Written Answers Nos. 774-793
774. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is planned that the Land Development Agency will present to the Government its first report on additional public land fit for use for housing beyond those already planned for development; and if he has engaged with the authority in respect of the scale of the ambition in that initial report in terms of additional capacity for housing units. [41114/21]
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. The Land Development Agency Act 2021 was recently signed into law and, on enactment, the LDA will be established as a commercial State agency.
Under Section 52 of the Land Development Agency Act 2021, the LDA shall furnish a report to Government every 2 years detailing how public lands are being utilised and identifying any lands which may be appropriate for the LDAs objectives. On receipt of such a report, the Government can direct a relevant public body to dispose of its land to the LDA. The first report to be provided by the LDA to Government is required to be submitted within 12 months of the coming into operation of Section 52, which is expected to be commenced in Autumn 2021.
There is ongoing engagement between the LDA and my Department in relation to the identification of relevant public lands suitable for the delivery of substantial additional housing in locations with a significant housing need.
775. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is in a position to indicate the exact terms of the memorandum of agreement and regulations which shall govern the shared equity scheme in terms of classes of dwelling, security, conditions for redemption, rate of interest and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41115/21]
View answerThe Affordable Housing Act 2021, which cleared all stages in the Oireachtas on the 12th July and which was signed in to law by the President on the 21st of July, is the State's first ever standalone affordable housing legislation. The provisions of the Act establish the basis for four affordable housing measures. These measures will deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system, and prioritise the increased supply of affordable homes, through (1) delivering affordable homes on local authority lands, (2) the introduction of a new form of tenure in Cost Rental, (3) a new affordable purchase shared equity scheme, and (4) expanding Part V planning requirements to increase the 10% contribution requirement to 20% and to apply it to cost rental as well as social and affordable housing.
Specifically in relation to Part 4 of the Act and the development of a new affordable purchase shared equity scheme, I can confirm that my officials are engaging with a range of stakeholders to finalise the administrative and operational provisions of the scheme. Scheme details, including the broad terms included in any Memorandum of Agreement and the deployment date of the scheme, will be confirmed as part of this process.
776. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to fulfil the programme for government commitment to embed ageing in place options for older persons into the planning system as the county and city development plans are redrawn in 2021. [41139/21]
View answerThe National Planning Framework (NPF) Project Ireland 2040 is the overarching policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland. Objective 30 of the Framework provides that local planning, housing, transport/accessibility and leisure policies will be developed with a focus on meeting the needs and opportunities of an ageing population, along with the inclusion of specific projections, supported by clear proposals in respect of ageing communities as part of the core strategy of city and county development plans.
Each of the thirty-one local authorities must prepare a city or county development plan every six years, as well as more area or town-focused local area plans. Development plans put in place a range of spatial polices that support the accommodation of and quality of life for all, including older persons, with objectives included for “the integration of the planning and sustainable development of the area with the social, community and cultural requirements of the area and its population”. In particular these objectives include “facilities for the elderly and for persons with disabilities”.
In terms of the evaluation of housing needs, National Policy Objective 37 of the National Planning Framework (NPF) provides for a Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) to be undertaken in each local authority area. The objective is to ensure long-term strategic housing needs are met. The purpose of the HNDA is to: (1) assist local authorities to develop long-term strategic views of housing need across all tenure, (2) provide a robust evidence base to support decisions about new housing supply, wider investment and housing related services, which inform an overall national housing profile, (3) inform policies about the proportion of social and affordable housing required, and (4) provide evidence to inform policies related to the provision of specialist housing and housing related services. Further information on the HNDA is available online at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/eaa99-housing-need-and-demand-assessment-hnda/.
Guidance was issued to local authorities on 14 April 2021 by Circular, advising that the Excel-based HNDA Tool with associated Instructions, data sources and other background information are available on the HNDA page of the Department’s website and that it is expected that a HNDA will be completed in accordance with the associated guidance as part of the development plan review process in cases where the notice of the review of the plan issues subsequent to 14 April 2021.
777. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to fulfil the programme for government commitment to increase the provision of smaller homes in developments ensuring that older persons can remain living in their communities close to essential services and facilities. [41140/21]
View answerThe ‘Programme for Government - Our Shared Future’ commits to ensuring that, where new developments are being provided, there is an appropriate mix of housing design types, including universally designed units, and accommodation for older people and people with disabilities. In addition, the Government is also committed to supporting older people to remain living in their own homes and communities as they age if that is their wish.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health, is currently implementing the 40 actions under the Housing Options for our Ageing Population Joint Policy Statement, published in 2019, including supported housing/housing with care so that older people have a wider range of housing options and choices available to them. An Implementation Group with an independent Chair is overseeing the development of the policy framework and has published two progress reports to date.
