Tuesday, 28 Sep 2021

Written Answers Nos. 346-369

Housing Schemes

Questions (346)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

346. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to increase the maximum award limits, even temporarily, to local authorities and their housing grant recipients due to the rapid inflation costs in the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46301/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Funding of €75 million is available nationally in 2021 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. This funding has increased year on year since 2014. As part of the annual budgetary process, consideration will be given to this funding in future years in line with the Programme for Government commitments and the Policy Statement on Housing Options for Our Ageing Population, which is available on my Department's website at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea33c1-housing-options-for-our-ageing-population-policy-statement/

As detailed in Housing for All, housing policy objectives 6 and 7 give a commitment to undertaking a review of the range of housing grants available to assist with meeting specific housing needs both for our ageing population and people with a disability. Officials from my Department will begin a review of the existing grant limits and income thresholds applicable to the grant schemes later this year.

Question No. 347 answered with Question No. 323.

Question No. 348 answered with Question No. 342.

Question No. 349 answered with Question No. 155.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (350, 352)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

350. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of refurbishments carried out under each of the void casual let refurbishment schemes, respectively, by local authority in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [46395/21]

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

352. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided to Limerick City and County Council for voids refurbishment in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [46397/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 350 and 352 together.

Since 2014, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Voids Programme to support local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting. Some 16,102 vacant social housing homes were returned to productive use in the period 2014-2020. This figure does not include homes which were returned to productive use by local authorities using funding from their own resources.

Between 2014 and 2020, Exchequer funding of approximately €228.7 million was provided, supporting local authorities in preparing vacant units for re-letting.

The table below provides the full breakdown by local authority of the units and funding provided by my Department during this time:

