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Tuesday, 30 Nov 2021

Written Answers Nos. 242-264

Commercial Rates

Questions (242)

Carol Nolan

Question:

242. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is a policy in place allowing local authorities to link the commercial rates they charge businesses to the property's energy rating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58601/21]

View answer

Written answers

Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2020.

The Commissioner of Valuation has sole responsibility for valuation matters, including determination of relevant property under the Valuation Acts for the purposes of rates. The Commissioner is independent in the performance of his functions under the Valuation Acts.

Action 46 of the All Government Climate Action Plan 2019 to Tackle Climate Breakdown examined the feasibility for commercial rates to be linked to BER. The Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 includes a provision to enable local authorities to introduce rates alleviation measures to support local and national policy objectives. The specific nature of any such schemes at local level will be a matter for the local authority concerned and thus may include measures to support climate action.

Currently, only the sections of the Act relating to the amendment of the Rate Limitation Order have been commenced. It had been intended that the bulk of the provisions would be operational for the 2021 local authority budget cycle, in November 2020. However, preparations have been delayed due to the impact of the COVID crisis. Plans to commence the legislation and introduce the regulations are temporarily delayed, with the revised aim of achieving necessary amendments to the Act, commencing the Act and signature of prescribed regulations in 2022.

Housing Schemes

Questions (243, 261)

Verona Murphy

Question:

243. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 331 of 11 May 2021, if a review of income eligibility for social housing supports has been completed at local authority level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58748/21]

View answer

Mattie McGrath

Question:

261. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the social housing income limits for County Tipperary as a matter of urgency to bring them in line with neighbouring counties and to reflect the general rent increases nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58902/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 261 together.

Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas.

Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.

The income bands are expressed in terms of a maximum net income threshold for a single-person household, with an allowance of 5% for each additional adult household member, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10% and separately a 2.5% allowance for each child.

The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household's basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. It is important to note that the limits introduced in 2011 also reflected a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing.

Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources.

Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland was published in September 2021 and, among other things, commits to a review of income eligibility for social housing. The review is underway and is examining the efficiency of the banding model and its application to local authorities and equivalisation as between singles and families, while also having regard to new initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and Cost Rental. I intend the review to be completed before the end of the year.

Housing Provision

Questions (244, 245, 246, 250)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

244. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses constructed per year under the Limerick Regeneration Programme since the original Limerick regeneration master plan in January 2008, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58773/21]

View answer

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

245. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses constructed in each of the regeneration areas under the Limerick Regeneration Programme since the original Limerick regeneration master plan in January 2008, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58774/21]

View answer

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

246. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses demolished in each of the regeneration areas under the Limerick Regeneration Programme since the original Limerick regeneration master plan in January 2008, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58775/21]

View answer

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

250. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses demolished per year under the Limerick Regeneration Programme since the original Limerick regeneration master plan in January 2008, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58825/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 to 246, inclusive, and 250 together.

The detailed advancement of the Limerick Regeneration programme is a matter for Limerick City & County Council. Based on information provided by the Council, the numbers of housing units demolished and newly built, are as set out in the tables below. My Department does not have details of the demolitions on an area basis.

Demolitions:

Year

Nos.

2008

110

2009

104

2010

190

2011

242

2012

89

2013

100

2014

78

2015

44

2016

32

2017

17

2018

2

2019

24

2020

0

2021

23

Construction:

Year

Southill

Moyross

Ballinacurra Weston

St Mary's Park

2013

34

2014

35

29

2015

10

2016

2

2017

10

81

2018

42

15

2019

4

2020

2021

2

Question No. 245 answered with Question No. 244.
Question No. 246 answered with Question No. 244.

Commercial Rates

Questions (247)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

247. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a further extension of the local authority commercial rates waiver until June 2022 given that many businesses in counties Carlow and Kilkenny will struggle to remain open during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58779/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Government recouped €729m to local authorities to fund the cost of a rates waiver in 2020. This meant that for eligible businesses their commercial rates were funded by Government for nine months of 2020.

