Written Answers Nos. 43-62
43. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of towns in which the Heritage Council’s town health check has been conducted; and the supports which are being made available to support this initiative. [59578/21]
View answerThe Collaborative Town Centre Health Check is an initiative of the Heritage Council which is funded by my Department. 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 Heritage Council is oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie.
44. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the initiatives and their value which have been supported under the urban renewal fund. [59580/21]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides investment to support suitable projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas, which will deliver on the National Strategic Objective of Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities. The funding from the RRDF will also further the aims of Our Rural Future, the Government's 5 year policy for rural development, which highlighted the need to build strongly on existing investment and to strive for even greater ambition to achieve significant and rapid progress on the objective of balanced regional development.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
Three calls for Category 1 applications have been completed to date, while two calls for applications have been completed in relation to Category 2. Arising from the outcome of these calls, 89 Category 1 projects have been approved for funding of €221 million for projects worth €301 million. 75 Category 2 projects have been approved for funding of €34 million for projects worth €46 million. In total, funding of €255 million has been approved to date for 164 projects worth a total of €347 million.
The third call for Category 2 applications closed in July 2021 and I expect to announce the successful projects in the coming weeks. The fourth call for Category 1 applications will be announced before the end of 2021.
Table 1 below lists the 89 Category 1 projects approved for RRDF funding. Table 2 below lists the 75 Category 2 projects recently approved for RRDF funding.
45. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the land surrounding the Neolithic cairn (details supplied) was advertised for sale on the open market earlier in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59582/21]
View answer46. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps the National Parks and Wildlife Service made to purchase land (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59583/21]
View answer47. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proposals the National Parks and Wildlife Service has to ensure public access to the cairn at a location (details supplied) which is a national monument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59584/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 46 and 47 together.
My Department, working with the Office of Public Works (OPW), and in partnership with the Local Authority, made a bid earlier this year for the purchase of a folio of land at Carns that included a passage tomb dating to the Neolithic period. The monument is protected under the National Monuments Acts as a Recorded Monument but it is not a national monument in State care. The bid was based on a valuation by OPW and on an archaeological and operational assessment that the monument would be an excellent addition to the portfolio of monuments in state care in Sligo, adding to the ensemble of Neolithic passage tombs, many of which are already in State care, and which characterise the Sligo landscape. Unfortunately, the vendor chose to not accept the bid put forward at the time. The monument is on private land and there is no public right of way to it.
Sligo's numerous passage tombs are a remarkable asset, with a deep interconnection with the surrounding landscape. I recently endorsed the recommendations from an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) appointed by me last June to review applications to become part of a new Tentative List of potential World Heritage Properties for Ireland. The EAG has recommended that the 'Passage Tombs of Sligo' be placed on this new Tentative List. The list is an inventory of properties which have potential to demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value and therefore considered suitable for nomination to the World Heritage List in due course. My Department will be working closely with the local authority over the coming months to progress this application further. Additional information on the EAG's recommendations can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/71039-minister-endorses-recommendations-for-new-world-heritage-tentative-list/.
48. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a review of planning laws is being carried out; and if so, the terms of reference for the review. [59628/21]
View answerHousing for All sets out a number of objectives with the aim of improving the functioning of the planning system including the comprehensive review and consolidation of planning legislation. The review forms one of the actions in Housing for All and is set in the context of the broad policy outlined therein.
The review is being overseen by the Attorney General and he has appointed a working group of professionals with planning law expertise to assist him in this work. It is intended that the review will be completed by December 2022.
My Department is currently establishing a Planning Advisory Forum which will be a key element of the planning review. It will manage the stakeholder engagement through the process and will be chaired by me.
The primary aim of the Forum will be to engage with stakeholders on themes to input into the review. The Forum will have a wide stakeholder membership to input to the evolving policy and legal agenda, with representatives from a broad range of sectors, including representation from the public sector, business, environmental, social and knowledge based sectors. My Department is presently seeking nominations to the Forum from relevant groups and interested bodies.
The first meeting of the Planning Advisory Forum will take place shortly and it is my intention that the terms of reference for the Forum will be published once they have been considered at this this meeting.
49. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the planned refurbishment of 12 local authority houses at a location (details supplied). [59630/21]
View answerApproved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are making an important contribution to social housing delivery, as envisaged under current Government policy. My Department operates a number of funding programmes that assist local authorities to work in partnership with AHBs to construct, purchase and lease new homes and make them available for social housing. One such programme that AHBs progress construction projects through is the Capital Advance Loan Facility (CALF).