	Units Returned in 2014	Funding 2014	Units Returned in 2015	Funding 2015	Units Returned in 2016	Funding 2016	Units Returned in 2017	Funding 2017	Units Returned in 2018	Funding 2018	Units Returned in 2019	Funding 2019	Units Returned in 2020	Funding 2020	Units Returned 2014 - 2020	Funding 2014 - 2020
Carlow	42	€325,111	28	€300,650	8	€69,450	8	€91,750	38	€555,874	14	€219,500	33	€708,145	171	€2,270,480
Cavan	23	€349,137	28	€307,018	32	€307,530	31	€303,112	14	€270,779	9	€117,161	64	€1,045,638	201	€2,700,375
Clare	65	€995,831	96	€1,472,533	79	€1,329,700	47	€966,203	43	€906,400	62	€2,194,139	77	€1,541,011	469	€9,405,817
Cork City	212	€2,872,028	281	€4,522,819	263	€6,812,333	81	€1,485,357	74	€820,190	69	€586,109	340	€5,872,791	1,320	€22,971,628
Cork County	155	€1,539,363	199	€2,091,578	98	€1,270,488	48	€1,130,977	205	€4,351,122	70	€1,653,333	189	€3,907,947	964	€15,944,808
Donegal	167	€919,797	146	€1,003,576	89	€986,690	168	€1,866,898	86	€969,585	43	€657,775	140	€1,131,879	839	€7,536,200
Dublin City^	499	€6,163,465	808	€11,635,088	575	€8,757,848	543	€8,520,549	495	€8,299,452	495	€12,137,116	556	€10,606,565	3,971	€66,120,083
Fingal	163	€1,938,780	139	€1,624,632	147	€1,725,774	121	€1,329,300	48	€589,150	22	€219,738	320	€3,800,289	960	€11,227,663
South Dublin	87	€627,407	27	€216,838	81	€703,736	87	€718,446	61	€574,589	89	€914,084	270	€2,946,175	702	€6,701,276
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown	5	€89,896	24	€262,768	19	€183,092	31	€283,531	50	€436,845	83	€778,172	43	€1,554,659	255	€3,588,964
Galway City	26	€474,050	25	€222,025	29	€346,650	11	€124,150	3	€0	3	€29,590	91	€974,607	188	€2,171,072
Galway County	76	€958,263	59	€705,347	37	€472,552	37	€401,159	45	€763,853	39	€462,756	61	€761,894	354	€4,525,824
Kerry	79	€718,938	127	€884,736	90	€917,549	90	€1,101,143	98	€1,132,446	61	€635,306	88	€1,474,892	633	€6,865,010
Kildare	49	€503,463	20	€359,808	24	€485,130	8	€205,960	27	€639,867	11	€157,429	90	€1,849,880	229	€4,201,537
Kilkenny	25	€484,430	23	€381,639	14	€351,278	16	€307,749	15	€212,293	13	€157,130	60	€632,470	166	€2,526,989
Laois	43	€257,014	12	€61,228	12	€97,053	4	€33,170	12	€97,688	23	€204,617	71	€675,592	177	€1,426,361
Leitrim	15	€229,072	9	€177,473	51	€712,404	0	€0	30	€387,427	22	€269,262	27	€257,652	154	€2,033,290
Limerick	94	€915,969	52	€500,689	18	€384,250	13	€215,520	24	€272,177	75	€1,439,616	117	€2,774,556	393	€6,502,776
Longford	16	€313,250	22	€426,535	23	€506,705	0	€0	3	€67,500	19	€276,465	71	€2,114,363	154	€3,704,818
Louth	14	€113,620	21	€292,279	8	€91,523	7	€83,518	13	€166,794	5	€72,053	94	€885,943	162	€1,705,730
Mayo	79	€464,508	174	€292,100	25	€233,089	22	€261,986	20	€204,474	5	€15,664	70	€773,638	395	€2,245,459
Meath	59	€1,037,501	54	€855,565	76	€1,435,700	52	€769,005	59	€836,941	22	€303,197	146	€2,203,939	468	€7,441,848
Monaghan	21	€92,751	13	€100,502	47	€667,944	38	€505,254	52	€496,283	13	€110,638	44	€427,980	228	€2,401,352
Offaly	30	€514,000	55	€551,532	53	€846,198	7	€107,792	10	€102,929	18	€228,253	36	€500,564	209	€2,851,268
Roscommon	34	€224,028	36	€258,773	80	€808,612	3	€44,324	2	€22,600	2	€49,094	44	€379,534	201	€1,786,965
Sligo	29	€311,648	39	€439,924	68	€1,097,909	40	€909,395	100	€1,650,283	40	€476,358	59	€1,006,483	375	€5,892,000
Tipperary	86	€935,801	115	€1,299,180	102	€1,204,318	107	€1,324,604	63	€771,582	72	€937,644	131	€1,737,504	676	€8,210,634
Waterford	32	€605,428	56	€488,724	90	€1,135,973	52	€574,309	20	€0	55	€608,714	93	€1,758,663	398	€5,171,811
Westmeath	56	€369,518	74	€650,813	43	€436,062	40	€329,113	23	€207,845	7	€71,893	31	€471,394	274	€2,536,638
Wexford	20	€316,307	24	€294,811	17	€167,007	34	€428,015	8	€0	29	€449,690	44	€497,319	176	€2,153,149
Wicklow	32	€650,204	43	€857,499	10	€245,887	11	€276,778	24	€452,145	13	€235,309	107	€1,179,514	240	€3,897,336
	2,333	€26,310,579	2,829	€33,538,680	2,308	€34,790,434	1,757	€24,699,067	1,765	€26,259,113	1,503	€26,667,805	3,607	€56,453,481	16,102	€228,719,159

My Department announced earlier this year that funding will be provided for the refurbishment and re-letting of approximately 3,000 social homes this year. Each local authority has been allocated a number of properties and work in this regard is well underway. Full details in relation to the 2021 programme will be available early in 2022.