€435m has been allocated by Government to fund the cost of a rates waiver for Q1 to Q3 this year. Administration of the waiver by local authorities is ongoing and local authorities are currently submitting returns for recoupment of the costs of the waiver to the Department. These are unprecedented measures, which offered support to businesses and financial certainty to local authorities.

A more targeted rates waiver for Q4 2021 was announced in Budget 2022 to cover the hospitality, arts, leisure and entertainment sectors, travel agency and airports sector. €62.3m has been allocated by Government for this waiver. The waiver is intended to assist specific sectors as they continue to be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions beyond September 2021.

It is recognised that the hospitality and tourism sectors make a very significant contribution to local authority income through their commercial rates, and to local economies generally by enticing visitors, boosting walk-in trade for other businesses and providing employment. It is also the case that the hospitality and tourism sectors are widely affected by current COVID-19 restrictions.

As with all public health measures and associated supports, the waiver of commercial rates will be kept under review. As has been the case since the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department will continue to engage with the local government sector and with individual local authorities on the financial impacts of the pandemic.

National Parks

Questions (248)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

248. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to help with the low staffing levels in Killarney National Park given that it was announced in Budget 2022 that there would be rangers and other categories of staff hired but the Park is lacking in staff for general maintenance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58780/21]

View answer

Written answers

Staffing levels across the Department, including the Killarney National Park, are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing, as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

I am pleased to note that in recent years there has been significant recruitment in the National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department and in particular in Killarney National Park. From 2017 to 2021, 11 permanent Industrial staff, such as Guides, General Operatives and Gardeners have been recruited to the Park. My Department is currently in the process of a number of recruitment campaigns for seasonal staff across a number of grades to manage our National Parks including Killarney National Park. In addition, a calibrated portion of the expansion of the Conservation Ranger cohort will be assigned to Killarney National Park as well as our other national parks and nature reserves in the ownership and care of the NPWS.

Heritage Promotion

Questions (249)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

249. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details on schemes that would encourage new buyers of protected buildings, considering that at present my understanding is that grants must be applied for post-sale which is leaving a number of historic buildings unsold and possibly further deteriorating in the process due to the risk involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58866/21]

View answer

Written answers

I am not aware of any scheme aimed at prospective purchasers of protected structures such as the Deputy suggests. My Department, however, offers a number of financial supports for owners of protected structures, which may be of interest to home buyers considering purchasing such a structure.

Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect architectural heritage by including particular structures on their respective Records of Protected Structures (RPS). Inclusion on the RPS places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with any development proposals affecting them.

To assist local authorities and owners in fulfilling their statutory obligations, the Act provides for me, with the consent of the Oireachtas, to make grants to the local authorities for the purpose of assisting owners in carrying out eligible conservation works to their properties. This is achieved through two grant schemes: the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS).

Under the 2021 HSF and BHIS 562 heritage projects across every county in the country were allocated funding from a combined sum of €6m. I was delighted to launch the 2022 HSF and BHIS schemes recently with joint funding of €8m. Applications for both schemes are now open and details of how to apply are available on my Department's website as well as on the websites of all local authorities. In line with our recently-published Housing for All, applications which seek to return historic structures to residential use will be particularly welcome.

The Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) may also be of interest; it is a joint undertaking between my Department and the Heritage Council, which aims to promote the heritage-led regeneration of Ireland’s historic towns. This year €1.5m was available under the HTI. By working in partnership with owners and local authorities, the 2021 HTI allowed heritage-led regeneration projects to take place in nine towns across the country. The 2022 HTI will be announced shortly. Again, in line with Housing for All commitments, the 2022 scheme will encourage private owners and/or occupiers to bring vacant floor area in historic buildings back into use.

Question No. 250 answered with Question No. 244.