We are committed to putting in place measures to ensure that sustainable housing is provided in the right location to enable people to age in the community; to design housing and the environment in accordance with the principles of sustainable lifetime housing; to promote the use of assistive technology and provide grant assistance to support people to live independently; to give adequate consideration to the need for social connectedness in devising policy; and to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to achieve the policy objectives.
In terms of the evaluation of housing needs, National Policy Objective 37 of the National Planning Framework (NPF) provides for a Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) to be undertaken in each local authority area. The objective is to ensure long-term strategic housing needs are met. The purpose of the HNDA is to: (1) assist local authorities to develop long-term strategic views of housing need across all tenures, (2) provide a robust evidence base to support decisions about new housing supply, wider investment and housing related services, which inform an overall national housing profile, (3) inform policies about the proportion of social and affordable housing required, and (4) provide evidence to inform policies related to the provision of specialist housing and housing related services. Further information on the HNDA is available online at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/eaa99-housing-need-and-demand-assessment-hnda/.
Guidance was issued to local authorities on 14 April 2021 by Circular, advising that the Excel-based HNDA Tool with associated Instructions, data sources and other background information are available on the HNDA page of the Department’s website and that it is expected that a HNDA will be completed in accordance with the associated guidance as part of the development plan and aligned housing strategy review process in cases where the notice of the review of the plan issues subsequent to 14 April 2021.
778. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will amend section 22 of the Wildlife Act 1976 to ensure it conforms with the EU birds and habitats directives. [41141/21]
View answerSection 22 provides for the enforcement of protection of wild birds. It is an offence, except in accordance with a licence issued by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to hunt a protected wild bird, to injure a protected wild bird, to wilfully take, remove, destroy, injure or mutilate the eggs or nest, or to wilfully disturb a protected wild bird on or near a nest containing eggs or unflown young.
Section 9, as amended by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, provides that nothing shall be allowed to be done by licence or permit issued under the Act that would contravene the requirements and obligations of the Birds Directive or the Habitats Directive.
In 2022, I intend to commence a review of the Wildlife Acts as part of the Government’s commitment to review the protection (including enforcement of relevant legislation) of our natural heritage.
779. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of and position regarding the establishment of a wildlife crime unit in the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41142/21]
View answerThe process of resourcing a Wildlife Crime Unit in the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has commenced.
It has always been an important function of the NPWS to enforce the wildlife laws and this will continue to be the case. It will continue to work, primarily, by supporting the law enforcement work of the regional staff, for example, by arranging and conducting training, and providing best-practice guidance on the conduct of investigations. It will also liaise at national level with An Garda Síochána and with Revenue’s Custom Service in relation to wildlife crime, including crime involving the international trade in protected species.
780. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of prosecutions relating to wildlife crimes under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 from 1 June 2020 to 1 July 2021, in tabular form. [41143/21]
View answerThe information sought is set out in the table below:
|
No. |
|
|
Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 |
28 |
|
European Communities (Birds & Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 |
5 |
781. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the reported cases of wildlife poisonings from 1 January 2020 to 1 July 2021, in tabular form; and if in each case a person or persons were prosecuted. [41144/21]
View answerThe following tables show the reported cases of wildlife poisoning in the period 1 January 2020 to 1 July 2021:
Table A: Cases of the suspected deliberate poisoning of wild animals
|
Species |
Number of dead animals |
|
Common Buzzard |
29 |
|
Red Kite |
2 |
|
Mute Swan |
2 |
Table B: Cases involving secondary poisoning and other environmental contaminants (e.g. lead)
|
Species |
Number of dead animals |
|
Whooper Swan |
1 |
|
Common Buzzard |
12 |
|
Red Kite |
2 |
|
Barn Owl |
5 |
|
Kestrel |
1 |
|
Peregrine |
1 |
Table C: Ongoing cases (i.e. toxicology report’s awaited)
|
Species |
Number of dead animals |
|
Barn Owl |
3 |
|
Common Buzzard |
2 |
|
Red Kite |
1 |
|
Peregrine |
1 |
Prosecutions: One prosecution is in train, for two people
782. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of deep retrofitting all local authority and social housing stock to the highest standard by unit; and the estimated cost of installing solar panels in the same housing stock. [41146/21]
View answerThe Energy Efficiency programme for Local Authority Housing requires the retrofit of homes to achieve a B2/Cost Optimal BER rating as set out in the Climate Action Plan and Building Regulation Requirements for Major Renovations.