Local Authorities

Questions (351)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

351. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of properties owned by Limerick City and County Council; the number that are occupied; the number that are voids; and the number under offer pending occupancy in tabular form. [46396/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

In accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2009, local authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of housing stock in their ownership and my Department does not hold the details requested by the Deputy.

Statistics relating to social housing stock have been published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Performance Indicator Reports. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock in local authority owned properties and are available at the following link:

www.noac.ie/?search=advancedPublications&categories=Performance+Indicator+Reports&year=

Question No. 352 answered with Question No. 350.

Waterways Issues

Questions (353)

Brian Stanley

Question:

353. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address the situation with Waterways Ireland in which water levels in the Grand Canal, in some cases have dropped by almost two metres making it impossible for barges to navigate. [46400/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Waterways Ireland continually monitors water levels in the canals and is committed to ensuring their continued use as ecological and recreational corridors.

Canals are fabricated water systems and as such, they rely exclusively on other sources of water to ensure levels can be maintained. Their management needs to be undertaken in a sustainable and adaptive manner, responding to changing weather conditions and the need for the canal and their water sources to recharge following dry spells.

Water levels experienced on the Grand Canal during the summer of 2021 were up to 700mm lower than normal.

Additional measures have been implemented by Waterways Ireland to improve the existing supply of water such as additional weed cutting in the supply channels and inspections on the canals for possible leaks.

A significant leak was uncovered recently and has been repaired. The levels have been recovering over the past number of weeks and with increased rainfall in the Autumn, it is expected that levels will recover fully.

Waterways Ireland keep all stakeholders appraised of the most up-to-date information and Marine Notices were issued in July and August 2021 to inform waterways users of the reduced water levels on the canals, these notices were also posted on the Waterways Ireland website.

As part of a strategic approach to water management, Waterways Ireland is currently developing a Climate Action Plan to develop projects and processes by which the agency can adapt to changing climate patterns.

Special Areas of Conservation

Questions (354)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

354. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement he has had with the stakeholders of the Gearagh special area of conservation, County Cork in advancing the site-specific conservation objectives detailed in the 2016 report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46424/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department completed and published detailed site-specific conservation objectives for the Gearagh SAC (000108) in September 2016.

The NPWS does not own or manage any part of this SAC, which is owned largely by the ESB. A management plan scoping exercise was undertaken by ESB International on behalf of the ESB in 2016/2017. The NPWS took part in the stakeholder group that contributed to the report produced as a result of that exercise.

Under the Habitats Directive, Ireland is obliged to report to the EU on the conservation status of all habitats and species of European Community interest, as listed in Annexes to the Directive. Monitoring of SACs are carried out by the NPWS on a cyclical basis. The most recent report was submitted to the EU in 2019 and is available on the NPWS website.

The priority habitat “Alluvial forests with Alder and Ash” is one of the qualifying interests of the Gearagh SAC and a monitoring site for this habitat is located within the SAC. It was most recently surveyed during the 2017-2018 monitoring period, when the area, structure and functions, and future prospects of the habitat in SAC were all assessed as favourable. This is in contrast with the national conservation status of the Alluvial forests habitat in Ireland, which is considered to be bad, and deteriorating.

The Gearagh SAC is also listed for the habitat “Rivers with muddy banks”. In addition to the NPWS survey, results of a 2018 botanical survey were made available to the NPWS by the ESB. The habitat was assessed as favourable in the Gearagh SAC.

The NPWS continues to engage with the ESB on the monitoring of this site. The positive findings from scientific surveys are indicators of a good management regime.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (355)

Carol Nolan

Question:

355. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will support a ring-fenced funding allocation of the disabled persons grant scheme and improvement works for use when adapting housing to bespoke requirements of an applicant who is blind or vision impaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46484/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department provides funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme to carry out works on social housing stock to address the needs of older people, people with a disability or overcrowded situations. The programme is 90% funded by the Department with a 10% contribution from the Local Authority.

