Gino Kenny
Question:295. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected expenditure on women’s refuges in 2022. [44932/21]
View answerDomestic Violence
Questions (295)
Written answers
My Department supports local authorities to provide capital funding towards the development of new refuges, while operational policy in relation to the refuges is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Provision of capital funding towards the development of new refuges, via the Capital Assistance Scheme, is demand-led so it is not possible to provide a projected expenditure figure for 2022; this will depend on the advancement of project proposals on the ground. However I can confirm that full capital funding is available to support the advancement of the development projects currently in the pipeline.
Homeless Accommodation
Questions (296)
Gino Kenny
Question:296. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected expenditure on homeless emergency accommodation in 2022. [44933/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 homeless accommodation 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 is a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum.
The Exchequer allocation for 2021 is €218m with a total of €150m recouped to housing authorities to date. The allocation for 2022 will be identified in the context of the estimates as part of Budget 2022.
Legislative Measures
Questions (297)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:297. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the parts of and the way in which the 29 recommendations of the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government pre-legislative scrutiny report on the general scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Bill are dealt with in the initiated Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021, in tabular form. [44957/21]
View answerWritten answers
The table at the link outlines responses to the recommendations included in the Oireachtas Committee pre-legislative scrutiny report on the Maritime Area Planning Bill.
A copy of this table was also provided to the the Clerk of the Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the 10th of September 2021.
Housing Policy
Questions (298)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:298. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the regulations detailing the eligibility and terms and conditions for the affordable purchase and affordable cost rental scheme will be published; and the interim eligibility criteria that are currently in place for affordable rental and purchase homes that will come on stream in advance of the publication of the final regulations. [44958/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Affordable Housing Act 2021 was signed into law by the President on 21 July 2021. On 18 August, I signed the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Commencement) (Parts 1 and 3) Order 2021, which commenced Parts 1 and 3 of the Act from 19 August. This brought into operation the Cost Rental element of the Act.
On 19 August 2021, I made the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Designation) Regulations 2021, which came into effect that day. These Regulations govern the process by which the owners of dwellings may obtain the designation of their properties as Cost Rental dwellings.
On 2 September 2021, I signed the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2021, which commenced Part 2 (other than subsections (2)(c), (6), and (7) of section 6) and Parts 4, 6, 7, and 8 of the Act from 3 September.
With the relevant elements of the Act relating to the local authority affordable purchase scheme (Part 2) and Cost Rental (Part 3), it is my intention to make further Regulations governing the eligibility and price ceilings that will be applicable to these schemes by November 2021.
The first Cost Rental homes were delivered by the Approved Housing Body (AHB) Clúid at Taylor Hill, Balbriggan, in August 2021, utilising funding from the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme. The eligibility criteria for prospective tenants was agreed with my Department on an administrative basis given the need to occupy these homes as soon as possible. For Taylor Hill, tenants were required to prove that their net household income was below €53,000 per annum, that they were not in receipt of any social housing supports, that their household size matches the size of the property advertised, that they could afford to pay the cost rent for the home, and that their household had only entered one application for a specific cost rental property.
Part 4 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides the basis for the establishment of the 'First Home' (shared equity) scheme, which is to be operated and administered by a newly established special purpose vehicle (SPV). It also provides that the Minister may agree the terms by which the equity support may be provided, covering, inter alia, areas such as purchaser eligibility and financial means, the homes that may be considered eligible under the scheme and the amount of funding that can be provided. Work on the detailed design and operation of the scheme is advancing and the Government's recently published Housing For All Plan confirms the intention to introduce the First Home Scheme in Q1 2022.
Housing Policy
Questions (299)
Catherine Murphy
Question:299. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Housing for All plan has been subjected to a carbon impact assessment in the context of the carbon budgets required pursuant to the Climate Change and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44966/21]
View answerWritten answers
Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland was launched earlier this month. The plan will increase new housing supply to an average of at least 33,000 new units per year over the next decade. This will include over 10,000 social homes each year over the next five years, with 9,500 of these being new-builds, and an average of 6,000 affordable homes for purchase or rent.
This Plan will ensure that we achieve a more sustainable housing system with a planning system that is fit for purpose and that will create long-term vibrant communities with the necessary supporting infrastructure.
All new dwellings delivered under this plan will be built to Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards. The performance requirement for NZEB is based on the 2018 Cost Optimal Study available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/39fe4-energy-performance-of-buildings/#energy-performance-of-buildings-directive-reports.
In addition the delivery of new social housing has also undergone a Climate and Environmental Assessment as part of the review of the National Development Plan.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 enacted in July, establishes a significantly strengthened climate governance framework to support delivery of enacted climate targets, embedding a process of carbon budgeting, including sectoral emission ceilings.
