
The recommendations being considered under the work programme of the Programme Board for 2021 are focussed on larger national issues and not issues at a local level. All recommendations will be considered by the Programme Board in due course.
Question No. 643 answered with Question No. 611.
Planning Issues
Questions (644)
Claire Kerrane
Question:644. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if substitute consent applications that were before An Bord Pleanála in December 2020 are required to go through a further round of public participation following the passing of the Planning and Development Act 2020; the reason this has not happened to date in the Derrybrien wind farm substitute consent application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39565/21]
View answerWritten answers
Section 177K(1C)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 ("the 2000 Act"), as amended by section 8 of the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020, provides that An Bord Pleanála ("the Board") shall, in relation to an application for substitute consent pending on 19 December 2020 invite the applicant to provide information as the applicant considers material for the purposes of the Board’s satisfying itself that exceptional circumstances exist that would justify the grant of such consent by the Board. The Board may, in addition to any other information given or required to be given, require the applicant to provide information as the Board may reasonably require for the purposes of its satisfying itself that such exceptional circumstances exist.
Section 177K (1D) of the 2000 Act provides for additional public consultation requirements in respect of an existing application for substitute consent pending before the Board on 19 December 2020, including that the Board shall require the applicant to publish an additional newspaper notice (including notice of any additional information submitted under subsection (1C)), erect an additional site notice and that the Board shall make the application for substitute consent, including such additional information submitted in accordance with subsection (1C), available for inspection at its offices and online on its website.
I am aware that an application for substitute consent application with respect to the Derrybrien Wind Farm was submitted to the Board on 21 August 2020. Under section 30 of the 2000 Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned. Consequently, I cannot comment on a particular substitute consent application under consideration by the Board.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for members of the Oireachtas who wish to seek information from An Bord Pleanála is oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
Fire Service
Questions (645, 646)
Ivana Bacik
Question:645. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding staff shortages in the fire service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39600/21]
View answerIvana Bacik
Question:646. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of hours that fire engines were out of service due to staff shortages in the fire service in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39601/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 645 and 646 together.
The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Act, 1981. My Department supports fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding support for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
Local Authority fire services in Ireland are provided by 3,200 professional, competent and highly committed personnel at all levels in 217 full-time and retained services. The numbers of fire service front-line staff have been maintained at a constant high level throughout the economic challenges of the past number of years, even when staffing numbers, by necessity, were reduced in other areas of the local authority sector.
The prioritisation of work and effective management of all resources is, in the first instance, a matter for management in each of the fire services, based on their assessment of local needs and requirements. In relation to the staffing requirements in each local authority, under the Local Government Act, 2001 it is the responsibility of each Chief Executive to employ such staff and to make such staffing, funding, recruitment and organisational arrangements as may be deemed necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of their local authority. Vacancies arise in fire services in the normal course of events, due to retirements and resignations. Reports from fire services indicate that, currently, there are 124 vacancies in fire-fighter staff countrywide out of a staff total of 3,200. My Department has received no report of fire stations taken out of service due to vacancies and there is nothing to indicate that the overall level of fire service provision has been adversely affected by vacancies in recent years.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department has monitored regular reports from fire services regarding the impact of the pandemic on staffing levels. During this period, necessary restrictions have limited opportunities for fire services to undertake recruitment and training activities in some cases.
I am aware that a number of fire stations were taken out of service for short periods during the pandemic, due to positive COVID-19 tests or precautionary isolation in case of suspected infection. Following testing, crews were permitted to return to duty.
The fire stations concerned were:
|
Fire station |
Date |
Number of days out of service |
|
Naas, Co. Kildare |
June 2020 |
2 |
|
Monasterevin, Co. Kildare |
June 2020 |
3 |
|
Trim, Co. Meath |
March 2021 |
9 |
|
Naas, Co. Kildare |
March 2021 |
3 |
In these cases, as always when a particular fire station is not available for any reason, fire cover was provided from the network of neighbouring fire stations during interruptions to service.
Detailed data on the number of hours fire engines may be out of service, whether due to staffing, mechanical reasons or crew engagement in training or for other reasons, is not collected by, and consequently is not available in, my Department. The relevant information may be available from individual local authorities.
Question No. 646 answered with Question No. 645.
Traveller Accommodation
Questions (647)
Sorca Clarke
Question:647. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of units available for Traveller accommodation by county in tabular form. [39607/21]
View answerWritten answers
In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. The Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.
Each year local authorities undertake the “Annual Estimate of accommodation of Travellers Families” (formally the “Annual Count”) on the last Friday of November. It provides a useful indication of the housing situation of Traveller families and can be used to track changes in that position year on year.
The attached table contains data collated as part of the 2019 Annual Estimate. The 2020 data is not yet available, the collation of which has been delayed due to Covid.