My Department is very supportive of work in this area and has provided funding which has been increasing year on year to help meet the needs of local authority tenants. The detailed administration of this Scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation is the responsibility of local authorities.

My Department's approach every year is to issue a single full year allocation to each local authority, so they can plan, prioritise and implement the programme. Over the course of the year, my Department works closely with the local authorities to monitor spend and to achieve a full drawdown of the available funding. This means that if underspends arise on the part of some local authorities, they can be redistributed to other authorities. If a local authority is dealing with a high level of applications, further additional funding can be requested from my Department and every effort will be made to accede to any such request.

Housing Schemes

Questions (356)

Carol Nolan

Question:

356. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request that the publication of annual figures by the Housing Agency related to those availing or requesting housing support are segregated by disability or specialised housing need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46485/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area are set out in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) published by the Housing Agency. The purpose of the SSHA is to capture the total number of households qualified for social housing support across the country whose social housing need has not yet been met, in order to better understand the level of need for such support.

Below is the link to the summary report for 2020 which includes breakdowns by each local authority, across a range of categories, including details on households whose main need for social housing support arises from a disability.

A breakdown of the categories of disability is available in Figure 2.5 and Table A 1.5 of the report, and is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/970ea-summary-of-social-housing-assessments-2020-key-findings/.

It should be noted that the SSHA is a point in time snapshot of the demand for social housing support in each local authority area and does not necessarily reflect the dynamic nature of entry to and exit from the housing waiting lists.

Allocations by individual local authorities of accommodation to households with members who have a disability are not published by the Housing Agency. However, the total number of allocations and the breakdown of same on the basis of disability type is published in the Annual Report of the Implementation Group for the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD). The 2019 report is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/40855-sixth-progress-report-on-the-implementation-of-the-national-housing-strategy-for-people-with-a-disability-2011-2016/. The report for 2020 is expected to be available shortly.

Departmental Data

Questions (357)

Carol Nolan

Question:

357. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has invested in revised digital transformation to facilitate an online application system for housing support and transfers for persons with sight loss in accordance with the EU Web Accessibility Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46486/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. This includes ensuring that the services of the local authority are in compliance with EU law.

Accordingly, information in relation to the digital inclusion strategy of a local authority is available directly from the local authority.

Waterways Issues

Questions (358)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

358. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention or that of Waterways Ireland has been drawn to issues regarding a barrier on a walk and cycle route of the Royal Canal (details supplied); and if he will outline from his perspective and that of Waterways Ireland, the guidance and or policy regarding barriers and the way in which they are deployed along greenways. [46504/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

I am informed by Waterways Ireland that its policy is that staggered approach barriers and the way in which they are deployed along Greenways should be in accordance with Transport Infrastructure Ireland's Guidelines for Rural Cycleway Design (Offline).

I have brought the situation mentioned by the Deputy to the attention of Waterways Ireland, who have indicated that they will, in conjunction with the other agencies involved in the delivering and maintaining of the Royal Canal Greenway, carry out an immediate review of the layout of the staggered approach barriers at the location in question to determine their compliance with the appropriate design standards. This review is expected to be completed before the end of October 2021.

Waterways Ireland has also informed me it would welcome the opportunity to engage with any person(s) directly affected by access issues at the barrier, to try to ensure that access is not impeded by the current access control gate arrangement.

Student Accommodation

Questions (359)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

359. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will work with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to bring forward a new strategy for student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46505/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I am committed to working collaboratively with my colleague the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (FHERIS) to improve student accommodation provision through a dedicated working group set up for that purpose.

This will build on the excellent and productive relationship that has been build up between the two Departments over the past number of years. The Department of Housing played a key part in helping to develop the National Student Accommodation Strategy in 2017 the production of which was an action under Rebuilding Ireland. The strategy was published by the then Department of Education and Science and includes eight key targets and 27 actions to support the delivery of an increased level of supply of Student Accommodation.