CALF funding is capital support provided to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) by local authorities to facilitate the funding of construction, acquisition or refurbishment of new social housing units. This loan facility can support up to 30% of the eligible capital cost of the housing project, with the housing units provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreements. A nominal interest rate of 2% fixed per annum is charged by the local authority on the initial capital amount. Repayments on either the capital or interest are not required during the term of the loan (between 10 and 30 years), although where an AHB chooses to, repayments can be made during the term. At the end of the term, the outstanding capital amount plus the interest accrued, is owed and repayable to the local authority. The local authority issues the CALF monies to the AHB and the local authority, in turn, recoups same from the Department.
With regard to the specific project mentioned by the Deputy, I can confirm that the project did receive conditional CALF funding approval in 2018. The most recent update from both the AHB and Local Authority is that they are currently working collaboratively to progress the project to Tender stage, which is anticipated in early 2022, with expected final delivery in 2023.
My Department publishes a quarterly Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report, which sets out the continuing progress being made in advancing the national local authority and AHB new-build pipeline. The latest report, setting out the position at end Q2 2021, can be accessed at the following weblink:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/d7709-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q2-2021/.
50. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will formally publish the results of the 2021 National Survey of Urban Seagulls commissioned by his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service including the analysis of the results; and the date for the formal publication with such analysis. [59662/21]
View answer51. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a series of matters in relation to the 2021 National Survey of Urban Seagulls commissioned by his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (details supplied). [59663/21]
View answer52. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a series of matters in relation to the 2021 National Survey of Urban Seagulls commissioned by his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (details supplied) and the Habitats Directive. [59664/21]
View answer54. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a series of matters in relation to the 2021 National Survey of Urban Seagulls commissioned by his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (details supplied) the Seabird 2000 census results and the April 2020 report from the consultative committee on Urban Seagulls established by his predecessor in June 2019. [59666/21]
View answer55. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a series of matters in relation to the results of the 2021 National Survey of Urban Seagulls commissioned by his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (details supplied), the Seabird 2000 census results and a statement reported to have been issued by his Department and the NPWS in response to a freedom of information request in July 2016. [59667/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 51, 52, 54 and 55 together.
With respect to population estimates, my Department undertook an extensive breeding gull survey of a wide sample of urban habitats across the State in 2021. This National Urban Gull Survey is part of a wider seabird surveying collaboration with UK authorities known as Seabirds Count. The analysis of the Irish and UK data is ongoing for the relevant gull species, as well as for other breeding seabird species.
The report of the National Urban Gull Survey 2021 will be published on the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) website in the coming days. The analysis of the Irish and UK data is ongoing for the relevant gull species, as well as for other breeding seabird species and there is no final publication date as yet for those analyses.
53. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a series of matters in relation to the Departmental and National Parks and Wildlife Service’s published document on its website titled Birds Case (C 418/04) Programme of Measures -2017 (details supplied). [59665/21]
View answerDepartmental staff recently met with the European Commission to discuss progress on the Birds Case (C 418/04) Programme of Measures. Another meeting will be held in January 2022 with a view to identifying further progress on the Case. With respect to the 2017 update, it was to indicate that the referenced planning authorities have responsibility for urban areas (in relation to town or village plans) that do not include protected habitats, that adverse impacts on such habitats were not anticipated, and that would be established and demonstrated at plan level.
56. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the exit rates from homelessness services for each respective local authority in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59670/21]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis.
My Department publishes a detailed quarterly performance report on homelessness, based on data provided by regional lead housing authorities. The report includes details of individuals exiting State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities and is provided on a regional basis. The reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/.
In respect of the information sought by the Deputy, and based on the most recent quaterly report to the end of September 2021, details in relation to the numbers of adults who exited homelessness into an independent tenancy are set out in the table below.
Exits from Homelessness by Region 2021
|
Region |
Exits Achieved in Q3 2021 |
Exits to Date 2021 |
|
Dublin |
886 |
2,982 |
|
Mid-East |
65 |
171 |
|
Midlands |
60 |
106 |
|
Mid-West |
48 |
137 |
|
North-East |
33 |
153 |
|
North-West |
28 |
42 |
|
South-East |
72 |
122 |
|
South-West |
73 |
218 |
|
West |
43 |
112 |
|
Totals |
1,308 |
4,043 |
57. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proposals, if any, there are to improve the criteria for the Rebuilding Ireland mortgage scheme, taking into account the difficulties that have arisen for some households with the present criteria (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59680/21]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available to first-time buyers only. This is set out in the regulations governing the Scheme. However, 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, I announced that 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 bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, will be eligible to apply for State loan schemes.
I look forward to announcing further details in respect of the new Local Authority Home Loan, the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, in the coming weeks.
58. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will establish a specific taskforce to review the impact of housing insecurity on one-parent families as part of the campaign by an organisation (details supplied). [59686/21]
View answerI have received a copy of the policy proposals referenced and I want to assure Deputies that I will be continuing to accord priority to working with my colleagues in Government to ensure the delivery of the appropriate responses for lone parent families experiencing homelessness.
Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. The recently launched Housing for All plan commits to working to eradicate homelessness by 2030 and provides detail on how the Government is approaching this as a priority. Homelessness is complex and causal factors and family circumstances vary considerably as do the responses needed. Homelessness is also inter-related with the other areas of the housing system and with broader social and healthcare policy and service delivery. Therefore, a whole of Government approach is required in dealing with this challenge.
An important aspect of this plan is supporting families and children experiencing homelessness. Family homelessness, including lone-parent homelessness, has seen an appreciable reduction since 2019, but still remains a key challenge. The overriding objective is to provide homes to those households at risk of or experiencing homelessness through the various social housing supports available.
Many families have found themselves trapped in long term homelessness. Housing for All commits my Department to working with Local Authorities and NGOs to identify families experiencing long-term homelessness that have complex support needs. Those that do will be provided with enhanced tenancy sustainment supports to help them exit homelessness and maintain their homes. Additional supports are to be provided to families by Tusla the Child and Family Agency.
My Department is also funding Threshold’s Tenancy Protection Service. This service provides advice and support to individuals, couples and families living in private rented accommodation experiencing tenancy problems. This service has been instrumental in preventing homelessness in the first instance and supporting people to remain in their homes. A number of ongoing public awareness campaigns, including those led by the Residential Tenancies Board, the Department of Social Protection and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, are all playing an important role in making households aware of the supports that are available.
Increasing the supply of housing, particularly new build social and affordable homes, is a key priority of this Government. Under Housing for All there are specific and costed plans to increase supply across all tenure types, including very significant commitments to social and affordable housing, with over 90,000 social homes and 36,000 affordable and 18,000 cost rental homes to be delivered by 2030. €4 billion in capital is being invested annually on social and affordable housing. This is the biggest such programme in the history of the State.
Housing for All specifically provides for the establishment of a National Homeless Action Committee. The primary objective of the Committee will be to bring together key Government Departments, agencies and stakeholders, to oversee implementation of the homeless inter-agency measures committed to under Housing for All and to ensure coherence and co-ordination of homeless related services in delivering policy measures and actions. Arrangements for the appointment of members of the Committee are currently in train, and it is to commence operation in December 2021.
The Government will continue to prioritise responses for families experiencing homelessness and this is being reflected in both strategic policy and in specific actions.
59. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the report of the review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service will be published. [59691/21]
View answerI refer to the reply to Questions No. 468 of 19 October 2021 and No. 393 of the 2nd of November. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) paper referred to is currently at an advanced drafting stage following the extensive research, consultation and orientation work. It is hoped that the final paper, which is being prepared Prof Jane Stout of Trinity College Dublin, will be finalised before the end of the year.
Once that paper is received the next phases of the review process will ensue. Firstly, the Reflect Phase as I and my Department consider the outcomes of this work and then synthesizes the resourcing gains of the past 18 months with a detailed, expert analysis of governance, organisational structures, communications, data systems and future resourcing, and outline the NPWS’ specific requirements across those areas. The final, Renew Phase will detail the objectives and prioritised actions required to equip the NPWS to continue to deliver on the ambitious goals, objectives and targets emerging from our Programme for Government – Our Shared Future , the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, Heritage Ireland 2030 and the new National Biodiversity Action Plan.
60. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on lighting and heating costs in tabular form. [59706/21]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Year |
Electricity costs |
Heating |
|
2017 |
€246,719 |
€84,599 |
|
2018 |
€257,974 |
€89,523 |
|
2019 |
€254,185 |
€102,672 |
|
2020 |
€749,576 |
€212,843 |
|
2021 to date |
€718,112 |
€221,906 |
61. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he has taken to improve ventilation in the office buildings of his Department; if air cleaning and or purification systems have been installed in 2021; and if not, the plans to install same in 2022. [59724/21]
View answerMy Department has taken multiple steps to mitigate the risks posed by COVID in the workplace. These steps include risk assessments which have been conducted in all Department Office locations. These assessments have taken into account public health guidelines and also guidance from the OPW, Health and Safety Authority and the Work Safely Protocol. All recommended control measures listed in these risk assessments have been implemented in each location. Some of these measures include methods to maximise the level of “fresh” outside air circulating in the Department’s locations, therefore reducing the level of recirculated air in the workplace. My Department has also implemented measures to ensure that there is sufficient ventilation across all office locations. These measures include maximising natural ventilation and staggering the attendance of staff in the office. All Department staff are currently working from home, where possible, as per Government guidelines.
My Department reviews its ventilation control measures, which are based on Public Health Guidance, on a regular basis. Standalone air cleaning or purification systems have not been installed in our office locations in 2021 and plans for the installation of such systems is a matter for the OPW.
62. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59519/21]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, a passport was issued and dispatched to the applicant on 3 November 2021.