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Questions (251)

Bríd Smith

Question:

251. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason there is no local consultation in advance of the erection of communication booster masts in the city; if he will provide information on the way and the reason the decision that these masts do not need planning permission was arrived at; if there are plans to change this practice under section 254; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58833/21]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission.

In this regard, Class 31 of Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, provides that certain classes of development carried out by a statutory undertaker authorised to provide a telecommunications service are, subject to specified conditions, exempted development from the requirement to obtain planning permission. Where the conditions and size thresholds specified in the exemption class are not complied with or are exceeded, planning permission is required.

Exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission in respect of specific forms of development are provided for when they are considered to be consistent with proper planning and sustainable development.

These arrangements are considered appropriate for the purpose of supporting the roll-out of a high quality communications service by a statutory undertaker while also taking account of the ongoing technological advances in this area. The legislative provisions are supplemented by planning guidelines entitled the Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structure Guidelines, which originally issued to planning authorities in 1996. In 2012, my Department issued Circular Letter PL07/12 to planning authorities, updating certain sections of these Guidelines. The Guidelines provide advice on appropriate location and siting considerations for telecommunication installations and masts to be considered in the development planning and development management process. The Guidelines, and subsequent Circular Letter, are available at the following links:

www.opr.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2012-Telecommunications-Antennae-and-Support-Structures-Circular-PL-07-12-1.pdf

and

www.assets.gov.ie/111242/904beafb-f8f4-4585-954f-c0753072e422.doc

I have no current plans to amend the Regulations in this matter.

State Bodies

Questions (252)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

252. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Land Development Agency is fully operational; the budget provided per annum for the work of the Land Development Agency; and the number of staff currently employed by the Agency. [58837/21]

View answer

Written answers

The 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 was recently signed in law and, on commencement, the LDA will be established as a commercial State agency. In advance of the establishment of the new commercial entity, significant preparatory work is underway in relation to a number of development sites, with feasibility, planning and other preparatory works already initiated.

At present, funding is provided to the LDA through my Department's Vote to meet its operational costs as well as initial capital funding in relation to the development of its projects, pending its capitalisation from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) with the commencement shortly of the LDA Act. A breakdown of the allocated funding and funding drawn down for the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 (to date) is set out in the table below. It should be noted that Covid related safety restrictions impacted the progression of the LDA's projects during 2020 and 2021.

Capital Expenditure

Allocated

Capital Expenditure

Drawn Down

Current Expenditure

Allocated

Current Expenditure

Drawn Down

2018

n/a

n/a

2,000,000

254,000

2019

16,500,000

467,000

3,549,000

1,941,000

2020

13,500,000

9,500,000

4,000,000

4,600,000

2021 (to date)

60,000,000

10,000,000

5,000,000

5,600,000

Under the LDA Act, funding of up to €1.25 billion will be made available to the LDA for the purposes of its activities through an investment from the ISIF. The LDA will also have the ability to borrow up to €1.25 billion to fund these activities.

Housing for All recognises that additional resourcing, likely to be in the form of borrowing, will be required to meet the increased level of activities envisaged under the plan. Approximately €1 billion will be required in 2024 to assist in funding the following:

- Pipeline of housing including on additional State lands;

- Accelerated housing through Project Tosaigh; and

- the National Asset Residential Property Services (NARPS) D.A.C from NAMA.

The LDA currently employs 51 staff members and continues to actively recruit staff, with a further 2 employees expected to join by the end of 2021. In line with its mandate, it will retain experienced staff with extensive skills and experience in project management, finance, planning, development, law and procurement and will provide professional services to master-plan key sites/areas for development in key urban areas, in partnership with local authorities and other state bodies.

State Bodies

Questions (253)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

253. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and details of projects the Land Development Agency is involved in; the projected dates of completion for these projects; and the breakdown of these projects in terms of the number of social, affordable and private houses generated. [58838/21]

View answer

Written answers

The 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 was recently signed in law and, on commencement, the LDA will be established as a commercial State agency.