The Climate Change Advisory Council are expected to propose carbon budgets shortly, which are consistent with furthering the achievement of the national climate objective, following which a recommendation will be made to Government for approval to propose the budgets to the Oireachtas for consideration in accordance with the provisions the Act.
In parallel, the Climate Action Plan 2021 is being finalised and will be published shortly. As provided for under the Act, future Action Plans will provide an opportunity to set out actions, as necessary, to ensure compliance with sectoral targets and will include consideration of specific actions and measures for the built environment sector.
There was no specific requirement for a carbon impact assessment in the development of the Housing for All plan under the Act.
Water Supply
Questions (300)
Robert Troy
Question:300. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the winding up application of the Kildare group water scheme which has been submitted by Westmeath County Council.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44996/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has recently engaged with the local authority - Westmeath County Council - in relation to the Killare Group Water Scheme. The matter is now in the hands of Westmeath County Council.
Departmental Communications
Questions (301)
Carol Nolan
Question:301. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has deleted text messages or email correspondence related to Government or official communications at any point since January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45040/21]
View answerWritten answers
I do not use text for Government business. As I have stated publicly, any text message which I receive in relation to Government business, or my role as a Minister, I redirect to my email so that a record is created.
Emails in relation to Government business or my role as a Minister are not deleted by me or by my officials.
Water Supply
Questions (302)
Cormac Devlin
Question:302. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of do-not-consume notices issued by Irish Water in each of the years 2016 to 2020, in tabular form; the method used to communicate these notices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45077/21]
View answerWritten answers
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of public water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels, including in relation to the the operation of communications.
Under the Drinking Water Regulations 2014, as amended, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the supervisory authority for water supplied by Irish Water. The EPA produces an annual Public Supply Drinking Water Report and Private Supply Drinking Water Report, which provides an overview of the quality of drinking water in public and private supplies. The reports are based on the assessment of monitoring results reported to the EPA by Irish Water and the Local Authorities, and on EPA and Local Authority enforcement activities.
The EPA’s latest report ‘Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2019’ published in July, is available at www.epa.ie/publications/compliance--enforcement/drinking-water/annual-drinking-water-reports/drinking-water-quality-in-public-supplies-2019.php
My Department does not compile the information requested.
Question No. 303 answered with Question No. 259.
Planning Issues
Questions (304)
Duncan Smith
Question:304. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the changes in planning guidelines needed to ensure more changing place facilities in the country; the number of times the committee that was set up to progress this matter has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45095/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Planning system primarily deals with considering the appropriate location, impact on the wider environment, form and phasing of development. The purpose of the Building Regulations is primarily to protect the health, safety and welfare of people in and around buildings. While both codes deal with the built environment, they have interrelated but separate roles.
New buildings and extensions or material alterations to existing buildings must comply with the legal minimum performance standards for the design and construction of buildings set out in the Building Regulations 1997 - 2021. The Building Regulations 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.
In relation to the Deputy’s specific query, Part M of the Building Regulations deals with Access and Use. The associated Technical Guidance Document M provides guidance indicating how the requirements of Part M can be achieved in practice. Where works are carried out in accordance with TGD M, this will, prima facie, indicate compliance with Part M of the Second Schedule of the Building Regulations.
Part M of the Building Regulations aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. While the Part M requirements may be regarded as a statutory minimum level of provision, the accompanying technical guidance encourages building owners and designers to have regard to the design philosophy of universal design and to consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate.
In December 2020, my Department established a Working Group to examine the provision for a changing places toilet in certain buildings. A changing places toilet offers larger supported facilities that address the needs of people for whom current accessible sanitary accommodation is inadequate. These facilities enable people with complex care needs to take part in everyday activities such as travel, shopping, family days out or attending a sporting event.
The plenary Working Group has met six times to date, in addition to a number of sub-group meetings. Draft documentation, which includes Draft Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2021, Draft Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use 2021 and a Regulatory Impact Analysis, is currently being prepared to support a public consultation in the matter later this year.
Local Authorities
Questions (305)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:305. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the dates on which the changes to CPO for local authorities announced in the Housing for All document are due to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45131/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Indecon Report on the Taxation of Vacant Residential Property (2018) recommended that a major programme of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) should be activated by Local Authorities to purchase vacant properties, even when these dwellings are not suitable for social housing.
In this regard, Housing for All: A new Housing Plan for Ireland provides for such a programme of CPO acquisitions, supported by a bridging finance facility from the Housing Finance Agency, which will allow Local Authorities to maximise opportunities to return vacant properties to productive use.
The objective of the programme, which will be introduced by the end of 2021, is for Local Authorities to acquire up to 2,500 vacant units by 2026 and present them to the open market for sale.