The level and cost of deep retrofit to be undertaken in local authority housing stock to achieve this standard depends on the initial condition and type of dwelling. My Department is working with local authorities on the transition to a planned maintenance approach to housing stock maintenance and the completion of stock condition surveys on all social homes in local authority ownership is a key element of this. The findings of stock condition surveys will inform future works programmes, including energy efficiency upgrades. The Programme for Government commits to retrofitting 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal BER by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes.
The 2021 Energy Efficiency Programme (EERP) is a newly revised programme devised around the Programme for Government with an increased Budget of €65 million, to include the Midlands Retrofit Programme, and focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided. This requires local authorities to move to a 'deeper retrofit' programme, thus building on what has been completed in previous years. The revised programme provides for a significant increase in the level of funding available and focuses on ensuring that the fabric of the home is upgraded and an energy efficient heating system is provided. The works to achieve a B2/Cost Optimal BER include wall and roof insulation, new windows and external doors, heat pumps and associated works.
Under the new EERP programme the estimated average cost per unit to achieve a B2/Cost Optimal rating is €30,000. The cost of individual homes will depend on their pre-works building standard and energy performance.
783. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the spend in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and the projected spend for 2020 and 2021 on leasing, housing assistance payments and rental accommodation scheme agreements between local authorities and landlords by authority and type of agreement; and the number of these arrangements that are direct transfers from rent allowance arrangements. [41147/21]
View answerThe Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the long term leasing of houses and apartments from private owners, developers and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
Details on SHCEP expenditure for the years 2015-2020, broken down by local authority, and the number of SHCEP agreements supported by my Department during that period are published at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision. €250m has been allocated to SHCEP in 2021.
Total expenditure by my Department on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) for the period 2016 – 2020, 2021 HAP budget and the numbers of transfers from Rent Supplement to HAP are in the table below:
|
Year |
Outturn €M |
Number of Rent Supplement Transfers (per annum) |
|
2016 |
57.69 |
3,661 |
|
2017 |
152.69 |
4,131 |
|
2018 |
276.6 |
3,329 |
|
2019 |
382.4 |
2,799 |
|
2020 |
464.6 |
1,409 |
|
2021 |
558* |
327 - Q1 2021 |
*Exchequer allocation for 2021
Data for the years 2016 - 2020 in relation to the number of cost of tenancies funded under the RAS scheme, broken down by local authority, is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/?referrer=http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision#rental-accommodation-scheme-ras
Information on Rent Supplement Transfers to RAS from 2016 to 2021 (Q1) is also available at that link. €133m has been allocated to RAS in 2021.
784. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants on the rental accommodation scheme and housing assistance payment housing transfer lists. [41148/21]
View answerSection 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 requires all housing authorities, as a reserved function, to make an allocation scheme determining the order of priority to be accorded in the allocation of dwellings to households qualified for social housing support and to households approved for a transfer, the allocation of which would, in the opinion of the authority, meet the accommodation needs and requirements of the households.
The practical operation of transfer lists is, therefore, a matter for each local authority to manage, on the basis of their own scheme of letting priorities, and the number of persons on the housing transfer list is also a matter for each individual local authority.
785. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full cost of emergency accommodation in 2020; and the projected cost for 2021 and 2022, by local authority and type of emergency accommodation, that is, hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels and family hubs. [41149/21]
View answer791. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full year cost of providing emergency accommodation for homeless persons and families in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the estimated cost for 2022, including all supports paid to the local authorities and subsidies to third-party providers. [41155/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 785 and 791 together.
My Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the statutory role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. The purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
My Department does not fund any homeless services directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards these costs. Under the funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of these funding arrangements with my Department. Therefore, the exact spend by housing authorities on homeless services, as well as the types of services including emergency accommodation, are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homeless Consultative Forum.
Exchequer funding for homeless services is provided through my Department to housing authorities on a regional basis. The table below sets out the funding recouped to housing authorities on a regional basis for 2020 and to date in 2021, including funding recouped towards expenditure incurred in implementing exceptional Covid-19 measures. The Exchequer allocation in 2021 is €218m. The budget for 2022 will be agreed in the context of the Estimates process.
|
Region |
Exchequer Funding provided 2020 |
Exchequer funding provided to date in 2021 |
|
Dublin |
€217.5m |
€78.8m |
|
Mid-East |
€8.5m |
€2.3m |
|
Midland |
€2.5m |
€0.9m |
|
Mid-West |
€9.2m |
€4.9m |
|
North-East |
€2.9m |
€1.3m |
|
North-West |
€0.8m |
€0.5m |
|
South-East |
€3.9m |
€2.3m |
|
South-West |
€16.2m |
€6.6m |
|
West |
€9.3m |
€3.7m |
Financial reports from each of the homeless regions, setting out expenditure on homeless services are published on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/#local-authority-regional-financial-reports
787. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of building council housing on publicly-owned land that is fully serviced. [41151/21]
View answer788. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of building 1, 2, 3 and 4 bed homes on fully serviced publicly-owned land. [41152/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 787 and 788 together.