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. In the table below, are sites for future housing development which the LDA are currently engaged in.

Project name

Size

Projected number of units

Stage of the process / targeted completion date

CMH, Dundrum

28 acres

1,050 homes (estimated)

Pre-planning public consultation complete. LDA expects to lodge a planning application in Q1 2022.

Devoy Barracks, Naas

10.08 acres

218 homes (estimated)

An Bórd Pleanala refused permission for a scheme of 221 units in August 2021. Revised application anticipated to be submitted for c. 219 units in Quarter 1 2022

St. Kevin's Hospital, Cork

14.5 acres

265 homes

Granted planning permission April 2021. First homes to be available in 2023. Enabling works tender issued November 2021

Meath Hospital, Dublin 8

0.75 acres

Under review

Project under review.

Hackettstown, Skerries

16.8 acres

344 homes (estimated)

S34 roads application being progressed with Fingal Co. Co. Planning application expected in Q1 in 2022.

Castlelands, Balbriggan

55 acres

817 homes (estimated)

S34 roads application being progressed with Fingal Co. Co. Planning application expected in Q1 2022.

Columb Barracks, Mullingar

24.7 acres

200 homes (estimated)

Public consultation complete to inform regeneration plan.

Pre-planning.

Feasibility stage, advancing development framework.

Dyke Road, Galway (in partnership with Galway City and County Council)

4.3 acres

200 homes (estimated)

Preliminary Design complete. Engagement with Galway City Council is on-going.

St. Teresa’s Gardens (Donore Project) (in partnership with Dublin City Council)

5.87ha

c.550

Pre-development stage

Cherry Orchard (in partnership with Dublin City Council)

12.7ha

c.800-1000

Pre-development stage – LDA procuring design team

Shanganagh, Shankhill (in partnership with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)

597 (Approximately 34% of the units will be for social housing, 51% will be cost rental and 15% will be for affordable purchase)

Planning permission was granted for the development in July 2020. Work has commenced on the construction tender process

The LDA is also developing a regional cities strategy. As part of this strategy, the LDA is running a design review of the Sandy Road Regeneration Project in Galway which has the potential for up to 1,000 homes. Also in partnership with Limerick City and County Council and other stakeholders, the LDA recently put a Draft Spatial Framework on public display in respect of the proposed regeneration of c.69 hectares of largely state owned land centred around Colbert station in Limerick.

A Cork Docklands Delivery Office was also established by Cork City Council in partnership with the LDA. The partnership will seek to promote a regeneration project of international scale and significance in Cork City. Cork City Docklands is Ireland’s largest regeneration project with a total area of 146ha of land. The new office will lead the development of thousands of homes and the creation of a new urban centre for international investment into Cork City.

The Government's Housing for All Strategy identifies a further 20 sites, in addition to the LDA's initial sites, with the potential to yield up to 15,000 units over time. These lands will transfer to LDA ownership as soon as practicable. The LDA, in consultation with the relevant Department, will undertake the process of due diligence on these lands, which will determine the appropriate residential yield for each site and other issues arising such as relocation of services.

An early site to transfer under Housing for All is the properties held by the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) in the Liberties area of Dublin. The Government announced earlier this year that the properties held by the DHDA are to be transferred to the LDA in mid-2022. The LDA intends to prepare a plan for development on the site and will engage with the local community and other stakeholders on other potential civic and community uses in addition to housing.

Under Housing for All, the LDA will also be responsible for ‘Project Tosaigh’, a new strategy to unlock stalled or slow developments on non-state lands. As part of this plan, the LDA will be tasked with intervening in slow or stalled developments, through an open and transparent process, designed to ascertain the potential for it to enter into strategic partnerships with landowners in order to unlock and accelerate delivery. It is estimated that this plan could deliver up to 5,000 new affordable homes on such lands that otherwise would not have been delivered, or would be delivered much more slowly. An initial call for expressions of interest has now been opened by the LDA and is set to run until early December.