The two Departments also worked in close co-operation in passing the Residential Tenancies Act 2018. That Act contained provisions designed to improve protections and affordability measures for students residing in student-specific accommodation.

I believe that Housing for All : A New Housing Plan for Ireland will transform every aspect of our housing including the area of student accommodation. The Plan is backed by historic levels of investment with in excess of €20bn through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Housing Finance Agency over the next 5 years. Crucially Housing for All takes a genuine whole of Government approach to creating a long-term, sustainable housing system for Ireland. I am confident that the breadth of measures and reforms therein will remove impediments to progress and provide for the delivery of much needed additional accommodation at scale. This will prove to be of benefit to all those seeking safe, affordable and secure accommodation including our growing student population.

Specifically, Housing for All contains a commitment to support technological universities to develop purpose-built student accommodation where such a requirement exists, through access to appropriate financing, and a specific action in relation to legislating to allow for Technological Universities to borrow from the Housing Finance Agency. My Department is already working closely with DFHERIS to deliver on this commitment and I expect top see progress in the near future. I know that The Technological University Dublin – the largest higher education institution in the State – has identified a student accommodation requirement and proposal and there is similar potential to do so amongst other technological universities. Existing more established Universities have already availed of this loan facility to the tune of €170 million over the past 2-3 years to aim to deliver more than 1,400 additional student specific units.

Housing Schemes

Questions (360)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

360. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Rebuilding Ireland home loans that have been issued to non-first-time buyers who instead qualify due to separation or divorce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46506/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department does not collect data on the number of Rebuilding Ireland home loans that have been issued to non-first-time buyers who are separated or divorced.

As regards the policy context, 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 Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, the 'Local Authority Home Loan', 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.

Water Quality

Questions (361)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

361. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the examination by the Bathing Water Expert Group into increasing the frequency of bathing water monitoring; if the expert group has examined the possibility of daily bathing water monitoring in areas in which recurrent sewage and pollution issues have been recorded, such as Clifden, County Galway; his plans to extend the bathing water season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46542/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

As a result of the increase in people swimming and beach users generally, I have tasked the Bathing Water Expert Group with examining the different measures that could be employed to improve protection of bather’s health outside of the statutory bathing season, within the context of the current review by the European Commission of the Bathing Water Directive. The Bathing Water Expert Group is currently developing terms of reference for an assessment of the different options to ensure all relevant measures are considered.

The EPA as the environmental regulator makes sure that local authorities carry out their functions under the Bathing Water Regulations to monitor bathing waters, to warn of pollution events and to take action where there are water quality issues. The EPA share the latest information provided by local authorities with the public through www.beaches.ie. I would encourage all bathers to use the information on this dedicated website before going swimming, and to always follow the advice of the HSE and Department of Health in relation to social distancing protocols when at the beach.

The Bathing Water Regulations 2008 (as amended), transpose the requirements of the 2006 Bathing Water Directive (BWD) into national legislation. These regulations set the framework for the effective management of bathing waters around the country. The regulations also aim to improve health protection for bathers and ensure adequate information is disseminated in a timely manner during the bathing season.

Currently in Ireland there are almost 150 designated bathing waters identified by local authorities with the help of public consultation. The water quality in these areas is monitored during the bathing season. The regulations define the bathing season to mean the period from 1st June to 15th September in any calendar year and also set out the sampling and monitoring requirements for all designated bathing waters.

The bathing water report for 2020, published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states that 96% of bathing waters met or exceeded the minimum required standard. This is up from 95% in 2019 and improvements in bathing water quality are welcome and necessary.

Local Authorities

Questions (362)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

362. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 24 June 2021, the status of the review of the position in relation to the filling of the post of chief executive of Galway County Council on a permanent basis; the person or body that is carrying out the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46543/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The merger of Galway City Council and Galway County Council to create a single administrative area was recommended unanimously by the Galway Expert Advisory Group in April 2018.  This recommendation was endorsed by a Government Decision in June 2018 and provisions to give effect to this policy decision were included in the Local Government Bill 2018. Those provisions passed all stages in the Dáil but were defeated in the Seanad and were withdrawn. 