My Department assesses, approves and records local authority social housing delivery on a project basis, rather than on the basis of individual unit types.
As Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) 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 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 schemes approved under the SHIP and Capital Assistance Scheme 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) per unit type, recorded as part of the aforementioned analysis for projects tendered in each of the years 2019 to 2020. The tables also set out the range of costs that make up this average for each unit type. The range of costs recorded vary, depending on design, location and on the level of abnormal requirements for each scheme, for instance existing site conditions, demolitions, service diversions and site access requirements. Abnormal costs are also separately identified in the tables below.
|
- |
Construction Costs* (incl abnormals) |
Construction Costs* (incl abnormals) |
Abnormal Costs |
Abnormal Costs |
|
Average Cost Per Unit |
Range of Costs Per Unit |
Average CostPer Unit |
Range of Costs Per Unit |
|
|
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
|
|
1 bed house |
€185,246 |
€139k - €237k |
€25,181 |
€3k - €46k |
|
2 bed house |
€195,392 |
€129k - €263k |
€25,115 |
€6k - €66k |
|
3 bed house |
€214,076 |
€152k - €342k |
€25,121 |
€6k - €66k |
|
4 bed house |
€263,204 |
€205k - €321k |
€41,527 |
€19k - €66k |
|
1 bed apartment |
€197,087 |
€169k - €269k |
€32,919 |
€24k - €54k |
|
2 bed apartment |
€230,300 |
€198k - €306k |
€16,882 |
€7k - €54k |
|
3 bed apartment |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
|
|
1 bed house |
€189,320 |
€144k - €208k |
€26,699 |
€7k - €47k |
|
2 bed house |
€198,174 |
€136k - €255k |
€20,022 |
€4k - €58k |
|
3 bed house |
€226,455 |
€131k - €346k |
€19,227 |
€4k - €58k |
|
4 bed house |
€234,794 |
€192k - €298k |
€19,510 |
€4k - €58k |
|
1 bed apartment |
€291,762 |
€129k - €354k |
€32,609 |
€4k - €43k |
|
2 bed apartment |
€290,902 |
€170k - €373k |
€26,249 |
€4k - €43k |
|
3 bed apartment |
€323,407 |
€232k - €398k |
€27,379 |
€4k - €43k |
|
* 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) |
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.
789. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to provide a home to each person on local authority homeless lists, that is, excluding use of the private rental market in 2022. [41153/21]
View answerIncreasing the supply of public, social and affordable homes is priority of this Government. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to deliver 50,000 new social homes with a focus on new build homes. This commitment was underpinned by investment of €3.3bn towards housing programmes in Budget 2021.
The focus of the Government is to reduce and prevent homelessness to the greatest extent possible with the overriding objective to support households to exit homelessness into homes through the various social housing supports available. My Department publishes detailed monthly and quarterly reports on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The monthly report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The quarterly progress report includes data on the number of exits from homelessness achieved on a quarterly basis. The monthly and quarterly progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/. Progress continues to be made in providing homes for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. In 2020 almost 5,900 exits from homelessness to a social housing tenancy were achieved.
Social housing solutions are provided using a wide variety of funding and delivery mechanisms which vary in cost depending on numerous factors including the delivery mechanism, the size of the property and the geographical location. Accordingly, my Department does not hold the specific details requested by the Deputy.
790. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant properties here; the number suitable for social housing; the number that have been considered for acquisition by local authorities by authority; and the cost of acquisition of these homes. [41154/21]
View answerMy Department does not hold data on the number of vacant properties or the numbers that might be suitable for social housing. However, my Department is providing full funding support to all the local authorities for the acquisition of suitable properties for social housing use. The extent to which this is availed of by the local authorities can depend on the opportunities that exist to acquire the properties and their suitability for social housing.
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. Initiatives such as the Repair & Leasing Scheme and the Buy & Renew Scheme have been developed to assist private property owners and local authorities or approved housing bodies to harness the accommodation potential that exists in vacant properties. It is important that local authorities and approved housing bodies where they undertake such targeted acquisitions, do not compete with private purchasers and leave value in the market particularly for first-time buyers.