Under the LDA Act, there is a minimum 50% affordable housing delivery requirement for those relevant public lands which are subject to Part 9 of the Act, with a minimum of 80% affordable housing on relevant public lands in urban areas with a population greater than 150,000, that is Dublin and Cork cities. This will be in addition to the increased 20% Part V social and affordable housing obligation being introduced under the Affordable Housing Act which will ensure that there will be 100% affordable and social housing on such lands in our largest cities.

Completion dates will also be dependent on the finalisation of plans and planning permission being sought as many of the sites will be phased over years due to size and scale of the developments.

Vacant Sites

Questions (254)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

254. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant sites across the country as of 2020 by county and local authority in tabular form. [58839/21]

View answer

Written answers

The number of sites on the local authority vacant site registers at 1 January 2020 is provided in the table below, along with the number of sites which were liable to be subject to the Vacant Site Levy in 2021 for the year 2020. In this regard, it should be noted that the number of sites on the registers on 1 January in any given year is not an indication of the number of sites that will be levied that year as sites need to be on the register for a full calendar year before they can be levied.

Planning Authority

Sites on Register 1 Jan 2020

Sites liable in 2021 in respect of 2020

Carlow

6

0

Cavan

0

0

Clare

15

14

Cork County

13

9

Cork City

18

12

DLR

18

4

Donegal

4

37

Dublin City

62

0

Fingal

8

5

Galway City

6

6

Galway County

0

0

Kerry

0

0

Kildare

4

0

Kilkenny

44

10

Laois

0

12

Leitrim

0

0

Limerick

10

5

Longford

4

1

Louth

0

0

Mayo

0

0

Meath

23

16

Monaghan

0

0

Offaly

0

0

Roscommon

26

18

Sligo

27

21

South Dublin

19

11

Tipperary

2

0

Waterford

16

14

Westmeath

10

0

Wexford

3

2

Wicklow

31

18

Total

369

215

Housing Provision

Questions (255)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

255. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social houses built, acquired and leased nationally by county from 2015 to 2020, in tabular form. [58840/21]

View answer

Written answers

Details on social housing delivery for each local authority, across a range of delivery mechanisms, are included in the social housing statistics published by my Department. This data is available to the end of Quarter 2 2021 and is on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/. Data for Quarter 3 will be published shortly.

Housing Policy

Questions (256)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

256. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of sales of public land to private developers or investment vehicles since 2011 by county and local authority; and the value of those sales in tabular form. [58841/21]

View answer

Written answers

It is a matter for each individual local authority to decide on the utilisation of its assets, including its land bank. A local authority may propose to dispose of land no longer required by it for its statutory functions. This is a reserved function of the elected members.

Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides inter alia that a prior notice of any proposed land disposal be sent to each of the elected members of the local authority. Details must also be provided of the person or body to whom the land is to be sold and any conditions relating to the sale.

At the next relevant meeting of the Council the elected members may then decide whether or not the sale shall proceed and any conditions to be applied shall be set out in the members’ resolution.

I have no specific function in relation to the collation or retention of information relating to local authority disposal of land banks. Information requested by the Deputy in this regard should be accessed via the responsible local authorities themselves. Queries in relation to land owned by other Departments or State Agencies should be directed to the relevant bodies concerned.

Horticulture Sector

Questions (257)

Matt Carthy

Question:

257. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to publish the report by the Chairman of the Working Group on Horticulture Peat; his proposals to implement its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58844/21]

View answer

Written answers

My statutory remit and responsibility as Minister does not include regulation of the harvesting or supply of horticultural peat. However, to assist in addressing the important issues around horticultural peat for domestic purposes, I set up an Independent Working Group under the Chair of Dr. Munoo Prasad. The potential of alternatives to the use of peat moss in the horticultural industry was examined extensively by the group, together with a number of related issues.