The Housing Agency will assist and advise Local Authorities with the CPO process. Vacant Homes Officers, already in situ in each Local Authority, will be responsible for driving this programme forward.
Housing Policy
Questions (306)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:306. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider extending the eligibility criteria of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan to include non-first-time buyers who have separated from a partner and who meet all other criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45145/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme enables credit-worthy first-time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties in a suitable price range, where they cannot obtain sufficient mortgage finance from a commercial lender.
As with the previous local authority loan offerings, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is currently available to first-time buyers only. This is set out in the regulations governing the Scheme and ensures the effective targeting of limited resources.
Applicants who are separated or divorced may be treated as first-time buyers, in accordance with the regulations, if they meet certain conditions, including:
- they are separated or divorced under a court order or by a separation agreement;
- the property being purchased is the first property since leaving the family home;
- they have left the family home and retain no interest in it; or
- the other party has remained in the family home.
In meeting the conditions as set out above, in particular that the other party has remained in the family home and that the potential applicant has relinquished any rights they had over that property, no financial gain should have been made by the potential applicant in exchange for relinquishing their rights to the property in this manner. Were the individual to have made a financial gain in releasing their rights to the property, such as being bought out by the other party who remains resident in it, they would be deemed to have been compensated for their interest in the property, and therefore not be eligible as a first-time buyer.
The final decision on loan approval is a matter for the relevant local authority and its credit committee on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the Regulations establishing the scheme and the credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure prudence and consistency in approaches in the best interests of both borrowers and the lending local authorities.
As part of Housing for All, a ‘Fresh start’ principle will apply to applications to State-run affordable housing and loan schemes in future. This means that people who are divorced/separated and no longer have a financial interest in the family home, or who have undergone insolvency proceedings, will be eligible to apply for State loan schemes.
Therefore, the successor to the RIHL, the 'Local Authority Home Loan', which will be in place later in 2021, will apply this 'Fresh start' principle. I look forward to announcing further details in respect of the Local Authority Home Loan in the coming months.
Question No. 307 answered with Question No. 252.
Question No. 308 answered with Question No. 252.
National Monuments
Questions (309)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:309. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a decision will be made on an application made by a person (details supplied) that has been ongoing for a long time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45174/21]
View answerWritten answers
Officials from the National Monuments Service of my Department have been engaging as appropriate on this matter and expect a response to be issued directly to the individual concerned in the coming weeks.
Local Authorities
Questions (310)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:310. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if rent reviews were carried out in each county in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the local authorities that undertook rent reviews during this period. [45201/21]
View answerWritten answers
The right of local authorities to set and collect rents on their dwellings is contained in section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such schemes, subject to broad principles laid down by my Department, is an executive function and each local authority makes its own differential rent scheme.
The various differential rent schemes provide for rents that are linked to income. Tenants are required to notify their local authority of changes to their income so that the rent can be adjusted accordingly and local authorities also carry out periodic reviews of tenant incomes.
As I have no function in relation to the setting or reviewing of rents for individual local authority tenancies, my Department does not collate data on rent reviews that may be carried out by individual local authorities. Such information is available directly from the local authorities.
Local Authorities
Questions (311)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:311. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider issuing a ministerial policy direction to local authorities in terms of a minimum percentage of social housing allocation being reserved for persons accommodated in emergency accommodation in order to ensure parity across the State. [45202/21]
View answerWritten answers
The oversight and practical management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations.
Section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 requires all local 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.
It is the local authority which assesses housing applicants, taking into account factors such as the condition and affordability of existing accommodation, medical and compassionate grounds, etc. The authority then prioritises the needs of approved applicants in accordance with its allocation scheme.
Decisions on the allocation of social housing support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned. Each application must be considered on its own merits and the individual circumstances taken into account.
Local Authorities
Questions (312)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:312. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on funding being made available for a scheme to allow local authorities to take-in-charge estates with legacy wastewater infrastructure issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45206/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department introduced a multi-annual capital investment programme in 2019 to facilitate the progressive resolution, in a sustainable manner, of developer provided water services infrastructure in housing estates and to enable the taking in charge of these estates by local authorities.
The programme is focused on housing estates which are not taken in charge by local authorities and do not have their water services connected to the public water services network but rely instead on infrastructure, often temporary in nature, which was provided by developers.
In September 2020, I announced allocations for the first round of funding covering the years 2019-2021 inclusive. The announcement followed an independent Expert Panel review of all valid bids. The Panel’s recommendations are based on criteria set out in the Framework document issued to local authorities when requesting bid proposals.