To date around 700 new social homes have been delivered via the Buy & Renew Scheme and a further approximately 250 via Repair & Lease. I am keen that further progress is made in this area of delivering new social homes through tackling vacancy and as funding availability to acquire or to lease such properties is not a barrier in this, I hope that all public representatives will support local authorities to deliver further new social homes in this way.
792. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full year cost of reinstating the local government fund to pre-2008 levels. [41262/21]
View answerI assume that the Question refers to general purpose grants (GPG) from the Local Government Fund. The Local Government Fund historically provided local authorities with finance for funding some of their day-to-day activities, including elements of water services costs, through General Purpose Grant allocations; for non-national roads; and funding for certain local government initiatives. As a result of the introduction of Local Property Tax and the establishment of Irish Water, the local government funding model has changed considerably and accordingly direct comparisons year on year are not practicable as the removal of water related expenditures previously incurred by local authorities must be recognised.
In 2008 €979,228,405 was paid in General Purpose Grants to all Local Authorities. In 2021, it is anticipated that approximately €529.85m will be paid to Local Authorities in the form of Local Property Tax allocations. As indicated above, water-related funding, provided to local authorities as part of General Purpose Grants until 2013, is now dealt with separately through Irish Water.
793. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the current standards applying to the building of apartments with specific reference to the reduced standards introduced in 2015 and 2018; if he plans to reverse these changes in order to improve fire safety, apartment size, outdoor space and mix of apartment size in order to make apartments and apartment living more sustainable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41279/21]
View answerI wish to first clarify that reduced standards in respect of the building of apartments related to fire safety, apartment size, outdoor space or mix of apartment size, were not introduced in 2015 or 2018.
Updated planning guidelines for planning authorities in respect of apartment development were introduced in both 2015 and 2018. The new elements of these guidelines primarily addressed matters that had not been considered in the preceding guidance document, which had been issued in 2007.
It is also important to point out that although referenced in apartment guidance, fire safety standards are separately and specifically addressed through Building Regulations, which are applied under a different legislative code to Planning.
The Building Regulations 1997-2019 set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around such buildings. They are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation.
Part B of the Building Regulations deals with Fire Safety. For buildings other than dwelling houses, the associated Technical Guidance Document B 2006 provides guidance indicating how the requirements of Part B can be achieved in practice. Where works are carried out in accordance with TGD B, this will, prima facie, indicate compliance with Part B of the Second Schedule of the Building Regulations.
A fundamental review of Part B (Fire Safety) is ongoing and will take note of Fire Safety in Ireland report (published in 2018), and consider common and emerging building trends, developments and events from a global perspective, matters relating to external fire spread, external fire resistance, internal fire resistance, cladding systems, sprinklers, etc. Changes in standards, including fire test standards and technological changes in areas such as materials and systems have necessitated a fundamental analysis of the provisions and assumptions contained in Technical Guidance Document B – Fire Safety.
In this context the Department established a Consultative Committee in December 2020 to discuss the technical revision of Part B/TGD B. The Consultative Committee has met nine times to date, in addition to a number of sub-group meetings. Draft documentation, which includes Draft Building Regulations (Part B Amendment) Regulations 2021, Draft Technical Guidance Document B – Fire Safety 2021 and a Regulatory Impact Analysis, is currently being prepared to support a public consultation in the matter later this year.
In relation to planning guidelines, floor area standards for apartments are set out in the Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities that were most recently updated in 2020. Current floor areas standards remain unchanged to those set out in previous versions of the guidance, in 2018, 2015 and in 2007, when current floor areas standards were first set.
Apartment design parameters that the 2007 guidelines addressed only in general terms or not at all, include studio apartments, dual aspect ratios and the number of apartments per stair/lift core and these were further detailed in 2015 and 2018.
Accordingly, the 2015 and 2018 guidelines specified planning policy requirements to address a range of issues such as, inter alia, internal space standards for different types of apartments, including studio apartments; dwelling mix, dual aspect ratios; floor to ceiling height; apartments to stair/lift core ratios; storage spaces and amenity spaces including balconies/patios.
Moreover, since 2015, at least half of all apartments in apartment development proposals are required to be at least 10% larger than the minimum standard size and this remains the case. In general terms, Ireland’s apartment standards compare favourably with those elsewhere in Europe in terms of floor area and amenity space.
I am therefore satisfied that these guidelines are necessary and appropriate to give clear context and direction in relation to apartment design and I currently have no plans to review these guidelines.