In light of the foregoing, it has been deemed appropriate to review the position in relation to the filling of the post of the Chief Executive of Galway County Council on a permanent basis and I intend to review the matter before the end of the year.

The appointment of a chief executive is not part of the review, however a decision on the timing of such appointment will be made following the review.

 There is a requirement for all Chief Executive posts for Local Authorities to be advertised openly on the www.publicjobs.ie website operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).

The assignment by Government to PAS of key responsibilities in relation to the operation of the recruitment of Chief Executives to the Local Government Sector is underpinned by factors such as PAS’s statutory independence and by the core values that guide PAS’s activities, for example, impartiality, fairness and ethical conduct as well as PAS’s long-standing experience and deep expertise in carrying out assessment processes. 

Local Authorities

Questions (363)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

363. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the promised review by the Office of the Planning Regulator of Galway County Council under section 31AS of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, as part of the Pilot Programme of Reviews of Local Authorities’ Systems and Procedures in the Performance of Planning Functions; the timeline for the completion of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46546/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

One of the Office of the Planning Regulator’s (OPR) core statutory functions is to conduct reviews of systems and procedures used by local authorities and An Bord Pleanála in the delivery of their planning functions. In this regard the OPR is implementing a programme of reviews under section 31AS of the Planning & Development Act 2000, as amended, whereby each authority in turn will benefit from a review, broadly over a six-year cycle.

The OPR initiated the pilot phase of its reviews programme in late 2020, selecting four authorities for inclusion on the basis of the variety of characteristics, in terms of location, scale, urban / rural settings, etc., across these authorities. The blend of planning contexts offers a good basis for the OPR to test its methodology for conducting reviews and to further inform subsequent phases of the reviews programme.

Galway County Council has not yet been selected for a review. The OPR has yet to select authorities to be reviewed in 2022 and beyond. In scheduling subsequent phases of the reviews programme, the OPR will continue to ensure that a good geographic spread and balance of authorities with varying planning contexts are included.

It should be noted that 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 the Office of the Planning Regulator is [e-mail].

Local Authorities

Questions (364)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

364. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the promised review by the Office of the Planning Regulator of Galway City Council under section 31AS of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended as part of the Pilot Programme of Reviews of Local Authorities’ Systems and Procedures in the Performance of Planning Functions; the timeline for the completion of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46547/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

One of the Office of the Planning Regulator’s (OPR) core statutory functions is to conduct reviews of systems and procedures used by local authorities and An Bord Pleanála in the delivery of their planning functions. In this regard the OPR is implementing a programme of reviews under section 31AS of the Planning & Development Act 2000, as amended, whereby each authority in turn will benefit from a review, broadly over a six-year cycle.

The OPR initiated the pilot phase of its reviews programme in late 2020, selecting four authorities for inclusion on the basis of the variety of characteristics, in terms of location, scale, urban / rural settings, etc., across these authorities. The blend of planning contexts offers a good basis for the OPR to test its methodology for conducting reviews and to further inform subsequent phases of the reviews programme.

Galway City Council is included in the pilot phase of the programme and it is expected that the OPR will complete and publish the review report before the end of the year.

It should be noted that 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 the Office of the Planning Regulator is [e-mail]

Homeless Persons Supports

Questions (365)

Mick Barry

Question:

365. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the latest homelessness statistics; his plans for the winter period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46553/21]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and via the Government's Open Data Portal www.data.gov.ie/

The most recently published data is in respect of August 2021. There were 8,212 individuals comprising 6,023 adults, 953 families and 2,189 child dependants in emergency accommodation. This represents a year on year decrease of 5.6% on the total figure for August 2020.