I received the final report of the Chair of the Independent Working Group on the 20th October. The contents are now being considered carefully with a view to publishing the report in due course. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Prasad, the members of the working group and all who contributed to the report.

Housing Schemes

Questions (258, 259)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

258. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria a single father who co-parents his children must meet in order for his social housing application to include himself and his children qualify for a suitably sized local authority property. [58894/21]

View answer

Sorca Clarke

Question:

259. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is an essential requirement that the single parent applicant must be in receipt of children’s allowance in order for dependent children to be included on a social housing application. [58895/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.

Applications for social housing support are assessed by local authorities, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 (as amended).

The 2009 Act defines a household as a person living alone, or two or more persons, who in the opinion of the local authority concerned, have a reasonable requirement to live together. Households meeting the eligibility and need criteria, qualify for the suite of social housing supports, including HAP, and are placed on the housing list to be considered for the allocation of suitable tenancies in accordance with the relevant local authority’s allocation scheme.

The receipt of children's allowance is not an assessment criterion prescribed by the 2009 Act or the 2011 Regulations. The oversight and practical management of housing lists, including decisions on eligibility and the type of social housing support allocated or provided to households, is a matter solely for local authorities in accordance with the Act and Regulations.

Question No. 259 answered with Question No. 258.

Housing Schemes

Questions (260)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

260. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in which there is a discrepancy in the funding awarded under the private housing grants scheme and the funding received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58896/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The detailed administration of the scheme is the responsibility of local authorities and any queries should be directed to the relevant local authority in the first instance.

I understand that the local authority in question facilitated an appeal on the application which was subsequently unsuccessful. There is a right of recourse to the Ombudsman, and I understand that the individual in question has been made aware of this option.

Question No. 261 answered with Question No. 243.

Local Authorities

Questions (262)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

262. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all local authorities are required to employ climate officers; the number of local authorities that have climate officers employed; the funding available for climate officers in local authorities to employ local climate action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58966/21]

View answer

Written answers

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 authority for which he or she is responsible.

My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis.

However granular data, in terms of the number of local authorities that employ climate officers is not collected and consequently is not available in my Department. The relevant information would be available from individual local authorities.

The funding for these posts comes from the local authorities own resources.

Local Authorities

Questions (263)

Mark Ward

Question:

263. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons who are employed as direct labour in each of the Dublin local authorities from 2008 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58994/21]

View answer

Written answers

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 authority for which he or she is responsible.

My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis.

However granular data, in terms of the number of staff who are employed as direct labour in each of the Dublin local authorities from 2008 to date is not collected and consequently is not available in my Department. The relevant information should be available from each of the four Dublin local authorities.

Registration of Title

Questions (264)

Ciaran Cannon

Question:

264. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of first registrations by means of form 3 applications under the Registration of Title Act 1964 that have been made in the past ten years, by county and folio number. [59092/21]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by the Property Registration Authority (PRA) that the number of first registrations effected by Form 3 applications in the period from 2012 and to date in 2021 is 81,200. A disaggregation of this number by county is as set out in tabular form below.

County

Number

Carlow

111

Cavan

1,083

Clare

1,348

Cork

11,636

Donegal

1,901

Dublin

32,751

Galway

3,543

Kerry

1,954

Kildare

2,314

Kilkenny

1,160

Laois

213

Leitrim

620

Limerick

3,177

Longford

447

Louth

2,391

Mayo

1,420

Meath

248

Monaghan

750

Offaly

982

Roscommon

390

Sligo

1,523

Tipperary

2,422

Waterford

2,718

Westmeath

1,193

Wexford

2,400

Wicklow

2,505

Total

81,200

I am further informed by the PRA that it is not feasible to present a disaggregation of the number of first registrations by folio number.

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