The relevant circular for the first funding cycle is available on my Department's website at the link:
www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/circular-ldpi01-2020-approval-projects-residential-estates-under-developer
The Expert Panel recently examined bids for a proposed second round of funding. I am awaiting a submission from my Department on this and a decision will be made on it as quickly as possible.
The focus of the first multi-annual programme is on estates in towns and villages where the resolution is to connect their water services to the public networks. The programme will also support a number of pilot projects where connection is not feasible in the immediate future. These pilot projects, together with a major study currently being undertaken by Irish Water, will inform future policy considerations on resolving sub-standard developer provided infrastructure with sustainable solutions.
Housing Policy
Questions (313)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:313. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he sought advice regarding the exemption to the new affordable housing Part V measures introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45232/21]
View answerWritten answers
Amendments to Part V of the Planning & Development Act 2000 were introduced via the Affordable Housing Act 2021, which was passed by the Oireachtas in July 2021. These amendments were made on foot of the commitment in the Programme for Government to explore expanding Part V to encompass affordable purchase and cost rental units.
In the course of determining what amendments should be made, the Housing Agency was asked to review the feasibility of increasing the Part V obligation and that Review was received at the end of December 2020. The Review did advise as to potential transitional arrangements.
The advice of the Agency and of my Department was taken on board in the formulation of the final legislative amendments to Part V which were contained in the Affordable Housing Act 2021, passed in July 2021.
Passport Services
Questions (314)
Róisín Shortall
Question:314. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a passport application for a child (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45019/21]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the Deputy's query a passport has already been issued to the applicant in question.
Passport Services
Questions (315, 320, 324, 337)
Bernard Durkan
Question:315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport can be issued in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44458/21]
View answer
James Lawless
Question:320. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44652/21]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44953/21]
View answer
Gary Gannon
Question:337. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a family who has applied for a passport for a child (details supplied) can expect to receive the passport. [45268/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 315, 320, 324 and 337 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant.
The current turnaround times are 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals, 15 working days for Complex renewals, 40 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online and 8 weeks for Passport Express for applications which have been completed correctly.
Foreign Policy
Questions (316, 321)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:316. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the humanitarian assistance that is being provided to Myanmar due to the ongoing events in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44492/21]
View answer
Seán Haughey
Question:321. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being made by Ireland to provide humanitarian relief to the people of Myanmar unilaterally and through the EU and the United Nations Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44693/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 321 together.
I strongly condemn the coup carried out by the Myanmar military and the attempts to consolidate or legitimise the military regime. I call for an end to violence, the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained, including the President and State Counsellor, and the restoration of a legitimate, civilian Government.
As a result of the coup, there is a political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. The country is suffering from conflict, severe economic recession, large-scale displacement, collapsing public and health services and a significant surge in COVID-19 cases. This crisis affects not just Myanmar, but threatens the stability of the region. Ireland supports an urgent, international effort to address pressing humanitarian issues within Myanmar.
Ireland continues to provide humanitarian assistance for the most vulnerable communities in Myanmar and I have called on the Myanmar military to allow unhindered access to all regions for humanitarian workers. Ireland endorses the necessity of a clear separation between the political and humanitarian processes in Myanmar. Delivery of humanitarian aid must be free from political interference and not be linked to political, ethnic or other identity, used as leverage in negotiations, nor used to claim political legitimacy.
My Department continues to provide significant resources to humanitarian partners in Myanmar, with approximately €2.5 million approved for 2021 to date. In July, the Emergency Response Fund Scheme (ERFS) was activated in support of a project to ensure that women and girls affected by the crisis in the conflict affected Kayah State are protected from, and treated for, the consequences of Gender Based Violence.
My Department is also engaged in regular discussions with United Nations (UN) structures, International NGOs, Human Rights Groups and other organisations working actively on the ground. Ireland continues to engage with discussions at the UN Security Council which has expressed deep concerns regarding developments in Myanmar, strongly condemned the use of violence by the military, and called for the release of all those detained. While this united position is welcome, Ireland would also like to see the Security Council agree more tangible actions to ensure peace and democracy in Myanmar.
Ireland supports the adoption of the sanctions against the perpetrators of the coup and the economic entities that sustain them. In this regard, I endorsed the strong and comprehensive approach set out in the Council Conclusions adopted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council on February 22 and the adoption of sanctions on 22 March, 19 April and 21 June. We are currently working with the EU to consider further actions which will work to restore the democratic path in Myanmar and not negatively affect developmental gains or exacerbate the humanitarian situation.
The crisis remains on the agenda of the Security Council and Ireland will continue to actively engage for a peaceful solution to the crisis and for the delivery of humanitarian support. Through the UN and our Embassy network, we are encouraging all those who have influence on the military leadership to use it to find a political resolution to this crisis and protect the human rights of the people of Myanmar.