Cold Weather Initiatives operate across all local authorities to provide additional emergency beds for rough sleepers where needed. These arrangements ensure that additional temporary beds can be brought into use across a range of existing services and facilities, for singles and couples who need them during periods of cold weather. These beds are temporary in nature and it is a matter for individual local authorities to determine the period of their operation. The cold weather arrangements are typically introduced in November and funding is provided by my Department to meet additional costs associated with these measures.

Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. ‘Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland’, the Government’s strategic housing plan to 2030, sets an ambitious overarching objective of working to eradicate homelessness by 2030 and outlines details on how the Government is approaching this challenge. It includes measures targeted specifically at those experiencing homelessness with complex needs. It commits to the continued expansion of the Housing First programme, and, importantly, ensuring that health and mental health supports are provided for homeless persons.

Question No. 366 answered with Question No. 326.

Student Accommodation

Questions (367)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

367. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to curtail the conversion of student accommodation to temporary short-term tourist accommodation as supported by a previous Department circular (details supplied) given the current shortage of student accommodation. [46577/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department issued a Circular Letter to all Local Authorities on Friday 24th September 2021 relating to temporary change of use of student accommodation. In accordance with the circular, in considering planning applications for the change of use of existing student accommodation for a temporary period, planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála must be satisfied that there are compelling non-Covid related grounds to grant permission for any such proposed change of use, while demand for student accommodation remains high. The removal of student accommodation from availability for student use runs contrary to the National Student Accommodation Strategy.

Accordingly, the onus must be on any applicant for change of use from existing purpose-built student accommodation to demonstrate that there is no longer a need for such use in the area in question. Otherwise, student accommodation should be retained, where appropriate.

In 2016, my Department issued in circular PL8 of 2016, the terms of which remain applicable and seek to ensure that student accommodation is:-

(1) not used for residential accommodation of a permanent nature;

(2) safeguarded for use by students and other persons related to higher education institutes during the academic year; and

(3) capable of being used for legitimate occupation by other persons/groups during holiday periods, when not required for student accommodation purposes.

While these requirements may be subject to a planning application for change of use, in assessing any such application, the overriding consideration must be the need for student accommodation in the area.

Departmental Reports

Questions (368)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

368. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department subsequently provided a separate submission to him on the Interim Report, the Minority Report and the review of the Minority Report made by the Chair of the Gulls Committee with regard to the briefing notes provided to him by his Department in respect of the 2020-2021 State-wide wild bird declarations (details supplied); and if a separate submission was provided, if he will provide a copy of same. [46601/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My officials will make arrangements to contact the Deputy directly to furnish the submission on the Interim Report, the Minority Report and the review of the Minority Report made by the Chair of the Gulls Committee to undertake a review of the issues surrounding the impact of gulls in urban areas.

Departmental Reports

Questions (369)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

369. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the recommendation has not yet been implemented with regard to a report (details supplied) specifically its recommendation at 7.2.13 which states that updated declarations should be published before existing declarations expire; and if he will provide a committed date ahead of the 2022-2023 State-wide derogations declarations by which it will be implemented. [46602/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) on the conservation of wild birds is implemented in Ireland, inter alia, under the Wildlife Acts. Under the terms of the Directive all Member States of the EU are bound to take measures to protect all wild birds and their habitats. The Directive prohibits, inter alia, the deliberate killing or capture of wild birds by any method, the removal of nests or the taking of eggs.

Under Article 9(1)(a) Member States may derogate in the interests of: public health and safety; air safety; and to prevent serious damage to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries and water; and for the protection of flora and fauna.

There are two general Declarations made annually, to permit the capture or killing of specified species of wild birds or the taking of nests or eggs of certain gulls:

1. One State-wide Declaration in relation to threats to public health and safety, the spread of animal diseases, serious damage to livestock, damage to livestock feedlots, serious damage to arable crops including cereals, legumes and brassicas, contamination of food storage

2. One Declaration for the State in relation to air safety.

The 2021-2022 Declaration was signed on 30 April 2021, before the previous one had expired.